Rosecrans ready for life in new stadium, new conference

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – There will be  a lot of changes for Bishop Rosecrans football come the first Friday night of the football season.

The Bishops have bailed from the East Central Ohio League and have move to the Mid-State League. They also have their own football home for the first time in school history. BRHS has constructed their own 800-seat stadium right behind the high school. Meaning they’ll no longer have to rent out Zanesville High School’s Sulsberger Stadium to play their “home” games.

“Any time you have something that is your own there’s a sense of pride with that. And the kids themselves are very excited to play up here on the hill and have that opportunity,” said head football coach Mark Johnston.

It’s hard to say which change will have a bigger impact on the football program; the new stadium or the new conference? They’ll now play in the Mid-State League. It’s a move that Coach Johnston said should be beneficial for the Bishops.

“I think moving to the MSL will help. Playing in the ECOL you have a lot division III and IV schools. Here we have nine DVII schools and a DV school. So it gives us a chance to be successful,” said Johnston.

Rosecrans will christen their new field on Friday night when they host Beallsville. Beallsville is one of the few schools in Ohio that is actually smaller than Rosecrans. They have a boys enrollment of just 33. The Blue Devils finished 0-10 last season.

The game will be broadcasted on Z92 radio. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.