Kickoff 2014, High School Football by Indiana Gazette INC

2 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

Contents High school previews Apollo-Ridge......................... 32 Blairsville...............................12 Derry..................................... 34 Homer-Center........................ 14 Indiana.................................... 6 Ligonier Valley.......................16 Marion Center........................18 Northern Cambria..................20 Penns Manor......................... 22 Punxsutawney .......................38 Purchase Line........................26 Saltsburg...............................28 United....................................30 West Shamokin..................... 36

Extras Coaches’ records...................43 Heritage Conference history..10 Greater Allegheny preview.......8 Notebook...............................44 Quick hits................................ 4 Schedules..............................24 State rankings....................... 44 Year-by-year leaders..............41 2013 statistics.......................40

Staff Sports department Tony Coccagna, sports editor Matthew Burglund Mirza Zukic Dustin Filloy Carly Krouse Eli Nellis Photography Tom Peel, chief photographer Jamie Empfield Teri Enciso James J. Nestor Michael Walker

On the Cover Indiana’s Riley Stapleton led the area in receptions last season and faces a tough decision about his future. Cover photography and design James J. Nestor

Sports Contacts Phone (724) 465-5555, ext. 266 Email sports@indianagazette.net

Interviews, photos, rosters and in-game scoring are a few of the features available on End Zone Extra.

Gazette expands End Zone Extra Video highlights and preview, in-game scoring among additions By The Indiana Gazette Like the teams taking the field on Friday night, the Gazette is looking to take the next step in its coverage of high school football. Last year we launched End Zone Extra, an online complement to our print coverage of the 14 teams we cover in Indiana County and surrounding counties. This year, we’re expanding End Zone Extra to include video highlights and interviews, a weekly video preview, photo galleries and up-to-date ingame scoring from Friday night’s games. To access the page, visit the Gazette’s homepage, www.indiana

gazette.com and click on the End Zone Extra link. “With the increase of traffic to our website, we are always looking for increased content to engage our readers,” Chris Miller, a Gazette web consultant who developed the End Zone Extra concept last season. “No media outlet in the area covers high school athletics like The Indiana Gazette. The added photo galleries, video, statistics and extra content will expand our coverage.” Last year, final scores were posted as games were completed. This year, in-game updates will be posted throughout games, some featuring key plays, particularly

touchdowns. “Users will be able to log on and check on the score of their teams’ games in real time, plus see occasional play updates,” Ellen Matis, the Gazette’s digital media coordinator, said. The weekly video preview features Gazette sports writer Carly Krouse, who will give a quick breakdown of the week’s key games and other matchups. Videos will be posted on Thursdays to complement that day’s two-page print preview. Of course, the print edition remains the staple of the Gazette’s coverage. The sports department staffs at least six games each week

and never misses an Indiana or Heritage Conference game. “Our readers will always get the most complete and in-depth coverage in print,” Tony Coccagna, Gazette sports editor, said. “Of course, you can now access that content online for a nominal fee every month. For the amount of local sports coverage we provide for our readers, it’s really quite a bargain.” And, he added, “Technology is a wonderful thing, and it’s great to have that information at your fingertips on a digital device, but you can’t cut out a laptop or a smartphone and paste that in a scrapbook.”

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 3

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4 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

Vital Statistics

Here are a few things you need to know before heading out to area fields this season

• The top three rushers in the area from last season are back for another crack at it. In 2013, Grant Syster (Purchase Line, 1,593 yards), Ean Lee (Homer-Center, 1,432 yards) and Deion Robinson (Blairsville, 1,170 yards) impressed fans, teammates and opponents with their abilities to evade defenders. Here’s looking forward to another exciting race for the rushing title. • The area has two new head coaches this season. Well, kind of new. Northern Cambria’s Frank Paronish returns for his second stint with the Colts. He coached them from 2002-06 and compiled a 28-25 record. Derry coach Tim Sweeney was an assistant coach for the Trojans from 2005-09. We’ll find out what these “new guys” can bring to the table. • All of the teams in the area — and in the state — will be using new footballs this year. The official ball of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, beginning this season, is the Rawlings PRO5-PIAA. Teams are only mandated to use the new balls for playoffs; however, teams want to get used to them during the regular season in preparation for the playoffs. The PIAA has a contract with Rawlings through June 2018. Some people have said the Rawlings footballs seem bigger and aren’t as well-made as the PIAA’s previous ball, the Wilson GST. • Three area WPIAL teams made the move to Class AA this season. Apollo-Ridge and West Shamokin, which were previously in Class A, hope to prove their worth in a higher class. Derry, which used to be Class AAA, is looking for a fresh start after struggling through last season. • Five area teams (Ligonier Valley, Marion Center, Penns Manor, Purchase Line and United) have an out-of-conference common opponent. Each of the teams picked up a game against St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy. The school, located in Boalsburg, opened in 2011 and graduated its first class this year, and its football program is in just its second season. The Wolves, who had just 17 players on their preseason roster, are independent and not part of any conference. IN THE PHOTOS: Marion Center quarterback Blake Orr, top left; Purchase Line running back Grant Syster, top right; Blairsville quarterback Scott Thompson and offensive line, middle; HomerCenter defensive back Aaron Berezansky, bottom left; and Indiana quarterback Jacob Zilinskas, bottom right, are returning players.

HERITAGE CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL As picked by The Indiana Gazette sports staff Team (first-place votes) 1. Blairsville (5) 2. Purchase Line (1) 3. Ligonier Valley 4. Homer-Center 5. Northern Cambria 5. Penns Manor 7. Saltsburg 8. Marion Center

Pts. 53 44 41 36 25 25 22 15

9. United

RETURNING STAT LEADERS Passing Alex Lasslo, top, (WS) 57.3 completion percentage Rushing Grant Syster (Purchase Line) 1,593 yards, 7.0 average Receiving Riley Stapleton, bottom, (Indiana) 50 receptions, 702 yards

DATES TO CIRCLE Friday Apollo-Ridge at West Shamokin Oct. 3 Homer-Center at Blairsville Oct. 17 Knoch at Indiana

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 5

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6 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

INDIANA

Indians face giant opportunity Expectations ‘real high’ despite 38-player roster By MATTHEW BURGLUND mburglund@indianagazette.net

Head coach Mark Zilinskas 13th season Career record: 58-61

Conference WPIAL Greater Allegheny

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24

MARS at Hampton YOUGH at Franklin Regional at Greensburg Salem ELIZABETH FORWARD at Gateway KNOCH at Hollidaysburg

2013 results Record: 5-6 I Opp. 33 Hampton 7 0 Franklin Regional 31 15 Mars 38 56 Derry 6 14 Highlands 21 21 Greensburg Salem 28 14 West Mifflin 21 28 Knoch 7 41 Hollidaysburg 24 28 Ringgold* 14 7 West Allegheny* 38 *—WPIAL Class AAA playoffs

Quotable Zilinskas: “This will be a very competitive team. I think, potentially, this could be one of our better teams, I really do.”

Mark Zilinskas doesn’t see a small roster as a big problem. No, instead he sees a giant opportunity. A year after putting together a solid season that included a run into the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals, Zilinskas and the Indiana Indians are back with a rebuilt roster that doesn’t boast much experience or depth. But for what the 38player roster lacks, the 14-year coach said it makes up for in potential. “When you’ve got 50 or 60 kids,” Zilinskas said, “you’re always worried about depth because the next kids coming in aren’t that seasoned. That’s just the way things are. You only have the time and resources to develop the first team. If we had another 30 kids, we wouldn’t have the time to get them reps anyway. So I’m looking at it as a good thing. Our young kids will get a lot more reps in practice, and I think they’ll come along quicker.” That kind of thinking has Zilinskas feeling pretty good about his team’s chances of competing in the tough WPIAL Greater Allegheny Conference. Last season, the Indians had a midseason swoon that forced them to have to rally into playoff position with consecutive wins against Knoch and Hollidaysburg. From there, the Indians upset Ringgold in the first round of the playoffs before falling to eventual champion West Allegheny for a final record of 5-6. Zilinskas isn’t ready to project the same kind of season, but considering the top five teams in each of the three nine-team WPIAL Class AAA conferences earn playoff berths, it’s not that much of a stretch to say Indiana will once again contend for the postseason this year — even if the roster has more new faces than most coaches would dare to want. “We’ve got real high expectations,” Zilinskas said. “This will be a very competitive team. I think, potentially, this could be one of our better teams, I really do. That might sound surprising to a lot of people. With the big-play players we have, and that scrappy, tough attitude, I expect a lot.”

Zilinskas can expect a lot because the players he has coming back are talented enough to give the Indians’ opponents concern. There’s big-play wide receiver Riley Stapleton, who had 50 catches for 702 yards and six touchdowns last season; quarterback Jacob Zilinskas, who takes the reins after sporting a 146.7 passer rating last year as the backup; two-way lineman Matt Denver, a 240-pound scrapper; Connor Tshudy, a 5-foot5 fireplug who uses his leverage to clog holes with his 200-pound frame; and linebacker Ryan Watters, who could also shoulder the load at fullback. And then there are the newcomers who have Zilinskas upbeat. Dylan Stapleton, Riley’s younger brother, has joined the team at wide receiver and safety, and the 6foot-4 junior could join his 6-5 brother to form one of the top pass-catching tandems in the WPIAL; senior John Louis Gatti has come aboard after not playing last year, and he could end up starting at wing back and safety; and there are also a couple freshmen vying for playing time, including 200pound Trajan Jones, who might start up front because of his quick development — and physique. “He looks the part,” Zilinskas said. “You look at him and no way would you think he’s a freshman. He looks like a junior or a senior. He’s a little bit raw, obviously, being a 14-year-old kid. But we’re excited about working him into the lineup.” There are plenty of concerns Zilinskas has to deal with, though. Other than Denver, there isn’t a lineman on the roster that has played much under the lights; there isn’t much depth at any position; there isn’t a true kicker on the roster, and his only son, Jacob, is no longer the future at quarterback — he’s the present. The ascension of the younger Zilinskas to starting quarterback has been in the works for years. He was brought up to varsity as a freshman and was the thirdstringer as a 14-year-old. He backed up Sean Thompson last year and completed 24 of 51 passes for 448 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Continued on Page 7

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

JACOB ZILINSKAS is taking the reins of the offense.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Logan Albright-x OL/LB Matt Denver-xx OL/DL John Louis Gatti RB/DB Tyler McCrea RB/LB Austin Miles OL/DL Riley Stapleton-xx WR/DB Brian Waryck-x RB/LB Ryan Watters RB/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. Brett Brice QB/LB James Decker OL/DL Chad Fritz OL/DL Izaak Gray OL/DL John Douglas Hilditch OL/LB Nicholas Kachonik RB/DB Nicholas Kucinski WR/DB Joel Santoro OL/DL Benjamin Snyder RB/DB Dylan Stapleton WR/DB Connor Tshudy-x RB/DL Keenan Washington OL/DL

Ht. 5-10 5-10 5-9 6-1 5-8 6-5 6-0 6-0

Wt. 190 240 150 190 190 205 160 180

Ht. 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-11 5-9 5-11 5-10 5-6 6-4 5-5 5-6

Wt. 185 215 185 232 205 150 165 180 145 185 200 170

Jacob Zilinskas-xx QB/DB Thomas Zolocsik OL/DL SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Danyal Bajwa WR/DB Nathan Cribbs RB/LB Reed Harkleroad RB/LB Jacob Kovalchick RB/LB Keaton Libengood OL/LB Zachary Linder OL/DL Brayden Lorelli WR/DB Cameron Richards OL/DL William Stancombe OL/DL Nicholas Stauffer WR/LB Chad Truman QB/DB Ryan Wilson OL/DL FRESHMEN Name Pos. Benjamin Bianco OL/DL Alex Donahue OL/DL Trajan Jones QB/DL Noah Sleasman RB/LB x-denotes letters earned

6-2 195 5-10 210 Ht. 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-1 5-9 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-11

Wt. 165 180 200 185 175 220 140 210 170 185 130 240

Ht. 6-1 6-2 6-0 5-6

Wt. 185 175 200 155

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 7

Indians carrying high expectations Continued from Page 6 And now, at 16, he’s been given the keys to the offense. “He got to play in some games last year on Friday nights, but he didn’t play much JV because he was playing defense (on varsity),” Zilinskas said. “But he has a lot of JV games under his belt as a freshman. And I’ll tell you what: He’s really come on. His speed has improved; his arm strength has improved. He’s been throwing the ball all summer very well.” For his part, Jacob Zilinskas said he doesn’t feel any pressure. He dealt with that two years ago, so now it’s time to get going. “I’m real excited,” he said. “I’ve been waiting three years now. It’s my time to take the role, and I’m real excited for that.” His father also is ready to see the waiting end. A few years ago, he told Jacob he would stop coaching if it meant a better father-son relationship, but Jacob resisted the idea. The two worked to make sure that when Jacob did take over, there would be no doubt about his ability to lead the offense. But that doesn’t mean the father will treat the son any differently than any other player. “I’ve heard some coaches say that they’re harder on their own kids, but he’s just another kid in our program. I’m not going to treat him any differently,” Mark Zilinskas said. “Now, obviously as a parent, when he makes a play it makes you feel good, but he’s not going to get anything more or less from me because he’s my kid. I think he’s responded well with that. He’s really matured. He’s assumed leadership on both sides of the ball. ... We’ve got a lot of good kids in the program, and he’s just one of them.” The Indians will run their tried-and-true veer option offense, but because of the development of Jacob Zilinskas and the available skill at wide receiver, Mark Zilinskas said he expects to open

things up a bit more. That might mean fewer belly traps and more fade patterns, and that’s just fine with the new quarterback. He has one receiver, Riley Stapleton, whose 50 catches last year were the third most in school history, and another, Dylan, who has shown the potential to match his brother’s production. “I’ve got two 6-5 receivers so that’s nice to have,” Jacob Zilinskas said. “And if anything goes wrong, I can throw it up and they’ll jump up and get it.” For the first time in a while, the Indians enter a season without much pressure on them. It’s understandable that the road ahead won’t be easy — not with an inexperienced 38man roster. But optimism is high anyway on North Fifth Street. Mark Zilinskas isn’t worried much about today. He knows tomorrow will be better. “The thing that’s our key ingredient is the chemistry this team has developed,” he said. “These guys are tight. There’s not many of them ... but I think that chemistry will be the key because they want to come together and be a good football team. ... That’s really going to serve us well as we go week to week.”

Ball is in Stapleton’s court IHS senior commits to basketball, but football still an option By MATTHEW BURGLUND

“RILEY STAPLETON is a big-time football player. He’s had (football scholarship) offers from James Madison and Colgate, and there are a lot of other teams just waiting to see. He’s a great athlete, and he’s going to make a ton of plays.”

mburglund@indianagazette.net

This is a rather interesting position Riley Stapleton has put himself in. He has given a verbal commitment to Indiana University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball coach Joe Lombardi, and he intends to join the team next fall when he begins his freshman season there. But he’s a heck of a good football player — good enough to play in college. His commitment to IUP is a verbal — meaning it’s non-binding. His decision could change. He could change schools. Or sports. Stapleton is about to enter his senior year at Indiana High School, and it’s likely to be his last football season. Although he has the size, speed and talent that college coaches drool over, the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Stapleton said he won’t play the sport after this season. Well, probably not. “When football season comes around, I like football more,” he said. “And when it’s basketball season, I love basketball more. It will be tough after this year to say which one I like more.” Indiana coach Mark Zilinskas said Stapleton has a future in football — if he wants one. “Riley Stapleton is a big-time football player,” Zilinskas said. “He’s had (football scholarship) offers from James Madison and Colgate, and there are a lot of other teams just waiting to see. He’s a great athlete, and he’s going to make a ton of plays.” Last season, Stapleton led the area

Mark Zilinskas, Indiana coach, on Riley Stapleton, left with 50 catches for 702 yards and six touchdowns, numbers that jump off the page considering Indiana isn’t very pass-happy on offense. As a junior, he showed the speed and footwork to separate from defensive backs, good enough hands to make tough catches, and the body control to shield himself from defenders. Those skills could easily translate to college football, if Stapleton leaned that way. “I gave a verbal to IUP, and I still plan on going there,” he said. “Football has always been a love of mine, and whatever happens, happens. But football is still an option.” Stapleton said he doesn’t feel any kind of pressure because his mind is made up about his future. So he’s going to enjoy the season. “It’s really helped me to relax,” he said. “I’m not stressed out anymore about it.” It has enabled Stapleton to step into a leadership role where he wants to lead the young Indians by example. Indiana has only 38 players on the roster, and there are a lot of new faces

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that haven’t been through the grind like he has. “It’s going to be real exciting with all the new guys who have come out,” he said. “There’s a lot of good, young talent there. I know there will be a lot of new faces stepping up, and I’m real excited to see that. … Some of us seniors are going to have to be more vocal. It’s going to be tougher to stay focused with all the inexperience out there, but it will be a thing to work on and improve.” He’s also enjoying the camaraderie he has with the Indians’ other wide receiver, his younger brother, Dylan. Last year, one of his older brothers, Derek, was a linebacker on the team. Zilinskas said the Stapleton brothers could end up being quite a passcatching tandem this year. “I’m not sure how we seem to do it every year, but we seem to end up with 6-foot-5 athletic kids out there on the outside,” Zilinskas said. “It’s been a great asset for us. I think those three have some chemistry between them, and I think you’ll see a lot of balls thrown and caught by them.”

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8 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

Gateway brings twist to Indiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference By MATTHEW BURGLUND mburglund@indianagazette.net

Every two years, the PIAA reclassifies its schools, based on enrollments. The WPIAL then follows suit and reshuffles all of its teams in all of its sports. Sometimes, the Indiana High School football team gets a good vibe from its new landing spot. Other times, coach Mark Zilinskas and his staff feel like theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been dealt the worst hand ever. The most recent reorganization, which took place this past spring, has the Indians facing a schedule full of familiar faces this fall â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with a little twist. The WPIAL Greater Allegheny Conference, once thought of as perhaps the second-best section in Class AAA, received a boost with a new member when traditional Class AAAA power Gateway dropped under the enrollment threshold and landed in the Indiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; section. As if facing Mars, Knoch and Franklin Regional every year wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hard enough, Indiana now has to battle Gateway, which posted a 91-28 record and played in the WPIAL championship game four times in the past 10 seasons. Based on enrollment numbers, the Indians are certainly one of the smaller â&#x20AC;&#x153;big schools.â&#x20AC;? Indiana has 330 boys in grades 10 through 12, a total greater than only five other Class AAA schools. Of the 10 schools with the highest boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; enrollment in Class AAA, six of them are on Indianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule this fall. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look at each of the schools in the Greater Allegheny Conference, in alphabetical order:

FRANKLIN REGIONAL Head coach: Greg Botta 2013 record: 10-2 After making 10 consecutive WPIAL playoff appearances, the Panthers are starting over. That might be a concern at some schools, but Botta has Sports hours 8 to 11 p.m.

been here before, and he has consistently built a winner. This time, though, it might be the toughest reclamation project he has faced. There are some key starters back for the Panthers, who last year upset preseason favorite Mars in the opening weekend and surprised a lot of people by advancing to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals. The key player returning is fullback/linebacker Brett Zanotto, who has already given a verbal commitment to Maryland. He rushed for 649 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, a team high, and recorded 157 tackles. Otherwise, senior tailback Dom Giannengeli, who gained 240 yards last year, is expected to shoulder some of the load on the ground. The Panthers also will expect contributions from a handful of other returning players. A key position will be quarterback, where Franklin Regional does not have a player on the preseason roster who completed a pass last year. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to imagine Franklin Regional having a â&#x20AC;&#x153;down year,â&#x20AC;? but unless the young players emerge quickly, the Panthers could be prey for the rest of the rough-and-tumble conference.

Gators must replace their starting quarterback and top four wide receivers, and on defense only a couple linemen are back. There is some talent coming back, though, including tailback Adam White, who rushed for 295 yards last year, and wide receiver John Holder, who transferred back to Gateway after attending Renaissance Christian Academy last season. One factor that should help the Gators is their enrollment: They have a large talent pool from which to draw a lot of players. It will be interesting to see what Nola, who came from a program with small-school issues, does with a big suburban school like Gateway.

CLASS AAA BREAKDOWN Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; enrollment figures for the 27 football-playing schools in WPIAL Class AAA: School Boys 14. New Castle 377 1. Moon 486 15. Ringgold 373 370 2. Albert Gallatin 470 16. Belle Vernon 3. Gateway* 470 17. Thomas Jefferson 357 352 4. Franklin Regional* 468 18. West Mifflin 5. Chartiers Valley 439 19. Uniontown 349 6. Hampton* 409 20. Ambridge 347 7. Hollidaysburg* 402 21. Greensburg Salem* 345 8. Knoch* 399 22. Indiana* 330 320 9. Mars* 394 23. Hopewell 10. Trinity 394 24. Central Valley 309 11. West Allegheny 391 25. Elizabeth Forward 309 12. Laurel Highlands 388 26. Blackhawk 304 301 13. Montour 384 27. Yough* * â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Greater Allegheny Conference member Source: PIAA

GATEWAY Coach: Tom Nola 2013 record: 8-3 (in Class AAAA Foothills Conference) Everything is new at Gateway this year, where the Gators will have a new coach and a new conference, thanks to their drop from the Class AAAA ranks. Tom Nola was the architect of Clairtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 66-game win streak, which ended last season. At the time it was the longest winning streak in American high school football. Nola guided the Class A Bears for 12 seasons and won four state titles and six

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WPIAL championships, but he was lured to Gateway, where he is the third coach in as many years. Despite Gatewayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional success, Nola doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an easy job ahead. The

GREENSBURG SALEM Coach: Dave Keefer 2013 record: 3-7 A year ago, in coach Dave Keeferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rookie season as coach, the Golden Lions

narrowly missed out on a playoff berth when they finished tied for fifth in the Greater Allegheny Conference, but they were left out of the postseason because of a tiebreaker. Keefer, who earned letters at IUP in 1996 and â&#x20AC;&#x2122;97, hopes his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s season doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come down to a tiebreaker this time. And considering the amount of talent he has returning from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team, he might be on to something. Greensburg Salem returns its quarterback, Brady Mason (27 of 67, 375 yards, 3 TDs) and two running backs, Conner Forkey and Sean Dean, who carried the ball some last year. The Lions also have four senior offensive linemen back to lead the way. For the Lions to have much success, though, they will need to be better on defense. Last year, they gave up 33.6 points per game, the Continued on Page 9

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Mars faces the usual high expectations Continued from Page 8 second-highest total in the conference. There are a handful of returning players with experience on defense, but having to open the season on the road at Gateway will test right away how much the Golden Lions improved in the offseason.

HAMPTON Coach: Jacque DeMatteo 2013 record: 4-6 These new dogs are hoping to be taught an old trick. Jacque DeMatteo, a veteran coach who used the spread offense the past few years to take advantage of the Talbots’ athleticism, is reportedly switching back to traditional power football with the hope of controlling the clock and keeping opposing spread offenses off the field. Hampton used the Wing-T for a number of years, and the Talbots were prolific at times with it. That usually depended on the play of the quarterback. This season, one factor that could help DeMatteo’s plan is the return of quarterback Nick Grabowski, who threw for 1,368 yards last season in the spread. Grabowski is back, but few of his weapons are. Instead, he will rely on players such as running backs Tyler Iver-

son and Dan Coholich and receivers Luke Anderson and Gus Schmidt to eat up yardage. Last season, the Talbots backed their way into the playoffs, with back-to-back losses in the final two weeks of the season. They then took one on the chin from mighty Thomas Jefferson (39-0) in the first round of the playoffs. That’s quite a fall for a team that had a winning record through seven games. If the Talbots are to get back to the playoffs, DeMatteo’s plan has to come through. That’s no easy task in this league.

HOLLIDAYSBURG Coach: Homer DeLattre 2013 record: 3-7 The final team to squeak into last season’s WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, the Tigers are hoping to knock the door down this time. And with the number of quality starters they have coming back, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise if Hollidaysburg gets to the playoffs on its own — instead of via the tiebreaker system. Second-year coach Homer DeLattre welcomes back most of his linemen, along with quarterback Josh Bickley (48 of 88, 774 yards and 7 TDs), running back Colton

Good Luck To All Area Teams This Season!

Ruggery (262 yards) and wide receiver Ryan Waltz (20 catches, 421 yards), the team’s leading receiver from last season. But like many of the teams in the Greater Allegheny Conference, Hollidaysburg must be better on defense if it hopes to be a contender for the section crown. Last year, the Tigers gave up 32.8 points per game, and they were outscored 202-51 in their final four games. Another key for Hollidaysburg will be for it to beat some good teams. Last year, the Tigers’ three wins came against Hampton, Greensburg Salem and Derry. They’ll need to hang in there with the likes of Gateway, Mars and Franklin Regional in order to be taken seriously in this section.

competitive last season — only the 40-7 loss to Mars was a blowout — so there’s reason to think the Knights are on the upswing yet again. Knoch returns quarterback Daniel Farnielli (82 of 175, 1,175 yards, 7 TDs), as well as its top two rushers, Cody Milsom (854 yards) and Ben Lowery (291). Also back are Cole Shinsky and Asa Adams, two of the Knights’ top five receivers from last year. King has found a way to turn Knoch into a perennial contender, even in seasons like 2013, when a host of young players took the reins. There’s no reason to think the Golden Knights won’t compete for the Greater Allegheny Conference title this year, when those young players start to flourish.

KNOCH Coach: Mike King 2013 record: 4-5 The traditionally strong Golden Knights are coming off a forgettable year. Coach Mike King hasn’t seen many seasons like 2013, when his team had a four-game losing streak and fell out of the WPIAL Class AAA playoff picture. But with the return of seven starters on each side of the ball, King’s level of optimism is high this year. It’s not like his team wasn’t

MARS Coach: Scott Heinauer 2013 record: 9-2 The Fighting Planets have the luxury — or the curse — of entering almost every season with high expectations. Last year was one of those seasons, and coach Scott Heinauer’s team responded by finishing tied for the conference title and advancing to the WPIAL Class AAA quarterfinals. And now in a new year, the

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Planets’ expectations are just as high, even if they are starting over with a new quarterback and group of receivers. Those expectations are high because Mars has its stud fullback still on the roster — 215-pound Josh Schultheis. In the past two seasons, Schultheis has gained 3,601 yards and scored 31 touchdowns. Mars has run the Wing-T offense for a number of years, and even if Schultheis is the only returning skill player with much experience, there’s every reason to believe the Planets will once again be a good, solid team capable of playing with anyone. It also helps that Mars returns several key linemen, including 6-foot-4, 390pound Marshall Robinson, a player Indiana fans might remember from last year’s game, when he demolished the Indians’ front and generally made the game miserable for their offense. Count on Schultheis getting his yards — and the Planets getting their wins. Mars is clearly the team to beat.

