The University of Akron Athletics
Team of Distinction: 1976 Football
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the 1976 football team is the Team of Distinction for 2016.
In his fourth year at the helm, head coach Jim Dennison greeted a roster of 95 players in 1976, proud that all had been recruited by him and his staff. Included on that roster were 29 returning lettermen, including 15 starters on a team that had compiled a 7-4 record the prior year.
Positively thrilling, incredible, fantastic, unbelievable and superb are only few adjectives that could apply to the season’s performance of The University of Akron’s 1976 football team. Since football was first played on the UA campus in 1891, the 1976 Zips produced the most wins–10– in school history that continues to be the mark to beat 40 years later.
Following a regular-season record of 8-2 in Division II play, the Zips made just their second NCAA post-season bid in history on a schedule that included six NCAA I opponents. The 1976 team also played in the most postseason football contests (three).
In the 1976 Division II quarterfinal round of the playoffs, complete domination was the theme in Akron’s 27-6 win over highly regarded Nevada-Las Vegas. The offense rushed for 419 yards, controlled the ball for 40 minutes, while the Zips’ defense limited the Rebels to only eight yards rushing. For Akron, the win marked the first postseason victory in program history.
Akron then hosted the semifinal playoff game, called the Knute Rochne Bowl, at the Rubber Bowl where it defeated Northern Michigan, the defending 1975 National Champions, 29-26, in the first overtime game in NCAA football playoff history.
Riding a six-game winning streak against NMU in series history, the Zips were down by 10 points before the Akron rushing machine began to roll. With 2:48 remaining in the first quarter, junior halfback Dave Axner took a Marty Bezbatchencko hand off on the right side and sprinted 56 yards to the end zone. Akron took the lead in the closing minutes of the half. The Zips to a 14-10 lead entering the locker room. Down by three points with 3:29 left on the clock, UA had one final shot. Starting on their own 29-yard line, the Zips drove the ball to the NMU 18-yard line where kicker Jim Embick split the uprights with :01 left to tie the contest at 23-23 and send it into overtime.
With each team trading a series from the opponent 15-yard line, the Zips won the toss and elected to defend. They pushed the Wildcats back to the 23-yard line where they hit a field goal. The UA offense then took over and ran three rushing plays to move the ball to the 1-yard line where Bezbatchenko went over on a quarterback keeper to seal the victory.
In the national championship game, called the Pioneer Bowl, in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Zips fell to No. 1 Montana State, 24-13, on a windy and bitter cold day. The day was made for the ground game and ball control offenses, and the opponents did not disappoint. The teams played through a scoreless tie through the first quarter and most of the second. MSU finally broke the ice with a 5-yard pass to cap a 51-yard drive with 5:47 remaining in the half. The Bobcats scored again with :27 left to take a 14-0 lead at intermission. UA rallied to close the gap to 17-13 on a three yard run by Axner and 22 yard pass from sophomore Rick Beeman to Evans before giving up a late fourth quarter touchdown. The Zips fell 11 points shy of a National Championship.
“It was a thrilling season, but it did end with a disappointment,” said Dennison, who became the school’s first and only football coach to be voted Ohio Coach of the Year, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) District 5 Coach of the Year, and AFCA’s National College Coach of the Year. “The way we look at it, added Denison, who advocated P.M.A. – positive mental attitude – in his coaching philosophy, “We started the season with a loss and ended the season with a loss; in between we had an excellent 10-1 campaign and finished as national runner-up!”
In his fourth season at the helm, Dennison became the school’s first and only football coach to be voted Ohio Coach of the Year, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) District 5 Coach of the Year, and AFCA’s National College Coach of the Year. Also for the first and only time in UA football history, two players– linebacker Steve Cockerham and offensive guard Mark Van Horn– earned first-team All-America honors. Two other players– split end Glenn Evans and defensive tackle Al Hodakievic– earned Honorable Mention All-America honors.
During a six-game winning streak, in which Akron shutout opponents for 12 consecutive quarters, UA’s defense was superb and very opportunistic. Pacing the defense were linebackers Keith Luck, with 89 solo and 100 assisted tackles, and Cockerham, with 89 solo, 88 assists and a team-leading six interceptions during the 13-game season. Hodakievic topped the team with five fumble recoveries and added two interceptions. Tri-captain and middle guard Jim Meyer fulfilled a lineman’s dream when he grabbed a wayward Indiana State pass and ran 12 yards for a TD. Overall, UA’s defense helped account for 15 TD’s and six field goals with 10 fumble recoveries and 11 intercepted passes.
