Expectations high at pass-happy Bellaire 109
By KIM NORTH
Special to the Preview
BELLAIRE — Five years ago, Jose Davis took control of a onceproud Bellaire program when it was at a low level. Since then, he’s steadily helped to rebuild the tradition that had been accustomed for the Big Reds’ teams and got them back to the Ohio postseason thanks to their berth in the Division V tournament. But, in no way, is the former Big Reds’ standout signal-caller satisfied, nor should he be. With 20 lettermen back — including a 3,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard receiver — from an 8-3 squad, expectations are very high once again in the All-American Village. “When you have a lot of guys returning from a successful season the year before, obviously the expectations are going to be high,” Davis said. “But like I tell people, and the kids, games aren’t played on paper. So, our guys need to continue to improve all the way across the board for us to be competitive, and keep on climbing the ladder like we’ve been doing.” The Big Reds open the season Saturday afternoon when Steubenville Catholic Central invades Nelson Field for a 12:30 kickoff in a game the Crusaders will no doubt be seeking revenge in after a pair
of tough-to-swallow setbacks the past two seasons on the Harding Stadium turf in Steubenville. “We all know they are going to come in here fired up because of what has happened the last two years up there,” D a v i s said of the Crusaders, who were blown out 63-27 in 2011 before watching the Big Reds pull off a dramatic 44-42 come-from-behind victory last season, winning on the final play of the game after trailing 42-19 late in the third quarter. When you talk about Bellaire, the first thing that pops into your mind is the strong tradition the Big Reds have when it comes to quarterbacks. From Mike Sherwood to P.J. Woods to Jose Davis to Ty Masciarelli to Matt Materkoski to Nate Davis to Nick Rocchio to Anthony Rocchio, all have thrown the ball all over the field, and done it often and well. However, third-year starter Spencer Badia (5-10, 180) has a chance to erase some more of those aforementioned names as he enters his senior season as the Big Reds’ field general. He has already eclipsed many of the career and single-season passing marks in Bellaire lore. In just two seasons, the strong-armed Badia has racked up 5,383 yards passing on 365 of 686 in the Big Reds’ pass-happy attack. He has 52 career touchdown
tosses, but has been picked off an alarming 30 times. Last fall, he hit on 212 of 387 for 3,001 stripes, 24 TDs and 13 INTs. He was 153-for299 and 2,382 yards as a sophomore when he fired 28 six-pointers and 17 picks. During Bellaire’s first round playoff loss to Cuyahoga Heights, Badia injured his right knee early on, but continued to play on basically one leg. He eventually went to the sidelined and underwent surgery a while later, forcing him to miss the entire baseball season his junior season. “He’s fine,” Davis stressed. “He’s been cleared since June and he’s been playing baseball, so he’s good to go.” However, Davis, who has a pair of championship rings from his professional indoor playing career, knows that a great quarterback is only as good as the players around him. “A lot of our success is going to depend on how we are up front, how we run the ball and how we are at receiver,” he acknowledged. “A lot of it goes hand-in-hand. Sure, everything starts with offense for us, but
Seniors (15) Spencer Badia, Nick Patrone, Skylar Jeter, Kyle Hess, Robert Kovalyk, Collin Nolan, Brendon Ross, Kenny Hess, Myliek Green, Seth Pickens, James Dunfee, Robby Kalinowski, Jeff Nelson, Wyatt Back, Ryan Callarik. Juniors (12) Bralen Snell, Tyler West, Hunter Westlake, Austin McConville, Dom Vinka, Chace Braden, Jonathan Longwell, Brandon Laughman, Jeremy Rife, Donivan Taylor; Cody LaRoche, Michael Kovalyk. Sophomores (8) Dylan Marling, Alex Hibbitts, Anthony Piper, Anthony Price, Austin Anastasia, John Price, Cody Tredway, Steven Krupa. Freshmen (15) Ty Taylor; Tyson Camsky, Gage Eden, D’Eondre Burney, Justyn Keyser, Cody Hamilton, Lance Norman, Derek Schybal, Jacob Smith, Logan St. John, Trent Gibson, David McConn, Josh Sabinski, Todd Morris, Devin Violet
we’ve got to continue to improve across the board, and that means on defense, as well. Davis also knows he’s got a special talent in the shotgun. “Spencer’s film study has gotten a lot better and his knowledge of what we are trying to accomplish has also gotten better,” Davis allowed. “He’s also gotten bigger, he’s put on some weight.”Badia also ran 93 times for 321 yards and four touchdowns. To give Badia a break, Davis will utilize the talents of junior Hunter Westlake (6-1, 185) in a variety of ways. “We’ve got some things that we’d like to try and do with Hunter,” Davis said. “We did the same thing a couple of years ago with Manny Ray.”
Good Luck to All Area Teams! Howard W. Peterson, Jr., D.D.S. Doyoung Choi, D.D.S., M.S ORTHODONTICS 601 Brady Avenue Steubenville, Ohio 43952 Phone 740.283.3641 Fax 740.283.3403
Freshmen Tyson Camsky (5-9, 145), D’Eondre Burney (5-7, 120) and Ty Taylor (6-0, 160), a transfer from St. John Central, are listed as the backups. “Ty Taylor is getting better and better every day,” the head coach said. According to Davis, who played collegiately at Kent State University, the Big Reds’ running backs will be a committee, so to say. “Losing Nick Maffe will certainly hurt a little, but they way we look at it, he wasn’t even counted on before the season started. He got the call when Logan (Koshenka) got nicked up. He stepped up and played a big role in our success.” Maffe picked up 527 yards on 94 carries, scoring 10 touchdowns.
He also caught 25 passes for 267 yards and another two TDs. Cat-quick junior Bralen Snell (5-8, 170) will be the Big Red’s first option, with classmate Tyler West (5-10, 160) also expected to see a lot of time in the backfield. “We’re looking for some big things from Bralen this year,” Davis allowed. “He kind of fits the mold of what we want back there.” Another player that could develop into something big is junior transfer Brandon Laughman (5-8, 185), who comes over from rival Martins Ferry where he ran for 392 yards and seven touchdowns on 73 carries last season. However, Laughman may have to sit out the first five See BELLAIRE Page 112 ➪