YOUGH Coach: Mark Crovak 2013 record: 6-5 (in Class AA Interstate Conference) Talk about tough luck.

The Cougars crossed the line from Class AA to Class AAA by two — count ’em two — boys. Yough made the jump when the PIAA reorganized its schools, and it went from being one of the bigger Class AA schools to being the smallest Class AAA team. So what should be expected from the Cougars? It’s hard to predict. Last year, they were sort of up and down. But now that they’re in the Greater Allegheny Conference, the Cougars will face a much tougher test against the likes of Gateway, Mars and Franklin Regional than they did last year, when they took on the likes of Brownsville, Southmoreland and Charleroi. But the good news for the Cougars is that they return quarterback Eric Baer, who started one game last season and threw for 241 yards and four touchdowns in it, running back; Clay Waldron (898 yards); and wide receiver Eric Borkovich (262 yards). The Cougars have enough skill players coming back to expect big things on offense. But it will likely take a few weeks for them to get their feet wet to Class AAA football. That’s why expectations probably shouldn’t be that high for the Cougars.

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10 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

A CELEBRATION OF HERITAGE The Heritage Conference is entering its 15th season, and — just like anything else — has had many ups and downs. These are some of them:

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS: Seven of the league’s nine current programs have won a Heritage Conference title. Northern Cambria and Saltsburg are the odd teams out. Marion Center was the first Heritage champ, winning in a tiebreaker over Laurel Valley. Both teams had 8-1 records in conference play. DISTRICT CHAMPIONS: Two Heritage Conference teams — Penns Manor and Homer-Center — have won the District 6 Class A championship in the past three seasons. Northern Cambria (2003) and Purchase Line (2007) were runners-up. ON THE BOTTOM: Since the Heritage Conference started in 2000, there have only been three seasons in which the league didn’t have a winless team. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: The concept for the Heritage Conference was proposed in the fall of 1999, and the league was up and running in the spring of 2000. Nine of the then-10 member schools withdrew from the old Appalachian Conference. The conference was founded on the idea that it would sanction more than just athletics. It is made up of seven Indiana County schools and one each from Cambria and Westmoreland counties.

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

Ean Lee, Homer-Center running back

RECENT STRUGGLES: Teams in the conference started having problems finding games to fill a nine-game schedule after Laurel Valley closed and joined with Ligonier Valley in 2010. Then, to complicate matters, District 6 required all teams to play a 10-game regular-season schedule, adding another open date. The league has been searching for another member, but it has not been able to find the right fit.

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 11

Looking Back: Sept. 1-2, 2000 The 10 member schools suited up and played their first Heritage Conference games.

February 2000 The Heritage Conference was formed after the Appalachian Conference was dismantled.

Some of the most memorable moments in conference history

Summer 2006 Oct. 29, 2004 Marion Center and United installed lights Blairsville finished its second perfect at their fields in order to play Friday regular season in three years and claimed nights instead of Saturday afternoons. the top seed in the playoffs.

Summer 2003 Purchase Lineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barry T. Madill Field was bulldozed for renovations, forcing PL to schedule all games on the road.

Summer 2006 Speculation began that the conferences in District 6 would be broken up, and that the schools would be realigned.

Summer 2010 Laurel Valley High School closed and joined with Ligonier Valley, leaving an open spot in the conference.

Summer 2007 The Blairsville-Saltsburg school board voted not to consolidate the football programs.

Nov. 26, 2011 Penns Manor became the first Heritage Conference team to win a District 6 football championship.

SEASON-BY-SEASON 2000: In the first year of Heritage Conference play, Marion Center and Laurel Valley finished with matching 8-1 records in the regular season. The Stingers won the title on a head-to-head tiebreaker. Saltsburg finished the season 0-9. 2001: Purchase Line went 8-1 to win the second Heritage title. The Red Dragons went on to lose to Bellwood-Antis in the district semifinals. Ligonier Valley, Penns Manor and Saltsburg each finished 1-8. 2002: Blairsville began its domination of the Heritage Conference and put together a perfect regular season. The Bobcats lost to Bishop Carroll in the district semifinals. United ended the season with an 0-9 record. 2003: Blairsville beat Northern Cambria in a tiebreaker to win the conference title. Both teams were 8-1. Northern Cambria went on to finish as the District 5-6 runner-up. The Colts were the first Heritage Conference team to make it to the district title game. Penns Manor was winless. 2004: Blairsville wrapped up another perfect regular season and lost to Bishop Carroll in overtime of the district semifinals. Saltsburg went 0-9 in the regular season.

2005: Blairsville won the conference title for the fourth straight year. The Bobcats went 8-1 and lost again to Bishop Carroll in the district semifinals. 2006: Purchase Line and Marion Center each went 8-1, but the Red Dragons won the league title on a tiebreaker. Purchase Line was upset by Juniata Valley in the district semifinals. 2007: Ligonier Valley put together a perfect season to win the conference title. Purchase Line, which went 7-2 in the regular season, lost to Bellwood-Antis in the district championship game.

2010: Penns Manor was unbeaten in the conference but lost to Bishop Carroll in the district semifinals. Homer-Center lost to the Huskies in the quarterfinals. Purchase Line was winless for the second straight season. 2011: Ligonier Valley finished off another perfect season in the conference but lost to Richland in the first round of the district playoffs. Penns Manor was 7-1 in the conference. The Comets won the District 6 championship and then lost to Southern Columbia in the state quarterfinals.

2008: Purchase Line ran the table in the regular season, and the Red Dragons eventually lost to Portage in a battle of unbeaten teams in the district semifinals. Saltsburg finished the regular season winless.

2012: Penns Manor and Ligonier Valley each finished 7-1 in the Heritage Conference, and the Comets won the title on a tiebreaker. Penns Manor lost to Bishop McCort in the first round of the district playoffs, and the Rams lost to Forest Hills in the quarterfinals.

2009: United and Penns Manor both went 8-1 in regular-season play, but the Lions won the conference title on a tiebreaker. The Comets beat the Lions in the district quarterfinals and then lost to Bishop McCort in the semifinals.

2013: Homer-Center was unbeaten in league play, winning its first conference title, and went on to win the District 6 championship. The Wildcats lost to Steelton-Highspire in the state quarterfinals. United had a second straight winless season.

Follow all of the Heritage Conference football teams in The Indiana Gazette

12 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

BLAIRSVILLE

Bobcats surrounded by buzz New season brings high expectations

ROSTER

By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

Head coach Rick Artley Second season Career record: 6-5

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Westinghouse MARION CENTER PURCHASE LINE at Ligonier Valley at Northern Cambria HOMER-CENTER at Penns Manor at Saltsburg UNITED REDBANK VALLEY

2013 results Record: 6-5 B Opp. 20 Marion Center 14 34 Purchase Line 26 17 Ligonier Valley 21 24 Northern Cambria 19 16 Homer-Center 41 7 Penns Manor 34 41 Saltsburg 0 34 United 14 6 Portage 38 40 Moshannon Valley 19 14 Portage* 49 *—District 6 Class A playoffs

Quotable Artley: “They understand that they were capable of more last year.”

BLAIRSVILLE — The Blairsville Bobcats have a second chance. Sure, there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the program. The Bobcats have their best shot at winning a Heritage Conference championship since the glory days of 2002 to 2005, when they won four straight. But the same thing was said last year, and that didn’t work out well, at least according to Blairsville’s expectations. Instead of soaring to the top, the 2013 Bobcats plugged along, a lot of them ending up on the injured list while others filled in during a 65 season and a first-round playoff exit. “They understand that they were capable of more last year,” coach Rick Artley said. “We’ve got a lot to change about this season from last season,” senior running back Deion Robinson added. “People expect us to do well, but we can’t just have that. We’ve got to go out and do what we’ve got to do and actually win games. We can’t just go out and think everyone thinks we’re going to be the best here. We’ve got to actually put the work in, and we’ve got to actually play.” Actually playing — just getting on the field on Friday nights — was one of the problems last year. Injuries took a toll on the Bobcats’ promising offensive package, sidelining quarterback Scott Thompson for several games and knocking out top receiver Colton McMillan and wingback Anthony Faulk after just a few games. The players that are returning get a fresh start. Thompson and Robinson head a talented offense capable of blowing away defenses. Robinson rushed for 1,170 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, and Thompson passed for 1,125 yards and completed 53 percent of his passes but was plagued by 11 interceptions. In a way, Artley found a little bit of benefit from the crowded medical ward of last season. “The plus about those injuries was a lot of them were seniors that

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

SCOTT THOMPSON returns for his third season as starting quarterback. got them, and it ended up opening positions for underclassmen who now are in their second year at starting positions as opposed to just coming in and being relied on without any experience,” he said. “Looking back at it, at the time you hated it. Now, it might’ve been a benefit after it’s all said and done.” “One or two injuries, you can be on that field at any time,” said Dylan Dirienzo, a junior receiver who last season was pressed into starting duty. “When you are, you’ve got to make the most of it. You could be on the field really quick.” So, the Bobcats are healthy again and getting another shot in the conference. Simple as that? Not so much. Injuries weren’t even the most concerning problem in 2013, at least in Artley’s estimation. While Blairsville had a middling minus-6 turnover margin, it gave away the ball 26 times — the second-highest total in the conference — and the defense was middle-of-the-pack at best. “These guys have to make changes,” Artley said. “If we go through it with the same mindset

and we don’t take care of the football and we turn it over 20-some times in the season, we’re not going to win. I don’t care what the deal is. … We have to make sure that we go in understanding the importance of taking care of the football. We can always punt, but you can’t overcome those turnovers.” “We have to be on the plus side instead of the negative side,” Thompson said. “Just protect the football and make smart plays, not try to go for the home run every time.” As for the defense, Artley brought in Erik Foust, a longtime assistant coach in Indiana County, as defensive coordinator. Foust works on a unit that struggled against the run last year, allowing 219.6 yards per game. “He’s a high-intensity guy,” Artley said. “I’m hoping that can translate on the defensive end. … Erik’s been around the game for a long time. He understands not only our type of football because he played against us for so long, but he understands a lot of the teams in the conference and what their mindsets are.”

Name Pos. Ht. Michael Cochran OL/DL 6-0 Rahdezz Henderson-xx OL/DL 6-3 Shai’reef Hutton-x WR/DB 5-7 Tyler Lenhardt-xx FB/LB 5-10 Cameron Livingston-xx RB/DB 5-11 Hunter Noel C/DL 6-0 Deion Robinson-xx RB/DB 6-0 Jaylin Rydbom-xx QB/DB 6-0 Jacob Smith-xx OL/DL 6-0 Scott Thompson-xxx QB/DB 6-2 Tom Tripodis-xx OL/LB 5-10 JUNIORS Name Pos. Ht. Josh Brown-x T/NG 5-11 J.D. Faser T/DT 5-10 Dylan Dirienzo-x WR/DB 5-10 SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ht. Josh Campbell RB/DB 5-7 Joseph Faulk-x RB/LB 5-10 Trevor Horner OL/DL 5-8 Billy McKee OL/DL/K 5-10 Gerry Moore TE/LB 5-0 Gage Pullen OL/DL 6-0 Jerrik Rydbom-x OL/DL 5-11 Nathaniel Seitz-x OL/DL 5-10 Ricky Shirley-x WR/DB 5-10 Ryan Shirley QB/LB 5-10 Chaz Sleasman OL/DL 5-8 Zach Sleasman TE/LB 5-11 Justin Startari RB/DB 5-5 Andrew Stipcak-x K 5-7 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Orahnde Askew RB/LB 5-7 William Boehm OL/DL 5-10 T.J. Gaffey OL/DL 5-8 Aaron Kriley OL/DL 5-7 Kevin Kriley OL/DL 5-10 Raynard Lawson WR/DB 5-5 Zain Pease TE/DL 5-10 Brandon Rebo OL/DL 5-8 Drew Rowland WR/DB 5-6 Charlie Small OL/DL 5-10 Dakota Sunday WR/DB 5-10 x-denotes letters earned

Wt. 200 225 150 165 160 225 170 175 220 215 200 Wt. 225 270 150 Wt. 140 175 155 180 170 185 150 185 155 170 220 150 140 145 Wt. 155 150 150 170 155 130 165 185 130 230 155

“We’re definitely a lot stronger defensively,” said Thompson, a four-year starter at safety. “We have a great mindset this year with the help of our coach, Mr. Foust. He put it in our heads that no one scores on us. We’ve got to have that mindset all the time. It’s going to happen, but you’ve got to have the mindset that no one is going to do anything against you. That’s just how you’ve got to come out and play. “I feel like last year was our little chance to get in and this year we’re going to make a name for ourselves. We’re going to show people that we’re not the team that we were last year or two years ago. We’re this year’s team and we’re ready to play.”

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Double Trouble Blairsville looking to utilize familiar run-and-pass arsenal By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

BLAIRSVILLE — Blairsville is set to hit the ground running. Or passing. Whatever the case, expect the Bobcats’ offense to be fun. “We have Cameron Livingston — great hands. Deion Robinson can run. We’ll be explosive,” said the group’s ringleader, senior and three-year starting quarterback Scott Thompson. “Anyone we have on the field is going to be able to make a play. That’s just how we need to do things. You can’t put someone out there that’s not going to help us. We’re trying to make sure that every time we’re out there we can make a play somehow.” Blairsville finished the 2013 season second in the Heritage Conference in passing offense at 125.7 yards per game, and most of the players that made that happen are back. A function of passing even moderately in such a run-heavy league is that Robinson, a 1,000-yard rusher, might even be a little overlooked. Last season, he rushed for 1,170 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 359 yards. “It’s the way our team’s set up, how our offense is set up, so that’s what I

“WE HAVE Cameron Livingston — great hands. Deion Robinson can run. We’ll be explosive.” Scott Thompson, senior quarterback

have to adapt to,” the senior tailback said. “If we’re a pass team, I have to be a passing back. If we’re a run team, I have to step up. It’s always whatever our offense asks for.” “It’s the mindset, too,” coach Rick Artley said. “We spread the field, he’s in there as the one-back a lot of times. He gets the ball in the one-back when we want to run it, but a lot of these teams are going to run it 40 times where he’s getting it 20 or 15 times in a game. I would put him up against anybody. He’s as strong and as good an athlete and as grounded as you could have.” Livingston can play fullback or slot receiver, and Dylan Dirienzo is back to start at wideout. And Dakota Sunday, Ricky Shirley and Shai’reef Hutton are all capable of playing out wide or in the slot. Livingston nabbed 28 passes for 417 yards last season. “This year Jaylin Rydbom’s another

one that’s going to step up, at the tight end position,” Artley said. “We’re going to try to get (the tight end) incorporated a little bit more.” So, like a lot of coaches, Artley is striving for a little bit of the pass and the run. Unlike a lot of teams around here, Blairsville actually puts that into practice. “Our game isn’t streaks down the sideline,” Artley said. “Our game is a lot of flat routes and hooks and things that are more extensions of parts of the running game. It’s a pass, but that pass might be only four or five yards in the flats because that’s what the defense is giving us. So, instead of running a toss like a lot of teams would do, we just throw it in the flats. I like to throw the football, and I think that gives us some beneficial matchups.” That would be aided greatly by better production from a leaky offensive line, something Artley said his best offseason weight room turnout in years could help. “We’re going to hopefully control the line of scrimmage a little better, to where we don’t have to depend on Scott to throw 20, 25 times in a game. We want to throw this year because we want to throw, not because we have to throw.”

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14 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

HOMERCENTER

Wildcats sticking to the plan With holes to fill, defending champs take same approach By ELI NELLIS

we’ve got and we come out strong.” Most of the physical front that set Homer-Center apart last year was HOMER CITY — Greg Page had lost to graduation, as was Mike to be reminded his team is defend- Newhouse, a steamroller of a fulling District 6 and Heritage Confer- back and linebacker. But Berezansky, a four-year starter, and Lee, ence championships. “I hadn’t thought about that,” the last year’s leading rusher on the Homer-Center coach said. “It has a team with 1,432 yards, give the Wildcats a leading duo among the nice ring to it.” He’s going about defending those area’s best. “We have some holes to fill,” Page titles the best way he knows how — by not really paying it much mind. said. “That’s the great unknown There’s work to do, most notably this year. We feel like we have capagrooming at least six new starters ble people, but we haven’t seen them do it on the field and on each side of the ball. in games necessarily, and Page and the Wildcats are that’s what we’re anxious to going about business thorsee.” oughly, methodically, nose Swingback Matt McAdoo to the grindstone every day. will take on some of the It sounds a little boring, but fullback duties Newhouse it’s also a tried-and-true had, while Matt Cook, Josh approach that got the WildSasala and Montao Colecats from an 0-9 2011 seaman could see increased son to a collection of roles as backfield depth. championships and a state “McAdoo really hit the playoff appearance in 2013. MATT weights hard this year,” Lee “The initial goal is always McADOO said. “He’s been working a to win the weekly battles,” lot on his legs and his Page said. “People put power. He should step up down on paper, ‘We want and fill the position pretty to win this championship well.” and that championship.’ Berezansky is a runner, Sometimes it happens and too, but he was efficient in a sometimes it doesn’t. limited passing role last “You come every day and year, completing 49 of 90 you don’t just show up, you attempts for 723 yards. put a good day’s work in. “Berezansky deserves a We’ve got to get better lot of credit,” Page said. every session. … This year’s JOHN “Each year he’s been our team is going to have to quarterback, we’ve gotten IRELAND work a lot harder for things, better and better as a team, and that’s OK.” There’s no team-wide mantra and that’s not a coincidence. “He didn’t get the opportunity to about getting back to Altoona’s Mansion Park, site of the district throw a whole lot last year, but championship game. Instead when we needed him to, he did. there’s a focus on what’s right in With our big line, if we could get up front of their noses: taking care of on people we would just keep what needs to be done step-by- pounding the ball and try to wear them out and run the clock. Cerstep. “I don’t know,” senior quarter- tainly this year that dimension back Aaron Berezansky said when might be needed, to be able to asked about the team’s goals. throw the ball.” Sasala and Cook will see time out “We’re obviously trying to get back to where we were last year. It’s our wide, the 6-foot-3 John Ireland will main goal. We’ll have to figure out make a nice target at tight end, and Lee and McAdoo will catch passes things as we get along.” “We’re a small school, one of the out of the backfield. Of course, the same bulk missing smallest schools around here,” senior running back Ean Lee said, on the front line needs to be re“so we always have that heart, placed on the defensive side, as drive and desire to come out and well, particularly in the middle, do our best. We work with the guys Continued on Page 15 eli@indianagazette.net

Head coach Greg Page Eighth season Career record: 41-33

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 18 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Penns Manor at Saltsburg NORTHERN CAMBRIA MARION CENTER at Purchase Line at Blairsville UNITED WEST MIDDLESEX at Ligonier Valley WILLIAMSBURG

2013 results Record: 12-2 HC Opp. 48 Saltsburg 6 34 Northern Cambria 13 28 Marion Center 6 37 Purchase Line 14 41 Blairsville 16 37 United 0 38 Conemaugh Twp. 12 40 Ligonier Valley 22 41 Penns Manor 21 19 Portage 35 42 Juniata Valley* 6 28 Bishop Carroll* 7 22 Bishop Guilfoyle* 12 7 Steelton-Highspire# 40 *—District 6 Class A playoffs #—PIAA Class A playoffs

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

AARON BEREZANSKY begins his fourth year as the starting quarterback.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Logan Bellman-x OL/DL Aaron Berezansky-xxx QB/DB Brad Black TE/DL Anthony Breznican-x OL/DL Bailey Catalano OL/LB Matt Cook-x SB/DB Reece Decker-x OL/DL Tristyn Debar-x SE/DB Brandon Hummel-x TE/DB Ean Lee-xx RB/LB Matt McAdoo-xx RB/LB Stephen McLoughlin-xx TE/LB Chris Rura-x TE/DB Tom Rura-xx OL/DL Josh Sasala-xx RB/DB Mike Strini OL/DL JUNIORS Name Pos. Jared Bellman OL/LB Levi Bruner TE/DB John Ireland-x QB/DB Dalton Kirkwood OL/DL Adam McCombsHilliard-x OL/DL

Ht. 5-10 5-9 6-2 6-0 5-11 5-9 6-4 5-9 5-9 6-0 5-9 6-2 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-7

Wt. 202 177 222 279 216 144 182 134 158 184 176 218 172 214 146 249

Ht. 5-10 6-0 6-3 5-8

Wt. 142 179 157 213

5-7 242

Travis Ruffner SE/DB Todd Smeltzer-x TE/LB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Jonah Bence QB/DB Montao Coleman RB/DB Gabe Manzanilla-x OL/DL Bayly Shannon SE/DB Trey Southam RB/LB Matt Warr OL/DL FRESHMEN Name Pos. Tim Alcon SE/DB Chris Clevenger RB/DB Logan Hill TE/LB Garrison Kanouff SE/DB Jesse Lee RB/LB Michael McCracken RB/DL Matt Miles RB/LB Jason Monko OL/DL Ryan Orsargos RB/LB Nick Schmidt SE/DB Eric Shirley OL/DL x-denotes letters earned

6-3 146 5-11 184 Ht. 5-7 5-6 5-11 5-10 5-9 5-6

Wt. 143 143 332 139 148 176

Ht. 5-9 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-10 5-8 5-11

Wt. 147 152 187 151 219 168 178 233 161 133 216

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 15

Rura returns to anchor Homer-Center line By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

“HE’S NOT a ‘rah-rah’ guy, but he’s opened up more. He’s a strong kid. He’s a very reliable kid that just goes about his business. … We’re expecting big things from Tom, and he understands that.”

HOMER CITY — Last year Tom Rura was just one of the guys. He was an important guy, sure, but flanked by hulking, experienced offensive linemen, Rura blended into Homer-Center’s front line. Now, despite his low-key demeanor, Rura is the man. The other four offensive linemen have graduated, leaving the 5-foot-11 214-pounder as the lone holdover from the group arguably most responsible for the Wildcats’ success last year. “He’s not a ‘rah-rah’ guy, but he’s opened up more,” coach Greg Page said of the senior guard. “He’s a strong kid. He’s a very reliable kid that just goes about his business. … We’re expecting big things from Tom, and he understands that.” Rura was eased into his role as a sophomore in 2012, playing part time before starting all of last year alongside graduated seniors Luke

Wildcats sticking to plan

Greg Page, on senior guard Tom Rura, left

Monko, Bill Grozanick, Shawn Steffee and Cody Miller. All that group that averaged 224 pounds did was steamroll area defenses in front of two 1,000-yard rushers. “It’s a lot different,” Rura said. “There are a lot of new guys, though, that can step into the roles and really execute the plays well.” Junior Adam McCombs-Hilliard was expected to be the starting center. The other three line positions were to be sorted out be-

Continued from Page 14 where the lynchpin Newhouse leaves a gaping hole. “Your middle linebacker has to have great instincts and toughness, and we had a guy the last few years that embodied that,” Page said. “But we have some kids we think will be tough in there and have some size with (Stephen) McLoughlin and (Bailey) Catalano.”

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tween seniors Logan Bellman, Anthony Breznican, Bailey Catalano and Mike Strini, junior Dalton Kirkwood and 332-pound sophomore Gabe Manzanilla. Stephen McLoughlin, another senior, filled in at times last year and can play tight end or interior line. “When you have the line we had last year, you had guys that not only were strong but worked so well together and were very smart,” Page said. “That doesn’t just happen by plugging people in.

Lee and McAdoo will man the outsides, but the defensive line was up in the air as camp progressed. The entire starting front from last year is gone. Logan Bellman and Tom Rura headline a group of ends, and Adam McCombs-Hilliard, Gabe Manzanilla, Anthony Breznican and Mike Strini competed for interior positions. It’s a work in progress, and

Certainly we have kids back that are working hard. We have some size. We will not be small on the offensive line.” “It’s a big responsibility,” McCombs-Hilliard said. “It’s a huge step up for me, a huge step up for the line. We’ve just got to step it up and be ready to play every single game.” Rura’s emergence as the group’s leader will help as it learns to work as a unit. “I can help guys out and tell them what they need to do and where they need to go,” he said. Of course, Rura learned a lot from his teammates in past years, as did the understudies. “They’ve taught me more things about life than football, too,” McCombs-Hilliard said. “They’ve taught me respect and everything else, my forms and everything for football as well as being a leader and respecting the game.” “That was a veteran group that got better,” Page said. “They understood what it took. You can

things likely won’t be settled until several weeks into the season. All the while, though, the Wildcats will be playing with a giant target on their backs as defending champions. “We’re going to have to be ready for that first game and prepare ourselves for all of the games at the same time,” Berezansky said. “You can’t take three or four

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have rough patches. You have to go back and study and then work harder to improve. … It’s not going to happen overnight. Our coaches understand it, and I hope our guys do. “It takes time. We have seven or eight guys that are willing to do that, and we’re just going to have to keep working with them.” As for the guys running the ball, the line gets a vote of confidence from them. “A lot of linemen we have stepping up now are kind of young,” said senior running back Ean Lee, who is taking on a role of mentoring the line. “Our linemen are working hard and doing a lot of drills, so we should be good.” “The linemen that we have returning have a lot of strength, too, and they’re working really hard,” quarterback Aaron Berezansky said. “They’re going to be able to come in and fill some big positions. … I would expect the same as the guys who were there before.”

weeks to get your feet wet,” Page said. “If you want a chance to win the Heritage — bang, we have Penns Manor right out of the door. We don’t have a lot of time to say we’re hoping these guys come along. It has to be sooner than later. … We know we have eight other Heritage teams that don’t give a darn about what we did last year, and that’s OK because that’s what football’s all about.”

