High school football: Elyria and Lorain kick off season with new coaches, high hopes

A summer of 6 a.m. workouts, 7-on-7 drills and anxious anticipation finally gave way to a new beginning Thursday as area teams took the field for the first official practice of the 2024 high school football season. In Elyria, the Pioneers took the to the turf at newly rechristened Elyria Charities Field at Ely Stadium looking to rebound from last year's 1-10 record under first-year coach Matt Wilson. "I spent the offseason trying to learn about all of the guys and a new school," Wilson said. "To finally get past that and get out here with the guys who are going to be with us is really exciting. We're ready to go." Adding to the excitement at Elyria this year is the fact the Pioneers have two dozen freshmen in the program that will allow them to field a freshman team. In Lorain, the expectations are higher for the Titans, who coming off an 8-3 season in which they won the Lake Erie League championship. All-Ohio wide receiver Jairo Williams is ready for the new year. "There is so much excitement," Williams said. "We've got a lot of new players who are hungry to get some experience and a new coach. We're excited to show what we can do this year." For new Lorain coach James Boyeas, none of the work the Titans did in the offseason, no matter how important it may be, compares to getting on George Daniel Stadium turf in full pads and practicing as a team. "The excitement is there for everybody," Boyeas said. "Today's the first time we're playing 11-on-11 football. It's real football. You get everyone involved and get to run the football, which we're going to do a lot of this season." While the Ohio High School Athletic Association has loosened restrictions on what teams can do in the summer, allowing coaches 13 days with their teams between May 15 and July 31 in addition to allowing teams to complete their four-day acclamation to practicing with full pads prior to Aug. 1, teams only have three weeks from their first padded practice until the season opens Aug. 23. "All summer I've been waiting to put those pads on for the first time this season," Titans defensive back Jo-Jo Gaines said. "It's a different intensity. In 7-on-7 anyone can catch the ball. When you put the pads on it's a whole different intensity. We're going to be a more disciplined team this year." Lorain opens the season with three of its first four games at home, including a Week 1 battle with Brush. The Titans' first road game will be when they face Elyria in Lorain County's oldest rivalry on Aug. 31. Lorain has won four of the six meetings since 2017. The teams didn't meet in 2020 when Lorain canceled fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We've been able to do a lot of installs and a lot of talking, now it's time to get out and see if they know what we're talking about," Wilson said. "We're trying to establish new habits, new ways of doing things. I think we're ready for the season." Elyria's All-Ohio senior running back Kevin Jordan is coming off a big year in which he rushed for 1,129 yards and 12 touchdowns and had a 334-yard, five-touchdown effort in a 46-41 over Amherst, the Pioneers' only win. This year Jordan hopes to put up ever bigger numbers while having a bigger leadership role in a revamped offense. The Pioneers open the season at Mayfield before hosting Lorain and Akron East in non-league games prior to opening Southwestern Conference play. "It's about time we're able to get out here and hit," Jordan said. "It's exciting to be officially in season. It's my last year so I've got to get these guys together and make it special for us." Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.