Ringgold ready for new era under Mike Zmijanac

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 23, 2018 | 9:03 AM

A new era begins this season for the Ringgold football program. And it’s one full of possibility with a legendary coach at the helm.

Following the resignation of Nick Milchovich, who spent four seasons with the Rams, Ringgold attempted to fill the head coaching position for months before hiring former Aliquippa head coach Mike Zmijanac.

Zmijanac, who has won 237 games in his illustrious career, enters the new season in unfamiliar territory with a young group that went 3-6 overall and 3-5 in Big Nine Conference play last season.

“I just want to help build a program,” said Zmijanac, who added that it doesn’t bother him being in a new situation with a new team. “The expectation is to just get better every day.”

The Rams went 3-3 in their first six games of last season, dropping lopsided contests against Thomas Jefferson and Greensburg Salem and barely falling to Belle Vernon. Ringgold picked up wins against Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown, but ended the season with a three-game losing streak, suffering defeats against West Mifflin, New Castle and Trinity.

The Rams lost a number of key starters from last year’s team, including quarterbacks Bo Haines and Caleb Eisel, who threw for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. They also have to replace running back Brenden Small, who ran for nearly 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in his high school career.

Max Maciejewski, now playing at Slippery Rock, is another notable departure on the offensive side as a wide receiver and on defene as a linebacker. Over the last two seasons, Maciejewski had 99 receptions for nearly 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. He finished last season with 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss despite missing some time at the beginning of the year with an injury.

The Rams have just five seniors returning, including offensive linemen Alex Grossi and Austin Waggoner and wide receiver E.J. Walker. Zmijanac said those three have their positions practically locked up. However, there are plenty of other spots up for grabs on a team that features about 46 players.

“We have 26 freshmen and sophomores on our team and a lot of them are going to play,” Zmijanac said. “Where and how much is to be determined.”

The Rams will be joined in their conference by Belle Vernon, Greensburg Salem, Indiana, Laurel Highlands, Thomas Jefferson, Trinity and West Mifflin.

Regardless of the youth that Zmijanac’s squad possesses, the strength of its conference and the competition it will face on a nightly basis may pay huge dividends moving forward.

“The idea is that if you aren’t playing anybody, then you never really get to test yourself,” Zmijanac said. “We are playing a good, very tough schedule.”

Schedule

Coach: Mike Zmijanac

2017 record: 3-6, 3-5

All-time record: 243-242-12

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Chartiers Valley, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Thomas Jefferson*, 7:30 p.m.

9.7, Indiana*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Trinity*, 7:30 p.m.

9.21, Gateway, 7 p.m.

9.29, at Beaver, 7:30 p.m.

10.5, Laurel Highlands*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Greensburg Salem*, 7 p.m.

10.19, West Mifflin*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Belle Vernon*, 7 p.m.

*Class 4A Big 8 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Caleb Eisel*

72-123, 1,036 yards, 9 TDs

Rushing: Brenden Small*

139-530 yards, 8 TDs

Receiving: Max Maciejewski*

40-530 yards, 7 TDs

*Graduated

Jose Negron is a Mon Valley Independent staff writer.

Tags: Ringgold