2015 WPIAL football season preview: Ringgold

Ringgold: 10-2 (7-1 Class AAA Big Nine Conference)
It’s rare for there to be high expectations with a first-year head coach. There’s the challenge of learning a new system, new routines and new personalities. But when Nick Milchovich was hired to replace Matt Humbert, he was expected to win right away.
There were eight returning starters on offense, seven on defense and the offensive system was similar to the one under Humbert. The Rams lived up to the hype, finishing second in the conference, winning 10 games and advancing to the Class AAA semifinals.
So what should people expect in year two under Milchovich’s coaching staff? A lot. Once again, there is a ton of hype surrounding the Rams, even though Nico Law is gone. Returning two dynamic running backs will help ease that loss.
Senior Chacar Berry was selected Observer-Reporter first team all-district after rushing for 1,392 yards and 19 touchdowns while more than eight yards per carry. Sophomore Brenden Small also averaged 8.1 yards while rushing for 722 and five touchdowns.
Senior Daylen Penn, junior Justin Mayor and senior Dante Todaro are back on the offensive line, plus there are quite a few talented young guys ready to step in.
The Rams did lose four receivers who caught at least one touchdown last fall, but there is plenty of options outside. Look for Dalton Holt to emerge as junior quarterback George Martin’s top target. There are several players who are legit starters, including Brandon Newman, Brian Vandusen, Octavius Vassar, Darius Tyree, Easton Fine and Dave Carpenter.
The Rams will spread it around in the passing game and opponents found that out during 7-on-7 competitions this summer.
The offense gets most of the attention, but what about the defense? Law (free safety), Brandon Thomas (corner), Jake Gerard (corner), Aaron Szakal (defensive end), Robert Duda (defensive tackle) and Luke Baldesburger (outside linebacker) are gone; but the defense is actually the more experienced group.
“A lot of people talk about us offensively, but people don’t realize that we might start three seniors on offense,” Milchovich said. “We’re young and we have potential, but until you get under the lights you don’t know. Defensively, we’re more experienced.”
That experience starts at linebacker with Connor Garry and Jordan Briscoe inside, and Berry at on the outside. Small will see time at the other outside linebacker spot. The defensive line is led by Penn, Todaro, Isaac Petrosky and Trevor Colucci.
Holt is at free safety and the other spots in the secondary were open during camp. The defense plays fast and that was evident when it matched up well against Gateway and Hampton in the playoffs last year.
Ringgold can control both spread offenses and more traditional attacks, but can it stop Thomas Jefferson?
That’s question everyone continues to ask and it won’t be long before we find out. The Rams and Jaguars face each other in Week One at Joe Montana Stadium. Look out.
“If you don’t mention TJ first in the conference, you ought to be crazy,” Milichovich said. “I have no idea the last time they didn’t win that conference. That’s a big challenge. They have a great program and (head coach Bill Cherpak) does a fantastic job. My goal last year was to upset that order a bit.
“We stepped over one hurdle, so we’re hoping to step over that last hurdle, but it’s a big one.”
Players to watch: Chacar Berry, Brenden Small, Dalton Holt, George Martin, Connor Garry
Biggest Game: Week One vs. Thomas Jefferson. Did it need to be said? Last year, the Rams’ coaches were still teaching players the defensive playbook the week of the TJ game. Well, they know the plays now. It’s a matter of executing and this game will likely be decided up front. TJ won that battle last year.
Stat to think about: Thomas Jefferson’s conference record the past 10 years? 66-2. That includes eight conference titles. In 2011, the Jags lost the season finale against West Mifflin to lose the championship. The same in 2005. The average margin of defeat in those two losses? 13 points. That’s how big of a hurdle it is.