Expectations remain the same at St. Marys

ST. MARYS - The faces change. Some of the names are different. Players, with their strengths and weaknesses, come and go.

What doesn't change at St. Marys, though, is the expectation of success.

It's been a while since the Roughriders were within a whiff of a losing season, nine years to be exact. Since Doug Frye took over as head coach 10 years ago, the Roughriders have an 80-32 record with two Western Buckeye League championships and a state runner-up banner in 2004.

So, despite losing their entire offensive backfield, two linemen and two linebackers - multiple-year starters all of them - don't expect the Roughriders to lower their goals.

"Coach Frye always says if we go 7-3, 8-2, it might be good somewhere else, but its average here," senior defensive lineman David Long said. "If you're not 9-1 and in the playoffs, it's just another average year."

The losses include running back Koby Frye, who totaled more than 5,600 all-purpose yards in his three years as a starter. His backfield mates, running back Kenny Bruce and quarterback Derek Dunlap, were two-year starters.

While not having exact stats in front of him, coach Frye believed the players vying to fill those holes have 15 varsity snaps combined.

"I don't think it's rebuilding. I think it's more like reloading," Long said. "All of these guys getting in now had to sit and watch everyone else play last year, and now they're getting the chance to play. They want to go hard."

St. Marys has a big, experienced offensive line to help them through the growing pains. Tackle Mike Breland is 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, guard Justin Felver is 6-1, 180, and Jake Yaney is 6-foot, 185.

"We've always had the pressure to block up front because without the holes the running backs have nowhere to go," Felver said. "We want to go and take people out."

The defense lost a pair of linebackers and an end, but it's the squad in which the Roughriders' strength lies. Six starters return, including a pair of backs, a linebacker and three linemen. Tackle Marcus Neal is 6-1, 290 pounds, and Long is a 6-1, 210-pound end.

"This has been an exciting year for me because our kids have taken on a challenge to try to improve as we go through," Frye said.

"Some of the most enjoyable years are when you have to piece things together a little bit. As a coach, those challenges are more exciting. Winning is exciting, that's the objective, but the main objective is to create good people through the sport of football."

PLAYER TO WATCH

Mike Breland

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound offensive lineman leads the line, which must pick up its play to open holes for an inexperienced backfield.

ST. MARYS

Coach: Doug Frye

Years, record at school: 10th year, 80-32

2007 record: 7-3 overall, 7-2 Western Buckeye League

Returning letterwinners: 16

Returning starters: 3 offense, 6 defense

Outlook: This might be Frye's biggest challenge in his 10 years at St. Marys. The Roughriders must replace its entire starting offensive backfield, which had a combined seven years of starting experience. It's never a good idea to sleep on the Roughriders, though.