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16 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

LIGONIER VALLEY

Youthful Rams growing up fast ‘Every day our kids are just getting better and better’ By DUSTIN FILLOY

throwing left something to be desired. We had some kids who were tremendous throwers, who could LIGONIER — For the first time also run, but their running wasn’t since the 2008 season, Ligonier electric. When it’s all said and Valley will live and die with its done, we think our kid is going to youth, an ideal 11th-year coach be pretty electric doing both.” This year, Smith, who spent his Roger Beitel seems at peace with. The Rams’ roster consists of a early years in Ohio, will move back combined 13 upperclassmen, to his natural post at quarterback, three of whom are returning a position he played until last seastarters, but Beitel said the unsea- son. Smith attended a handful of soned Rams have more significant passing camps over the summer, goals than just qualifying for the including one of Notre Dame’s District 6 Class AA playoffs for the prestigious summer camps, which sixth straight year. Racked by in- he attended with sophomore juries last season, Ligonier Valley flanker Trent Stewart in June. Beitel said Smith’s toughness and reached the playoffs despite losing its last four regular-season games his ability to run and throw the ball and then dropping its playoff with efficiency makes him the ideal brand of quarterback for his opener to finish 6-5. “There’s a lot of teaching, a lot Pistol-Wing offense. “He’s making the transipatience, and every day our tion back to quarterback kids are just getting better fine,” Beitel said. “He’s emand better and better. Like I braced the position, and said, the storm’s brewing,” he’s just had a great offseaBeitel said. “As soon as we son and an absolutely tercan get these young kids rific camp, and he’s picking ready and up to competing things up in the offense at varsity speed, I’m telling fast. We’re basically going to you, the sky is the limit. But start in the pistol, because by the same token, we’re as we want to start with our young as we are, and we’re best athlete, and arguably RAY going to have 14- and 15one of the best athletes in year-old kids going up MARSH the conference, with the against 17- and 18-yearolds, and that maturation really ball in his hands at five yards every makes a difference. Normally, I’m play. You load up like we’re going to used to having around 13 kids in run, and we’re going to throw; and the senior class alone, and that’s all if you sit back like we’re going to we have in the top two classes throw, we’re going to run.” Seniors and returning starters combined. “But we feel really good about Ray Marsh (center) and Alan Stoufour team. How we do in terms of fer (tackle) anchor an offensive line wins and losses, hey, we’ve won a that will try to create lanes for lot of games, but that’s not what’s Smith, senior running back important. What’s important is Michael Keller and senior fullback getting these kids ready and pre- Jordan Jones. Sophomores Alex Marsh (runpared, and they really are just fantastic. I couldn’t be happier with a ning back) and Garrett Custer (fullback) will also get their share of group of kids.” Two-way returning starter and carries. Keller, penciled in last year sophomore speedster Collin Smith to be a starter, missed last season will spearhead the Rams on both with a broken ankle. Senior split end Thomas Mauk sides of the ball. Last year, the hard-nosed Smith and Stewart will represent Smith’s started at running back, where he go-to options in the receiving was the team’s second-leading corps. Other offensive starters are sophrusher. He amassed 500 yards on 83 carries and scored three touch- omore guard Elijah Parrish, sophomore guard Zack Mariotti, junior downs. “He’s a dual-threat like no other,” tight end Dominic Jester, senior Beitel said. “We’ve had some other tackle Jerin Free and junior guard kids in our conference who were Billy Shafron. tremendous runners, but their Continued on Page 17 dfilloy@indianagazette.net

Head coach Roger Beitel 11th season Career record: 64-40

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Northern Cambria at Purchase Line UNITED BLAIRSVILLE at Marion Center at Huntingdon SALTSBURG at Penns Manor HOMER-CENTER at Central

2013 results Record: 6-5 LV Opp. 35 Purchase Line 0 42 United 7 21 Blairsville 17 29 Marion Center 8 33 Windber 26 50 Saltsburg 14 29 Penns Manor 31 22 Homer-Center 40 34 Northern Cambria 35 6 Bald Eagle Area 45 6 Richland* 46 *—District 6 Class AA playoffs

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

COLLIN SMITH is returning to his natural position, quarterback, to run the Pistol-Wing offense.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Jeffrey Case RB/LB Jerin Free-x OL/DL Brandon Howard OL/DL Jordan Jones-xx TE/FB Michael Keller-xx RB/DB Ray Marsh-xx C/DE Thomas Mauk-x SE/DB Alan Stouffer-x OL/DL JUNIORS Name Pos. Hunter Hulbert-x OL/DL Dominic Jester TE/LB Billy Shafron-x G/LB Thomas Sibal SE/DB Tyler Turcheck TE/OL SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Garrett Custer FB/LB Josh Fitz SE/DB Zach Haines SE/LB Trent Hepner QB/SE Tyler Hulbert OL/DL Brenden Linebarger SE/DB Zack Mariotti-x G/NT Alex Marsh-x RB/DB Elijah Parrish-x G/LB

Ht. 5-6 6-0 5-9 6-4 5-7 5-9 5-9 5-11

Wt. 161 184 155 211 157 220 141 224

Ht. 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-8 6-0

Wt. 225 183 170 142 156

Ht. 5-7 5-9 5-7 5-8 5-5 5-7 5-9 5-7 5-8

Wt. 182 142 117 131 188 135 179 148 188

Nathan Porterfield TE/LB 5-9 Kobe Short TE/DB 5-9 Collin Smith-x QB/OLB 6-0 Trent Stewart-x SE/S 5-8 Joey Tomosky SE/DB 5-7 Austin Tutino RB/OLB 5-10 Michael Zimmerman OL/DL 5-7 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Joey Anthony SE/LB 5-8 Avery Arnone SE/DB 5-8 Nathan Burns SE/LB 5-11 Tyler Courtney OL/DL 5-11 Jackson Daugherty QB/S 6-1 Joe Dubics RB/LB 5-6 Dekota Gerstner OL/DL 6-0 Denver Huskey RB/DB 5-6 Hunter Jones OL/DL 6-0 Ben Kenyon OL/DL 5-3 Brenden Machak RB/DB 5-1 Michael McVicker OL/DL 5-7 Jacob Neiderhiser OL/DL 5-9 Cole Peters OL/LB 5-11 Rob Ray OL/DL 5-8 Jesse Reed SE/DB 5-10 John Salancy OL/DL 5-5 Aaron Sheeder RB/LB 5-10 Noah Wingrove OL/NT 5-9 x-denotes letters earned

148 142 163 139 118 151 139 Wt. 129 140 137 184 160 144 150 107 170 125 110 150 260 171 162 150 142 155 240

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 17

“ HAVING THEM back is huge.”

Youthful Rams growing up fast

Back in the Fold Rams getting boost from return of injured starters By DUSTIN FILLOY dfilloy@indianagazette.net

LIGONIER — For a team in the midst of a rebuilding process, Ligonier Valley desperately needed seniors Michael Keller and Alan Stouffer to recover from gruesome injuries suffered early last season. Fortunately for the Rams, Keller and Stouffer apparently possess more intestinal fortitude than most. Keller, a running back/ cornerback, broke his ankle in Ligonier Valley’s first scrimmage of last season, and Stouffer, a two-way tackle, snapped his tibia in two places in Week 2. Both made remarkable offseason recoveries, and both will platoon as starters for the Rams. “Having them back is huge,” 11th-year coach Roger Beitel said. “We had Alan starting out at center, but just watching him take reps at tackle in practice on film made us change our minds. He’s just so good we had to move him back out to tackle, where he played last year. “And Michael has just been phenomenal. He’s running around and making plays and looking like his

old self again. … It really seems like neither one of them has missed a beat, and that’s huge.” Offensive MICHAEL success for KELLER the Rams will hinge greatly on the play of gritty sophomore quarterback Collin Smith, but if Beitel intends to keep Smith injuryfree, he’ll need Keller and Stouffer, two of the team’s eight seniors, to have healthy and productive seasons. “We’re going to run him, he’s going to throw, and he’s the focal point of our offense,” Beitel said of Smith, the team’s top returning rusher from last season (500 yards). “He’s the reason we made the changes we’ve made in our offense, as well. But if we can’t keep guys like Michael and Alan healthy, it’s going to be difficult to adapt to the changes.” Beitel said Smith and Keller will get the lion’s share of the carries in the PistolWing offense, while players such as sophomore fullback

Garrett Custer and sophomore tailback Alex Marsh will complement them. Beitel seemed supremely ALAN confident STOUFFER in Keller, despite the fact that his only varsity experience at running back came in the latter stages of a handful of games in the 2012 season. “In the first scrimmage last year, Keller was as good as any back we saw all season,” Beitel said. “He just flew around. He had three touchdowns (and) 80 yards on only like six carries in the first scrimmage, and then he breaks his ankle making an open-field tackle on the second-to-the-last play of the game. “It was just a freak thing. His ankle just got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the collision takes place, it bends the wrong way and his ankle breaks. That was really a big shot for us, especially at that point in the season.” In just his second game as

a starter, Stouffer also suffered a grisly injury in the open field when he got clipped from behind in a Week 2 win. Like Keller, Stouffer worked diligently in rehab to recover before the start of his senior season. For their efforts, both players, along with seniors Ray Marsh and Jordan Jones, were named team captains. “Getting Alan Stouffer back is a big shot in the arm for us,” Beitel said. “And at this point, we’ve finally got some competition behind guys like Alan who can make him better. We have a lot of bigger, talented kids in our lower grades, but they’re still young and they’re still developing. However, those kids have been able to push the older kids like Alan, and that’s the kind of competition we need to get us where we want to go.”

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(outside linebacker), junContinued from Page 16 Nine players, including ior Thomas Sibal (corneroutside linebacker Smith, back) and sophomore Alex will platoon as starters. Marsh (cornerback). Other two-way starters are “We have 35 kids in the Jones (defensive end), lower two grades, and a lot Keller (cornerback), Marsh of them are sophomores (defensive end), who got significant Stouffer (tackle), time last year,” BeiCuster (inside linetel said. “We startbacker), Mariotti ed five freshmen in (nose tackle), Parour playoff game rish (inside linelast year against backer) and StewRichland, so as art (safety). these kids continBeitel also exue to develop and pects the following continue to grow, players to make an we feel incredibly JORDAN impact on defense: fortunate about freshman Noah the things that are JONES Wingrove (nose going to happen tackle), freshman Aaron here. Sheeder (inside line“But that doesn’t mean backer), freshman Jackson that we aren’t focused on Daugherty (safety), sopho- what we can do this year more Josh Fitz (outside because we also believe we linebacker), sophomore have some really special Nathan Porterfield (out- seniors that can have big side linebacker), junior seasons. Mix that in with Hunter Hulbert (tackle), the youth we have, and sophomore Austin Tutino you never know.”

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18 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

MARION CENTER

Stingers look to spring surprises Desire fueled by last-place pick in conference By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

Head coach Dave Malicky 18th season Career record: 87-82

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at United at Blairsville SALTSBURG at Homer-Center LIGONIER VALLEY PENNS MANOR at Purchase Line NORTHERN CAMBRIA at St. Joseph’s Academy at Glendale

2013 results Record: 2-8 MC 14 21 6 8 6 16 8 6 34 14

Blairsville Saltsburg Homer-Center Ligonier Valley Penns Manor Purchase Line Northern Cambria Shade United Karns City

Opp. 20 18 28 29 35 28 29 13 14 52

Quotable Malicky: “They’re hungry. They want to have success. They’re taking the challenge to heart.”

MARION CENTER — Marion Center has been through a couple down years, but you wouldn’t know it from coach Dave Malicky. The veteran coach was as upbeat as ever about getting back to work and building toward another football season. Some on the outside might not expect it, but there’s excitement in the air at Marion Center. “Positivity, that’s the biggest thing,” senior running back/linebacker Kyle McCullough said. “If you’re not excited and you don’t want to be out here working with kids, then there’s no use in COLTON FAIRMAN returns in the backfield. you being out here,” Malicky said. “They’re hungry,” Malicky said. Strong, Jacob Cribbs, Zeke Welch “They keep you young. They’re great to work with. We’ve always “They want to have success. and Mike Baker, all weigh in had great groups, but I’m looking They’re taking the challenge to around 200 pounds, so Marion forward to seeing what this group heart. I don’t think a lot of people Center has the material to work are picking us to do too much this with. can do.” “I always tease (coach) Paul (DeThe Stingers have won just five year, and that’s fine with us. We’re games over the last two seasons. In just going to keep our mouths Haven). I say, you put together closed and work hard and good offensive and defensive lines, that time, a crop of skill see where we are at the end we’re going to be pretty good,” players such as Blake Orr, of the year.” Malicky said. Colton Fairman, Zach EdIt’s sunny up on the hill at “That offense will go as far as the wards and McCullough Marion Center, the source line can take them, and the kids took their lumps but being Malicky’s disposi- know that. That’s always the key. gained valuable experition, reflected by a roster of We’ve got some kids that can run ence, something they will 30 hearty players. the football. … We need time up put to use this year. “Our coaching staff, we’ve front, and we need some holes to “It cycles,” Malicky said. always been positive with do that. The kids have taken the “You’ve just got to stick the kids,” Malicky said. challenge.” with it. You’ve got to love KYLE “Sometimes they need patMcCullough anchors the defense the ones you’re with. Even our last couple years, we McCULLOUGH ted on the butt, sometimes at inside linebacker. they need kicked in the “Stopping the inside run game is had some kids that worked very hard. We’ve had some really butt. But they know we’re here. We my biggest thing,” McCullough good football players come love them. The kids that are out said. “If we can stop the inside run through here. I know the record here doing it, they’re not the ones game, we have some speed on the didn’t show it, but I’m hoping this playing on Nintendo or whatever’s outside.” He is joined by Brad Smith, Charcrew here takes it one step further.” out there nowadays. This is hard The players haven’t forgotten the work, and these kids are special to lie Brewer and Zach Edwards. Fairinformal poll taken at the Heritage me. I just hope we have the success man and Craig Irvin are at the corners, and Erik Hicks is the safety. Conference’s football media day in that I think we can.” “The whole team just feeds off Malicky had at least seven players July, one that had the Stingers in (Coach’s) energy, and we play off it vying for spots on the defensive last place in the nine-team league. “Every practice we’ve been say- and feed off of ourselves, too,” Orr line. “The D-line’s looking a little biging we’re ranked ninth,” McCul- said. “These past couple years it’s lough said. “We’re pushing our- been rough. This year it’s going to ger this year, so I’m pretty excited selves a lot harder than we’ve ever be different. We want to win. It’s a about that,” McCullough said. “The last couple years we’ve had a worked before, and they’re beating different mindset this year.” Malicky is confident in his skill pretty small line, but we’re hitting it into our heads that we’re ranked ninth. We love it. … We want to players, but less certain about the hard. We’ve been physical the last show them up. We’re out looking lines. Still, the Stingers have gotten couple weeks. We’re just going to for the Heritage Conference. Noth- bigger. Their starting offensive keep working. The defense is looklinemen, Jacob Rankin, Alec ing pretty good.” ing but confidence here.”

JAMES J. NESTOR/Gazette

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Ht. Austin Adamson SE/DB 5-7 Mike Baker OL/DL 6-0 Charlie Brewer-x TE/LB 5-11 Jacob Cribbs-x OL/DL 5-10 Colton Fairman-xx RB/DB 5-9 Kyle McCullough-xx RB/LB 6-1 Blake Orr-xx QB/DB 6-0 Brandon Prenni-x SE/DB 6-0 Alec Strong-xx OL/DL 5-6 Zeke Welch OL/DL 6-2 JUNIORS Name Pos. Ht. Zach Edwards-xx RB/LB 5-11 Erik Hicks-x RB/DB 5-5 Tyler Howell SE/DB 5-9 Craig Irvin-xx QB/SE/DB5-11 Jacob Rankin-x OL/DL 5-11 SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ht. Decosta Bobak-x OL/DL 6-2 Mackenzie Crooks RB/DB 5-11 Jordan Gromley OL/DL 6-2 Shawn Isenberg OL/DL 5-11 Ian Orr RB/LB 5-9 Brad Smith-x RB/LB 5-11 Michael Stewart RB/LB 5-5 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Zack Betts OL/DL 5-10 Michael Gardner RB/LB 5-6 Dylan Goss QB/LB 5-10 Troy Lewis SE/DB 5-11 Gavin McClellan OL/LB 5-10 Paul McClure OL/DL 6-3 Garrick Shellhammer TE/DL 6-2 Dakota Wise OL/DL 6-2 x-denotes letters earned

Wt. 130 200 190 200 180 205 200 160 180 205 Wt. 185 135 140 160 215 Wt. 320 170 280 200 190 185 140 Wt. 185 150 175 120 165 205 185 280

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 19

Experienced Orr eyes better time ahead By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

MARION CENTER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dave Malicky looks for improvement from his Marion Center team. But his senior quarterback, Blake Orr? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Someone asked, what do you expect for him as a quarterback?â&#x20AC;? the coach said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not going to throw the ball any better, because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always had the good arm.â&#x20AC;? Orr split time under center as a sophomore two years ago, then took full control as a junior last year, throwing for a respectable 888 yards. With his team frequently playing from behind, he completed 49 of 138 attempts and was intercepted nine times versus throwing three touchdown passes. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where the coach looks for improvement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the decision-making,â&#x20AC;? Malicky said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve talked about all the time. As with any kid, the older you get the better decisions you make: knowing when to throw the ball away, knowing when somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open and knowing when to take off and run, too.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;They say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be much easier for an experienced guy,â&#x20AC;? Orr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be easier for me to know the game and play with all my teammates.â&#x20AC;? Orr headlines a fairly experienced, talented group of ball handlers, with running backs Colton Fairman, Kyle McCullough and Zach Edwards, receiver Craig Irvin and tight end Charlie Brewer.

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

BLAKE ORR returns for his second full season of calling the signals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m probably most excited about our skill positions right now,â&#x20AC;? the coach said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Blake and Kyle and Zach and Colton, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a nice backfield there. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Craig Irvin is a game-changer, too, at split end. You might see him at quarterback a little bit just as a

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change of pace from time to time. Blakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our quarterback, but just as a change-up.â&#x20AC;? Fairman was the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading rusher in 2013, and he tied Orr with a team-high five rushing touchdowns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I look for Colton to have a great

year,â&#x20AC;? Malicky said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of our better athletes, without a doubt, 180 pounds, a very strong young man. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of our kids with more of our better speed.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working real hard,â&#x20AC;? Fairman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The running backs are working real hard, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re

bigger than usual, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing good.â&#x20AC;? Edwards has carried the ball as well, and McCullough, a defensive stalwart, looks to step up on offense. Sophomore Brad Smith adds to the backfield depth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Game speed is way different,â&#x20AC;? Fairman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot faster. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to have to cut as much; you have to hit them a lot harder.â&#x20AC;? Brewer entered last season as the starting tight end but lost half the year to injury. He and Irvin are the most reliable targets, with Erik Hicks and Brandon Prenni also working at receiver. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They all have good hands,â&#x20AC;? Orr said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year was a little different because the boys didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play as much. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of skill this year. Definitely a lot of good hands. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll definitely be able to move the ball this year.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a third-year quarterback we feel we can throw the ball,â&#x20AC;? Malicky said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Offensive coordinator) Paul (DeHaven) always does a good job of mixing it up. We want to get the ball in our playmakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hands just like everybody else, and if we stay healthy, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be fine.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a big jump for a unit that struggled last year, gaining just over 200 yards per game, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good mix that has potential to do things in 2014. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ran the ball well in our first scrimmage,â&#x20AC;? Malicky said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our passing game wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too bad, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a work in progress. This is a blue-collar team. They really come and they work hard every day.â&#x20AC;?

Good Luck

Stingers

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20 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

NORTHERN CAMBRIA

Colts showing a lot of new things Coach, offense, roster are new, but attitude remains the same By CARLY KROUSE

paced, but that might be a better fit for me. Last year, I didn’t really run a lot, but this year, I want to get out NORTHERN CAMBRIA — North- there and take off a little bit. I’m ern Cambria is running a new of- looking forward to it. I was a little fense with a new coach and a timid last year with that, but I’m bunch of new starters. feeling better about it all this seaA lot has changed for the Colts in son.” the past year, but their attitude re“It’s amazing how Tyler is conmains the same. trolling the offense and how well “We’ll be running some new he’s seeing the field,” Paronish things, but when we come out here said. “Those games that he had last on the field, we are still just work- year helped him tremendously. ing to get those wins,” quarterback What’s really nice is his athleticism, Tyler Pershing said. “There have and he won’t hesitate to tuck the definitely been some big changes, ball and run in a passing situabut we’re still the Northern Cam- tion.” bria Colts and have the same exAnother returning starter, receivpectations for ourselves.” er Joe Olish, could benefit Frank Paronish, who is in from the new offense as his second stint with the well. He caught 15 passes Colts, brought his upfor 198 yards last year and tempo ways back to the hopes to double those field and put them in the numbers as a senior. hands of a young team. Olish also is the backup “We lack varsity experiquarterback, giving the ence, there’s no question Colts more options to about it,” Paronish said. choose from in their play“That’s going to be a big book. JOE thing we’re going to have to “He’s a double threat,” OLISH overcome. When you look Paronish said. “What more at a situation where you could you ask for? He’s a have just four players with senior, he’s had some expevarsity experience, these rience, and he brings to the young athletes are really plate the ability to catch the going to have to step it up.” ball so well. Not only that, So far, those players have but he has great speed and accepted that challenge we can put him at quarterand are enjoying their back sometimes, which chance to prove themopens things up for us.” selves. Northern Cambria’s suc“We have a lot of new cess might depend on its MIKE kids coming in, and even inexperienced offensive though we do have kids and defensive lines. SCLESKY with a lot of talent, you Senior Jon McGary starts can’t teach experience,” lineman at center, replacing his graduated Anthony Frontino said. “But we’re brother, Joe. Seniors Chase Hill starting to click, and we’re all look- and Frontino, junior Brady ing forward to getting out there. It’s Lockard and sophomore Cody going to be a good experience, and Frederick complete the offensive I’m excited to see what we can do line. this year.” “We have one returning lineman, Pershing, who played in nine and as a result of that, we had a lot games last year and started after of question marks,” Paronish said. Dartagnan Suchar was injured, will “We’re seeing some good things, take the snaps in the spread of- but of course, when we get in the fense. He was 39 of 78 for 521 yards games and actually start playing, last season. Listed at 5-foot-7, 150 we’ll see what we really have and pounds, Pershing will be able to how they are able to handle those take advantage of his speed in the pressure situations. Hopefully we new offense. have the right people in the right “I have a big responsibility and positions.” we’re throwing the ball a lot more, One player Paronish is confident and that falls on my shoulders a lit- in is junior Mike Sclesky, a twotle bit,” he said. “It’s a lot faster- year letterwinner listed at 6-2, 350. ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Head coach Frank Paronish Sixth season* Career record: 28-25*

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 11 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7

LIGONIER VALLEY PENNS MANOR at Homer-Center at United BLAIRSVILLE PURCHASE LINE at Elk County Catholic at Marion Center SALTSBURG at Northern Bedford CAMBRIA HEIGHTS

2013 results Record: 5-5 NC 20 13 53 19 26 6 29 36 35 13

Penns Manor Homer-Center United Blairsville Purchase Line Berlin Marion Center Saltsburg Ligonier Valley Cambria Heights

Opp. 21 34 7 24 7 53 8 21 34 17

*Paronish coached in 200206 and succeeds Paul Taranto.

TOM PEEL/Gazette

TYLER PERSHING (6) calls the signals in the Colts’ new spread offense.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Seth Bearer-xx RB/DB Anthony Frontino-xx OL/LB Chase Hill-x OL/DL Brad Janosko-x RB/DB Nathan Lauren WR/LB Jon McGary-x OL/DL Zack Nagle OL/DL Garrett Olbert-x WR/LB Joe Olish-xx WR/S James Scott-x OL/DE Noah Tomallo-xx RB/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. William Davis OL/DL Robert Gobrecht WR/DB Adam Higa WR/DB Alex Kopera-x RB/DB Zack Lieb-x RB/LB Brady Lockard OL/DL Nick Mays OL/DL Garrett Nagle FB/DE Michael Nealen FB/LB Mac Novella-x RB/DB Tyler Pershing-x QB/S Mike Sclesky-xx OL/DL Scott Serafin WR/DE Josh Smith OL/DL

Ht. 5-11 5-9 6-0 5-7 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-2 5-5

Wt. 165 210 250 150 155 215 210 170 170 200 145

Ht. 5-6 6-1 5-10 5-7 5-9 5-7 5-10 5-7 5-8 5-5 5-7 6-2 6-2 5-7

Wt. 130 135 160 145 160 225 185 160 175 125 150 350 185 228

He anchors the defensive line. “I have seen a big attitude change in him this year,” Paronish said. “He’s much more focused on his job at defensive tackle, and he understands what that job is. “At his size, he can really control the area that he’s in, and we’re looking forward to him doing a nice job.” The Colts have the largest roster in the area with 49 players, but they lack some experienced depth.

Byrce Waldron WR/LB Adam Weiland-x FB/LB C.J. Wiewora K SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Michael Byrne FB/DE Mike Dillalogue OL/DL Nathan Dumm RB/LB Cody Frederick OL/DL Nick Kirsch RB/DB Ryan Lanzendorfer OL/DL Joey Lecorchick WR/DB Joel Ludwig OL/DE Logan Marino QB/S Brandon Nagle WR/DE Chris Rippin RB/DB Scott Wagner WR/DB Michael Webb OL/DL FRESHMEN Name Pos. Timothy Chuhran OL/DL Austin Gach RB/LB Xzavier Jackson WR/DB John Paronish RB/LB Nathan Pittman OL/DE Bryce Sheredy RB/DL Jacob Sodmont OL/DL Scott Yingling RB/LB x-denotes letters earned

5-8 125 5-10 180 5-6 125 Ht. 5-9 5-7 5-8 6-0 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-9 5-10 5-9 5-6 5-7 5-6

Wt. 145 207 150 260 140 240 135 155 145 155 130 140 170

Ht. 5-9 5-4 5-4 5-8 5-7 5-3 5-6 5-7

Wt. 240 120 115 120 150 110 165 155

Paronish said if his team can stay healthy, he has high expectations, which begin at home against Ligonier Valley on Friday night. “This team will find a way to win,” he said. “They’re overcoming obstacles every day. You have to keep in mind that they’re learning a new offense and a new defense, and they’re trying to find themselves on this team. They are willing to learn, and we are headed in the right direction.”

