Mayfield coach to serve suspension in playoffs

Coach Ross Bandiera’s won’t be able to experience his team’s first playoff game as a head coach.

The infraction occurred almost a year ago, but the timing has hit home for the Mayfield football program.

That’s because Coach Ross Bandiera’s won’t be able to experience his team’s first playoff game as a head coach.

Last January, the Ohio High School Athletic Association sanctioned the Wildcats’ football team for a pair of violations involving what the OHSAA deemed to be recruiting measures.

In a Jan. 19 release, the OHSAA stated, “Mayfield High School’s head football coach violated Bylaw 4-9-4 and Bylaw 4-9-3, Recruiting, when he sent electronic communication directly to the parents of students who do not attend Mayfield’s middle school and invited them to a pizza party in the cafeteria prior to a varsity football game. The students also joined the varsity team in a “walk to the field for warmups,” a visit to the locker room for pregame activities with the varsity team, and a walk with the team on the field for the game. In accordance with Bylaw 11, Penalties, the Commissioner’s Office has issued a fine of $1,500, and denied the head coach the opportunity to coach in the first two playoff contests

of the 2017 OHSAA football tournament, should Mayfield High School qualify.”

The Wildcats finished this season 6-4 and are the No. 8 seed in Region 5. They will play at No. 1 seed Akron Hoban on Nov. 3.

Bandiera said former Mayfield head coach Larry Pinto, the team’s offensive line coach, will serve as the team’s head coach Nov. 3.

The thought of serving the suspension — which will extend to two games should Mayfield upset Hoban — has “been in the back of my mind all season,” said Bandiera.

Having Pinto ready to serve as head coach is a luxury for the program, according to Bandiera.

“I have no concerns whatsoever with Larry,” said the Mayfield coach.

Who calls offensive plays Nov. 3 is undecided. Bandiera, now in his second season, made the calls from the sideline this season.

“We’ll meet this week and figure that out,” said Bandiera. “That’s the biggest concern for the game.”

Mayfield athletic director Keith Leffler said, per the OHSAA’s penalty, his football coach can’t travel with the team to Akron and can’t communicate with the players or coaches before, during or after the game.

Leffler said about the infraction: “We didn’t deny it, and we were up front about it. We put some time and thought about it with area schools to offer and educate what the recruiting by-laws were.”

An appeal made by Mayfield to the OHSAA about the infraction earlier this year was not successful, said Leffler.

As it stands, the Wildcats will prepare this week without its football coach on game day. Bandiera can coach throughout the week.

“There’s nothing Larry hasn’t seen before, so that’s

huge for us,” said Leffler. “We also have a lot of experience on the sideline and up in the booth.”

Mayfield made the playoffs despite losing their starting quarterback Jake Dostal to an injury earlier this season. In stepped freshman Michael Huss, who’s played well down the stretch.

Huss has 11 touchdowns in the last two games. In Week 10, he had 352 yards and five TDs in a win over Riverside.

“The guys have overcome so much,” said Bandiera. “All the guys stepped up around (Huss) and really delivered. It also helps that our freshman QB is a stud player.”

Mayfield needed help making the playoffs in the form of Lima Central Catholic beating Gilmour on Oct. 28. The former delivered.

“Making the playoffs is just huge for the program,” said Bandiera. “It’s always nice practicing in Week 11.”