sports@starbeacon.com Coaches like to talk about what can be controlled and what cannot. At Edgewood, losing a talented senior class to graduation is something they cannot control, but the foundation they established in making that class is what they can.
This fall, the Warriors will look to build on back-to-back winning seasons, but will have to do it with a new quarterback, along with the departure of several key skilled players as well as a new offensive coordinator. Tony Hall, who set numerous Ashtabula County and school records at quarterback, has graduated. In addition, players like wide receiver Jacob Ernst, and running backs Zeke Lucas and Seth Enos, are also gone.
Terrence Henton who ran the Warriors offense the past two years, is now the head coach at rival Lakeside. For coach Olajuwon Cooper, though, it’s just part of what building a good program is all about. “We graduated a great class, but we understand that class had a foundation,” Cooper said.
“They built a legacy that the young guys can stand on. So, for us it’s all about the next step, the next step in our maturation process. It’s a beautiful thing.
” There’s no getting around the fact that Edgewood is young and inexperienced, but that doesn’t mean they’re not excited. A large freshman class has given the roster a boost, and Cooper said many of the underclassmen do not seem overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of varsity football. “When you build it the right way, I’m not saying our .