By ED LOOMAN

For The Times Leader

STEUBENVILLE — Steve Daley likes what he sees when he looks at his 2017 Catholic Central football Crusaders.

Truth be told, however, he’d like to see a few more players wearing the Royal Blue and Gold.

Daley is entering his seventh season at the Central helm. His 2016 team went 5-5, finishing with a four-game win streak. He has guided the Crusaders to five consecutive campaigns of .500 or better.

“My biggest concern is with our numbers,” Daley said earlier this month. “But I’ve talked to coaches all over the valley and it seems like numbers are down everywhere, whatever the reason. It is what it is.

“We’ll take the field with 29 (18 are returning lettermen) on our roster. I feel we have a good solid group of players. My concern obviously is with our depth. We have to stay healthy and as coaches, we have to be smart when it comes to getting guys rest. At the same time, our younger guys will have to step up, if only for a play or two, and give us the effort we need.”

The numbers might be low but Central, as Daley pointed out, is pretty strong when it comes to “size, speed and skill.”

“We have size on the line, especially with our starting five in the interior,” he stated. “We like what we have there. We have players returning at the skilled positions who are experienced. I like the speed that we have there. The speed goes across the board from split end, to slot, to our quarterback.

“We have a running back who runs hard between the tackles and our quarterback finished fourth in the state in the 100 meter dash. As a coach, you have to like that aspect of our team. Offensively, our goal is to spread the ball around, get our speed guys in space and let them make plays.”

Justin Hartzell, 6-3, 180, returns for his second season under center for the Crusaders. The speedy junior threw for more than 800 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore, despite missing several games with injuries. He also ran for 477 yards and four additional scores.

“Justin has really matured and you can tell he feels more comfortable as the leader of our offense,” Daley said. “He’s been on the big stage during track season so getting under the lights shouldn’t bother him this year. He’s been throwing the ball better this summer and making better decisions with the run and the pass.

“For us to be successful offensively this season, it starts with him. I think he understands that now and is comfortable with what we’re asking him to do.”

Junior Noah Fayak, who took over last season when Hartzell was out, will be the primary backup at quarterback. Fayak has fully recovered from an injury he suffered a season ago. Sophomore Anthony Lefever will provide additional depth.

The running back Daley referred to is junior Craig Smith. He ran for 412 yards and four touchdowns after becoming eligible midway through the 2016 season.

“He’s a hard runner, a punishing runner and he’s put in a lot of work in the offseason,” Daley stated. “He will be a major factor in our offense this year.”

Other running back candidates are sophomore Anthony Simmons and junior Jayden Keeder.

Those vying for time in the slot for Central are senior Amin Butler, Fayak and junior Anthony Fallon.

Split end candidates include senior Geno DiBiase, 15 catches a season ago, senior Jah Sawyer, who had 11 receptions, junior Matt Bell, six grabs, junior Matt Kilonsky, senior David Miller and freshman Jarred Roberts.

Senior Levi Thompson (6-2, 220) is the top prospect at H back. He missed much of last season with injuries. Junior Dom Argentine, sophomore Cole Maragos and freshman Vinnie Marcino also are in the mix.

The “size guys” up front are led by senior Vince Oliver, 6-6, 305, who will be a Central starter for the fourth consecutive season. Oliver, who is receiving considerable attention from schools in the Ivy League, will start at guard along with junior Jordan Maul, 6-2, 315.

“He’s been starting since he was a freshman and he’s gotten bigger and stronger every year,” Daley said of Oliver. “He’s been working hard on his quickness. We’d like to see him become more physical this season and be our leader up front.

“We’re certainly really happy for the opportunities he’s going to have after our season is over. We need major production from him this year in order for our offense to click.”

Returning starters Kevin Cuervo, a senior, and junior Jacob Stoll, 6-3, 270, will man the tackle spots. Sophomore Alex Ialenti will provide backup.