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 21

Paronish enjoying second stint with Colts By CARLY KROUSE ckrouse@indianagazette.net

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — Being that it’s his second time around, Frank Paronish has a pretty good idea of what to expect when he steps back out onto the field at Duffy Daugherty Stadium on Friday night. Paronish, who was hired in March to coach the Colts again after leading them to a 28-25 record from 2002-06, knows that it won’t be easy this season with his inexperienced team, but he still can’t wait to get back at it. “I’m enjoying it. It’s so much fun,” Paronish said. “I’m not as young as some of these guys, and some of the late nights are rough, but I’m doing OK, and it’s just great to be back out here. I’m anxious for Friday night to get back into that game situation again, and I think we’ll do very well as a team and as a coaching staff.” Paronish replaced Paul Taranto, who recorded a 2932 record in six seasons. The Colts were 5-5 in 2013 and won four of their last six games after starting the season 1-3. Northern Cambria has never won a Heritage Conference football title. Paronish, who teaches in the Northern Cambria School District, also coached three seasons at Blacklick Valley in the mid-

1990s. “As a coaching staff, we have to really make some adaptations to get us ready for these first couple games,” Paronish said. “It’s always hard, but you have to be creative in practices to create physical challenges so that we can find who our best athletes are. It is fun, but it can be challenging at times.” Paronish led the Colts to a 10-2 season in 2003. They were the District 5-6 runners-up and fell just short of a Heritage Conference title due to a tiebreaker. He returned to the helm with some unfinished business, and he hopes to pick up some wins in his first season back. “Having coached in the conference before, I know that every team that we’re going to face is wellcoached, and you better be ready to play because if you’re not, you’re going to get whipped,” he said. “You can’t take any of these teams for granted, and I’m sure the other coaches are looking at us the same way. “That’s one thing about this conference, when it’s game time: Everybody comes to play. Usually, you’re going to see a very good ball game on both sides of the ball. The league has had a lot of success over the last couple years, and

we’re happy to be a part of that conference and hope we can do some things this year.” The same offense Paronish used that was successful in his first stint is the offense that the Colts will be running this season. It has been an adjustment for the players, but it seems the transition has been fairly easy so far. “It’s a whole new thing, having a new coach and a new offense,” junior Tyler Pershing said. “We were running the same offense since Little Colts, and now we’re doing something different. But the transition with Coach has been good so far, and the offense seems to be working. We could surprise some people this year.” There are many reasons that Paronish returned to the field, but two things are most important: working with the kids and winning football games. “Our program has been heading in the right direction, and we’d like to keep it that way,” he said. “It seems Northern Cambria is well on its way of continuing to reload each season and strive for excellence. We have 49 ball players this year, and they had more than 50 out last year. The kids are doing well, and I know they — and me, as well — are ready to win some ball games.”

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FRANK PARONISH made a point with the offense in practice during a preseason session.

22 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

PENNS MANOR

Comets answering same questions Packers and Co. again trying to come up with the right moves By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

Head coach Bill Packer 10th season Career record: 67-32

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 HOMER-CENTER Sept. 5 at Northern Cambria Sept. 12 ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY Sept. 19 SALTSBURG Sept. 26 at United Oct. 3 at Marion Center Oct. 10 BLAIRSVILLE Oct. 17 LIGONIER VALLEY Oct. 24 at Purchase Line Oct. 31 at Keystone

2013 results Record: 9-2 PM Opp. 21 Northern Cambria 20 48 Conemaugh Valley 6 28 Saltsburg 12 48 United 0 35 Marion Center 6 34 Blairsville 7 31 Ligonier Valley 29 28 Purchase Line 15 21 Homer-Center 41 35 Keystone 8 0 Bishop Guilfoyle* 25 *—District 6 Class A playoffs

KENWOOD — It has become routine at Penns Manor for the Comets to play well into the District 6 playoffs. With that November tradition has come another routine the following August — questions of how, or whether, Penns Manor will put together another successful team. Class after class has carried the torch for the Comets. They’ve made the playoffs seven years straight, winning a district and conference title in there, too. Every high school deals with the graduation of athletes, but it’s been more pronounced at Penns Manor the last several years, even when record-setting quarterback Danny Ferens was part of the returning classes. The Comets have perhaps their toughest retooling task yet in 2014. They weathered the loss of Ferens last season, finishing a game away from the Heritage Conference championship, but they did it with a senior-heavy roster. Year after year, they have had all the right answers for the questions. Here they are again. “It seems like that’s the way it’s been,” coach Bill Packer said. “People are always asking, but we really are going to be young this year compared to the last few years.” In place of a big group of seniors, physically and in number, is a young core of juniors stepping up, regardless of varsity experience. “They’ve been in the program,” Packer said. “This is a great junior group. They’ve seen it through since they were freshmen. They’re going to have to step it up, and they know what they have to do, but it’s just, are they going to be able to do it? We haven’t (prepared) any differently: just come out and work hard and get ready to go.” “We try not to pay too much attention to the outside, whatever people think,” said Zach Hnatko, one of a few juniors who started as a sophomore in 2013. “We just take it day by day, practice by practice. We get bigger and stronger each day. We strive for excellence and try to prove ourselves, prove everybody wrong during the season, not the offseason. “But when the season comes we’re going to prove to you that we

have what it takes to be No. 1.” When the Comets do acknowledge the questions about 2014, they do it in a positive way. “It makes it more fun,” junior Andrew Somogyi said. “Football’s awesome, and proving everyone wrong, it’s so much better for the team.” “We want to be the best,” added Beck Branton, another junior. “It puts a lot of pressure on you. Sometimes pressure’s good. It can make you better and make you want it more.” Penns Manor returns just two full-time starters on offense, along with a couple part-timers. Four starters are back on defense, led by Hnatko at outside linebacker and Branton at safety. “It puts a little pressure on us because we don’t have as many senior leaders,” Hnatko said. “Some of us juniors have to step up and prove ourselves again, like we did last year, some of us.” “We lost a lot of good guys on defense, but we got just as many good guys back,” said Branton. “We have a lot of people that played a little bit last year stepping in full-time now, and some guys that didn’t play at all last year stepping in. Everybody’s looking pretty good.” The other returning starters on defense are Brandon Alter and Somogyi on the line. They’ll be joined by Christian Marshall and either Cory Franks, Dan Aikins or Gavin Grimaldi at nose guard. Completing the 4-4 front, Adam Dumm is opposite Hnatko at outside linebacker, with Clayton Stupic and Logan Mack in between. Bailey Mumau and Nathan Dumm are the cornerbacks, and Branton calls the signals. “I feel a lot more comfortable this year,” Branton said. “Last year was a lot of good practice.” Alter, who moved from tackle to guard, and Somogyi at tight end are the only returning starters on offense. “That is something new for me,” Alter said. “I stepped up and took the leadership. I help the team out wherever I can. … I learned that from (teammates) every year I’ve played. I just do what they taught me.” Helping with the program’s con-

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

NATHAN DUMM saw part-time action on offense last season.

ROSTER SENIORS Pos. G/DE TE/NG WR/CB WR/CB JUNIORS Name Pos. Dan Aikins T/DT Beck Branton-x HB/FS Ryan Cameron-x WR/CB Nathan Dumm-x HB/CB Gavin Grimaldi-x TE/DE Brody Halliwell T/NG Mike Hildebrand QB/CB Zach Hnatko-x TE/OLB Tyler Houck C/DT Kyle Krevel FB/ILB Cyrus Lieb WR/CB Logan Mack G/ILB Christian Marshall-x T/DT Bailey Mumau-x HB/CB Cody Pytash WR/CB Zach Shiley T/DT Andrew Somogyi-xx G/DE Name Brandon Alter-xx Cory Franks-x Phoenix Grillo Kevin Lute-x

Ht. 6-3 6-0 5-10 5-9

Wt. 240 170 150 155

Ht. 5-9 5-10 5-10 5-9 6-2 5-9 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-9 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-8 5-11 5-8

Wt. 220 165 155 165 240 180 145 220 250 175 150 185 255 170 145 250 190

sistency is Packer’s assistant coaches, a mix of family and friends and just generally dedicated football men. “The program’s turned around because of the assistant coaches I have, really,” Packer said. “They just do a fantastic job. They put many hours in. They work over the summer with these kids. They’ll take their own groups and work

Tyler Somogyi WR/CB 5-9 Clayton Stupic-x QB/ILB 5-9 SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ht. Dallas Buterbaugh HB/CB 5-5 Garrett Crowe C/NG 5-8 Alexis Franks OL/DL 5-5 Trent Franks FB/DB 5-9 James Harvey QB/FS 5-8 Ryan Hopkins G/DL 5-8 Tony Koscho G/DL 5-7 Danny Myers G/DE 5-8 Collin Trinkley HB/OLB 6-0 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Zack Busovicki FB/ILB 5-7 Adam Dumm QB/OLB 5-11 Jeremy Hill RB/DB 5-6 Zac Horwat QB/FS 5-5 Zack Johnston C/DT 5-7 Ben Kirsch T/DT 5-8 Wyatt Patterson TE/DE 5-9 Sal Tate HB/CB 5-6 x-denotes letters earned

140 170 Wt. 125 195 115 155 155 170 140 155 170 Wt. 145 175 130 135 195 190 160 130

with them. They put a lot of time in, they know the game well, they study film. I really believe I have the best assistant coaches around. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. That’s what’s turned it around as far as having new groups come in. We’ve had some talent, no doubt, but when you have a young group like this, it comes down to the assistant coaches.”

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 23

Comets’ offense will look a little different By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

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KENWOOD — Clayton Stupic was unforgettable in a cameo role as Penns Manor’s quarterback in 2013. The Comets will depend on the 5-foot-9 junior much more regularly in 2014. Stupic, who enters the season as Penns Manor’s starting quarterback, hit Nathan Dumm for a 37-yard touchdown pass in the final second for a 31-29 victory at Ligonier Valley last October. Pressed into duty when starter Lucas Kowalski was injured, Stupic marched the Comets 91 yards in 33 seconds, completing 4 of 5 passes. It’s a different type of fire Stupic is being thrown into this year, but he’s had at least a little experience dealing with pressure. “It gave me more confidence in myself,” he said of his drive in Ligonier. “(Starting) is definitely a lot different, a lot fasterpaced. It helped last year getting in a game that big.” Ligonier Valley will remember that the film showed the Comets didn’t have enough players on the line of scrimmage on the final play, which should have resulted in a penalty. Penns Manor’s youngsters take something else from

CLAYTON STUPIC

GAVIN GRIMALDI

the finish. “It takes the stress off a little bit, makes it a little bit easier,” Dumm said. “I guess it’s kind of nice because you know it is possible.” Coach Bill Packer will still run the Wing-T and the spread, but the Penns Manor offense will look a little different this year. “He’s not that runner like (previous quarterbacks Kowalski and Danny Ferens), but now you’re talking about throwing the ball,” the coach said. “He’s probably our best passer we’ve had since I’ve been coaching here. He’s just a good athlete and he throws the ball well.” Preseason publications are littered with run-oriented coaches musing about adopting the pass a little more, but it appears Packer’s plans are more than just smoke. Stupic went 10-for11 in a scrimmage against Blacklick Valley. “I hope we throw the ball a

BECK BRANTON

little bit more this year,” Stupic said. “We looked pretty good throwing the ball in the scrimmage, and hopefully that gave our coaches confidence in us to throw the ball more this year.” Gavin Grimaldi returns at tight end, and Tyler Somogyi will play out wide, with Cyrus Lieb providing depth, but no one has a whole lot of experience catching the ball. There’s strength in the backfield, with Dumm, who has played a little receiver, and Beck Branton at halfback and Bailey Mumau at fullback. “It makes you expendable,” Dumm said. “If you know different positions, when guys step down they can move you around. It will be good this year because Clayton’s a pretty good pocket passer.” Mumau was in the mix for regular carries last year, and

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BRANDON ALTER

he’ll get plenty more. He was set to be a halfback but shifted when the Comets lost Kyle Krevel for the season. “Knowing the offense does help a lot,” Mumau said, “playing with them throughout the years.” Other than Grimaldi, Brandon Alter is the only holdover from Penns Manor’s powerful offensive line that plowed the way the last few years. He’s also one of few key seniors, and he’s moving from tackle to right guard. “There’s not a whole lot that changed for me other

than I pull and make a couple calls on the line,” he said. “That’s about it.” Stepping up are Zach Hnatko and Christian Marshall at the tackles, Andrew Somogyi at left guard and Garrett Crowe at center. “It’s hard. Obviously there’s no one returning,” Alter said. “We’ve got some young guys, but from what we’ve seen in camp it looks like we’re going to be pretty good this year with our line. We’re strong. “They’re stepping up. They’re learning their plays better. They’re hitting hard, blocking hard, staying with their blocks, finishing their blocks.” “Most of their time was JV ball,” Packer said. “If we were winning, they’d get a couple plays in the fourth quarter. We’re pretty green this year. … What it comes down to is what our line does up front. If we can get some little holes, we really have some nice talent in the backfield.”

“HE’S NOT that runner like (previous quarterbacks), but now you’re talking about throwing the ball. He’s probably our best passer we’ve had since I’ve been coaching here. He’s just a good athlete and he throws the ball well.” Bill Packer, on Clayton Stupic

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Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Northern Cambria at Purchase Line UNITED BLAIRSVILLE at Marion Center at Huntingdon SALLTSBURG at Penns Manor HOMER-CENTER at Central

LIGONIER VALLEY

Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24

Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19

APOLLO-RIDGE at Westinghouse MARION CENTER PURCHASE LINE at Ligonier Valley at Northern Cambria HOMER-CENTER at Penns Manor at Saltsburg UNITED REDBANK VALLEY

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at Penns Manor at Saltsburg NORTHERN CAMBRIA MARION CENTER at Purchase Line at Blairsville UNITED WEST MIDDLESEX at Ligonier Valley WILLIAMSBURG

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INDIANA

24 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

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PURCHASE LINE Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

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Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 25

26 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

PURCHASE LINE

Experienced Dragons ready to run Strong finish last year brings high hopes By CARLY KROUSE ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Head coach Brandon Overdorff Third season Career record: 7-13

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

at Saltsburg LIGONIER VALLEY at Blairsville at St. Joseph’s Academy HOMER-CENTER at Northern Cambria MARION CENTER at United PENNS MANOR SALTSBURG

2013 results Record: 5-5 PL 0 26 43 14 7 28 47 15 41 40

Ligonier Valley Blairsville Blacklick Valley Homer-Center Northern Cambria Marion Center United Penns Manor Saltsburg Conemaugh Valley

Opp. 35 34 14 37 26 16 6 28 0 0

Quotable Overdorff, on running back Grant Syster: “He’ll have a bull’s-eye on him this year.”

PURCHASE LINE — A crucial part of any football team is the offensive line, and Purchase Line has that piece of the puzzle in place. The Red Dragons have something that any team would want coming into a new season. They return seven starters on offense, including four on the offensive line, and hope to ride those players to their first winning season since 2009. “We definitely have some experience up there,” coach Brandon Overdorff said. “We’re bringing back everyone on our offensive line except one guy. These kids coming back have been in some battles, and they’ve only gotten bigger and stronger. It should be one of the big positives for us this season. They know what it takes, and we expect a lot of big things out of those guys.” The biggest expectations, though, might fall on senior running back Grant Syster. The area’s leading rusher last season, Syster again will carry much of the workload for the Red Dragons. He ran for 1,593 yards on 226 carries and finished with 14 touchdowns last season. “He’ll have a bull’s-eye on him this year, and he’s not going to surprise anyone now,” Overdorff said. “He has really improved himself again in the offseason, and he’s developed because of his work ethic. He’s becoming a really good, solid back that other teams are going to have to defend. I wouldn’t trade him for anything, and we’re definitely glad he’s on our side.” The combination of an experienced offensive line and a seasoned running back should only lead to good things for Purchase Line, whose success relies heavily on its ground game. The Red Dragons ranked second in the area last season in rushing offense at 265.8 yards per game. “That’s our strength: our running game,” Overdorff said. “Our running backs had outstanding seasons last year. Our running game is our identity, and in order to compete with the upper-tier teams in

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

THE RED DRAGONS made it back to .500 by winning four of their last five games last year in coach Brandon Overdorff’s second season. our conference, we have to be successful running the football. We’ve been working hard in the offseason, and hopefully it will pay dividends for us this year.” “We’re doing really well so far,” senior lineman Royce Bish said. “It all just works. (Grant’s) success is our success, and our success is his. He gives us on the line a lot of credit, but he’s also putting in a lot of hard work. He deserves the recognition he gets, and to see him do well is great.” Bish is joined up front by fellow seniors Andy Bouch and Colin Jennings and junior William Syster. The fifth spot was up for grabs during camp, but the four returning linemen, who average more than 230 pounds, and Overdorff were confident that there would be no weaknesses on the line. “They have all matured emotionally and physically and all of those things that you hope for as a Continued on Page 27

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Royce Bish-xx G/LB Andy Bouch-x C/DE Kaleb Guthrie RB/CB Colin Jennings-x G/DE Jordan Johns-x T/DE Zak Roof T/NG Grant Syster-xx RB/LB Quentin Woods-x TE/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. Ronnie Button-xx FL/DB Jacob Daisher-x SE/CB Dylan Detwiler-x TE/LB Hunter Sherry SE/S Sam Stanford-x QB/S William Syster-x T/DT SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ryan Butz TE/LB Ryan Dickey T/LB Levi Esposti FL/CB Aaron Karlinsey TE/DE

Ht. 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-4 5-9 5-10 6-1

Wt. 227 215 160 215 205 245 196 185

Ht. 5-8 5-8 6-1 5-10 5-8 6-1

Wt. 145 140 175 155 161 269

Ht. 6-0 6-5 5-11 6-0

Wt. 165 175 155 160

Austin Keith Harold Lydick Jayson Phillips Logan Putt Hunter Rice-x

FL/CB C/NG G/LB G/LB RB/LB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Zackary Book G/LB Alex Boring TE/LB Douglas Bouch TE/DE Shamar Campbell QB/SE/S Brady Gallaher G/DE Jared Goss RB/LB Tyler Kachmarchi RB/LB Jacob Karlinsey T/DE Brandon Marsh G/LB Ethan Meckley G/LB Melvin Sanchez RB/CB Brady Smyers C/DE David Stephenson QB/CB Stanley Straw T/DE Lucas Syster RB/CB Ethan Yargar RB/LB x-denotes letters earned

5-8 5-7 5-9 5-11 5-11

135 180 165 175 175

Ht. 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-5 5-10 5-9 5-7 5-5 5-7 5-6 5-8 5-6 5-6

Wt. 218 140 170 175 135 155 130 200 160 150 135 155 130 155 145 145

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 27

Dual Threat Rice teams with Syster in one-two punch By CARLY KROUSE

everybody is doing their jobs, we can be successful. We might be the ones getting all the glory, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a team sport.â&#x20AC;? PURCHASE LINE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; While people are busy Rice, who had 57 carries and averaged 7.9 talking about running back Grant Syster and yards per attempt last season, said the expethe 1,593 yards he racked up last season, full- rience he gained was a great way to start his back Hunter Rice is just going about his varsity career. business, hoping to get his hands on the ball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was so cool, and I really learned a lot,â&#x20AC;? The sophomore, who quietly he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being in the backfield rushed for 450 yards and six with Grant is a blessing because he touchdowns in his freshman camis a one-of-a-kind and a great runpaign, could be the perfect No. 2 ning back. Just watching him has in the one-two punch in the Red helped me, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m hoping he can Dragonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; backfield this year. break some records this season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget about Hunter Then, maybe some day, I can folRice,â&#x20AC;? coach Brandon Overdorff low in his footsteps. It was really said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He proved last year that he fun, and I hope this year will be has a lot of ability, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been even better.â&#x20AC;? working hard to get better. He Just like his teammates, Rice did packed on a ton of muscle in the a lot of conditioning and weight offseason and has gotten a step â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D REALLY lifting in the offseason. faster. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a nice weapon for us, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d really like to get more than and he puts in a nice dynamic for like to get more 500 yards this year,â&#x20AC;? Rice said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve our offense.â&#x20AC;? than 500 yards been trying to get stronger, and I That offense, which has a strong want to be the best I can to help tradition in its running game, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t this year. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve my team. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve grown a lot since last rely on one player to carry the been trying to year, and I want to keep growing as load. The Red Dragons were seca running back and a teammate.â&#x20AC;? ond in the area in rushing offense get stronger, Working behind an experienced last season at 265.8 yards per and I want to offensive line in camp has given game. Rice is looking forward to Rice a chance to gain some confibe the best I the opportunity. dence in preparation of taking on â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do feel some pressure this can to help my larger responsibilities on offense. year,â&#x20AC;? Rice said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody is â&#x20AC;&#x153;The line has come along really going to have their eyes on (Sys- team.â&#x20AC;? nicely, and it helps make things ter), and I just have to do my best. easier for me,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have all Whenever I get the ball, I need to Hunter Rice the faith in the world in those guys. do my job and keep my feet movI trust them to do their job, and ing to get some yardage for my they trust me to do mine. It should team.â&#x20AC;? be a fun season, and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to get out â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are a team, and the pressure is on there and run the ball. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all working well everybody,â&#x20AC;? Syster said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just one guy out together, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m enjoying my role on this of 11. Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just one guy out of 11. When team.â&#x20AC;? ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Dragons ready to roll Continued from Page 26 coach,â&#x20AC;? Overdorff said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Will Syster is just a junior, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really coming along. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be one of the better linemen in the conference along with Royce Bish, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good leader and an anchor on the line. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Royce actually led the county in punting last year (36.7 yards on 27 attempts), and special teams is always very important, so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a plus for us, too.â&#x20AC;? As the positives keep adding up, so does the preseason buzz surrounding the Red Dragons. Purchase Line finished 5-5 last season by winning four of its last five games â&#x20AC;&#x201D; by an average of 33.5 points, nonetheless â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and is looking for that momentum to carry over into Friday nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opener against Saltsburg. The Red Dragons and Trojans will clash in the first week of the season and the last week of the regular season, making it easy for both teams to track their progress throughout the year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made great strides last year as a football program, and a lot of positive things happened,â&#x20AC;? Overdorff said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We learned how to win, and that really helped us finish the season strong, and the kids remember that. We gained a lot of confidence, but we still werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t where we needed to be to win those big games. Hopefully we can take the next step this year and beat some of those upper-echelon teams.â&#x20AC;? One position where the Red Dragons wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t boast experience this season is at quarterback after losing two-year starter Alec Sunderlin to graduation. But junior Sam Stanford stepped up his game during camp and seems ready to take on the job. Purchase Line averaged just 35.7 yards passing last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yeah, we lost Alec, who started for us for a couple years, but Sam has really worked hard, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we have anything to

worry about,â&#x20AC;? Overdorff said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a lot of confidence in him. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s matured a lot, both as a player and physically, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready to step into that position.â&#x20AC;? The transition should be fairly easy for Stanford, who will be surrounded by his more-experienced teammates on offense. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coming along pretty well, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like we have anything to worry about at quarterback,â&#x20AC;? Grant Syster said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The handoffs have been there, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working on the passing game, too. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to tell whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to happen, and we all just have to focus. Last year is last year, and now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our turn to pick up the slack and hopefully get some wins. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our turn to make what we want out of this season.â&#x20AC;? The Red Dragons also return seven starters on defense. They were third in the area last season, allowing 234.4 yards per game. For the first time in years, there is a lot of noise being made about the Purchase Line football team. The players â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and coaches â&#x20AC;&#x201D; plan to make the most of those high expectations and are preparing for what they hope will be a successful season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With our offensive line coming back and that experience and the running backs we have coming back, we want to be able to run the football,â&#x20AC;? Overdorff said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to be able to run the football in our conference, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our strength. Our weakness is probably going to be depth, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find out how good we can be when we line up for those games. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll give it all weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all we ask from these kids. But winning is what we want.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d really enjoy having one winning season in my varsity career,â&#x20AC;? Bish said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course we want to get to the playoffs, and with this team, we feel like we can do that this year.â&#x20AC;?

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28 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

SALTSBURG

Trojans remain ever-optimistic Coach: ‘I absolutely think we will see some wins this year’ By CARLY KROUSE ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Head coach Tim Frassenei Seventh season Career record: 14-43

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31

PURCHASE LINE HOMER-CENTER at Marion Center at Penns Manor at Westinghouse UNITED at Ligonier Valley BLAIRSVILLE at Northern Cambria at Purchase Line

SALTSBURG — There is never a lack of optimism in Saltsburg’s camp, but in recent years, the Trojans’ expectations haven’t quite panned out. But this could be the year that changes. “We have a lot of things this year that maybe we didn’t have in other years,” senior Tyler Frassenei said. “It’s a new team and a new season, and we can’t worry about what happened in the past.” Saltsburg, which hasn’t had a winning season since 1996, has won just three games combined in the past two seasons. With a more athletic roster and an expanded playbook, coach Tim Frassenei hopes this could be the Trojans’ breakout year. “You never know what’s going to happen, but I absolutely think we will see some wins this year,” Tim Frassenei said. “The wins we have managed to get in the past couple of years have only come out of hard work. We won games because we bust ourselves for four quarters. This year, we’re a little bit more athletic, and that’s going to trans-

late into wins.” The list of athletes on Saltsburg’s roster starts with three-year starter Tyler Frassenei. The senior started the season at quarterback last season and then moved to wide receiver during the third game. He passed for 87 yards, rushed for 157 and had 33 receptions for 455 yards. Frankie Plowman, now a sophomore, took over at quarterback last season and completed 92 of 182 passes for 1,122 yards with 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. “We do have a lot of good athletes,” Tim Frassenei said. “A lot of kids are working for those athletic positions — our slots and splits. It’s a very, very nice problem to have. We can move Tyler and Frankie around to where we need them. Frankie will start at split end, and Tyler is going to do the quarterbacking, but that’s only for a short time. Frankie will definitely be in there taking snaps, and Tyler will play some receiver and running back. And it’s not even just those two, but that’s where it all begins.” With just 29 players on the roster, Saltsburg won’t have a lot of depth, but the Trojans do possess some experience. Fifteen of the 16 jun-

2013 results Record: 2-8 S 6 18 12 14 14 14 0 21 0 28

Homer-Center Marion Center Penns Manor North Star United Ligonier Valley Blairsville Northern Cambria Purchase Line Blacklick Valley

Opp. 48 21 28 28 13 50 41 36 41 14

Quotable Frassenei: “We won games because we bust ourselves for four quarters. This year, we’re a little bit more athletic, and that’s going to translate into wins.”

