Freedom to feature new look under Russ Barley

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | 10:03 PM

Now the man in charge of Freedom’s football team, Russ Barley is making some changes.

A Bulldogs assistant coach the past two seasons, he took over head coaching duties with two weeks left in the 2017 regular season when Tom Liberty resigned.

With the season fast approaching, he plans to roll out a new look on offense and defense.

“We’re changing some things up offensively and defensively,” he said. “We’re starting to come around; the guys are buying into what we’re trying to do.”

Helping to necessitate those changes is a two-time all-conference selection on both sides of the ball – senior running back/linebacker Cody Ross.

“Cody’s leadership, the fact that he’s traveled around and done some things at different camps and things, he’s been trained a little more than some other kids,” Barley said. “He can bring that back and help the younger kids. He does an absolute excellent job of that.”

A senior captain, the Slippery Rock recruit ran for 314 yards and three touchdowns last season while also leading the defense.

“I feel I need to be at my best and lead by example, show my teammates how we should play and practice every day,” Ross said. “That’s with hard work and effort every time we step on that field.”

Ross will be joined in the backfield by senior quarterback Zach Rosa, who threw for 749 yards and six scores a year ago.

“What we’re doing this year offensively is a little different than what he’s used to. But, he’s buying into it and working hard,” Barley said of Rosa.

“Besides the fact that he has a good arm and can get the ball down the field, Zach has great feet, and we plan on using them this year and let him run the football a little bit.”

Three of Rosa’s top targets return this season — senior Jake Pail in the slot and backfield, senior Noah Yeck at split end and senior Noah Henderson at tight end.

“(We’re going to score) a lot of points,” Rosa said. “It’s going to be different. It’s going to be new and challenging, but we’re ready for it.”

A playoff team a year ago, Freedom again hopes to contend in the revamped Class 2A Midwestern Conference that will feature newcomers Ellwood City, Shenango and Western Beaver.

“The MAC is always a meat grinder,” Barley said. “I don’t see it being any different. Riverside is Riverside, Neshannock is back. We always have good rivalries with Western Beaver after scrimmaging them for years. New Brighton is a huge rivalry. It’s going to an interesting season. We’ll have a tough game every week.”

Schedule

Coach: Russ Barley

2017 record: 5-6, 3-4

All-time record: 398-528-54

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, Hopewell, 7:30 p.m.

8.31, at Shenango*, 7 p.m.

9.7, Riverside*, 7:30 p.m.

9.14, at Mohawk*, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Ellwood City*, 7 p.m.

9.28, Valley, 7:30 p.m.

10.5, at New Brighton*, 7 p.m.

10.13, Neshannock*, 7 p.m.

10.19, Apollo-Ridge, 7:30 p.m.

10.26, Western Beaver, 7:30 p.m.

*Class 2A Midwestern Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Zach Rosa

46-98, 749 yards, 6 TDs

Rushing: Kyle Borgman*

126-506 yards, 4 TDs

Receiving: Jason Norman*

12-213 yards, 1 TD

*Graduated

Bill Hartlep is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bhartlep@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TribHSInsider.

Tags: Freedom