High school football: Black River plans to air it out this fall

SULLIVAN TWP. — For generations the Black River Pirates have been synonymous with running the football. Rest assured the Pirates will still come out in their familiar Wing-T formation and line up numerous running backs with game-changing ability. However, this year look for Black River to air it out more often. "We still like to run," Pirates coach Kyle Clark said. "But we have very talented skill guys so you're not doing things right if you've not getting the ball in their hands whatever way we can." Black River returns seven starters on offense — almost all at the skills positions — led all-Lorain County League running back Joseph McKean, wide receiver Tyler Mrakuzic and quarterback Andon O'Neal. "Historically we're a more run-heavy team but having wide receivers like Nathan (Urbas) and Tyler, who are fast and know how to get up field, will allow us to throw the ball and make the offense more diverse," said McKean, who finished second in the Lorain County League in rushing last season after averaging over 130 yards a game. "Last year teams stacked the box on us. This year they won't be able to do that as much because then they'll have to play our wide receivers one-on-one." The Pirates participated in a number of 7-on-7 camps in the offseason to improve a passing game that only completed nine passes in league play in 2020. "We are way ahead of where we were in past years," Clark said. "We did a June camp and that set the tone for the summer. We know we need to throw the ball a little bit better to compete with teams like Keystone, Columbia and Firelands in our conference." Last year the Pirates started the year 0-3 before recovering to finish at 5-5. McKean and the other 12 seniors on the Black River roster won't be satisfied with breaking even in 2021 as they wrap up their high school careers. "We want more, that's our motto this year," McKean said. "We are tired of being an average team, we want a good season. We want to be 7-3 or 8-2. Our problem the last two years is we've started off slow, we have to correct that this season. We have to come out on fire." The Pirates will be challenged by a tough non-league schedule before opening LCL play with Columbia. "We've got a really tough first three games with Manchester, Northwestern and Cloverleaf then we open up the league with Columbia and on paper they are going to be really tough," Clark said. "They always gives us fits. It a tough start, but I know our guys are looking forward to it." Going into his third season at the helm of the Pirates, Clark said this was the first full offseason he and his coaching staff have had to work with the team. "The first year I felt like I was chasing my tail," Clark said. "Then last year we changed our playbook and then we had COVID which really set us back. This is our first full offseason where we were able to change stuff and kinda gear the offense based on our personnel." Black River has eight returning starters on defense led by four-year starter Travis Owen, linebacker Brandon Rollin, who averaged nearly 10 tackles a game last season, and free safety Treyce Wood. "Defensively I think we're improved from last year," McKean said. "Last year we had some mistakes but we've learned from those." One area where the Pirates will be inexperienced is on the line of scrimmage, particularly the offensive line. "You can't simulate Friday Night Lights in practice with these kids," Clark said. "It just takes reps and more reps in game-like situations for these kids to get comfortable. It's going to take time, but our early schedule is so rough we don't really have that time." After working hard all offseason, McKean is ready to line up against Manchester and get the season started. "I'm so excited for Aug. 20," he said. "It's been like almost a year since we've had a game. Scrimmages and 7-on-7's are fun, but I am so excited to play a real football game again." Contact Todd Shapiro at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.