By RICK DeLUCA

Times Leader Sports Writer

YORKVILLE — There is no hiding the lackluster numbers on the gridiron of the past few years at Buckeye Local.

Included are a 2-38 record over the past four years, a current losing streak that has reached 22 games and an exodus of some followers that may have given up hope.

Enter new head coach Roger Herbert and a new coaching staff and a group of young players that believe it’s time to get the Panther football program back on track.

Herbert’s first go-around as a head football coach is one that few wanted to conquer, but the former Union Local assistant is well aware of the past, but much more interested in the future of Buckeye Local football.

“The biggest thing right now is teaching the kids how to win,” an optimist yet realistic coach Herbert said. “They have been down for some time and I’m sure they read the media and are aware they are being told that Buckeye is the doormat in the valley. Hopefully those days are over.”

“It’s going to take a while. I’ve made no bones about it, this isn’t going to happen today or tomorrow,” the new Panther coach added. “The biggest thing we preach this year is effort. I think a lot of kids took plays off last year and didn’t give the effort they needed to and maybe that comes from us as a staff to instill that in them.”

Herbert is also aware that Panther football has produced seven playoff qualifiers and four OVAC championships, the last of each coming in 2009. In the 28th season of Buckeye Local football, Herbert comes in as the school’s eighth head coach and ninth change overall. More importantly, he is the third head coach the school has had in three years.

“These kids have had three coaches in three years, but I’m planning to be here, well, forever,” the personable coach stressed. “And I think the one thing these kids need now is some continuity. They need to be able to work with the same system at all levels from the junior high to the varsity level. That is important to bringing the program back.”

Herbert has brought in a new staff returning only Neil Zaccignini, whose only other season was last year on then coach John Holman’s staff. He will serve as the defensive coordinator. Mike Flowers has come on board as the offensive coordinator. Filling out the staff is Lee Heisler, Kyle Solar, Doug Sabo and Dylan Stickler.

Buckeye Local’s cast of graduated seniors includes a few that put up some respectable numbers including Jared Moore, who finished high on the charts as a career passer, ending third with 2057 career yards, first in attempts and second in completions. He and fellow grad Sean Millard combined for 1145 passing yards last season. Milliard was also the team’s top receiver with 477 yards on 22 catches and played in the OVAC All-Star Game. Also gone from last year’s squad are Danny Callarik, Nate Dwyer, Andrew Hillman and Jake Ingram.

“The scrimmages have gone very well, the defense has been playing well,” Herbert added. “Bringing back Coach Zaccagnini has helped. The kids are already familiar with his system. We’ve had a lot of changes on the other side of the ball, but the offense is always behind this time of year. The kids are playing with a lot of intensity, they believe that they can really compete and can win some ball games this year.”

“The offense is a whole new scheme. We want to run the ball and control the ball more.”

“I’ll say the kids are blending with the staff very well. We’ve had no discipline issues, nobody has quit on us and we are happy with our numbers. We will see in that first game if we are farther ahead than last year. But I can’t be happier with the leadership coming from the older kids and with the players buying what we are selling. The freshman class and our jayvee team look good for a young group. We have a good balance with about 12 kids from each class, so we should have a good turnaround.”

Herbert has a good senior class leading the way that will include a couple key players in tailback John Marelli and fullback Cody Griffith. According to Herbert, the quick-footed Marelli, at 5-8, 150, will be the ‘homerun hitter’ and Griffith, a bruiser at 6-2, 230, will be the keys to the Panther running game.

His senior group also includes wide receiver/cornerbacks David Zanes (5-7, 145), Troy Peterkin (5-9, 155) and Kaden Weaver (6-1, 160); receiver/linebacker Josh Dulesky (6-2, 180), receiver/safety William Hopkins (6-0, 155), two-way linemen Matt Barsch (6-2, 295), Lukas Dickeron (6-3, 295), Jeremiah Seaman (6-1, 248) and Luke Bell (6-2, 270) and tight end/defensive end Ashton Antigo (6-2, 185).