ZACH SINCLAIR provides a nice target out wide and in the slot.

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

FRANKIE PLOWMAN is expected to share snaps with Tyler Frassenei at quarterback. iors and seniors are letterwinners. Jimmy Beitel also returns. He has switched from running back to offensive line. “There have been a lot of changes with the offense because we’re moving a lot of people around, but we like what we see so far,” Beitel said. “We’re ready to get out there to really see what we can do. I think as a team, we have improved greatly this year.” Senior Zach Sinclair and junior Tanner Yard will be part of the mix, adding more options for the Trojans. Tim Frassenei said this season will require a larger amount of film work because of the changes in the offense. “We have a bunch of different packages, and those combinations will allow us to use a lot of different motions,” he said. “When you add in kids like Tanner and Zach Sinclair, they can really move around, too. As a coach, it makes my job more difficult, but in a good way. We have to figure out where to put all these kids, and we will look to see where the mismatches are and where we can best use their abilities in the games.” Saltsburg wants to gain momentum early, but the Trojans will be tested in their first two games against a seasoned Purchase Line team and defending District 6 champion Homer-Center. “The kids understand that to win Continued on Page 29

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Garrett Amorose-xx RB/CB Jimmy Beitel-x OL/LB Tyler Frassenei-xxx QB/LB Jacob Grguric-xx C/LB Brandon Morgan-x G/DT Dylan Shearer-xx G/DT Zach Sinclair-xx WR/S Caleb Treece-x WR/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. Doug Bender-x G/DT Greg Grimplin-x G/DT Jonathan McKnight-xx G/DT Dylan McRoberts-x G/DT Ryan Treece-xx T/DE Tanner Yard-xx RB/DT John Zappone WR/CB Noah Zimmerman-xx WR/DE SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Mitchell Carr WR/CB Tyler Kelly T/DT Tylor McGuire T/DE Tyler Nuttall G/LB Frankie Plowman-x QB/DE Cody Reesman T/LB Tyler Sandor Gizzi WR/CB River Shindledecker-x FB/DE FRESHMEN Name Pos. Arthur Clark G/T Nick Clement WR/C Trent Perfetta T/T Ben Sinclair QB/C Tristen Zimmerman RB/S x-denotes letters earned

Ht. 5-9 5-8 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-11

Wt. 140 220 190 175 300 230 165 150

Ht. 5-10 5-8 6-0 5-9 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-0

Wt. 270 250 290 265 175 160 140 170

Ht. 5-8 5-11 5-8 5-8 6-1 5-7 5-8 6-1

Wt. 145 185 165 205 180 150 140 195

Ht. 5-9 5-10 6-0 6-1 5-4

Wt. 160 125 200 145 125

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 29

Laying it on the Line

Over 35 Years of Service

Saltsburg senior makes move up front from backfield

Indiana County’s Only Dealer!

By CARLY KROUSE ckrouse@indianagazette.net

SALTSBURG — Last year, Jimmy Beitel carried the ball a little bit and did some blocking out of the backfield for Saltsburg, but this year, he will be blocking as an offensive lineman. Beitel made the switch from fullback to offensive line in the offseason, a move that should benefit the Trojans greatly. “I’m going to tip my hat to Jimmy right now because he played running back for us last year,” coach Tim Frassenei said. “We talked to him because he’s one of the strongest kids on this team, and we know he loves to touch the ball, but he’s doing us a service by being on the line. He thought about making the move and talked to some of the kids about it, and all of a sudden, he’s one of our best linemen. You don’t do that without having the right attitude. He’s been working his butt off, and he’s had some great practices.” Beitel grew since last season. Last year he was listed at 5-foot-6, 200 pounds. This year he’s listed at 5-8, 220. He recently had his number switched from 28 to 65, finalizing the shift to the front line. One thing that hasn’t changed is his determination. “We really have faith in our line so far, and having Jimmy up there is great,” quarterback Tyler Frassenei said. “He’s been working very hard, and it’s paying off. The whole line has, actually.” Beitel will team up on the offensive line with fellow seniors Jacob Grguric and Dylan Shearer.

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“I’ve been learning, and my teammates have been helping me out,” Beitel said. “As a team we have really improved this year — on the line and everything else. We’re looking pretty good.” “It’s weird because there’s a lot of linemen who were fighting for spots,” Tim Frassenei said. “We typically don’t have that. Sometimes, that’s been one of our weak spots. We had seven or eight kids fighting for a spot on the offensive line.” If the Trojans’ line can put together a solid season, their offense has a chance to get something going. Saltsburg averaged only 112.5 rushing yards and 12.7 points per game last season. “We have three good seniors up front,” Tim Frassenei said. “Jimmy, Dylan and Jacob have all put in a lot of work, and all three of them have done an outstanding job. Jacob has made leaps and bounds from where he was last year. It’s a really nice mix right now, and it should help us out in other aspects of the game.” The Trojans have been having success in the offseason with their defense, too. Beitel and Grguric will see

time at linebacker along with Frassenei. Saltsburg ranked last in the Heritage Conference in rushing defense (256.2) and total defense (347.7) last year. “These kids are energetic on the lines,” Tim Frassenei said. “They are probably one of the most hustling groups of kids that we’ve ever had. The drills and practices have been fantastic for the whole team. Defensively, we’re getting five or six guys to the ball at a time. That’s one of the biggest fights in Class A football is presenting a challenge in practices. If you are practicing your JV defense against your first-team offense, you’re obviously not going to get many kids to the ball. But we have been this year with all of our defensive players, and those kinds of things give you something to build upon.” Beitel, and the rest of the Trojans, have put the work in to see results. “It looks like we’re going to have a good season, and we’re hoping for the best,” Beitel said. “We really think it can happen this year. The changes with the offense have only helped us. We’re ready to get out there and see what we can do.”

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Optimistic Trojans seek more wins Continued from Page 28 in this conference is not an easy thing,” Tim Frassenei said. “You aren’t going to have an easy game on the schedule. If you can get a couple wins early in the season, it helps with confidence. The kids are buying into it, and we’re on the right road.” The Trojans open and close the season against Purchase Line. Playing the same team to start and end the season will be a good indicator of the Trojans’ season. “It’s a strange situation, playing them twice like that,” Tim Frassenei said. “You can’t look past anybody in the conference, especially not Purchase Line. They have an outstanding ball club coming back. They are a very

frightening ball team, and I know they’re going to be prepared. “I actually like the Week1-Week 10 matchup because your goal is always to be better at the end of the year, and it will be easy to tell this year exactly how much you’ve improved.” Part of the problem for the Trojans in the past few years has been an array of injuries. “You hate to make excuses, but we haven’t been able to stay healthy,” Tyler Frassenei said. “Those injuries have brought us down, and if we stay healthy, there are a lot of things we can surprise people with. “It’s fun because I like playing receiver and so does (Plowman), and I like playing quarterback and so does he.

We both get to switch roles, and teams are going to have to prepare every week for different stuff because you don’t know which one of us is going to be back there.” An element of surprise might be just what the Trojans need to throw at their opponents. They have attempted to put the ball in the air in the past but have been primarily a run-first team. “We have a lot of improvements this year, and I’m looking forward to it,” Plowman said. “We’ve been mixing it up, and we have some advantages that people don’t know that we have. We are just ready to get out there and get some wins and hopefully make a run to the playoffs. We think we can actually get there this year.”

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30 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

UNITED

Lions set out to end long slump Aim is to get offense in gear, stop skid By MIRZA ZUKIC moz@indianagazette.net

Head coach Lance Holupka Second season Career record: 0-10

Conference Heritage

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Nov. 1

MARION CENTER ST. JOSEPH’S ACAD. at Ligonier Valley NORTHERN CAMBRIA PENNS MANOR at Saltsburg at Homer-Center PURCHASE LINE at Blairsville at Farrell

2013 results Record: 0-10 U 3 7 7 0 13 0 6 14 14 0

Opp. Bishop Canevin 31 Ligonier Valley 42 Northern Cambria 53 Penns Manor 48 Saltsburg 14 Homer-Center 37 Purchase Line 47 Blairsville 34 Marion Center 34 Bishop Guilfoyle 48

Quotable Holupka: “Honestly, if we play ball, we feel that we’re one of the top four teams in the conference, easily.”

ARMAGH — Don’t underestimate the importance of experience, especially at the small-class high school football level. Don’t underestimate the power of winning, either, no matter the level. The United Lions are counting on both this season to end their prolonged slump. “What we’ve had in camp is an understanding of the game that we didn’t have last year,” second-year coach Lance Holupka said. “They’re seeing the game prior to MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette the snap, and that’s important for us. That’s important for any foot- MATT DILL returns at quarterback but could split time with Jesse Beacker. ball team, really, because you recognize the formation, you recog- believe they’re on the upswing. game last season. nize what you’ve seen before, and “Honestly, if we play ball, we feel “The center and the two guards, it helps you diagnose and be able that we’re one of the top four teams with Andrew Deitman, Anthony to kind of predict what’s going to in the conference, easily,” Holupka Michaels and Grant Ingalls in be happening to you on that play. said with unwavering confidence. there, all three of those kids are reOur knowledge of the game and “And if we play ball the way we can, turning starters,” Holupka said. situation awareness have dramati- we don’t think that we couldn’t “I’m not trying to down anybody cally increased because of those beat anybody in our conference. else’s guys, but I feel that my guys reasons, plus the reasons of being We’re going to have to take it one inside are as good as anybody in successful in the JV games last game at a time and go where we go, the league.” year. We’re looking for a big im- but we feel that we can beat everyThe Lions also have more depth provement this year.” body on our schedule. Now, at the skill positions than in recent As the usually cyclical nathat has to do with us doing years, and Holupka is expecting ture of Class A high school our job, holding on to the that to lead to success. football goes, teams with a ball, making tackles, all the At quarterback, junior Matt Dill particularly strong class or things that we struggled at is in line to step into the starting two often fall on hard times last year. But with the im- role, but sophomore Jesse Beacker when that successful group provement of what we’re is also in the mix, and Holupka that was largely in place for seeing at practice, we feel didn’t rule out using a two-quartertwo or three years moves that that’s going to be capa- back system as the Lions transition along and an inexperible of our team to be able to to a spread offense under new ofenced one steps in its put it all together and make fensive coordinator Sean Mack. KYLER place. a nice run.” “Matt is throwing the ball exThat’s what happened at Sophomore Kyler Baird tremely well, and then Jesse is BAIRD United. went a step further. throwing the ball extremely well, Since going 16-6 over a two-sea“Our linemen are great, our and they’ve both been running the son stretch in 2009-10 and winning quarterbacks are good, and our ball,” Holupka said. “Jesse is more the Heritage Conference title in skill players are good,” he said, “so I of a perimeter runner. He gives you 2009, the Lions went 4-5 in 2011 don’t see any reason why we can’t that to where you can get that edge followed by back-to-back 0-10 sea- win a championship this year. a little bit. Matt is more of a pocket sons the past two years. “We will definitely surprise some passer. He’s been spinning that ball They have lost 25 of their past 29 teams. Going from 0-10 last year, pretty well and hitting targets.” games. They enter the season on a it’s going to get better. It has to.” Senior Warren Lowther, who was 20-game losing streak. And they’ve The Lions might have the pieces dealing with a hip flexor injury desperately struggled to score in place to make a turnaround. during camp, headlines the points, averaging fewer than 5.0 They return their three interior ground attack. Teaming up with per game over the past two sea- linemen, all two-year starters, and Lowther in the backfield are junior sons. that figures to provide a boost for Brent Mack and 205-pound sophoHolupka and the United players the Lions’ running attack. United more Troy Mack. are well aware of all that, but it averaged a conference-low 104.2 In the passing game, the Lions doesn’t mean they don’t have high rushing yards per game and an have a stable of receivers that can expectations for this season. They area-low 142.2 total yards per help them spread out the field,

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Ht. Andrew Deitman-xx C/DT 6-1 Grant Ingalls-xx G/FB/LB 5-9 Warren Lowther-xx RB/DB 5-7 Andrew Lydick FL/DB 5-10 Derrick McLaughlin-xx T/DL 5-10 Anthony Michaels-xx G/LB 5-10 Cody Thacker DL/DE 5-10 Jake Walsh-xx FL/DB 6-2 Josh Young-x FL/DT 6-0 JUNIORS Name Pos. Ht. Matt Dill-xx QB/DB 6-2 Kolt Jarvis-xx FL/DB 5-7 Brent Mack-xx RB/LB 5-10 Beau Sheriff-x FL/QB/DB 6-0 SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ht. Kyler Baird TE/DE 6-0 Jesse Beacker-x QB/FL/DB5-10 Skylar Bennett FL/DB 5-7 Hunter Bowers RB/DB 5-8 David Brothers-x RB/LB 5-11 Brenden Lawton-x OL/DT 5-9 Devin Mack-x TE/FL/LB 6-2 Troy Mack-x RB/LB 5-11 Matt Stephens-x OL/DL 6-4 Justin Torok-x OL/DT 5-10 Casey Uadiski OL/DL 6-1 Austin Vogel-x OL/DL 6-3 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Tim Baker OL/DL 5-8 Brock Barbus TE/LB 5-10 Tyler Brown OL/DL 5-10 Dom Eritano RB/LB 5-8 Nate Fabrizio TE/DL 6-0 Logan George RB/LB 5-10 Trevor Henry C/DL 5-8 Tyler Lenhart OL/DL 6-0 Tylor McLaughlin RB/DB 5-8 Riley Miller OL/DE 5-10 Evan Orr OL/DL 6-3 Nathan Pollino QB/DB 5-8 Travis Mack OL/DL 5-9 x-denotes letters earned

Wt. 240 185 135 175 240 185 175 160 175 Wt. 190 140 175 155 Wt. 190 155 140 145 170 210 170 200 225 195 205 210 Wt. 175 155 220 185 225 170 180 350 145 195 195 140 190

with the likes of Kolt Jarvis, Devin Mack, Beau Sheriff and Jake Walsh. “They all have a little bit of shiftiness to them,” Holupka said. “They’re not necessarily the biggest kids to make them in-line blockers. We’re going to do what our talent is telling us to do. We’ve got kids that can run. We’ve got kids that can catch. We’re going to use them to get the most out of their abilities.” Defensively, the Lions ranked near the bottom of the conference in most major categories the past two years. In 2012, they gave up 251.1 rushing yards and 356.3 total yards per game, and last year, they surrendered 253.6 rushing yards and 342.0 total yards. Continued on Page 31

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 31

Lions looking for wins

Old friends teaming up on sideline By MIRZA ZUKIC

The task in front of Mack isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an easy one, turning around one of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worst offenses in recent years. ARMAGH â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Sean Mack traded in With just 97 points to their credit his cross country spikes for a pair of over the past two seasons, the Lions football cleats. He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay have struggled, to say the least. away from the gridiron any longer, Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve averaged 4.9 points per and his alma mater sorely needed game over the past two seasons. him. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been shut out nine times Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a match made in heaven. during their current 20-game losing A football lifer, Mack returned to streak, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve reached doubleUnited this summer to serve as the digit points just four times during Lionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offensive coordinator under the same span. lifelong friend and secondTraditionally a power-runyear coach Lance Holupka. ning team, United had beâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been trying to get come too predictable in reback into football for the cent years. Opponents had last four years,â&#x20AC;? Mack said. little reason to respect the â&#x20AC;&#x153;There have been opportuoutside running game or the nities for me, but it was passing game, making it never the right time. The easy to keep them under timing was never right to wraps. come back. But when Lance But with the fresh apasked me if I wanted to proach, Mack believes a SEAN come aboard, I said Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be turnaround is possible. The MACK happy to come back and Lions will feature a spread give back to the United prooffense, forcing defenses to gram that gave me so much.â&#x20AC;? play more honest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve struggled to put points on â&#x20AC;&#x153;We kept running from tackle to the board the past two years,â&#x20AC;? tackle but we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t getting anyHolupka said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So what I did was I where,â&#x20AC;? Mack said of the Lions in brought in Coach Mack. â&#x20AC;Ś My pri- recent years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get to the mary discussions with him before perimeter, and everybody knows we brought him in was, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re that. Until we do that, people are struggling to score points. I need an going to put eight in the box, nine in offensive coordinator, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the box. We have to make them decare what you do, but we need to fend us from sideline to sideline.â&#x20AC;? score points. If weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to throw â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to spread it out a litthe ball, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll throw the ball. If we tle bit,â&#x20AC;? Holupka said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;(with) threecan run the ball, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll run the ball, receiver, four-receiver (sets). Somebut Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not putting any restrictions times weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in empty set, someon you.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He asked, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;How do we want times weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in double tight end with to do it?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter, as an empty set â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a lot of variations. long as points are being put on the Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to improve on the board, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the important part.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? things we struggled with for the moz@indianagazette.net

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He has 12 years of previous football coaching experience, having spent three years coaching the United junior high program in the 1990s before spending nine seasons at Purchase Line, four as a varsity assistant and five as the junior high head coach. He also was a football official for 10 years after graduating high school. He spent the last four years coaching cross country at Purchase Line, but when the opportunity presented itself to return to his alma mater and coach varsity football, he just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn it down. Also the track and field coach at Purchase Line, Mack will enter his 17th season in the spring. In the meantime, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready for some football. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the best opportunity for me,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I still live in the district. I have the perfect setup that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve wanted for a long time. I wanted to coach football at United and track at PL. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very content being an assistant.â&#x20AC;? And Holupka is thrilled to have him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known Coach Mack since we lived in Robindale together before the â&#x20AC;&#x2122;77 flood,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We graduated high school here together. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known Coach Mack since we were 3 years old. In our elementary years, I spent many a nights at his house and he spent many a nights at my house. â&#x20AC;Ś Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real nice having somebody there that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve known your whole life. You can send him to do things and you know theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to get done exactly the way you want them to get done.â&#x20AC;?

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Continued from Page 30 Holupka expects to see major improvements on the defensive side as well, for the same reasons he expects the offense to perk up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again, the No. 1 improvement I see from these guys is when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lining up, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to take time to explain what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to accomplish,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They line up and they understand, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m playing this position. I know my responsibilities, I know where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to line up, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to get there and do it hard and do it quick. And when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to hit somebody, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to hit somebody.â&#x20AC;? The strength of the Lionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; defense is expected to be a solid corps of linebackers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our four linebackers that are in there are solid. I mean, solid,â&#x20AC;? Holupka said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get a ball on them, it seems like. David Brothers is at one outside, and Brent Mack is at the other outside. â&#x20AC;Ś Inside, we have Anthony Michaels and Grant Ingalls, and Troy Mack is a very solid three, rotating with two spots there. â&#x20AC;Ś In those four positions, I think weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re as good as anybody out there.â&#x20AC;?

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past few years: No. 1, getting to the perimeter in the offense and stretching the field that way. Because weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve struggled doing those things, the inside game has slowly been taken away more and more every year to where now, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like running into a brick wall because nobody respects us out around the edge because we just have not been able to do it.â&#x20AC;? The numbers bear that out. United has had the Heritage Conferenceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worst rushing offense each of the past two years. Last season, the Lions averaged 104.2 rushing yards per game in the second of back-to-back 0-10 seasons. In 2012, they averaged 69.2 yards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have to take the old tapes of United and throw them out,â&#x20AC;? Mack said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even look like the same team on tape.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those are some of the things weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve brought him in to do,â&#x20AC;? Holupka said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to widen out the defense, spread them out a little bit, work that perimeter game so that we can get the perimeter game going and have the inside game going and just be a more balanced attack.â&#x20AC;? The players like what they saw in preseason camp. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has more plays for different scenarios, more variety for what we can do against different teams,â&#x20AC;? junior flanker Kolt Jarvis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It opens things up for us because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make D-ends and outside linebackers play more truthful.â&#x20AC;? A 1990 graduate of United, Mack has been involved in football since he can remember. He played for four years at United, alongside classmate Holupka.

32 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

APOLLORIDGE

Vikings ready for big challenge Skiba wants a perennial contender

ROSTER

By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

Head coach John Skiba Fourth season Career record: 16-14

Conference WPIAL Allegheny Conference

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24

at West Shamokin VALLEY KITTANNING at Shady Side Academy at Highlands FORD CITY FREEPORT at Deer Lakes at Burrell

2013 results Record: 8-3 AR Opp. 21 North Catholic# 22 56 Wilkinsburg 36 27 Western Beaver 0 58 Leechburg 13 27 Avonworth 35 42 Springdale 0 46 Northgate 6 41 Riverview 16 42 West Shamokin 15 42 Beth-Center* 28 20 Sto-Rox* 42 #—Double overtime *—WPIAL Class A playoffs

APOLLO — Apollo-Ridge stepped it up in 2013. What’s elevated now is the challenge. Following a season in which the Vikings got their first playoff win since 2007, Apollo-Ridge has been bumped up from Class A to AA, joining a formidable WPIAL Allegheny Conference as it tries to go from rejuvenated program to perennial contender. Of course, it’s not like they’re shying away from challenges at Apollo-Ridge these days. “We need to be that team that every year expects to be there, no matter what we’re playing at,” coach John Skiba said. “We’re moving up. The expectations didn’t drop.” “Moving up in class,” senior receiver/defensive back Tre Tipton said, “I don’t think (opponents) have that fear yet, and that’s what we’re trying to push into everybody’s heads, that when you come into Apollo-Ridge it’s going to be a tough matchup. We’re trying to make sure that people know what we’re doing here is something serious. It doesn’t matter if we move up or we move down or we move up two A’s. At the end of the day, we’re just going to continue to fight.” From 2009 to 2011 Apollo-Ridge went 9-27 as a member of the Class AA Allegheny Conference, the last year a 2-7 campaign in Skiba’s first season. The program’s drop to Class A coincided with its upswing in talent. The result was a return to the WPIAL playoffs in 2012 followed by the program’s first playoff victory in five years, a first-round upset of previously unbeaten Beth-Center, last season. The Vikings join a conference that has three Division I-committed players: Kittanning’s Nick Bowers (Pitt), Freeport’s Logan Thimons (West Virginia) and, of course, Tipton, a first-team allstate preseason selection as an athlete, who has verbally committed to Pitt. The fact that ApolloRidge has one of those stars puts the Vikings on the map in a stout league.

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

JONAH CASELLA is set to get more chances in the backfield this season. Of course, the Vikings had some ceptions, and Casella rushed for pretty tough competition last year, 399 yards last season. playing in the Eastern Conference, Skiba either didn’t want to tip his the WPIAL’s toughest Class A sec- hand on offense in the preseason, tion. Their only regular-season or he wants to try a little bit of losses came to undefeated North everything. Catholic, the eventual WPIAL and “We go 3-by-1, 2-by-2, we’ll run a state champion, and once-beaten power-I set, we’ll run some conAvonworth. ventional things, old-school footThe excitement is as present as ball,” he said. “We’ll go back to the ever around Apollo-Ridge football. new stuff, spread out all over the Skiba’s dream is to get a home play- place, read-option stuff. It’s all dioff game; his long-term idea is to versified by who’s playing what pomake that a regularity. sition. We’re going to try to give de“We have to get in the playoffs,” fensive coordinators a lot of things Skiba said. “That’s a must to deal with during the for this place. To really turn week getting ready for us. it around, we have to go “I’ll be rotating guys all three straight and build over the place. You’re going this thing. You can’t go two to have to figure out where and then miss one and I’m going to have you lined maybe next year. We’ve got up. Tre’s definitely not to keep pounding and get going to be staying at Z (rein the playoffs.” ceiver) all game. Duane “Apollo has always been a Brown, the same way. All football town, but they also those guys are kind of interDILLON believe now,” Tipton said. changeable kids, so I can SHIPMAN “They believe in what put together packages for Coach Skiba is doing and all of them. That’s the fun everything he’s put into this pro- part with this group, because gram.” they’re all so very skilled.” To get back to the playoffs, the It’s the same idea on defense, Vikings will have to succeed with- where they’ll stay in a 3-4, but have out last season’s All-Gazette Player plenty of flexibility. They’ll be led of the Year, quarterback Jesse by Tipton at cornerback, Smith at Zelonka. In his place is unproven safety and Brown at outside linejunior Dillon Shipman, but he’ll backer. Tipton and Brown comhave an electric group of backs and bined for 10 interceptions last year. receivers to work with. Out wide, “I’m playing outside linebacker, Tipton and Alex Smith are more but I’ll still be covering,” the sophthan proven, and the versatile omore Brown said. “You never Duane Brown and Jonah Casella know what Coach is going to throw are set to start in the backfield. Tip- at you. It’s always something differton and Smith combined for 71 re- ent, so you’ve always got to be pay-

SENIORS Name Pos. Vinny Austin RB/LB Jonah Casella-xx RB/DB Dan Connor WR/DB Dylan Flickinger WR/DB Christian Leonarski-x OL/DL Alex Smith-xxx WR/DB Tre Tipton-xxx WR/DB Josh Zamarippa-x TE/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. Joe Baustert-x OL/DL Gareth Dilick-x RB/DB Dylan Foster OL/DL Christian Havens OL/DL Brett Mason-xx OL/DL Eric Moran-x OL/DL Christian Schulze WR/DB Dillon Shipman-x QB/DB Maurice Stankus-x OL/LB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Duane Brown-x RB/LB Alex Cecchini WR/DB Bill Clark OL/DL Brett Coleman RB/LB Jeremy DiBernardo WR/DB Joshua Gonzales WR/DB Kane Kania RB/LB Beau McDermott OL/DL Dan Orkwis WR/DB Brayden Papaila WR/DB Matt Sells OL/DL James Shupe OL/DL Daylon Wells WR/DB Eric Wensel RB/DL FRESHMEN Name Pos. Kyle Fitzroy QB/LB Brynn Henderson OL/DL Devin Rametta OL/DL Joe Sedowsky OL/DL Tyler Smith OL/DL x-denotes letters earned

Ht. 5-10 5-9 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-1 5-10

Wt. 170 175 150 165 180 170 175 180

Ht. 5-10 6-0 5-9 6-0 5-10 6-6 5-10 6-1 6-0

Wt. 255 160 160 188 168 322 155 150 210

Ht. 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-8 5-7 5-11 5-10

Wt. 167 145 145 170 160 150 165 250 170 146 245 175 160 185

Ht. 6-3 5-8 5-7 6-1 5-10

Wt. 170 150 178 205 205

ing attention.” “We have enough skill where if you have receivers, you’re not going to really scare us,” Skiba said. “We’re used to seeing people throw; we’re not afraid of throwing. Our guys understand how to cover. Tre’s about as good covering a guy one-on-one as I’ve seen, and Duane and Alex and those guys, they can match up and lock people down.” The concern, however, is the power game, with retooled fronts on both sides of the ball. “You wish you had another year to get ready for it, or you wish you had some certain guys, but we’re going to go and do what we’ve got to do,” Skiba said. “We’ll have to battle and fight. I know I’ve got the skill guys. If I can create the horses up front, I know we’ll be all right.”