Junior Alec Constantini will take over at center with sophomore Indy Marcino providing depth.

Defensively, the Crusaders will utilize a 3-4 look.

Oliver, Stoll, Constantini, Ialenti, senior Christian Frazier, a transfer from Big Red, senior William Walsh, Maragos and sophomore Seth Fitzgerald all will be seeing time at defensive end.

Cuervo will again be the starter at the nose. I. Marcino and Maul will provide depth.

Candidates at inside linebacker are Smith, Argentine, V. Marcino and Simmons.

Thompson will start at one outside linebacker spot along with Bell. DiBiase and Keeder also will see considerable playing time there.

The defensive backfield will include Fayak, Fallon, Kilonsky, Sawyer, Butler, Lefever, Miller, sophomore Jeffrey Dawson and Roberts.

Bell will handle the punting duties with Roberts doing the kicking.

“Staying healthy–that’s going to be the primary key for us,” Daley commented. “We have to be careful, we certainly have to avoid any injuries that don’t come on the field in game situations.

“I’ve been stressing throughout the off-season the need for us to come together as a family. I think that’s vitally important. We have to play unselfish and play as a team. If that happens, we’re going to be OK.”

The Crusaders open their season Friday with a road game against always-strong Wheeling Central. They’ll host Oak Glen the following week before hitting the road for contests at Berlin Western Reserve and South Harrison, located in Lost Creek, W.Va. The Hawks are one of three new opponents on Central’s schedule.

Four straight home games against Warren JFK, Barnesville, St. Mary’s from Lancaster, N.Y. (the second new foe) and Edison follow. Central will close with trips to Madonna and Fort Frye, also a first time opponent.

“Our schedule is strong–there are no break at all,” Daley stressed. “We scheduled South Harrison out of necessity. They’re coming off a 9-1 season and have a strong program. They have a speedy back who also went to the state finals in the 100 meters. We’ll have our work cut out for us when we go down there.

“The team from New York was young last year and basically has everyone back. They play in a very good conference. I’m sure they wouldn’t have scheduled us if they didn’t think they could come down here and knock us off.

“Fort Frye has been a playoff team the past two seasons. Their quarterback is outstanding and he’s back. That’s going to be a big challenge for us in Week 10.”

Because of its move to the newly formed Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference (which replaced the former Inter Tri-County League), Toronto is not on Central’s schedule for 2017. Daley pointed out, however, he expects the series to resume in 2018. The Crusaders and Red Knights have played each other 44 times in the past.

Daley’s coaching staff has several new faces. Rick Gillette and Frank Marcino are the only holdovers. Tony Godich, Jeremy Presley, Matt Grimard and Matt Bellardine are the newcomers.

“I’m really impressed with the new guys on my staff,” Daley noted. “They came in and have worked hard from the start. We have some different terminology we’re looking to put in because of the changes. The biggest thing I like is their energy.

“I coached Tony (Godich). He’s stepped right in and picked things up. He’s an intelligent young man. So far, all the new guys are doing a great job for us and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Central has again been assigned to Division VI, Region 23.

Daley did point out Central will again be fielding a junior high team this season, after not having enough players in 2016.

“Obviously I think not having a junior high team last year had an impact on our numbers,” he said. “We only have two freshmen on the roster. The guys we have playing are committed, we know they want to be here and we know they will give us all they have.

“We’re fortunate to have our junior high program back with decent numbers. This might be a down year as far as numbers go but our numbers should go back up next year and the years to follow.”

(all games begin at 7 p.m.)

Aug. 24 — at Wheeling CC

Sept. 2 — Oak Glen

Sept. 8 — at Western Res.

Sept. 15 — at South Harrison

Sept. 23 — Warren JFK

Sept. 30 — Barnesville

Oct. 7 — Carrick, Pa.

Oct. 14 — Edison

Oct. 19 — at Madonna

Oct. 27 — at Fort Frye