One key reason behind UA’s success was the emergence of Bezbatchenko at quarterback. When he, behind a veteran line that helped the offense average 246 yards rushing a game, wasn’t handing off to a bevy of talented backs led by Billy Mills, 690 yards, tri-captain Greg Thurman, 600 yards, Mark Hovanec, 559 yards and Axner, 550 yards, Bezbatchenko was passing to his All-American leading receiver Evans.
The 1976 team provided countless exciting memories for Akron fans that have lasted for 40 years.
1976 (10-3)
Head Coach: Jim Dennison
Tom Flaherty, Offensive Coordinator
Wally Neel, Defensive Coordinator
Archie Strimel, Defensive Secondary &
Special Teams Coordinator
Jim Tressel, Offensive Backs
Dave Newell, Linebackers
Dale Liston, Centers/Guards
Bob Clayton, Receivers
Joe Yost, Student Coach
Mark Fowler, Student Coach
Don Fritz, Student Coach
Captains: Jim Meyer, Greg Thurman, Mark Van Horn
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown | High School
2 Cheo Akili DHB 5-9 170 Sr. Akron, Ohio | North
76 Mike Andy OT 6-3 245 Jr. Stow, Ohio | Walsh
42 Dave Axner HB 6-1 200 Jr. Norton, Ohio | Norton
22 Ron Baskin HB 5-9 165 Jr. Heidelberg, Germany
12 Rick Beeman QB 6-3 200 So. Waterbury, Conn.
7 Martin Bezbatchenko QB 5-11 175 So. Akron, Ohio | Firestone
6 Doug Blanchard QB 6-3 200 So. Panama, N.Y.
20 Jim Board DHB 5-10 170 Fr. Barberton, Ohio | Barberton
56 Brandon Boone OG 6-2 220 Jr. Chesterland, Ohio West Geauga
75 Rich Brown OT 6-3 255 Sr. Medina, Ohio | Highland
59 Mike Bruce LB 6-1 190 Fr. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Woodridge
83 Jim Burant TE 6-2 217 Jr. Berea, Ohio Midpark
80 Tom Calderone DE 6-0 200 So. Akron, Ohi Garfield
21 Rayfus Campbell HB 5-11 175 Fr. Sandusky, Ohio | Perkins
72 Jim Christopher OT 6-3 230 Fr. Windham, Ohio | Windham
Mark Clay SE 5-11 170 Fr. Akron, Ohio | Kenmore
51 Steve Cockerham LB 5-11 212 Jr. Akron, Ohio | Ellet
Dick Crock DHB 5-10 180 So. Akron, Ohio | Walsh
69 Jim Dauphin OG 6-5 215 Jr. Elyria, Ohio | Midview
Scott Davis C 6-0 195 Fr. Akron, Ohio | Buchtel
84 Greg Demarchi SE 6-4 197 Fr. Walton Hills, Ohio | Holy Name
26 John Dobrzeniecki DHB-SE 6-2 185 Jr. Northfield, Oho | Walsh
1 Jim Embick K 5-10 185 Jr. Ravenna, Oho | Ravenna
3 Glenn Evans SE 5-10 160 Sr. McLean, Va.
29 Ron Ferguson DHB 5-10 175 Jr. Martinsber, W.Va.
Dave Fisher QB 6-3 175 Fr. Uniontown, Ohio | Green
43 Louis Formen DHB 6-3 200 Fr. Canton, Ohio | McKinley
Ed Forney HB 6-0 160 So. Akron, Ohio | South
92 Mark Fox DT 6-5 220 Fr. Akron, Ohio | North
11 Ron Fuller SE 5-10 160 Jr. Canton, Ohio | South
98 Dan Gergel DT 6-1 230 So. Brookpark, Ohio | Midpark
Chris Hamad DHB 5-10 190 So. Akron, Ohio | Hoban
10 Kevin Hartman QB 5-11 185 Fr. Garfield Hts., Ohio | Holy Name
61 Mike Havens OG 6-1 245 Fr. Sunbury, Ohio | Big Walnut
88 Scott Hills TE 6-3 210 Jr. Mantua, Ohio | Crestwood
90 Al Hodakievic DE 6-4 230 Sr. Garfield Hts., Ohio | Benedictine
65 Mike Holian DT 6-2 220 So. Parma Hts., Ohio | Byzantine
94 Leon Horton DT 6-3 230 So. Canton, Ohio | South
45 Mark Hovanec FB 6-1 215 Jr. Berea, Ohio | Berea
32 Curtis Howard DHB 6-0 175 Fr. Columbus, Ohio | Mifflin
