Rocky River coach Ron Lewis has been more than a mentor to his players. He’s a teacher, and also a motivator. For his efforts he’s been named coach of the year in both the West Shore Conference, but also in Division III. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

Lewis named region's coach of year for Division III
By Matt Pawlikowski
Sports
Published Nov. 29, 2006

Rocky River coach Ron Lewis will tell you a funny story when you ask him about about the job he has done in what has become one of the best turnarounds of a football program in Northeast Ohio.

“When I coached at Strongsville, I had special teams, and we weren’t real good,’’ Lewis says with a laugh. “And then we get Brandon Murphy.  So now here was a guy, who as a freshman starts returning kicks, who makes some spectacular returns, and I remember Russ Jaques saying although we’re better, its still the same Strongsville special teams.”

It’s Lewis way of deflecting his well deserved accolades of being tabbed the Northeast Lakes District Football coach of the year in Division III. In making the statement, what Lewis,who took over a program in shambles, and led it to a first ever appearance in the OSHAA playoffs, is saying is it was the talent the team possessed this year that got them to the level they were at.

“Winning the award is a great surprise,’’ Lewis said. “ But I give credit to the guys on my staff, and the kids that play. I’m very humbled by the award, especially when you look at the guys who have won it in the past, and who won on the other levels. I hope in my lifetime that I can gain a fraction of knowledge those guys know,  they are guys I look to as role models. But again, this wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of my staff and the kids who played this year.”

Lewis wasn’t the only one from Rocky River to earn All-District honors. So did a number of  those kids that he credited for his accolade.

Leading the way was wide receiver Pauly Ferguson, the WSC Conference co-MVP.  The 6-foot-2, 175 pound senior earned first team honors for his efforts during the 2006 season.

Ferguson set a school record for most catches in a season with 49 for 896 yards. In addition, he averaged 18.9 yards per catch, and scored 11 touchdowns.

Also tabbed to the first team was the man who got the ball to him, quarterback Andy Breidigim, a  6-foot -2, 170-pound junior, who tossed for  1,554 yards and 16 touchdowns along with offensive lineman Kevin White, a 6-foot-1, 235 pounder, who helped clear the passing lanes for Breidigim as his center.

On the defensive side of the ball River also fared well, as  Chris “LT”Aukerman, A 6-foot-1, 200 pound lineman was a first team selection. Aukerman was all over the field this year, recording 100 tackles, along with nine sacks, and an interception.

“We felt pretty strong that Pauly would win the award for his efforts,’’ said Lewis. “And we had a good suspicion that Andy (Breidigam) would make the team because of his stats. But I’m really happy for Chris and Kevin, because they too are quality kids, that play positions that don’t always get the recognization they deserve.”

The Pirates also had three other players make second team with running back Jon Gipson, a 5-foot-9, 175 pound junior, topping the list. Gipson had a spectacular season, racking up an impressive 1,029 yards along with 16 touchdowns.

He was not alone, as two other Pirates, defensive back Casey Clark, a 5-foot-10, 165 pound senior, along with linebacker Matt Breidigam, who at 5-10, 170 pounds  recorded 82 tackles, also made the team.

Steve Custenborder, Zach “the machine” Youseff, and Sean Belanger garnered honorable mention for the Pirates.

If those weren’t enough honors, when it came to the West Shore Conference, which the Pirates won with a perfect 8-0 slate, the Pirates swept honors once again. In addition to Lewis, who was coach of the year, and Ferguson, who tied with North Ridgeville’s Jon McGraw, who won the Lorain County Golden Helmet award for WSC MVP, 11 Pirates nailed down first team honors.

Steve Gall, a 5-11 160 pound kicker, along with Custenborder, who was tabbed for his tight end skills, White along with Breidigam led the offensive parade, while on defense, Clark, Belanger, along with Matt Breidigam, Youseff, and Aukerman were named all stars.

Richard Pattison also made the first team as a punter.

Gibson, Kevin Orris, David Dunne, Thomas Pavlik and Tatenda Mupaso were selected to the second team squad as voted by coaches, while Matt Sanja and Nick Stevenson each made honorable mention WSC.