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 33

Big decision behind, Tipton ready for fun By ELI NELLIS eli@indianagazette.net

APOLLO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Tre Tipton has had an outstanding high school career, and he has a bright collegiate one ahead of him. For 2014, though, Tipton can be a kid. He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to worry about impressing scouts or getting scholarship offers from coaches. He doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to worry about the next four years of his life or how those will set him up for beyond that. A lanky kid with a wide smile and infectious personality, Tipton verbally committed to play football at the University of Pittsburgh in June. So, for the time being, Tre can just be Tre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s making it a lot easier on me, being able to understand where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going and have my mind set on one school,â&#x20AC;? the 6-foot-1 senior said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It makes me a lot more comfortable in what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing. It helps me to focus more on my team than my future. Right now Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just trying to focus on being an Apollo-Ridge Viking and then becoming a Pitt Panther later. So, yeah, it makes me happy.â&#x20AC;? Tipton walks with a spring in his step, bouncing around Owen Fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photo day event with a carefree approach, greeting everyone

from classmates and cheerleaders to young children who adore their local hero. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same attitude heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shown in the past, but now his mind can rest easy, too. The Division I scholarship offers came in following last football season, first from mid-majors like Ohio, Massachusetts, Toledo and Akron. Temple offered. Then Michigan State called. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flattering, for sure, but it can be a lot for a kid to handle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At first it was nervewracking, because I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if I was going to get the big-time scholarships I was working hard for, but then it turns out, I started working out even harder and going to these camps, I end up with the scholarships I wanted,â&#x20AC;? he said. Pittâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest ramped up over the offseason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He goes down to Pitt and blows those guys away, which we all knew he was going to do,â&#x20AC;? Apollo-Ridge coach John Skiba said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And then they offered. He goes down and spends three days with Tyler Boyd, and it was over. He goes down there and Tyler Boyd sells him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So he calls me, he tells me heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready to go. You can just tell when heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talking, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This is it. This is the place I want to be.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;Ś It was a lot more easy dealing with him after that. There wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

much stress. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll really relax and play really well this year. There isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any pressure that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to be this, got to do this. In the past heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had that pressure: Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got to get noticed, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got to get an opportunity. Now heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s able to relax and just do his thing.â&#x20AC;? That involves taking his hometown to new heights. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been at the center of the Apollo-Ridge football programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revival, and he has one more season to make memories locally. As a wide receiver, his career has had some give and take â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a wideout that bursts onto the scene quickly finds himself hounded by two, sometimes three defenders at a time. The best find a way to fight through it, as Tipton did. His junior year numbers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 44 catches, 697 yards, 14 touchdowns â&#x20AC;&#x201D; compare nicely with those he put up as a breakout sophomore â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 39 catches, 786 yards, 11 touchdowns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The thing about me is, I love competition,â&#x20AC;? Tipton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best part about life. When I get doubleteamed or when somebody tries to match up their best player with me, I feel like thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a respect thing. I respect the fact youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doubleteaming me, but I also want them to respect the fact Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working hard. I love

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the competition, and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to bring it to me then Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to take it to you. Any chance I get, I try to show people why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotten so much publicity, but at the same time I try to stay humble about it and stay focused. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter who you go against.â&#x20AC;? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drawn coverage to free up space for other receivers such as Alex Smith and Duane Brown, but Tipton does even more than that for his teammates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was definitely awesome coming out as a freshman, putting a lot of hard work into practice, getting pushed by Tre,â&#x20AC;? said Brown, now a sophomore, who last year caught 16 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns and evenly split 10 interceptions with Tipton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I learned a lot. We came out before practice: technique, footwork, catching the ball, running, anything he could do to help me show it off on Friday nights.â&#x20AC;?

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

TRE TIPTON is a preseason all-state selection for the second straight year.

34 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

DERRY

Trojans looking to bounce back Low turnout doesn’t squelch enthusiasm of new coach By DUSTIN FILLOY

backs Troy Balega and Josh Flack and sophomore Tyler Balega. Sophomore Noah Wiencek and DERRY — Tim Sweeney has no senior Nico Latta will split time at quarrels embracing the steep chal- tight end, and senior Vincent lenges that lie ahead of him and Maples (guard), sophomore Adare Medoro (guard) and junior Logan the Derry Trojans. Truth be told, Sweeney possesses Brown (tackle) will rotate in on the the rare competitive fire needed to offensive line. Troy Balega rushed for a careerjumpstart a desperate program, and the former walk-on linebacker high 76 yards on 15 carries in Week at Penn State seems especially 5 last year against Hollidaysburg. driven at the notion of doing so at Flack ran for a career-best 69 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in his alma mater. Week 8 against Hampton, The first-year head coach and Tyler Balega galloped took over an essentially for a career-high 44 yards crippled team in the offand a touchdown on eight season after it suffered carries in Week 7 against through one of the most Highlands. trying seasons in WPIAL However, the Trojans history in 2013. mustered an area-low 758 Not to mention, Sweeney rushing yards last year, an saw the lowest number of average of 75.8 per game. players in school history, “I honestly don’t know 31, report for camp earlier TREY what to expect, but I hope this month. FRIEDLINE it’s the five guys on our of“Yeah, I do think we’ve fensive line who become got to embrace the chalour playmakers,” Sweeney lenge,” Sweeney said. “I said. “I expect it to be a runwasn’t sure what to expect heavy conference, and in terms of numbers, but without our offensive line without question we had we’re not going to do anythe lowest turnout in the thing.” history of Derry football Although juniors Trey this year, so that’s kind of Friedline and Sonny where we are at his point. Stevens will likely share “But I’d really like people reps at quarterback, sophoto know that just because more Josh Bauer and freshSONNY our numbers are down man Ryan Polinsky could doesn’t mean I don’t have STEVENS also see time behind center. 31 players who are truly Friedline posted career committed in that locker highs in yards (153) and room. It’s a special group in completions (17) in Week 4 there, and they’re destined against Indiana last year. In to do some special things that same game, Bauer here at Derry.” tossed a touchdown pass to Since the Trojans possess sophomore Kerek Hofflimited proven weapons at man, one of Derry’s best rethe skill positions, Sweeney turning targets at wide resaid he expects his offenceiver. sive line to guide them in Senior wide receiver their run-heavy, multipleJAYMIE Jaymie Howe, Derry’s most formation attack. HOWE productive returning skill Junior guard Levi Humbarger, senior guard Alex Medina, player, recorded team highs in resenior guard Chase Stevenson, ceptions (17) and receiving yards sophomore center Hunter Edmis- (208) last year. Howe notched caton, junior tackle John Baker and reer bests in receptions (6) and senior tackle Josh McCleary will yards (59) against Indiana. Sweeney said most of the players pave the way for senior running dfilloy@indianagazette.net

Head coach Tim Sweeney First season Career record: 0-0

Conference WPIAL Interstate

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24

at Washington MOUNT PLEASANT CHARLEROI at Laurel SOUTHMORELAND at McGuffey at Brownsville BURGETTSTOWN at Waynesburg

2013 results Record: 0-10 D 0 7 7 6 7 7 13 6 0 7

Albert Gallatin Mars Knoch Indiana Hollidaysburg Highlands Hampton Greensburg Salem Franklin Regional Southmoreland

Opp. 52 64 58 56 57 57 58 56 55 50

Quotable Sweeney: “I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of numbers, but without question we had the lowest turnout in the history of Derry football this year, so that’s kind of where we are.”

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

TROY BALEGA and the Trojans found the going rough in the Greater Allegheny Conference. on his offensive line will platoon as regulars on the defensive line. Humbarger (tackle), Baker (tackle), McClearly (nose tackle), Maples (tackle), Medina (nose tackle) and Chase Stevenson (defensive end) make up the defensive front. Freshman Jeff Perratone (defensive end), senior James Yakopovich (tackle) and Stevens (defensive end) will rotate in with the starters. Other two-way starters are: Latta (cornerback/free safety), Wiencek (outside linebacker), Tyler Balega (strong safety), sophomore Collin Holden (free safety) and Howe (cornerback). Junior Nicholas Chinchock and sophomore Matt Marron will each start at inside linebacker. “It’s going to be hard, but we’re going to have to do it. A lot of our kids are going to have to play both ways,” Sweeney said. “The numbers are low, and that’s just what’s expected of them. “We worked really hard all summer, and that’s because we knew our numbers were down. These guys have worked really, really hard, and I believe they’re in great shape right now.” The Trojans have lost 18 straight games dating to a loss to Mars in Week 2 of the 2012 season. Derry went a combined 3-25 in the last three seasons under former coach Al Gaiardo in the WPIAL Class AAA Greater Allegheny Conference. Derry dropped a class and joined the Class AA Interstate Conference this year.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Troy Balega-xx RB/LB Josh Flack-xx RB/S Devon Hajas-xx FB/CB Jaymie Howe-xx WR/CB Nico Latta-x TE/FS Vincent Maples OL/DL Josh McCleary-x C/NT Alex Medina-xx G/NT Chase Stevenson-xxx OL/DL James Yakopovich-x TE/DL JUNIORS Name Pos. John Baker OL/DL Adrian Boyer-x WR/CB Logan Brown-x OL/DL Nicholas Chinchock-xx FB/LB Trey Friedline-xx QB/FS Levi Humbarger-xx G/DT Sonny Stevens-xx QB/DE SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Tyler Balega-x RB/SS Josh Bauer-x QB/CB Hunter Edmiston-x C/NG Kerek Hoffman-x WR/S Collin Holden-x FB/S Matt Marron-x OL/LB Adare Medoro G/TE Owen Whitacre-x WR/LB Noah Wiencek-x TE/OLB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Shawn Broadway RB/CB Nick Johnston WR/DB Gannon Lenhart WR/LB Jeff Perratone T/DE Ryan Polinsky QB/DB x-denotes letters earned

Ht. 6-1 5-9 5-8 5-9 6-0 5-10 6-2 5-6 6-3 5-9

Wt. 200 170 185 150 185 210 295 215 230 170

Ht. 6-2 5-9 5-5 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-3

Wt. 264 143 164 160 160 275 215

Ht. 5-9 5-9 6-0 5-6 5-7 6-2 5-11 5-8 6-1

Wt. 150 140 194 120 135 210 195 145 210

Ht. 5-4 5-5 5-7 6-0 5-7

Wt. 110 125 127 161 123

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 35

New coach brings familiar faces to staff By DUSTIN FILLOY dfilloy@indianagazette.net

DERRY — While Tim Sweeney admits he’s inheriting a young stable of players at Derry, the firstyear head coach believes he has the best coaching staff in the WPIAL. A 1984 graduate of Derry, Sweeney proved his loyalty to his roots and made a gutsy decision when he reassembled the staff that accompanied former head coach Ron Polinsky during his tenure from 2005 to 2009. Sweeney, who was an assistant on that staff, rehired Polinsky, Troy Balega, Mark Thomas and Joe Mylant as assistant coaches. Sweeney also added first-year assistants Matt Palombo and Gary Tom. “I don’t have a record, and I don’t have a résumé as a head coach, so I don’t know how well I’ll do at this,” Sweeney said. “But I can say that I firmly believe that I have the best coaching staff in the WPIAL.” Sweeney and his staff expect to face a gauntlet of challenges com-

ing off an 0-10 season, but the fact that the Trojans made the descent from the Class AAA Greater Allegheny Conference to the Class AA Interstate Conference should enhance Derry’s chances. The Trojans don’t have to deal with the daunting task of squaring off with the Greater Allegheny Conference’s best teams, such as Mars, Knoch and Franklin Regional. Instead, Derry will try and keep pace with a clan of former rural rivals, including Mount Pleasant, Southmoreland and Brownsville. On a team of just 31 players, the Trojans have 23 returning letterwinners and 17 upperclassmen. Still, Sweeney expressed nothing but optimism regarding the road ahead, and perhaps that’s because the former three-sport standout at Derry has proven he can win at the high school and college levels. And at the high school level, Sweeney showed in his junior year that he can help turn a program around. After playing on four straight winless teams beginning with his seventh-grade squad, Sweeney

spearheaded Derry’s first and only Keystone Conference championship team during his junior season in 1983. Derry finished 9-1 and beat Mount Pleasant to clinch the conference title. Mount Pleasant went on to win the WPIAL title later in the year. Three years later, Sweeney won an NCAA title while playing linebacker as a walk-on for an undefeated Penn State team in 1986. “I was coached number one by a lot of great coaches here at Derry,” Sweeney said. “Carl Albaugh, Dave McNichol, Joe Giotto … all of those guys were a part of some great staffs, and Carl was a terrific head coach. I was lucky to learn from them and a number of other great coaches at Derry, including guys like volleyball coach Rich Schall and a handful of good basketball coaches. “I’ve always said that the two things I’m most proud of, outside of my family and friends, are that I’m a product of Derry Area and I’m a Penn State guy.” The Polinsky staff went 2-8 in its last year in the 2009 season. The Trojans won 10 of 50 games in five

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seasons under Polinsky’s watch. Derry went 3-25 in three seasons under the school’s last head coach, Al Gaiardo, who resigned in November 2013. Last year, the Trojans became the first team in WPIAL history to allow 50 or more points in each game. Derry was outscored 56360, including 161-13 in the last three games of the season. The Trojans have lost 18 straight games and last earned a win in Week 1 of the 2012 season with a 33-26 victory over Albert Gallatin. Sweeney recognizes the tremendous tests in his path but still said he and his coaching staff are extremely excited to get the season under way. “The coaching staff is excited. We’re tempered, but we’re excited,” Sweeney said. “We obviously need some things to go our way. Every once in a while you need a little luck. But you can’t be lucky if you’re not doing all the little things right, and us as coaches, that’s what we’re going to focus on: making sure these guys get to the ball and get used to executing the basics.”

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

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36 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

WEST SHAMOKIN

Wolves set out to prove point Losing isn’t part of culture anymore

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Scott Bish-x T/DT Tyler Boring-x T/DT Sam Buffone-xx G/DT Adam Crise-xx TE/OLB Matt Hankey SE/DB Zac Horner-xxx FB/ILB Nick Huth-xxx G/ILB Alex Lasslo-xxx QB/DB Austin Reesman-xxx T/DE Josh Rodgers SE/DB Andrew Wingard-xxx HB/OLB

By MIRZA ZUKIC moz@indianagazette.net

Head coach Jon McCullough Second season Career record: 6-4

Conference WPIAL Allegheny Conference

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24

APOLLO-RIDGE at Kittanning HIGHLANDS at Freeport at Burrell VALLEY at Shady Side Academy at Ford City DEER LAKES

2013 results Record: 6-4 WS Opp. 12 Springdale 7 46 Northgate 20 41 Riverview 12 0 Avonworth 48 27 North Catholic 60 27 Wilkinsburg 8 32 South Side Beaver 14 36 Leechburg 6 15 Apollo-Ridge 42 14 Monessen* 37 *—WPIAL Class A playoffs

NuMINE — The West Shamokin Wolves have a new challenge in front of them: They’re out to prove they’re not a one-hit wonder. Finally removed from a long culture of losing, West Shamokin is getting another chance in the WPIAL Class AA ranks this season, and the Wolves are eager to show they’re not the West Shamokin of old. “The times are changing,” senior Andrew Wingard said with confidence at training camp. Coming off the first winning season in school history, West Shamokin returns the core of last year’s playoff team as the Wolves transition back to Class AA Allegheny Conference competition after spending two seasons at the Class A level. With nine starters returning on offense and nine on defense, the Wolves aren’t backing down from their latest challenge. “I’m looking forward to it, and our kids are, too,” second-year coach Jon McCullough said. “Is it going to be tougher? Yes. I think consistently, week in and week out, you’ve got to be at your best. Our kids know that we’re stepping up, but we are capable. We’re a good football team, too, so if anybody sleeps on us and thinks this is the old West Shamokin, they’ll find out. But we know that we have to be at our best. There are a lot of people that are going to doubt us, so hopefully that motivates us each week to prove people wrong. We’re looking forward to the challenge.” Although few current players were in high school the last time West Shamokin competed in Class AA, they know full well the Wolves’ horrendous history at that level. In eight seasons competing in the Class AA Allegheny Conference, West Shamokin never won more than two games in a season, went 6-71 from 2004 to 2011 and lost its last 44 games as a Class AA team. The current players might not have been a part of the losing, but they haven’t forgotten, either. “We’ve got a chip on our shoulder because every other time we

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

QUARTERBACK ALEX LASSLO, left, and running back Andrew Wingard fuel the Wing-T offense. were in Double-A, we didn’t do very well,” Wingard said, tapping his shoulder pads. “Now we’re coming back from Single-A having a good season, and we have a big chip on our shoulder now. People are doubting us. We’re going to show them that they shouldn’t have doubted us.” Two years ago, the challenge facing the Wolves was to end a record losing streak that started in 2007. They snapped the skid at 46 games, a WPIAL record, and finished the 2012 season at 3-7, their best season in 10 years and only the second time in school history — the school was formed in 2000 — they won three games. Last year, the goal was to continue building the program and taking strides forward. Even so, few people outside the West Shamokin locker room could have expected a 6-3 regular season and the Wolves’ first WPIAL playoff appearance. Now, they are out to prove 2013 was no fluke and that they belong at the Class AA level. “We want to get back there (to the playoffs) and go even farther, keep pushing ahead,” Wingard said. “Oh, yeah, we’ll be competitive. We’ll play with every team,” senior lineman Nick Huth said. The Wolves reached new heights last season behind a bruising rushing attack that produced more than 200 yards per game. McCullough said the Wolves won’t stray

far from their trusty Wing-T offense and run-first mentality. “We’re still going to run our offense,” McCullough said. “We want to run the football, control the clock, and we’ll throw it when need be. We have enough personnelwise that we’re capable of doing what needs to be done. Of course, we’re going to come out and try to run the football, but if we have to throw the ball 25 times a game to win, we’re capable of doing that. We’re really not going to do a whole lot different.” Who can blame him considering several key contributors from last year’s offensive attack are back? Wingard led the team and ranked eighth in the area with 830 rushing yards, and his 7.2 yards-per-carry average led all area players with 75 or more carries. Another senior, Zac Horner, also figures to shoulder a heavy workload this season. Horner had a team-high 124 carries for the Wolves last year, and his 624 yards were second on the team behind Wingard. And then there is senior Alex Lasslo, who led all area quarterbacks in completion percentage last season and had the secondhighest quarterback rating. Certainly, the return of their top playmakers gives the Wolves confidence in their offense entering the season, but McCullough knows it won’t mean much if Wingard and Horner can’t find running lanes.

Ht. 6-3 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-2 5-9 6-1 5-10 6-4 5-9 5-10

JUNIORS Name Pos. Ht. Dominic Aimino T/DT 6-3 Zach Bowser-xx SE/OLB 5-11 Jacob Brink-x C/DE 5-11 Andrew Cline-x FB/ILB 5-11 Jarret Kintz-x HB/DB 5-10 Hugh McClafferty-x C/DE 5-8 Brad Shaeffer T/DT 6-4 Cody Slagle G/ILB 5-10 Brandon Stover-x HB/QB/DB5-10 SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ht. Justin Bice C/DT 5-10 Devin Fairman-x QB/DB 5-11 Aaron Gray-x SE/OLB 6-0 Austin Harris-x G/ILB 5-8 Austin Mills-x C/DE 5-10 Hunter Reedy G/OLB 5-7 Dylan Rupp TE/ILB 5-9 Denten Stubrich-x HB/DB 5-8 Shelton Toy TE/DE 6-4 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Hunter Cessna T/DE 6-0 Lucas Cessna T/DE 6-0 Doug Cornman G/DE 5-8 Skyler Frye T/DT 5-6 Bryce McClafferty FB/DB 5-6 Curt Slagle TE/OLB 5-11 Jacob Szul HB/DB 5-6 Derrick Wesner T/DT 5-6 Evan Wingard HB/DB 5-7 Robert Wheatley SE/OLB 5-6 x-denotes letters earned

Wt. 270 300 190 170 170 180 210 170 220 120 185

Wt. 320 170 210 180 170 220 265 165 165 Wt. 290 170 170 190 205 140 160 140 170 Wt. 160 165 140 175 130 155 135 230 125 135

And that’s what makes the return of three starting offensive linemen all the more significant. “We can have all our skill guys back, but if we can’t block up front, it’s not going to matter,” McCullough said. “So it’s nice that we have three of our starters back up front.” Seniors Austin Reesman, Sam Buffone and Nick Huth are the three holdovers along the line, and they figure to give the Wolves a solid foundation for another strong season. Buffone and Huth have solidified their guard spots, and Reesman can play both tackle positions. Continued on Page 37

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 37

Success breeds interest at West Shamokin By MIRZA ZUKIC moz@indianagazette.net

NuMINE — For the first time in a long while, maybe ever, West Shamokin football players can hold their heads high in the community. They’re coming off a breakout six-win season, the first winning season in school history and their first WPIAL playoff appearance. They had two separate three-game winning streaks last season. By comparison, they had never won more than three games in any of their previous 12 seasons. It’s good to be a football player at West Shamokin. The Wolves are no longer perennial losers. Long gone is the 46game losing streak that defined them for a five-season stretch, and, the players say, the losing culture that was synonymous with West Shamokin is a thing of the past. The community has bought into

Wolves have point to prove

the hype, and there is a renewed lose,” senior Andrew Wingard said. sense of hope and excitement as “Now that we’ve been winning and another season kicks off. everything, it’s changed — it’s very “Everyone wants to be a part of much changed.” it, and the community is behind us That much is evident by the now, and it’s just fun. It used to be Wolves’ roster. no one even cared,” senior quarIn 2010, the Wolves had to forfeit terback Alex Lasslo said. their last game of the sea“There’s a lot of exciteson against Punxsutawney ment. Just even walking because they didn’t have around the community, enough players to field a people are asking ‘Are you team. And most years, West ready for football?’ ‘How’s Shamokin struggled to the football team looking?’ draw 25 players. We can finally say we’re But all that has changed looking good. And people after the breakout season are excited to come watch the Wolves enjoyed in 2013. us play. If you ask them, The school pride is back. NICK ‘Are you coming to the first It has generated a greater game?’ they’re like, ‘Of interest in football, and the HUTH course.’ Before it was ‘I proof is in the 40-man rosdon’t know, we’ll see, maybe.’ But ter the Wolves opened camp with. now it’s like a for sure. It kind of It might be a record participation gets us excited. It’s going to be number for West Shamokin since fun.” the formation of the school in “It used to be no one liked West 2000. Shamokin football and no one “Last year, we started with 20wanted to come out and play and some. This year, our highest has

Continued from Page 36 Seniors Tyler Boring and Scott Bish and juniors Dominic Aimino and Brad Shaeffer competed for the remaining tackle spot, and sophomore Austin Mills and juniors Hugh McClafferty and Jacob Brink were in the mix at center. No matter who is in the game, the Wolves have confidence in their line to pave the way to a banner season. “We aren’t the biggest line, so we’re going to have to move, get low and drive them off the ball,” Huth said.

“But we can do it.” Last year, with teams having to respect a potent running game, it created opportunities in the passing game, and Lasslo took advantage of them. Although he averaged fewer than eight pass attempts per game, he completed an area-high 57.3 percent (43 of 75), passed for 791 yards and threw twice as many touchdowns (10) as interceptions. If the Wolves can get the same production from their running game, McCullough has reason to feel confident

been 40, and we’ve stayed above 35, which is amazing,” Lasslo said. For second-year coach Jon McCullough, the increased turnout affords him opportunities he didn’t have before. “It’s nice when you have that many kids because before it was hard to get a scout team put together,” McCullough said. “It makes things like that much more manageable.” It doesn’t end there. The Wolves are two-deep at every position now, allowing for some healthy competition in practice. “Now, we’re at the point now where our 2s are capable of pushing our starters,” McCullough said. “Our older guys know that they can’t go in feeling like they have it made because there are kids behind them that are pushing them. Whenever you have competition within your team, that helps to make you a better team. Whenever you’re able to sit back and know that no matter what you’re going to

Lasslo can have another standout year. “As our running game goes, our offense goes,” McCullough said. “Since we were so successful running the football — we’re a heavy play-action team — so whenever you’re trying to stop the run, the play-action pass opens up more. “And we’re a high-percentage team in terms of throwing the ball. We’re not going to chuck it down the field all that much unless it presents itself, so that helps play into our completion per-

be in there, that leads to complacency and you think you’ve got it made. It’s nice that we have kids that are able to push other guys now.” “Before, we didn’t have the numbers to be able to have people competing for positions, and competing makes everyone better,” Lasslo said. With memories of last year still fresh in their mind, the Wolves are excited to kick off the season and keep the success going. And for the first time since any of the current players can remember, there will be a buzz at Jack E. Boyer Field on Friday nights this fall. They hope to see you there. “There’s a lot of talk, and it feels good for once because no one used to come a West Shamokin game because we always lost,” senior lineman Nick Huth said, “but now we’re winning and everyone is showing up.” “Ready for some football. Everybody’s excited,” Wingard said.

centage.” As enjoyable as last season was, it’s time for the Wolves to put it behind them and turn their focus to the next challenge ahead. “The old saying is talk is cheap,” McCullough said. “Our focus is, last year was last year, it’s in the past. Was it nice? Yes. But no one is going to care what we did last year. … The thing I’m looking for the most is just consistency. We have a lot of older kids back, so being consistent, not turning the football over, that’s the main thing.”