47 Bruce Jacobs FB 6-3 215 Fr. Clinton, Ohio | Northwest
62 John Jay C 6-1 225 So. Girard, Ohio | Girard
77 Jeff Jesko OT 6-5 240 Jr. Lorain, Ohio | Lorain Catholic
63 Chuck Katusin OT 6-4 217 Jr. Canton, Ohio | St. Thomas Aquinas
Ron Kleinman LB 5-11 203 So. Fairlawn, Ohio | Copley
60 Herb Kohler OG 6-2 220 So. Canton, Ohio | Oakwood
64 Gary Korosi MG 6-0 210 Fr. North Olmsted, Ohio | North Olmsted
79 Jeff Kulmala OT 6-5 235 Sr. Brunswick, Ohio | Brunswick
38 Bob Larson DE 5-10 195 Jr. Akron, Ohio | Firestone
48 Mark Lingruen TE 6-3 210 Sr. Manchester Township, Ohio
54 Keith Luck LB 5-11 205 Jr. Barberton, Ohio | Barberton
85 Alvin McCray SE 6-1 175 So. Cleveland, Ohio | John Adams
Dennis McGlone DE 6-3 190 Fr. Akron, Ohio | Kenmore
97 Willie Melton DE 6-2 215 So. Canton, Ohio | McKinley
Ed Mementowski DT 6-2 200 Fr. Cleveland, Ohio | Padua
86 Jim Meyer MG 6-2 230 Sr. Akron/St. Vincent
67 Kevin Meyer LB 5-10 195 Jr. Akron/St. Vincent
53 Fred Miller LB 6-0 210 Jr. Cumberland, MD
23 Billy Mills HB 5-9 175 Sr. Akron/St. Vincent
14 Mike Mitchell DHB 5-10 170 So. Akron/Central-Hower
39 John Montgomery HB 6-0 185 Fr. Austinburg/Geneva
73 Greg Nicodemus C 6-3 220 Jr. Akron/Ellet
71 Bill Nutt OT 6-5 225 Fr. North Canton/Hoover
99 Tom Pacenta DT 6-3 220 So. Akron/St. Vincent
66 Ken Panzanella C 6-1 216 Jr. Parma/Senior
44 Charles Parnell DHB 5-11 175 Jr. Akron/Garfield
55 Allen Parsell LB 6-2 193 Fr. Akron/Ellet
30 Paul Petit DE 6-3 200 Jr. Doylestown/Chippewa
33 Jim Polena HB 6-2 210 So. Mentor/Lake Catholic
28 Ed Prosuch HB 5-11 200 So. Willoughby/Lake Catholic
81 Dan Rice TE 6-5 220 Fr. Cuyahoga Falls/Walsh
John Rickey SE 6-1 185 Fr. Xenia
78 Tim Ritchie OG 6-4 230 Jr. North Ridgeville
Jim Roetzel MG 5-11 210 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
37 Marty Rogers HB 5-10 175 Fr. Uniontown/Green
Mike Sapp HB 5-9 175 So. Green Township
Gary Schutzbach LB 6-0 200 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
34 Dan Simon FB 6-0 225 So. Louisville
8 Dave Smithern QB 6-0 175 So. Buffalo Grove, IL
49 Pat Starvaggi LB 5-9 170 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
93 Gary Strauss DT 6-1 230 Sr. North Olmsted
9 Jim Stocker K 6-2 168 Fr. Barberton
25 Dennis Stroud DHB 5-11 175 Sr. Canton/Lincoln
Steve Sweitzer OT 6-3 230 Fr. Manchester Township
40 Greg Thurman HB 5-11 175 Sr. Akron/St. Vincent
46 Jim Valencheck HB 5-11 172 Fr. Barberton
Ernie VanDiver SE 5-11 165 Jr. Barberton
68 Mark Van Horn OG 6-3 235 Sr. Doylestown/Chippewa
70 Mike Voight OT 6-3 220 Fr. Norton
52 Brian Vossler LB 6-1 200 Fr. Hudson
24 Steve Watson DHB 5-11 185 Jr. Wadsworth
57 Mike Williams LB 6-1 212 Fr. Tallmadge
36 Paul Winters HB 6-1 170 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
91 Bob Wolf DT 6-0 218 Jr. Berea/Midpark
as printed in the 1976 media guide
In his fourth year at the helm, head coach Jim Dennison greeted a roster of 95 players in 1976, proud that all had been recruited by him and his staff. Included on that roster were 29 returning lettermen, including 15 starters on a team that had compiled a 7-4 record the prior year.