Quarterback Shayne Christian (5-10, 185) heads a good group of juniors. Christian will be a first-time starter at QB, but according to Herbert brings a strong arm, the ability to run and good size.

Adding to the junior lineup is running back/linebacker Jeff Lucas (5-7, 150), Receiver/D-back Colton Hilliard (5-10, 160), two-way end Dylan Mayle (5-10, 175), two-way tackle Gage Kornetti (5-7, 220), tackle/defensive end Ben Bailey (5-10, 205), center/defensive end Dylan Weir (5-8, 185), defensive tackle Joe Reed (6-2, 375), tight end/linebacker Dustin DiCola (5-9, 160), two-way end Kris Kendjorsky (5-10, 175), guard/kicker Kick Jones (5-9, 235) and kicker Austin Farmer (5-0, 235).

An impressive list of sophomores include receiver/defensive backs JoJo Majewski (5-5, 120), Gino Barber (5-6, 125), defensive end Max Kendjorsky (5-10, 180), receiver/cornerbacks Walker Doty (5-6, 120) and Corben Westfall (5-6, 135), linemen/linebackers Logan Charnock (5-6, 170), Sam Sabo (5-7, 180), Zac Cesario (5-10, 195) and Garrett Cesario (5-7, 150). Other sophomores are tailback/linebacker Charlie Smith (5-8, 165), quarterback/safety Seth Richardson (5-9, 145), tailback/D-line Austin White (5-7, 150), running back/defense end Jack Reese (5-7, 180), linebacker Andrew Toto (5-7, 135), fullback/linebacker Nathan Kovac (5-10, 180) and two-way lineman Seth Bird (5-9, 150).

Buckeye’s roster also includes freshmen receiver/cornerback Bryan Palmer, Jr. (5-5, 120), quarterback/linebacker Austin Langford (5-10, 175), tailback/center Jacob Zanes (5-7, 140), receiver/cornerback Tyler Donahue (5-6, 155), fullback/linebacker Alexio Morales (5-9, 175), tackle/defensive end Nathan Brookins (5-9, 150), center/defensive tackle John Totterdale (5-5, 155) and guard/defensive tackle Zak Hill (5-9, 215).

“We’ve got Shayne Christian at quarterback,” Herbert said. “This is his first year at QB, but he has a nice arm, runs the ball well and has good size. He has become a leader for us. He will also be handling all of our kicking and punting.”

“We are very happy with our back field. We’ve got a good blend. Johnny Marelli will be at tailback. Cody Griffith is our fullback and probably the second or third fastest guy on our team and Jack Reese is a little plugger, 5-6 185 tailback that can play anywhere.”

Although the Panthers will be relying on the run, Herbert is working with a young receiving corps that is led by Weaver.

“We have some size on our defensive line with a couple 295-pounders, a couple heavyweight wrestlers. Barsch, Kornetti, Bailey, Cesario, will anchor the line and we are hoping to get Sabo back at center. He is banged up a little right now.”

“Defense last year was not indicative of what they had,” he added. “They threw the ball a lot and a lot of incomplete passes, the clock stops and that didn’t help the defense. The scores last year weren’t really a true picture of the defense.”

“The kids this year are attacking, they are swarming to the ball. We need to have them run to the ball, somebody stands him up and somebody comes in and finishes. We are running about 15 or 16 guys. We are looking at about four or five subs on both sides of the ball right now.”

Buckeye’s schedule is a carbon copy of last year’s slate.

The Panthers will open the season on Thursday night in Martins Ferry and will be playing a solid Buckeye 8 schedule.

(All games begin at 7 p.m.)

Aug. 24 — at Martins Ferry

Sept. 1 — Union Local

Sept. 8 — at Oak Glen

Sept. 15 — at Indian Creek

Sept. 22 — Bellaire

Sept. 29 — at John Marshall

Oct. 6 — Beaver Local

Oct. 13 — East Liverpool

Oct. 20 — at Edison

Oct. 27 — Harrison Central