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38 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

PUNXS’Y

Chucks aim to end frustration Return to postseason the goal after three-win season in ’13 By DUSTIN FILLOY dfilloy@indianagazette.net

Head coach Alan Nichol Sixth season Career record: 30-24

Conference Keystone Shortway (Large-School Division)

2014 schedule Aug. 29 Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24

at Moniteau KEYSTONE BROOKVILLE at Union DuBOIS A-C VALLEY at St. Marys CLARION-LIMESTONE at Karns City

2013 results Record: 3-7 P 22 34 7 26 6 28 6 0 0 14

Brookville Union DuBois A-C Valley St. Mary’s Clarion-Limestone Karns City Clarion Moniteau Northern Bedford

Opp. 25 18 49 23 12 12 56 55 36 28

Quotable Nichol: “I know we have a lot of potential, and any of these guys could have a fantastic season.”

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Coach Alan Nichol has learned how to deal with the ebbs and flows of running a high school football program. Nichol also has discovered what it takes to guide a team to the playoffs coming off a frustrating season in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference Large-School Division. Nichol led the Chucks to playoff berths in three of the first four years of his tenure before winning just three games and suffering through the worst year of his career last season. Like he did in 2012, Nichol intends to help this year’s Punxsutawney squad bounce back from a three-win season, and in the process, return to the District 9 Class AAA playoffs. “It’s been a really great camp and we’re really looking forward to the season,” Nichol said. “With all these guys it’s hard to say who’s going to step up and who isn’t. I know we have a lot of potential, and any of these guys could have a fantastic season. But it’s a team game, and our goal is to get back to the playoffs and see what we can do.” A typical run-first team, Nichol said Punxsutawney will throw slightly more than it runs this season out of its multiple-I formation offense, despite the fact that his quarterback, senior Dakota Thomas, feels most comfortable in scrambling situations. Thomas split time at quarterback last year behind senior Matt Burkett, who threw for 647 yards and four touchdowns. Thomas completed 10 of 33 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 194 yards on 34 carries and scored one touchdown. “Dakota’s the guy right now,” Nichol said. “He had a great offseason in the weight room, and it’s paying off for him now. He’s a speed guy and he likes to run the ball, but he’s been throwing it pretty well this summer, too. He’s one of the strongest pound-for-pound guys we have, if not the strongest. He just did everything he could in the offseason to get ready for us.” The Chucks have an inexperienced receiving corps, although Nichol said he expects senior An-

drew Fedigan, juniors Braxton Giaviadoni and Nathan Lingenfelter and sophomore Ethan Riley to become targets for Thomas. Fedigan was an all-conference selection at tight end last season. Senior Perry Arrington, who last year complemented 1,000-yard rusher and graduated senior Christian Falgout, made the transition from fullback to tailback, where Nichol expects him to become the sparkplug in the backfield. Last year, Arrington rushed for 282 yards on 53 carries and scored three touchdowns. Nichol also plans to get junior tailback Alex Young and senior fullback Travis Perry their share of touches. “Christian had 1,000 yards last year, and Perry had a lot to do with that blocking at fullback,” Nichol said. “But now it’s time for Perry to step up and get a lot of carries. He’s small, but like Dakota, he’s powerful, and he reads the inside zone very well. “Alex Young is a very talented junior. He’s a bigger, stronger runner, but he’s got that burst of speed. Those two guys complement each other really well, plus we’ve got Travis Perry, who’s a senior with some nice quickness.” The Chucks return four starting offensive linemen, including junior tackle and all-conference selection Brandon Douthit. Flanking Douthit are returning starters and seniors Ethan Ambler at center, Luke Shiock at guard and Keegan Fischer at guard. Seniors and two-time returning letterwinners Jacob Gotwald and Dalton Maines will each rotate in at guard. Senior returning letterwinner Jacob Coalmer will see time at tackle, and sophomore returning letterwinner Blake Bizousky will share time at tackle. “We’ve got a lot of talent up front,” Nichol said. “We have size and experience, and these guys have played together for a whole season, so they’re on the same page with just about everything.” Since a number of teams ran spread offenses in the division last year, Nichol opted to change the defensive look from a 4-4 to a 3-4. Ten players will essentially play on both sides of the ball, including Thomas, who will start at cornerback. Other two-way starters are

TOM PEEL/Gazette

ONE OF the Chucks’ strongest points is the offensive line.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Ethan Ambler-xx OL/DT Jacob Coalmer-x OL/DL Austin Covatch OL/DE Andrew Fedigan-xx WR/S Adam Ferko-x TE/LB Keegan Fischer-xx G/ILB Walter Foster WR/CB Jacob Gotwald-xx OL/DT Dalton Maines-xx OL/DE Travis Perry-xx FB/ILB Kameron Rummel-x OL/DL Bret Shank OL/DE Luke Shiock-xx OL/DT Dakota Thomas-xx QB/CB

Ht. 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-9 5-9 5-10 6-1 5-9 6-4 5-8 6-0 5-8

Wt. 225 230 175 188 190 195 140 225 195 190 205 185 255 165

JUNIORS Name Pos. Levi Campbell-x RB/LB Gregory Carroll Jr. OL/DL Brandon Douthit-x OL/DE Evan Dyson RB/ILB Skyler George WR/CB Braxton Giaviadoni WR/DB Ryan Jones-x QB/CB

Ht. 5-8 5-9 6-5 5-8 5-9 5-10 5-10

Wt. 155 205 265 160 140 175 162

Douthit (defensive end), Arrington (weak-side linebacker), Gotwald (tackle), Shiock (nose tackle), Fedigan (safety), Fischer (strong-side linebacker), Maines (defensive end), Young (outside linebacker) and Bizousky (middle linebacker). The Chucks have defensive playmakers returning, such as Arrington, who had a team-high three interceptions last year. However, even though the Chucks’ pass defense allowed an area-worst 153.0 yards per game last season, Nichol said he’s most concerned about getting productive play out of his nose tackle, Shiock.

Jacob Kunselman OL/DL Nathan Lingenfelter-x WR/CB Matt Love OL/DL Jerad Manners-x WR/OLB Cody Sanner WR/DB Larry Yeager-x OL/DL Alex Young-x RB/LB

6-3 5-7 5-11 6-2 5-6 6-0 5-10

240 144 220 175 135 220 180

SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Garrett Bennett OL/DL Blake Bizousky-x OL/ILB Brylan Conoran OL/DL Joey DiPietro FB/LB Caleb Harvey C/DE Kevin Hutton WR/LB Devin Kelly RB/OLB Michael Lin OL/LB John Mark Miller OL/DT Dillon Perry OL/LB Ethan Riley WR/CB Kyle Yoho OL/DE Jacob Weaver WR/CB Tanner Zimmerman QB/LB x-denotes letters earned

Ht. 6-1 5-11 5-7 5-11 6-1 5-8 6-0 5-8 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-0 5-7 6-0

Wt. 285 215 210 190 202 152 170 185 185 180 150 180 148 190

“It’s a little tougher when you’re playing odd (numbers on the line) because you’re going to get a lot of double teams on that nose tackle,” Nichol said. “You’ve got to have somebody big and strong, and Luke’s been able to do it. What he’s been doing so far has really been allowing our linebackers to the get to the football. That’s why Luke, and the other two inside guys, those are our most important players on the defense.” Other first-year defensive starters are junior Levi Campbell at outside linebacker and junior Ryan Jones at cornerback.

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014— 39

Punxs’y fueled by strong senior class PUNXSUTAWNEY — In 2012, the last time Alan Nichol began a season with 15 seniors, the Punxsutawney coach helped the Chucks rebound from a three-win season and reach the District 9 Class AAA playoffs for the third time in four years. Coming off his second three-win season in his tenure, Nichol again has 15 seniors on his roster, a fact that gives the sixth-year coach comfort, particularly after having just seven seniors on last year’s team. “We only had seven seniors last year, and this is a physical game,” said Nichol, who has amassed a 3024 record in his time with the Chucks. “You have the edge as you mature and get older, and last year, we didn’t have that edge many times. This year we have quite a few seniors, even though a couple of those guys it’s their first year out, but we still have a good, solid group of 12 or 14 seniors who have been playing football for a long time. “If you’re going to build a solid

“IF YOU’RE going to build a solid program, you’ve got to keep the numbers up through each grade. That’s always one of the biggest challenges.” Alan Nichol program, you’ve got to keep the numbers up through each grade. That’s always one of the biggest challenges.” The Chucks also have 14 juniors and will start just two sophomores, outside linebacker Levi Campbell and offensive tackle/inside linebacker Blake Bizousky. Nine of Punxsutawney’s clan of seniors have earned two letters, and three others lettered last season. Thankfully for the Chucks’ senior-laden backfield, the strength of their team will reside in their offensive front, which includes four returning starters. Three of those linemen, center Ethan Ambler, guard Luke Shiock and guard Kee-

gan Fischer, are seniors. The other returning starter, junior tackle Brandon Douthit (6-foot-5, 265 pounds), was an All-Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference Large-School Division selection last year. Seniors and two-time returning letterwinners Jacob Gotwald and Dalton Maines and senior and returning letterwinner Jacob Coalmer will each add depth to the Chucks’ already solid front five. “We’ve got some depth, and we’re really counting on those guys up front to have a great year,” Nichol said. “Especially guys like Luke Shiock and Brandon Douthit. At times last year both of those guys showed the ability to control games with their play.” Since Nichol plans to spread things out and throw the ball more in four-wide receiver sets, quarterback Dakota Thomas spent plenty of time over the summer trying to get in sync with fellow senior split end Andrew Fedigan. Despite the fact that he was named an all-conference tight end last year, Nichol expects the 6-1 Fedigan to play a more integral role in the passing game this year.

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“Andy’s back, and much like Perry Arrington, Andrew did a lot of the hard work for us last year,” Nichol said. “For a big guy he’s got good speed, and he catches the ball well. We’re kind of counting on him as our possession guy and as the guy who can stretch the field for us a little bit.” Seven seniors will platoon as two-way starters for the Chucks, including Arrington at weak-side linebacker and Fedigan at safety. Arrington had a team-best three interceptions last year, and Fedigan emerged as one of the team’s top tacklers. Nichol said he wouldn’t be surprised to see a faster and stronger Fedigan make the all-conference team as a safety this season. “He played more like an outside linebacker position for us last year, and he had some really good games out there,” Nichol said. “He got to the point as a junior that he was physical enough to be an allconference player. “That’s what you’re looking for out there on defense: guys who can get to the ball and make the tackles. And he made some really nice plays out there for us.”

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40 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

2013 FINAL STATISTICS TEAM RECORDS League Overall W L W L x-Homer-Center 8 0 12 2 x-Penns Manor 7 1 9 2 x-Apollo-Ridge 6 2 8 3 x-West Shamokin 5 3 6 4 x-Blairsville 5 3 6 5 x-Ligonier Valley 5 3 6 5 Northern Cambria 5 3 5 5 Purchase Line 3 5 5 5 x-Indiana 4 4 5 6 Punxsutawney 0 4 3 7 Marion Center 2 6 2 8 Saltsburg 1 7 2 8 United 0 8 0 10 Derry 0 8 0 10 x-qualified for playoffs

TEAM STATISTICS PF 462 329 422 250 253 307 250 261 257 143 133 127 64 60

RUSHING OFFENSE

PA 210 169 213 254 275 269 226 196 235 314 266 320 388 563

School Penns Manor Purchase Line Northern Cambria Homer-Center West Shamokin Apollo-Ridge Indiana Punxsutawney Ligonier Valley Blairsville Marion Center Saltsburg United Derry

ALL CAPS DENOTES RETURNING PLAYERS

RUSHING Att. 226 202 203 158 173 209 140 116 116 139 136 106 124 58 102 77 83 57 47 79 41

Yds. Avg. TD 1593 7.0 14 1432 7.1 16 1170 5.8 17 1097 6.9 15 1089 6.3 19 1071 5.1 8 884 6.3 9 830 7.2 9 779 6.7 6 747 5.4 6 663 4.9 2 638 6.0 10 624 5.0 9 553 9.5 4 551 5.4 8 513 6.7 5 500 6.0 3 450 7.9 6 448 9.5 4 431 5.5 3 430 10.5 8

PASSING Int 1 5 6 14 11 4 3 8 17 10 9 10 5

Rate 178 177 138 132 125 123 104 103 102 93 84 61 60

RECEIVING Name RILEY STAPLETON, Ind Alec Bloom, Lig TRE TIPTON, AR Darrious Carter, Ind TYLER FRASSENEI, Sbg DEION ROBINSON, Bls CAMERON LIVINGSTON, Bls ALEX SMITH, AR Lucas Mowery, Sbg Clayton Dale, Punx Steve Richards, Sbg NATHAN DUMM, PM

Rec. 50 45 44 38 33 29 28 27 27 25 22 18

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

PURCHASE LINE’S Grant Syster rushed for an area-high 1,593 yards last season. Noah Hoover, MC Garrett Tobias, Lig JAYMIE HOWE, Derry Dereck Croyle, Lig DUANE BROWN, AR Clint Beeman, Derry JOE OLISH, NC Colton McMillan, Bls Jim Bence, HC

17 17 17 17 16 16 15 15 14

312 278 208 173 237 180 298 253 213

18.4 16.4 12.2 10.2 14.8 11.2 19.9 16.9 15.2

2 3 0 0 2 0 2 3 3

OVERALL SCORING

(minimum 70 attempts) Name Com. Att. Yds. TD Zelonka, AR 96 175 1613 25 LASSLO, WS 43 75 791 10 BEREZANSKY, HC 49 90 723 8 Fennell, Lig 115 219 1735 17 THOMPSON, Bls 73 137 1125 8 Thompson, Ind 94 172 1215 7 Kowalski, PM 36 80 516 3 PERSHING, NC 39 78 521 4 PLOWMAN, Sbg 92 182 1122 10 Burkett, Punx 51 106 647 4 ORR, MC 49 138 888 3 Holmes, Derry 58 156 674 0 Sunderlin, PL 26 74 259 2

Yds. 702 830 697 577 455 359 417 578 354 353 219 296

Avg. TD 14.0 6 18.4 12 15.8 14 15.2 3 13.8 5 12.4 1 14.9 2 21.4 8 13.1 2 14.1 2 10.0 3 16.4 2

Yds. 3077 2658 2559 3492 2130 2148 1968 1608 1751 1707 1189 1125 1042 758

Avg. 279.7 265.8 255.9 249.4 213.0 195.3 178.9 160.8 159.2 155.2 118.9 112.5 104.2 75.8

PASSING OFFENSE

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Name GRANT SYSTER, PL EAN LEE, HC DEION ROBINSON, BLS Mike Newhouse, HC Lucas Kowalski, PM Christian Falgout, Punx Joe Frontino, NC ANDREW WINGARD, WS Jesse Zelonka, AR DeQuan West, Ind Steve Richards, Sbg Louie Tate, PM ZAC HORNER, WS Nolan Paronish, NC Dereck Croyle, Lig Derek Baker, NC COLLIN SMITH, Lig HUNTER RICE, PL Ian Scott, Ind Tyler Mack, U Todd Greene, PL

GP 11 10 10 14 10 11 11 10 11 11 10 10 10 10

Name TD EAN LEE, HC 21 Lucas Kowalski, PM 20 DEION ROBINSON, Bls 18 GRANT SYSTER, PL 15 Mike Newhouse, HC 15 AARON BEREZANSKY, HC 15 TRE TIPTON, AR 15 ANDREW WINGARD, WS 14 Alec Bloom, Lig 13 Lonny Wells, AR 5 Christian Falgout, Punx 10 Scott Fennell, Lig 10 Joe Frontino, NC 10 Ben Gemballa, AR 9 Todd Greene, PL 10 Louie Tate, PM 10 ZAC HORNER, WS 9 Dereck Croyle, Lig 8 Ian Scott, Ind 5 Derek Baker, NC 6 DUANE BROWN, AR 9 ALEX LASSLO, WS 6

XP 2XP FG Pts 30 2 0 160 0 0 0 120 0 1 0 110 20 0 0 110 0 9 0 108 0 1 0 92 0 1 0 92 0 3 0 90 0 2 0 82 42 0 2 78 10 0 0 70 0 3 0 66 0 2 0 64 0 4 0 62 0 0 0 60 0 0 0 60 0 2 0 58 0 4 0 56 26 0 0 56 16 1 0 54 0 0 0 54 18 0 0 54

KICK SCORING Name Lonny Wells, AR James Conway, PM ANDREW STIPCAK, Bls EAN LEE, HC

FG 2 0 3 0

XP 42 39 22 30

Pts 48 39 31 30

Ian Scott, Ind Dan Croyle, Lig GRANT SYSTER, PL ALEX LASSLO, WS Derek Baker, NC Jake Beacker, U Christian Falgout, Punx

0 0 0 0 0 1 0

26 21 20 18 16 7 10

26 21 20 18 16 10 10

PUNTING (minimum 10 punts) Name Att. Yds. ROYCE BISH, PL 27 990 Dom DiBernardo, AR 24 880 Ethan Marshall, PM 20 701 DeQuan West, Ind 19 656 BLAKE ORR, MC 22 740 DEION ROBINSON, Bls 25 808 Seth McLendon, U 29 916 Derek Baker, NC 21 648 Dan Croyle, Lig 27 815 Lucas Mowery, Sbg 33 981 EAN LEE, HC 25 737 RILEY STAPLETON, Ind 13 384 Clint Beeman, Derry 62 1631

Avg. 36.7 36.7 35.0 34.5 33.6 32.3 31.6 30.9 30.2 29.7 29.5 29.5 26.3

INTERCEPTIONS Name DUANE BROWN, AR Scott Fennell, Lig TRE TIPTON, AR ANDREW WINGARD, WS Gavin Ewing, PL Anthony Caruso, HC MATT McADOO, HC Garrett Tobias, Lig RILEY STAPLETON, Ind Lucas Kowalski, PM Lucas Mowery, Sbg SAM STANFORD, PL EAN LEE, HC PERRY ARRINGTON, Punx

No. 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3

Yds. 177 134 80 1 45 41 16 9 71 58 46 42 41 38

TD 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

School Ligonier Valley Apollo-Ridge Indiana Blairsville Saltsburg Marion Center Derry Punxsutawney West Shamokin Northern Cambria Penns Manor Homer-Center United Purchase Line

GP 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 14 10 10

Yds. 1793 1670 1663 1383 1209 903 901 841 794 662 689 729 380 357

Avg. 163.0 151.8 151.2 125.7 120.9 90.3 90.1 84.1 79.4 66.2 62.6 52.1 38.0 35.7

TOTAL OFFENSE School Apollo-Ridge Penns Manor Indiana Ligonier Valley Northern Cambria Homer-Center Purchase Line West Shamokin Blairsville Punxsutawney Saltsburg Marion Center Derry United

GP 11 11 11 11 10 14 10 10 11 10 10 10 10 10

Yds. 3818 3766 3631 3544 3221 4221 3015 2924 3090 2449 2334 2092 1659 1422

Avg. 347.1 342.4 330.1 322.2 322.1 301.5 301.5 292.4 280.9 244.9 233.4 209.2 165.9 142.2

RUSHING DEFENSE School Penns Manor Homer-Center Purchase Line Apollo-Ridge West Shamokin Indiana Northern Cambria Ligonier Valley Blairsville Marion Center Punxsutawney United Saltsburg Derry

GP 11 14 10 11 10 11 10 11 11 10 10 10 10 10

Yds. 848 2008 1550 1731 1789 2002 1880 2212 2416 2257 2302 2536 2562 3484

Avg. 77.1 143.4 155.0 157.4 178.9 182.0 188.0 201.1 219.6 225.7 230.2 253.6 256.2 348.8

PASSING DEFENSE School Blairsville Homer-Center Marion Center Purchase Line Northern Cambria

GP 11 14 10 10 10

Yds. 764 1051 791 794 861

Avg. 69.5 75.1 79.1 79.4 86.1

See 2014 weekly statistics every Tuesday during the season in The Indiana Gazette

United Penns Manor Saltsburg Indiana Apollo-Ridge Ligonier Valley West Shamokin Derry Punxsutawney

10 11 10 11 11 11 10 10 10

884 994 915 1107 1143 1199 1133 1267 1530

88.4 90.4 91.5 100.6 103.9 109.0 113.3 126.7 153.0

TOTAL DEFENSE School Penns Manor Homer-Center Purchase Line Apollo-Ridge Northern Cambria Indiana Blairsville West Shamokin Marion Center Ligonier Valley United Saltsburg Punxsutawney Derry

GP 11 14 10 11 10 11 11 10 10 11 10 10 10 10

Yds. 1842 3059 2344 2874 2741 3109 3180 2922 3048 3411 3420 3477 3832 4751

Avg. 167.5 218.5 234.4 261.3 274.1 282.6 289.1 292.2 304.8 310.1 342.0 347.7 383.2 475.1

SCORING OFFENSE School Apollo-Ridge Homer-Center Penns Manor Ligonier Valley Purchase Line Northern Cambria West Shamokin Indiana Blairsville Punxsutawney Marion Center Saltsburg United Derry

GP 11 14 11 11 10 10 10 11 11 10 10 10 10 10

Pts. 422 462 329 307 261 250 250 257 253 143 133 127 64 60

Avg. 38.4 33.0 29.9 27.9 26.1 25.0 25.0 23.4 23.0 14.3 13.3 12.7 6.4 6.0

SCORING DEFENSE School Homer-Center Penns Manor Apollo-Ridge Purchase Line Indiana Northern Cambria Ligonier Valley Blairsville West Shamokin Marion Center Punxsutawney Saltsburg United Derry

GP 14 11 11 10 11 10 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10

Pts. 210 169 213 196 235 226 269 275 254 266 314 320 388 563

Avg. 15.0 15.4 19.4 19.6 21.4 22.6 24.5 25.0 25.4 26.6 31.4 32.0 38.8 56.3

TURNOVER MARGIN School Homer-Center Indiana West Shamokin Apollo-Ridge Purchase Line Northern Cambria Penns Manor Ligonier Valley Blairsville Marion Center Saltsburg Derry United

Give 22 19 13 14 17 16 17 24 26 17 28 26 25

Take 30 26 20 20 21 18 18 22 20 9 16 11 10

+/+8 +7 +7 +6 +4 +2 +1 -2 -6 -8 -12 -15 -15

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 41

YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS Year-by-year leaders date to 1976, the year the Gazette began keeping comprehensive statistics. Boldface indicates all-time leader

SCORING 2013 Ean Lee, Homer-Center 160 2012 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 192 2011 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 184 2010 John Jones, Ligonier Valley 102 2009 Kody Oliver, United 120 2008 Ben Fiscus, Indiana 116 2007 Jerad Peles, Penns Manor 135 2006 Logan Small, Purchase Line 110 2005 Logan Small, Purchase line 90 2004 Matt Strope, Blairsville 126 2003 Leo Magulick, Northern Cambria 142 2002 Casey Austin, Blairsville 98 2001 Dustin Guidash, Punxsutawney 120 2000 Aric Heffelfinger, Laurel Valley 154 1999 Matt Doak, Blairsville 86 1998 John Burda, United 116 1997 Cullen Stokes, United 90 1996 Justin Hill, Derry 110 1995 Sam lezzi, Blairsville 114 1994 Dave Durler, Laurel Valley 118 1993 Rick Magulick, Northern Cambria 122 1992 Troy Mack, United 110 1991 Jason Burkhart, Laurel Valley 164 1990 Brandon Overdorff, Purchase Line 162 1989 Alan Burkhart, Laurel Valley 142 1988 Vince DeVivo, Shannock Valley 100 1987 Tom Fedigan, Punxsutawney 122 1986 Mike Williamson, Blacklick Valley 110 1985 Rex Pynos, Blairsville 72 1984 Mike Maciejewski, Punxsutawney 96 1983 Ted Worthington, Blacklick Valley 136 1982 Tom Ruehle, Purchase Line 78 1981 Joe Bonatesta, Northern Cambria 108 1980 Denny Henderson, Laurel Valley 122 1979 Paul Hall, Laurel Valley 92 1978 Marc Paulina, Penns Manor 116 1977 Randy Robertson, United 90 1976 Gary Jubas, Northern Cambria 90 1975 Ralph David, Blairsville 128 1974 Ralph David, Blairsville 146 1973 Bernie Venslosky, Northern Cambria 94 1972 Joe Talleri, Shannock Valley 94 1971 Frank Harsh, Blairsville 132 1970 Frank Harsh, Blairsville 124 1969 Frank Harsh, Blairsville 100 1968 Rick Duffalo, Homer-Center 75 1967 Pete Paulina, Penns Manor 115 1966 Curt McKnight, Saltsburg 127 1965 John Petro, Penns Manor 82 1964 Joe Bistok, Penns Manor 69 1963 Dave Ruddock, Laura Lamar 98 1962 Tim Wilt, Indiana 72 1961 Jerry Buffone, Shannock Valley 136 1960 Ed Mocuga, Purchase Line 75 1959 Jim Nance, Indiana 73 1958 Mike Paulina, Penns Manor 170 1957 Eddie Clark, Indiana 66, Dave Patrick, Elders Ridge 66 1956 Williard Long, Shannock Valley 96 1955 Tom Hollman, Shannock Valley 78 1954 Guy Battestilli, Homer City 117 1953 Sam Johnson, Elders Ridge 157 1952 Sam Johnson, Elders Ridge 164 1951 Johnny Yuha, Elders Ridge 89 1950 Rudy Gaston, Blairsville 109 1949 Jim Slosarik, Saltsburg 74 1948 Pud Constantino, Blairsville 218 1947 Pud Constantino, Blairsville 139

RUSHING 2013 Grant Syster, Purchase Line 1593 2012 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 1831 2011 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 2132 2010 Jeremy Smith, Homer-Center 1235 2009 Kody Oliver, United 1312 2008 Ben Fiscus, Indiana 1155 2007 Jerad Peles, Penns Manor 1468 2006 Logan Small, Purchase Line 1191 2005 Todd Smyers, Marion Center 1152 2004 Matt Strope, Blairsville 1452