Positively thrilling, incredible, fantastic, unbelievable and superb are only few adjectives that could apply to the season’s performance of The University of Akron’s 1976 football team. Since football was first played on the UA campus in 1891, the 1976 Zips produced the most wins–10– in school history that continues to be the mark to beat 40 years later.Following a regular-season record of 8-2 in Division II play, the Zips made just their second NCAA post-season bid in history on a schedule that included six NCAA I opponents. The 1976 team also played in the most postseason football contests (three).
In the 1976 Division II quarterfinal round of the playoffs, complete domination was the theme in Akron’s 27-6 win over highly regarded Nevada-Las Vegas. The offense rushed for 419 yards, controlled the ball for 40 minutes, while the Zips’ defense limited the Rebels to only eight yards rushing. For Akron, the win marked the first postseason victory in program history.
Akron then hosted the semifinal playoff game, called the Knute Rochne Bowl, at the Rubber Bowl where it defeated Northern Michigan, the defending 1975 National Champions, 29-26, in the first overtime game in NCAA football playoff history.
Riding a six-game winning streak against NMU in series history, the Zips were down by 10 points before the Akron rushing machine began to roll. With 2:48 remaining in the first quarter, junior halfback Dave Axner took a Marty Bezbatchencko hand off on the right side and sprinted 56 yards to the end zone. Akron took the lead in the closing minutes of the half. The Zips to a 14-10 lead entering the locker room. Down by three points with 3:29 left on the clock, UA had one final shot. Starting on their own 29-yard line, the Zips drove the ball to the NMU 18-yard line where kicker Jim Embick split the uprights with :01 left to tie the contest at 23-23 and send it into overtime.
With each team trading a series from the opponent 15-yard line, the Zips won the toss and elected to defend. They pushed the Wildcats back to the 23-yard line where they hit a field goal. The UA offense then took over and ran three rushing plays to move the ball to the 1-yard line where Bezbatchenko went over on a quarterback keeper to seal the victory.In the national championship game, called the Pioneer Bowl, in Wichita Falls, Texas, the Zips fell to No. 1 Montana State, 24-13, on a windy and bitter cold day. The day was made for the ground game and ball control offenses, and the opponents did not disappoint. The teams played through a scoreless tie through the first quarter and most of the second. MSU finally broke the ice with a 5-yard pass to cap a 51-yard drive with 5:47 remaining in the half. The Bobcats scored again with :27 left to take a 14-0 lead at intermission. UA rallied to close the gap to 17-13 on a three yard run by Axner and 22 yard pass from sophomore Rick Beeman to Evans before giving up a late fourth quarter touchdown. The Zips fell 11 points shy of a National Championship.
“It was a thrilling season, but it did end with a disappointment,” said Dennison, who became the school’s first and only football coach to be voted Ohio Coach of the Year, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) District 5 Coach of the Year, and AFCA’s National College Coach of the Year. “The way we look at it, added Denison, who advocated P.M.A. – positive mental attitude – in his coaching philosophy, “We started the season with a loss and ended the season with a loss; in between we had an excellent 10-1 campaign and finished as national runner-up!”
In his fourth season at the helm, Dennison became the school’s first and only football coach to be voted Ohio Coach of the Year, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) District 5 Coach of the Year, and AFCA’s National College Coach of the Year. Also for the first and only time in UA football history, two players– linebacker Steve Cockerham and offensive guard Mark Van Horn– earned first-team All-America honors. Two other players– split end Glenn Evans and defensive tackle Al Hodakievic– earned Honorable Mention All-America honors.
During a six-game winning streak, in which Akron shutout opponents for 12 consecutive quarters, UA’s defense was superb and very opportunistic. Pacing the defense were linebackers Keith Luck, with 89 solo and 100 assisted tackles, and Cockerham, with 89 solo, 88 assists and a team-leading six interceptions during the 13-game season. Hodakievic topped the team with five fumble recoveries and added two interceptions. Tri-captain and middle guard Jim Meyer fulfilled a lineman’s dream when he grabbed a wayward Indiana State pass and ran 12 yards for a TD. Overall, UA’s defense helped account for 15 TD’s and six field goals with 10 fumble recoveries and 11 intercepted passes.One key reason behind UA’s success was the emergence of Bezbatchenko at quarterback. When he, behind a veteran line that helped the offense average 246 yards rushing a game, wasn’t handing off to a bevy of talented backs led by Billy Mills, 690 yards, tri-captain Greg Thurman, 600 yards, Mark Hovanec, 559 yards and Axner, 550 yards, Bezbatchenko was passing to his All-American leading receiver Evans.
