×

Raider seniors made history in 2017

SALEM–South Range coach Dan Yeagley is heading team Ohio for the second time and his first since 1997 with a special group of seniors after a historic season of Raider football in 2017.

“That was one of the main reasons I wanted to coach this game,” Yeagley said. “That senior group is very special. Those guys are phenomenal players and they played all four years for me. It’s my chance to coach them one more time before they head off to college.”

Coach Yeagley’s excitement for this opportunity is shared among the four South Range players on team Ohio that include Aniello Buzzacco, Mathias Combs, Peyton Remish and Matt Brooks.

“This is exciting,” Remish said. “After a great regular season I guess this is our one last hoorah in my high school career to be able to play with my coaches and some of my teammates.”

Taking part of Thursday’s game will be for the four seniors who were a huge part of South Range’s success over the past season. The Raiders finished 13-1 and made it all the way to the Div. V final four.

“This past year was special,” Yeagley said. “We played a tougher schedule and it better prepared us for the playoffs. The kids adjusted week to week playing new teams over the season.”

Buzzacco finished with 1,995 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air along with 1,313 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. Remish, who will be playing in the linebacker position, led the Raiders with a team high 151 tackles. Remish also led the Raiders in rushing with 1,734 yards and 19 touchdowns. Combs broke the school record for receiving yards with 1,094 yards on 58 catches and 14 touchdowns.

“I hope what we did this year left an impact on some of the younger guys of what it takes to be a leader and have an impact,” Remish said.

“You couldn’t ask more from a senior season,” Brooks said. “It’s great to know what we achieved this season and the lasting memories we made.”

The players enjoy the familiarity they have with coach when it comes to practice.

“We still show that we are a team,” Buzzacco said. “It’s been great playing under coach Yeagley.”

Although the Raiders roots run through team Ohio, the bonding with other stars has been enjoyed by the players.

“It’s nice to be able to play with kids that have the same mentality as you,” Brooks said. “This is kind of a nice experience to have before college.”

“Everybody here can play on the college level so it’s nice to get this experience,” Buzzacco said.

Brooks will continue his football career at Westminister University while Buzzacco will continue his at Robert Morris University. Remish is headed to Slippery Rock University to play ball.

The anticipation builds as practice continues for team Ohio.

“It’s exciting to be able to play one more time in front of the whole community,” Combs said. “South Range has been an excellent place to play and I’m excited to represent it one more time.”

“It means a lot to have one more game to have my dad yell at me,” Brooks jokingly said.

Yeagley hasn’t coached a team Ohio in 21 years but says things feel about the same as last time he did it.

“You’re still putting together stars from all over the area,” Yeagley said. “It was fun than and it’s fun now.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today