Lorain football coach James Boyeas focused on LEL in 2024 transition to GCC – Morning Journal

Lorain's Ocir Kimble escapes from a tackle attempt during a 20-7 win over Willoughby South on Sept. 15. (Aimee Bielozer – for The Morning Journal)

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 would leave the Lake Erie League and join the GCC in the fall of 2025. Currently, Boyeas is focused on preparing his team for the 2024 season as a member of the LEL.

“It has no impact on us (for the 2024 season). Our focus will be on the 10 games we have planned for next season and participating in the LEL. We will focus on continuing to achieve our goal every day, which is to win an LEL championship. At the end of the season we have to focus on the GCC.”

Lorain will compete in the Greater Cleveland Conference to begin the 2025-26 season

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

“I’ve been to GCC before when I was in Strongsville. This is no stranger to me. I know there is great talent, great teams and great coaching,” Boyeas said. “I think it's a challenge that we look forward to when the time comes. It will be the next phase in the (development) of Lorain Athletics.”

Under coach Damion Creel with a large senior class, the Titans went 8-3 (4-1 in the UEG) and earned 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.

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 and then lost 21-20 to Medina in the Division I Region 1 semifinals.

“I believe in what we do in the offseason and I believe in the offensive plan and the defensive plan that we have. I believe in the coaching staff and I believe in our kids,” he said. “When the time comes, we will continue to do things the way we do them. We will have different opponents on our schedule. We will see some larger schools with rich traditions and a (successful) history. It will be a challenge. What we do will not change based on 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 expected to return.

“There will be some big gaps to fill,” Boyeas said. “We are losing four of our offensive linemen and will be returning a starter in Isaiah Ray. Isaiah is having a great offseason. There’s no doubt he’s a leader on this offensive unit.”