The 1976 team provided countless exciting memories for Akron fans that have lasted for 40 years.
1976 (10-3)
Head Coach: Jim Dennison
Tom Flaherty, Offensive Coordinator
Wally Neel, Defensive Coordinator
Archie Strimel, Defensive Secondary &
Special Teams Coordinator
Jim Tressel, Offensive Backs
Dave Newell, Linebackers
Dale Liston, Centers/Guards
Bob Clayton, Receivers
Joe Yost, Student Coach
Mark Fowler, Student Coach
Don Fritz, Student Coach
Captains: Jim Meyer, Greg Thurman, Mark Van Horn
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown | High School
2 Cheo Akili DHB 5-9 170 Sr. Akron, Ohio | North
76 Mike Andy OT 6-3 245 Jr. Stow, Ohio | Walsh
42 Dave Axner HB 6-1 200 Jr. Norton, Ohio | Norton
22 Ron Baskin HB 5-9 165 Jr. Heidelberg, Germany
12 Rick Beeman QB 6-3 200 So. Waterbury, Conn.
7 Martin Bezbatchenko QB 5-11 175 So. Akron, Ohio | Firestone
6 Doug Blanchard QB 6-3 200 So. Panama, N.Y.
20 Jim Board DHB 5-10 170 Fr. Barberton, Ohio | Barberton
56 Brandon Boone OG 6-2 220 Jr. Chesterland, Ohio West Geauga
75 Rich Brown OT 6-3 255 Sr. Medina, Ohio | Highland
59 Mike Bruce LB 6-1 190 Fr. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Woodridge
83 Jim Burant TE 6-2 217 Jr. Berea, Ohio Midpark
80 Tom Calderone DE 6-0 200 So. Akron, Ohi Garfield
21 Rayfus Campbell HB 5-11 175 Fr. Sandusky, Ohio | Perkins
72 Jim Christopher OT 6-3 230 Fr. Windham, Ohio | Windham
Mark Clay SE 5-11 170 Fr. Akron, Ohio | Kenmore
51 Steve Cockerham LB 5-11 212 Jr. Akron, Ohio | Ellet
Dick Crock DHB 5-10 180 So. Akron, Ohio | Walsh
69 Jim Dauphin OG 6-5 215 Jr. Elyria, Ohio | Midview
Scott Davis C 6-0 195 Fr. Akron, Ohio | Buchtel
84 Greg Demarchi SE 6-4 197 Fr. Walton Hills, Ohio | Holy Name
26 John Dobrzeniecki DHB-SE 6-2 185 Jr. Northfield, Oho | Walsh
1 Jim Embick K 5-10 185 Jr. Ravenna, Oho | Ravenna
3 Glenn Evans SE 5-10 160 Sr. McLean, Va.
29 Ron Ferguson DHB 5-10 175 Jr. Martinsber, W.Va.
Dave Fisher QB 6-3 175 Fr. Uniontown, Ohio | Green
43 Louis Formen DHB 6-3 200 Fr. Canton, Ohio | McKinley
Ed Forney HB 6-0 160 So. Akron, Ohio | South
92 Mark Fox DT 6-5 220 Fr. Akron, Ohio | North
11 Ron Fuller SE 5-10 160 Jr. Canton, Ohio | South
98 Dan Gergel DT 6-1 230 So. Brookpark, Ohio | Midpark
Chris Hamad DHB 5-10 190 So. Akron, Ohio | Hoban
10 Kevin Hartman QB 5-11 185 Fr. Garfield Hts., Ohio | Holy Name
61 Mike Havens OG 6-1 245 Fr. Sunbury, Ohio | Big Walnut
88 Scott Hills TE 6-3 210 Jr. Mantua, Ohio | Crestwood
90 Al Hodakievic DE 6-4 230 Sr. Garfield Hts., Ohio | Benedictine
65 Mike Holian DT 6-2 220 So. Parma Hts., Ohio | Byzantine
94 Leon Horton DT 6-3 230 So. Canton, Ohio | South
45 Mark Hovanec FB 6-1 215 Jr. Berea, Ohio | Berea
32 Curtis Howard DHB 6-0 175 Fr. Columbus, Ohio | Mifflin
