Rams’ skill players depending on O-line
Ringgold football player Gage Ivory keeps hydrated in between reps during the first official day of fall practice, Aug. 15, at Joe Montana Stadium. Ivory is part of a Rams offensive line that will be a key factor in the team's success.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Ringgold football player Brendan Small runs a ball handling drill Monday during the first official day of football practice at Joe Montana Stadium. Small and quarterback George Martin give the Rams two dangerous skill players but the offensive line could be the key to the team’s success.
At Ringgold, senior quarterback George Martin and junior running back Brenden Small are receiving notoriety as the team prepares for the season.
However, according to head coach Nick Milkovich, the offensive line will be the difference this season.
“The line should be a strength and have to come through for us,” he said. “If they block well and get the running game going, it will open up our play-action game.”
The Rams return four starters from last year with senior right guard Justin Mayer and senior right tackle Gage Ivory entering their third year as starters.
Two other seniors, left guard Issac Petrosky and center Zach Giovaniello, are the other two incumbents.
“Those four are leaders, and the group will set the tone for our offense,” Milkovich said.
A pair of seniors, Tyler Rabe or Dylan Clancy, will be the fifth starter with the other seeing time.
“Our line has worked out hard during the off-season,” Milkovich said. “They are really close and there are not a lot of egos because of this.
“The line, and the team for that matter, are likeable kids.”
Ringgold averaged 28 points per game last season with a young team, and with eight starters back, expect that number to go up.
“George has improved and Brenden is very fast and has put on a lot of weight,” Milkovich said. “But our line will dictate how we do this year.”
The Rams chose to skip playing a game during Week 0 and instead will open their season Friday with a Big Nine Conference game at Greensburg Salem.
The Lions were in the Class AAA Greater Allegheny Conference last year and finished 1-8 overall and 0-8 in conference play.
Ringgold is coming off a 9-2 season that saw it finish second at 8-1 in the Class AAA Big Ten — virtually the same conference as this year’s 4A Big Nine — and win one WPIAL Class AAA playoff game before falling in the quarterfinals.