Lorain football coach James Boyeas focused on LEL in 2024 amid transition to GCC

Newly appointed Lorain coach James Boyeas is familiar with the Greater Cleveland Conference, as Strongsville’s former offensive coordinator.

The GCC announced on May 15 that the Titans will leave the Lake Erie League and to join the GCC in fall 2025. For now, Boyeas is focused on getting his team ready for the 2024 season as a member of the LEL.

“It does not affect us (for the 2024 season). Our focus is going to be on the 10 games that we have scheduled for next season and being in the LEL. We are going to focus on continuing to reach our goal every day, which is to win an LEL championship. At the end of the season, we will have to concentrate on the GCC.”

Lorain to join Greater Cleveland Conference for start of 2025-26 season

Strongsville (in 2017) is one of several stops for Boyeas, as he also coached at the collegiate level (Lake Erie, Gettysburg, Grand Valley State and Valley City State) and high school at Benedictine, Garfield Heights, Revere and most recently, North Olmsted.

“I have been in (the GCC) before when I was at Strongsville. I am not a stranger to it. I know there is great talent, great teams and great coaching,” Boyeas said. “I think it is a challenge that we look forward to when that time comes. It is going to be the next phase in the (evolution) of Lorain Athletics.”

Under coach Damion Creel with a large senior class, the Titans went 8-3 (4-1 in LEL) to win a share of the LEL championship with Maple Heights and Bedford. They lost to Canton GlenOak, 16-7, in the first round of the Division I, Region 1 playoffs.

The GCC offers Division I, Region 1 competition, including Mentor, Brunswick, Medina, Strongsville and Cleveland Heights. Euclid and Shaker Heights are in Division II, Region 5.

Shaker Heights and Cleveland Heights were also members of the LEL that recently departed for the GCC. The Tigers went undefeated in the GCC, then lost to Medina, 21-20, in a Division I Region 1 semifinal.

“I believe in what we are doing in the offseason and I believe in the offensive scheme and the defensive scheme that we have. I believe in the coaching staff and I believe in our kids,” he said. “When that time comes, we are going to continue to do things the way that we are doing them. We are going to have different opponents on our schedule. We are going to see some bigger schools with some rich traditions and a (winning history). It will be a challenge. In terms of what we do, it is not going to change based off the fact that we are changing conferences.”

Lorain graduated a large senior class, including All-Ohioans Shane Ramey-Rowland, Evan Hricovic, Camryn Sledge and Matt Wilhelm award finalist John Salaman at running back.

The Titans will return All-Ohioan running back Ocir Kimble and Jairo Williams on offense. In addition, quarterback Chase Davis and offensive lineman Isaiah Ray are set to return.

“There are going to be some big holes to fill,” Boyeas said. “We are losing four of our offensive linemen and will be returning one starter in Isaiah Ray. Isaiah is having a great offseason. There is no doubt that he is a leader in that offensive line unit.”