47 Bruce Jacobs FB 6-3 215 Fr. Clinton, Ohio | Northwest
62 John Jay C 6-1 225 So. Girard, Ohio | Girard
77 Jeff Jesko OT 6-5 240 Jr. Lorain, Ohio | Lorain Catholic
63 Chuck Katusin OT 6-4 217 Jr. Canton, Ohio | St. Thomas Aquinas
Ron Kleinman LB 5-11 203 So. Fairlawn, Ohio | Copley
60 Herb Kohler OG 6-2 220 So. Canton, Ohio | Oakwood
64 Gary Korosi MG 6-0 210 Fr. North Olmsted, Ohio | North Olmsted
79 Jeff Kulmala OT 6-5 235 Sr. Brunswick, Ohio | Brunswick
38 Bob Larson DE 5-10 195 Jr. Akron, Ohio | Firestone
48 Mark Lingruen TE 6-3 210 Sr. Manchester Township, Ohio
54 Keith Luck LB 5-11 205 Jr. Barberton, Ohio | Barberton
85 Alvin McCray SE 6-1 175 So. Cleveland, Ohio | John Adams
Dennis McGlone DE 6-3 190 Fr. Akron, Ohio | Kenmore
97 Willie Melton DE 6-2 215 So. Canton, Ohio | McKinley
Ed Mementowski DT 6-2 200 Fr. Cleveland, Ohio | Padua
86 Jim Meyer MG 6-2 230 Sr. Akron/St. Vincent
67 Kevin Meyer LB 5-10 195 Jr. Akron/St. Vincent
53 Fred Miller LB 6-0 210 Jr. Cumberland, MD
23 Billy Mills HB 5-9 175 Sr. Akron/St. Vincent
14 Mike Mitchell DHB 5-10 170 So. Akron/Central-Hower
39 John Montgomery HB 6-0 185 Fr. Austinburg/Geneva
73 Greg Nicodemus C 6-3 220 Jr. Akron/Ellet
71 Bill Nutt OT 6-5 225 Fr. North Canton/Hoover
99 Tom Pacenta DT 6-3 220 So. Akron/St. Vincent
66 Ken Panzanella C 6-1 216 Jr. Parma/Senior
44 Charles Parnell DHB 5-11 175 Jr. Akron/Garfield
55 Allen Parsell LB 6-2 193 Fr. Akron/Ellet
30 Paul Petit DE 6-3 200 Jr. Doylestown/Chippewa
33 Jim Polena HB 6-2 210 So. Mentor/Lake Catholic
28 Ed Prosuch HB 5-11 200 So. Willoughby/Lake Catholic
81 Dan Rice TE 6-5 220 Fr. Cuyahoga Falls/Walsh
John Rickey SE 6-1 185 Fr. Xenia
78 Tim Ritchie OG 6-4 230 Jr. North Ridgeville
Jim Roetzel MG 5-11 210 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
37 Marty Rogers HB 5-10 175 Fr. Uniontown/Green
Mike Sapp HB 5-9 175 So. Green Township
Gary Schutzbach LB 6-0 200 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
34 Dan Simon FB 6-0 225 So. Louisville
8 Dave Smithern QB 6-0 175 So. Buffalo Grove, IL
49 Pat Starvaggi LB 5-9 170 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
93 Gary Strauss DT 6-1 230 Sr. North Olmsted
9 Jim Stocker K 6-2 168 Fr. Barberton
25 Dennis Stroud DHB 5-11 175 Sr. Canton/Lincoln
Steve Sweitzer OT 6-3 230 Fr. Manchester Township
40 Greg Thurman HB 5-11 175 Sr. Akron/St. Vincent
46 Jim Valencheck HB 5-11 172 Fr. Barberton
Ernie VanDiver SE 5-11 165 Jr. Barberton
68 Mark Van Horn OG 6-3 235 Sr. Doylestown/Chippewa
70 Mike Voight OT 6-3 220 Fr. Norton
52 Brian Vossler LB 6-1 200 Fr. Hudson
24 Steve Watson DHB 5-11 185 Jr. Wadsworth
57 Mike Williams LB 6-1 212 Fr. Tallmadge
36 Paul Winters HB 6-1 170 Fr. Akron/St. Vincent
91 Bob Wolf DT 6-0 218 Jr. Berea/Midpark
as printed in the 1976 media guide
