After shortening the offensive playbook, Freedom wants to improve

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Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.

Ron Balog's storming start as head coach of Freedom's football team last year began with the most important task that comes with starting over at a new location.

“My biggest expectation was to come here and build relationships,” said Balog, who was offensive coordinator at North Catholic before joining Freedom.

“It was very important to get to know the players, the school district and the community,” Balog added. “The reception I received from all these different groups was great.”

Balog's relationship building took until June and he still had to put together a staff. Then it was August and he had to install a brand new offense.

The quick way in which Balog had his quarterbacks learn the offense hampered their ability to process the Bulldogs' new playbook and offense, and the team finished 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the Midwestern Conference.

“I asked way too much of Ty Schulteis and Isaiah Leasha last year in terms of passing,” Balog admitted. “Those guys had never played in that type of offense before. Both guys are talented. It was just too much to ask.”

Schulteis, who graduated, threw for 839 yards and seven touchdowns last year, meaning Leasha, a senior, is the starting quarterback this season.

Balog has slimmed down the playbook for Leasha this season, not because he isn't talented enough, but because Balog wants to play an offense that better fits his skillset.

“I'm very confident in what Isaiah can do for us as a leader and playmaker,” Balog said. “The kids all like him a lot. He definitely understood what we were trying to do, but this year I wanted to make sure we didn't put too much pressure on him.”

Leasha will face a new cast at the skill positions, as the Bulldogs lost their top receiver Cody Patterson, who caught 41 passes for 659 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as their top rusher Tyler Welsh with his 615 yards.

To make up for the loss of Patterson's production, Freedom has two experienced wideouts in Cooper Young and Dekota Roberts, both of whom are hard to miss.

“Both guys are very talented, have good speed and great hands,” Balog said. “Both are 6'1″ or 6'2″ and weigh 200 pounds. We expect a lot from these guys.”

At the tailback position, the Bulldogs have a full roster of six or seven running backs competing for the starting position and playing time throughout the season.

Kayden Bailey is currently the frontrunner for this position.

“He's lightning fast and the younger brother of basketball star Shaye Bailey, so obviously this family has great DNA,” Balog said.

Young and Roberts will also play a role in the running game in some form.

The offensive line returns to four starters with seniors Ryan Lewis, Jake Hilberry, JT Tatko and junior Eli Cottrill. Sophomore Troy Gorajewski, who played many snaps as a freshman, completes the group.

“All of these guys have played a lot of snaps and are big, strong guys who all had a great offseason in our strength training program,” Balog said. “We're very excited about this starting group and there are a lot of younger guys in the backup positions that we think will help us.”

Balog wants to see more consistency and longer drives from his offense. The Bulldogs want to match their points for (10.7) and points against (27.9) from last year.

“When we installed our offense, which was a pure spread-pass-first offense, we had way too many three-and-outs that lasted 30 seconds,” Balog said. “Then most of the guys had to turn around immediately and play defense.”

To counteract any signs of wear and tear on Freedom caused by short attacking rides, Balog is bringing along a large and strong crop of newcomers and has brought in arguably the best strength coach in the area.

“We turned our strength training program over to Rick Daman, who owns Daman's strength training gym in Beaver,” Balog said. “He's been doing this for over 20 years. For the last seven years, he's run the Central Valley strength training program. All the kids love the program.”

Defensively, the Bulldogs are solid on the offensive line, as the regular players on the offensive line will rotate during the game to stay fresh.

The linebacker position appeals to Balog the most.

Mason O'Donnell, who started a few games as a freshman at the end of the season, should play a role, and senior Austin Anderson will look to repeat his solid performance from his junior year at the outside position.

The most interesting player is senior Adam Rhoades, who only appeared for the team in the fifth game of the season last year.

“He wanted to play, but he didn't play his freshman and sophomore year,” Balog said. “Last year, his buddies finally pestered him enough and he chose us. He's a smart kid, a good kid. He also plays basketball, which shows how talented he is as an athlete. I wish we had him in all 10 games last year.”

Because of his athleticism, Rhoades can play either on the defensive line or as a linebacker, giving the Bulldogs more flexibility and more room to use different approaches.

“Depending on what our DC decides, he could end up in either spot,” Balog said. “He has really good feet and runs well laterally.”

In the secondary, Bailey, Roberts, Young and Leasha will be the starters, with sophomore Riley Henley getting some playing time.

The Bulldogs' special teams probably have the best performance in Class 2A.

Junior Garrett Drutarosky played as a freshman but had to sit out his sophomore season due to a knee injury sustained at the end of his freshman basketball season.

He returns after participating in Kohl's Camps, a premier camp for kickers and long snappers during the winter and summer. Drutarosky kicked a 53-yard field goal, the longest of 300 kids in his age group.

“He's an incredible kicker and will both kick and punt for us,” Balog said. “But he's also super talented from an offensive standpoint, so he'll be used in our offense.”

With everything he has accomplished over the past two years, Balog hopes to put the Bulldogs in the running for a playoff spot in the Midwestern Athletic Conference.

With new coaches in Riverside, New Brighton and Beaver Falls, the path would seem easier, but with Mohawk still strong, Union added and Ellwood City losing only two seniors, Freedom faces obstacles.

“It's crazy. I really don't know what to expect,” Balog said. “We know Mohawk will continue to be a solid team. Dan Bradley has a great program at Ellwood City and Kim Niedbala at Union is a great coach and they'll have a solid group of players.”

Freedom

Trainer: Ron Balog

Record 2023: 3-7, 2-5 in Class 2A of the Midwestern Conference

All-time record: 432-557-54

SCHEDULE

Date, opponent, time

8.23 Quaker Valley, 7

8.30am in Rochester, 7

9.6 Summit Academy, 7

9.13 in New Brighton*, 7

9.20 Elmwood City*, 7

9.27 a.m. in Beaver Falls*, 7

10.4 River bank*, 7

10.11 at Union*, 7

10.18 Mohawk*, 7

10.25 Western beaver*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL GUIDES

Passing by: Tyler Schulteis*

64-150, 839 yards, 7 touchdowns

Rush: Tyler Welsh*

148-615, 3 touchdowns

Reception: Cody Patterson*

41-659, 7 touchdowns

*Completed

FAST FACTS

• The Bulldogs had a record of 2-3 at home and 1-4 away last season.

• Freedom looks to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

• The Bulldogs made the playoffs four years in a row from 2016 to 2019.

• This is coach Ron Balog's second tenure at Freedom. He was the head coach at Quaker Valley from 2018-2021 and North Catholic's offensive coordinator in 2022.

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