Page 2 Football Preview 2013 A Barberton Herald Publication

2013 Barberton Magics Varsity Football

Randy BroadwaterHerald Sports Writer

The Barberton Magics are hoping to improve from a 2-8 record in 2012, but it will be a daunting task considering the schedule they face.

The Magics have five parochial schools on the schedule this season including Hoban in week four, Walsh Jesuit in week five, Canton Central Catholic in week seven, St. Vincent -St. Mary in week eight and St. Thomas Aquinas in week nine. Add to that Barberton has scheduled perennial powerhouse Steubenville and will face Northwest once again in the season finale, a team that has proven to be a major hurdle for the Magics.

The Magics best chances for wins come in the first three games of the season when they open against Cuyahoga Fal l s Fr iday, S e p t . 3 0 , f o l l ow e d b y Kenmore and Springfield.

Falls and Kenmore are not "gimme" games. Even though the Falls finished 3-7 last season, they handily defeated the Magics in last

year's opener, while Kenmore is coming off a 5-5 season.

All is not doom and gloom for the Magics though. The Magics have some good talent on the roster starting with senior quar-terback John Cominsky. At 6-5, 215, Cominsky has the size to see over the line, and as he has shown in the two scrimmages against Garfield and Ellet, is a very big threat when running the football. He is also an accurate passer and has some capable targets to throw to including returnees senior tight ends Diamonta Smith, Cody Hutchinson and Josh Dantz and junior tight end Griffin Harshbarger along with senior wide receivers Corey Fox, Brad Hutchinson and Richard Booker and junior Todd Eagle.

Barberton's running backs have shown speed and the ability to both run and catch the football. Senior running back Dennis Alexander has been very impressive coming out of the backfield, as have senior Dan Coakley and sophomore Brandon McCall.

If there is a question mark, it is the offensive line which is a little on the light side.

Returning offensive-defen-sive linemen include senior David Long and juniors David Denson and Robbie Craig.

Senior Dakotta Schumm, a member of the soccer team, will handle the kicking duties this season along with sophomore Ben Thomas.

The linebackers and defensive backs look strong, including Cominsky, Coakley, and Smith have looked strong.

The Magics have 16 seniors on the roster. Those not mentioned previously include Danny Greenwade (WR/LB), Dan Smith (OL/DL), Jacob Wiles (OL/DL), Brad Wallace (WR/DB), Montell Prigmore (OL/LB),

Jacob Wiles (OL/DL), and Dan Smith (OL/DL). All will contribute the Magics' success on the field.

There were some big changes on the coaching staff. While Head Coach Jeff Sharkey returns for his fourth season, he has added his father Rudy Sharkey who was one of Barberton's most successful coaches. Ralph Orsini, and Brandon Clum and join the Magics' coaching staff and are expected to make a difference.

As for the season outlook, with the rugged schedule, even a two win improvement over last season would be one of epic proportions, but it is possible.

GOOD LUCKGOOD LUCKMAGICS!MAGICS!

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Uniontown, OH 44685Uniontown, OH 44685330-896-3396330-896-3396

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