2003 Leo Magulick, Northern Cambria 1251 2002 Jay Boone, Blairsville 879 2001 Sam Rager, Purchase Line 1569 2000 Aric Heffelfinger, Laurel Valley 1455 1999 T.J. Roser, Homer-Center 1141 1998 Mike Hilliard, Homer-Center 1657 1997 Dave Kozich, Penns Manor 1178 1996 Justin Hill, Derry 1325 1995 Sam lezzi, Blairsville 1366 1994 Clint Craft, Saltsburg 1173 1993 Eric Baird, Laurel Valley 1581 1992 Troy Mack, United 1192 1991 Jason Burkhart, Laurel Valley 1729 1990 Brandon Overdorff, Purchase Line 1808 1989 Alan Burkhart, Laurel Valley 1279 1988 Vince DeVivo, Shannock Valley 1234 1987 Troy Stiffler, United 1089 1986 Mike Williamson, Blacklick Valley 1659 1985 Matt Finotti, Homer-Center 1651 1984 Mike Kalafsky, Blairsville 932 1983 Ted Worthington, Blacklick Valley 1485 1982 Tom Ruehle, Purchase Line 1029 1981 Greg Fetterman, Purchase Line 1254 1980 Denny Henderson, Laurel Valley 1319 1979 Rick Gach, Purchase Line 1124 1978 Marc Paulina, Penns Manor 1753 1977 Ed Decker, Punxsutawney 1131 1976 Gary Jubas, Northern Cambria 1164 1975 Ralph David, Blairsville 1186

YARDS PER CARRY (Minimum 100 attempts) 2013 Andrew Wingard, West Shamokin 7.2 2012 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 11.3 2011 Russell Markosky, Ligonier Valley 9.3 2010 Ryan Knupp, Ligonier Valley 7.7 2009 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 8.9 2008 Damian Fry, Purchase Line 9.0 2007 Brandon Boyd, Ligonier Valley 11.9 2006 Dan Hoover, Marion Center 6.9 2005 Zack Sabella, Blairsville 9.8 2004 Chris Stewart, Apollo-Ridge 7.4 2003 Jason Shirey, Indiana 7.7 2002 Jay Boone, Blairsville 7.1 2001 Todd Lantz, Saltsburg 7.8 2000 Brian Newton, Apollo-Ridge 8.9 1999 Jason Cantelope, Northern Cambria 7.0 1998 Mike Hilliard, Homer-Center 7.9 1997 Lawrence Westbrook, Blairsville 7.8 1996 Justin Hill, Derry 6.6 1995 Brandon Worthington, Blacklick Valley 7.8 1994 T.J. Cosgrove, Shannock Valley 7.2 1993 Clint Craft, Saltsburg 7.6 1992 Drew Becker, United 8.0 1991 Jason Burkhart, Laurel Valley 12.8 1990 Jason Burkhart, Laurel Valley 10.1 1989 Brandon Overdorff, Purchase Line 7.8 1988 Vince DeVivo, Shannock Valley 6.7 1987 Tracy Williams, Blairsville 8.1 1986 Scott Bernabo, Laurel Valley 7.1 1985 Jeff Adams, Blacklick Valley 7.7 1984 Don Spaid, United 8.1 1983 Ted Worthington, Blacklick Valley 8.5 1982 John Pettina, Indiana 7.3 1981 Joe Bonatesta, Northern Cambria 8.1 1980 Denny Henderson, Laurel Valley 7.1 1979 Rick Gach, Purchase Line 7.3 1978 Joe Gourley, Apollo-Ridge 8.0 1977 Eddie Decker, Punxsutawney 7.4 1976 Dave Mathews, Punxsutawney 9.4 1975 Dave Mathews, Punxsutawney 7.9

PASSING YARDAGE 2013 Scott Fennell, Ligonier Valley 1735 2012 Scott Thompson, Blairsville 1673 2011 Logan Weaver, Indiana 1447 2010 Kyle Edgar, Indiana 1503 2009 Logan Weaver, Punxsutawney 1,362 2008 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 1788 2007 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 1823 2006 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 1167 2005 Adam Highberger, Blairsville 2340 2004 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 1502 2003 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 2219

2002 Joe Martin, Punxsutawney 1,764 2001 Grant Gourley, Apollo-Ridge 787 2000 Ryan Van Horn, West Shamokin 1192 1999 Frank Perrone, Northern Cambria 950 1998 Keith Respet, United 1213 1997 Jason Rado, Homer-Center 1135 1996 Jason Funyak, Blacklick Valley 1092 1995 K.J. Reese, Apollo-Ridge 1405 1994 Ryan Mytrysak, United 1596 1993 Darin Henigin, Derry 1195 1992 Greg Persichetti, Blairsville 1016 1991 Rick Artley, Northern Cambria 2045 1990 Rick Artley, Northern Cambria 1207 1989 Chris Zak, Shannock Valley 1236 1988 Todd Cunningham, Indiana 1316 1987 John Gaylord, Punxsutawney 1178 1986 Bob Suman, Derry 1162 1985 Bernie Zernick, Northern Cambria 1240 1984 Chris DeVivo, Shannock Valley 1404 1983 Skip Cook, Blacklick Valley 1346 1982 Bill Conrad, Laurel Valley 882 1981 Brian Moriconi, Northern Cambria 1021 1980 Tom Weaver, Punxsutawney 965 1979 Pat Murray, Homer-Center 1139 1978 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 856 1977 Derek Shaffer, Shannock Valley 1019 1976 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 937 1975 Dave Goodyear, Penns Manor 1118

COMPLETIONS 2013 Scott Fennell, Ligonier Valley 115 2012 Scott Thompson, Blairsville 84 2011 Garrett Zimmerman, Punxsutawney 88 2010 Logan Weaver, Punxsutawney 80 2009 Scott Harsh, Blairsville 90 2008 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 118 2007 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 126 2006 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 85 2005 Adam Highberger, Blairsville 138 2004 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 108 2003 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 154 2002 Joe Martin, Punxsutawney 100 2001 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 62 2000 Ryan Van Horn, West Shamokin 108 1999 Frank Perrone, Northern Cambria 54 Jacob Nulph, Apollo-Ridge 54 1998 Keith Respet, United 70 1997 Jason Rado, Homer-Center 75 1996 Matt Hollern, Indiana 70 1995 K.J. Reese, Apollo-Ridge 85 1994 Ryan Mytrysak, United 127 1993 Ryan Mytrysak, United 76 1992 Greg Persichetti, Blairsville 75 1991 Rick Artley, Northern Cambria 113 1990 Rick Artley, Northern Cambria 86 1989 Chris Zak, Shannock Valley 86 1988 Todd Cunningham, Indiana 108 1987 John Gaylord, Punxsutawney 86 George Latta, Derry 86 1986 Bob Suman, Derry 79 1985 Bernie Zernick, Northern Cambria 82 1984 Chris DeVivo, Shannock Valley 87 1983 Greg Wilden, Marion Center 99 1982 Scott Atcheson, Punxsutawney 67 1981 Brian Moriconi, Northern Cambria 68 1980 Pat Murray, Homer-Center 68 1979 Pat Murray, Homer-Center 78 1978 Derek Shaffer, Shannock Valley 54 1977 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 71 1976 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 70 1975 Dave Goodyear, Penns Manor 76

COMPLETION PERCENTAGE 2013 Alex Lasslo, West Shamokin .573 2012 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor .543 2011 Tyler Ferguson, Blairsville .522 2010 Logan Weaver, Punxsutawney .571 2009 Patrick Fuller, United .559 2008 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville .590 2007 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville .615 2006 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville .509 2005 Adam Highberger, Blairsville .573 2004 Adam Highberger, Blairsville .541 2003 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin .517

2002 Casey Austin, Blairsville .575 2001 Justin Mingle, Purchase Line .533 2000 Ryan Galiczynski, Northern Cambria .563 1999 Frank Perrone, Northern Cambria .514 1998 Sebastian Smelko, Punxsutawney .535 1997 Josh Hughes, Laurel Valley .570 1996 Jody Zernick, Northern Cambria .597 1995 Matt Hollern, Indiana .600 1994 Rich Henderson, Shannock Valley .654 1993 Tony Perrone, Northern Cambria .579 1992 Brook Caldwell, Laurel Valley .547 1991 Dana Harrold, Punxsutawney .593 1990 Rich Fella, Apollo-Ridge .541 1989 Kevin Stiffler, Laurel Valley .544 Chris Zak, Shannock Valley .544 1988 Todd Cunningham, Indiana .571 1987 Chris Zak, Shannock Valley .544 1986 Bob Suman, Derry .503 1985 Steve Aungst, Apollo-Ridge .517 1984 Eric Morgan, Apollo-Ridge .551 1983 Brad Packer, Penns Manor .507 1982 Scott Atcheson, Punxsutawney .504 1981 Brian Moriconi, Northern Cambria .544 1980 Brian Shirley, Saltsburg .543 1979 Mark Lezanic, Indiana .511 1978 Jim Brown, Northern Cambria .521 1977 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney .587 1976 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney .530 1975 John McCullough, Punxsutawney .506

TOUCHDOWN PASSES 2013 Jesse Zelonka, Apollo-Ridge 25 2012 Jesse Zelonka, Apollo-Ridge 19 2011 Logan Weaver, Indiana 20 2010 Logan Weaver, Punxsutawney 18 2009 Logan Weaver, Punxsutawney 16 2008 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 19 2007 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 16 2006 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 11 2005 Adam Highberger, Blairsville 25 2004 Jeff Zelonka, Apollo-Ridge 13 2003 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 19 2002 Joe Martin, Punxsutawney 14 2001 Justin Mingle, Purchase Line 13 2000 Ryan Galiczynski, Northern Cambria 11 Jacob Nulph, Apollo-Ridge 11 1999 Jacob Nulph, Apollo-Ridge 9 Frank Perrone, Northern Cambria 9 1998 Keith Respet, United 15 1997 Casey Clark, Apollo-Ridge 9 1996 Jason Stone, Blairsville 7 Keith Respet, United 7 Matt Hollern, Indiana 7 1995 Grant Dorn, Derry 20 1994 Ryan Mytrysak, United 16 1993 Darin Henigin, Derry 9 1992 Brook Caldwell, Laurel Valley 14 1991 Matt Gates, Penns Manor 25 1990 Erik Foust, Laurel Valley 17 1989 Chris Zak, Shannock Valley 17 1988 Gregg Fox, Apollo-Ridge 13 1987 John Gaylord, Punxsutawney 11 1986 Bill Zamboni, Blacklick Valley 12 1985 Frank Krevetski, United 13 1984 Chris DeVivo, Shannock Valley 14 1983 Skip Cook, Blacklick Valley 16 1982 Bill Conrad, Laurel Valley 16 1981 Brian Moriconi, Northern Cambria 16 1980 Joe Flickinger, Laurel Valley 10 1979 Rich Dohoda, Laurel Valley 16 1978 Rich Dohoda, Laurel Valley 8 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 8 1977 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 9 1976 Joe Avi, Shannock Valley 8

RECEPTIONS 2013 Riley Stapleton, Indiana 50 2012 Tre Tipton, Apollo-Ridge 39 2011 Tyrayl Veney, Indiana 38 2010 Ron Nicely, Derry 33 Bobby Shorthouse, Derry 33 2009 Andy Kurnocik, Blairsville 44 2008 Easton Weaver, Punxsutawney 46 2007 Pete Beskid, Blairsville 40

2006 Andy Ostach, Blairsville 38 2005 Andy Ostach, Blairsville 58 2004 Jerry Wilson, West Shamokin 35 2003 Logan Kaplon, West Shamokin 55 2002 Dustin Guidash, Punxsutawney 39 2001 Jon Nagy, West Shamokin 36 2000 Eric Powers, West Shamokin 44 1999 Jesse Koski, Derry 29 1998 Alan Rugh, Punxsutawney 32 1997 Craig Sacco, Homer-Center 30 1996 Dan Harkins, Saltsburg 30 1995 Mike Ryan, Indiana 44 1994 Matt Rodkey, United 41 1993 Scott Noerr, Punxsutawney 32 1992 Mike Shaffer, Purchase Line 24 1991 Larry Moreau, Indiana 56 1990 Tim Byers, Purchase Line 38 1989 Adam Dovenspike, Shannock Valley 48 Mike Woods, Indiana 48 1988 Mike Woods, Indiana 39 1987 Ron Haagen, Punxsutawney 38 1986 Bob Yancy, Homer-Center 30 1985 Andy Paterson, Indiana 54 1984 Joe Hockenberry, Shannock Valley 41 1983 Bill Zak, Shannock Valley 38 1982 Bob Kelly, Northern Cambria 31 1981 Bob Kelly, Northern Cambria 34 1980 Tim Leysock, Homer-Center 36 1979 Jerry Supko, Homer-Center 27 1978 Don Hopkins, Purchase Line 26 1977 Mike Ferko, Punxsutawney 34 1976 Bill Clemento, Punxsutawney 32 1975 Bill Packer, Penns Manor 36

RECEIVING YARDAGE 2013 Alex Bloom, Ligonier Valley 830 2012 Tre Tipton, Apollo-Ridge 786 2011 Tyrayl Veney, Indiana 945 2010 Tyrayl Veney, Indiana 646 2009 Andy Kurnocik, Blairsville 667 2008 Easton Weaver, Punxsutawney 627 2007 Pete Beskid, Blairsville 702 2006 Andy Ostach, Blairsville 655 2005 Andy Ostach, Blairsville 955 2004 Logan Kaplon, West Shamokin 508 2003 Jerry Wilson, West Shamokin 747 2002 Dustin Guidash, Punxsutawney 632 2001 Luke Hill, Apollo-Ridge 543 2000 Damion Buterbaugh, Northern Cambria 725 1999 Matt Kirsch, Northern Cambria 516 1998 Josh Vasas, United 573 1997 Craig Sacco, Homer-Center 463 1996 Dan Harkins, Saltsburg 518 1995 Mike Ryan, Indiana 695 1994 Eric Midock, Homer-Center 700 1993 Shawn Johnson, Derry 627 1992 Aric Clawson, Laurel Valley 446 1991 Jeremy Magulick, Northern Cambria 894 1990 Tim Byers, Purchase Line 657 1989 Adam Dovenspike, Shannock Valley 850 1988 Adam Dovenspike, Shannock Valley 604 1987 Ron Haagen, Punxsutawney 647 1986 Bob Yancy, Homer-Center 575 1985 Andy Paterson, Indiana 767 1984 Joe Hockenberry, Shannock Valley 564 1983 Bill Zak, Shannock Valley 475 1982 Bob Kelly, Northern Cambria 580 1981 Bob Kelly, Northern Cambria 465 1980 Tim Leysock, Homer-Center 536 1979 Paul Hall, Laurel Valley 511 1978 Don Hopkins, Purchase Line 425 1977 Mike Ferko, Punxsutawney 642 1976 Bill Clemento, Punxsutawney 622 1975 Bill Packer, Penns Manor 492

YARDS PER RECEPTION (minimum 10 receptions) 2013 Alex Smith, Apollo-Ridge 21.4 2012 Cameron Livingston, Blairsville 25.5 2011 Tyrayl Veney, Indiana 26.2 2010 Tyrayl Veney, Indiana 26.9 2009 Vinnie Gatti, Indiana 25.0 2008 Ryan Novella, Northern Cambria 24.0

Continued on Page 42

42 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS Continued from Page 41 2007 Jay Pettina, Indiana 19.8 2006 Casey Kowchuck, Marion Center 20.1 2005 David Watters, Indiana 26.8 2004 Floyd Fishel, Marion Center 29.0 2003 Chad Blystone, Indiana 22.4 2002 Jake Altemus, Penns Manor 28.6 2001 Ray Shetler, Laurel Valley 23.3 2000 Damion Buterbaugh, Northern Cambria 22.7 1999 Matt Kirsch, Northern Cambria 25.8 1998 Matt Kirsch, Northern Cambria 30.5 1997 Cullen Stokes, United 23.6 1996 Vince Skillings, Derry 20.3 1995 Bob Sposito, Northern Cambria 23.4 1994 Samm Taranto, Northern Cambria 29.6 1993 Kurt Hellgren, Shannock Valley 23.2 1992 Aric Clawson, Laurel Valley 22.3 1991 Jeremy Magulick, Northern Cambria 22.4 1990 Tim O’Shell, Laurel Valley 27.1 1989 Aaron Evanick, Homer-Center 25.7 1988 Randy Rhodes, Derry 20.8 1987 Andy Bearer, Northern Cambria 24.0 1986 Wally Shaffer, Marion Center 26.2 1985 Wally Shaffer, Marion Center 27.6 1984 Jeff Jones, Blairsville 24.3 1983 Dave Paouncic, Blairsville 24.0 1982 Randy Lovely, Laurel Valley 20.7 1981 Joe Bonatesta, Northern Cambria 22.7 1980 Paul Hall, Laurel Valley 27.6 1979 Jeff Weaver, Punxsutawney 25.9 1978 Bob Pardee, Laurel Valley 28.1 Don Sherry, Indiana 28.1 1977 Alan Hollingsworth, United 31.0 1976 Derek Shaffer, Shannock Valley 23.3 1975 Bill Clemento, Punxsutawney 25.0

TOTAL OFFENSE 2013 Jesse Zelonka, Apollo-Ridge 2392 2012 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 2428 2011 Danny Ferens, Penns Manor 2744 2010 Kyle Edgar, Indiana 2211 2009 Logan Weaver, Punxsutawney 1,653 2008 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 1897 2007 Justin McGinnis, Blairsville 1905 2006 Logan Small, Purchase Line 1191 2005 Adam Highberger, Blairsville 2520 2004 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 1795 2003 Trevor Henderson, West Shamokin 2706 2002 Joe Martin, Punxsutawney 1997 2001 Sam Rager, Purchase Line 1569 2000 Jarrod Highberger, Blairsville 1652 1999 Matt Doak, Blairsville 1512 1998 Mike Hilliard, Homer-Center 1741 1997 Dave Kozich, Penns Manor 1209 1996 Justin Hill, Derry 1325 1995 K.J. Reese, Apollo-Ridge 1413 1994 Ryan Mytrysak, United 1499 1993 Darin Henigin, Derry 1610 1992 Troy Mack, United 1192 1991 Rick Artley, Northern Cambria 2170 1990 Brandon Overdorff, Purchase Line 1808 1989 Chris Zak, Shannock Valley 1540 1988 Todd Cunningham, Indiana 1343 1987 Rich Brown, Saltsburg 1256 1986 Mike Williamson, Blacklick Valley 1730 1985 Matt Finotti, Homer-Center 1651 1984 Chris DeVivo, Shannock Valley 1459 1983 Ted Worthington, Blacklick Valley 1485 1982 Harvey Elder, Indiana 1174 1981 Greg Fetterman, Purchase Line 1254 1980 Denny Henderson, Laurel Valley 1319 1979 Rick Gach, Purchase Line 1142 1978 Marc Pauline, Penns Manor 1753 1977 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 1426 1976 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 1233

KICK SCORING 2013 Lonny Wells, Apollo-Ridge 48 2012 James Conway, Penns Manor 47 2011 Dane Mossgrove, Indiana 48 2010 John Jones, Ligonier Valley 48 2009 John Jones, Ligonier Valley 28 2008 Logan Lawson, Purchase Line 39 2007 Matt Beckman, Ligonier Valley 40

Gazette file photos

DANNY FERENS, left, set the all-time area records for rushing yards and total offense as a junior in 2011, and Blairsville’s Adam Highberger set the area record for passing yards and matched the record for touchdown passes in 2005. Chris Simpson, Indiana 40 2006 Alex Patterson, Marion Center 38 2005 Aaron Jones, Blairsville 49 2004 Aaron Jones, Blairsville 43 2003 Kevin Garland, Blairsville 39 2002 Kevin Garland, Blairsville 44 2001 Kevin Garland, Blairsville 28 2000 Jason Bennett, Laurel Valley 45 1999 Jason Bennett, Laurel Valley 33 1998 Ahren Fleck, United 51 1997 Earl Brendlinger, United 37 1996 Matt Irvin, Derry 26 Jonathan Woodall, Purchase Line 26 1995 Andy Dunlap, Blairsville 32 Matt Irvin, Derry 32 1994 John Long, Homer-Center 25 1993 Matt Hrubes, Derry 58 1992 Eric Bella, Homer-Center 32 1991 Martin Knoph, Laurel Valley 27 1990 Barry Small, Purchase Line 39 1989 Nick Rotosky, Indiana 24 1988 Eric Dixon, United 22 1987 Julio Ferreira, Blairsville 39 1986 Troy Stiffler, United 26 1985 Bob Berry, Indiana 32 1984 Chad Walsh, United 30 1983 Rick Watson, Purchase Line 26 1982 Joe Mahan, Punxsutawney 29 1981 Harvey Elder, Indiana 15 1980 Rob Dominick, Derry 25 1979 Mark Lezanic, Indiana 30 1978 Mark Lezanic, Indiana 21 1977 Mike Ferko, Punxsutawney 26 1976 Jose Guinossi, Punxsutawney 29 Ted Moreau, Indiana 29

FIELD GOALS 2013 Andrew Stipcak, Blairsville 3 2012 Lonny Wells, Apollo-Ridge 2 Trevor Peace, Punxsutawney 2 Ryan Stewart, Indiana 2 Glenn Ritchie, Saltsburg 2 2011 Tyler Matusak, Derry 7 2010 Tyler Matusak, Derry 6 2009 Zac Cloak, West Shamokin 1 2008 Logan Lawson, Purchase Line 2 2007 Justin Jones, Blairsville 3 2006 Alex Patterson, Marion Center 2 Aaron Jones, Blairsville 2 2005 Aaron Jones, Blairsville 3

2004 Lucas Kasubick, Indiana 5 2003 Lucas Kasubick, Indiana 4 2002 Kevin Garland, Blairsville 2 Ryan Nagg, Saltsburg 2 2001 Kevin Garland, Blairsville 1 Ed Oaks, Penns Manor 1 Mike Huff, Indiana 1 Erik Misner, Blacklick Valley 1 2000 Jason Bennett, Laurel Valley 1 B.J. Mikeska, Derry 1 Eric Misner, Blacklick Valley 1 Ed Oaks, Purchase Line 1 1999 Jason Bennett, Laurel Valley 3 Kyle Schmitt, Derry 3 1998 Ahren Fleck, United 3 1997 Larry Moore, Derry 2 1996 K.J. Reese, Apollo-Ridge 3 Jonathan Woodall, Purchase Line 3 1995 Jonathan Woodall, Purchase Line 4 1994 Bobby Johnson, Indiana 2 John Long, Homer-Center 2 1993 Matt Hrubes, Derry 10 1992 Eric Bella, Homer-Center 4 1991 Eric Bella, Homer-Center 2 1990 Matt Gates, Penns Manor 3 Nathan Irvin, Indiana 3 1989 Nick Rotosky, Indiana 3 Bruce Yard, Apollo-Ridge 3 1988 Nick Rotasky, Indiana 3 1987 Todd Smith, Derry 3 1986 Troy Stiffler, United 3 1985 Todd Smith, Derry 3 Tim Zimmerman, Punxsutawney 3 1984 Paul Robichaud, Blacklick Valley 2 Chad Walsh, United 2 1983 Mark Watson, Purchase Line 4 1982 Joe Mahan, Punxsutawney 3 1981 Harvey Elder, Indiana 1 Jeff Fulton, Saltsburg 1 Joe Mahan, Punxsutawney 1 1980 Rob Dominick, Derry 7 1979 Mark Lezanic, Indiana 3 1978 John Mizerock, Punxsutawney 2 1977 Dave Orlowski, Apollo-Ridge 2 Chris Petrarca, Derry 2 1976 Jose Guinossi, Punxsutawney 3

INTERCEPTIONS 2013 Duane Brown, Apollo-Ridge 5 Tre Tipton, Apollo-Ridge 5

Scott Fennell, Ligonier Valley 5 Andrew Wingard, West Shamokin 5 2012 Cameron Livingston, Blairsville 5 Scott Fennell, Ligonier Valley 5 2011 Adam Polites, Northern Cambria 7 2010 Anthony Tutino, Ligonier Valley 9 2009 Derek Reese, Saltsburg 10 2008 Jay Pettina, Indiana 6 2007 Junior Robinson, Indiana 6 Clay Altemose, Apollo-Ridge 6 2006 Dan Hoover, Marion Center 6 2005 Brandon Boyd, Ligonier Valley 10 2004 Justin Barkey, Marion Center 6 2003 Nick Jones, Homer-Center 9 2002 Jonathan Buggey, Homer-Center 4 Steve Wilk, Blairsville 4 Virgil Small, Purchase Line 4 Adam Ross, Apollo-Ridge 4 Nathan Duffalo, Homer-Center 4 Chad Blystone, Indiana 4 Jay Boone, Blairsville 4 Mike Hill, Marion Center 4 2001 Luke Hill, Apollo-Ridge 6 2000 Chad Priest, Laurel Valley 8 1999 Nathan Rock, United 4 Brian Koches, Penns Manor 4 Kyle Schmitt, Derry 4 Josh Hughes, Laurel Valley 4 Anthony Capuzzi, Saltsburg 4 Adam Guthrie, Apollo-Ridge 4 1998 Tim Singel, Laurel Valley 6 1997 Bob Hellgren, Shannock Valley 5 Ryan Sandy, Punxsutawney 5 1996 Justin Hill, Derry 6 Brock McCullough, Purchase Line 6 1995 Brock McCullough, Purchase Line 7 1994 Ryan Holby, Blacklick Valley 6 1993 Jason Foust, Laurel Valley 9 1992 Joe Meszaros, Blacklick Valley 8 1991 Clint Holes, Apollo-Ridge 9 Matt Kemmerer, Punxsutawney 9 1990 Greg Stauffer, Punxsutawney 9 1989 Jim Mill, Indiana 10 1988 Jeff Dixon, Laurel Valley 10 1987 Shawn Shumar, Derry 6 1986 Mark Richards, Laurel Valley 7 Bob Suman, Derry 7 1985 Bill Zamboni, Blacklick Valley 8 1984 Mike Fleming, Shannock Valley 9 1983 Rex Pynos, Blairsville 7

1982 Bob Kelly, Northern Cambria 8 Bill Zak, Shannock Valley 8 1981 Scott Roger, United 8 1980 Mike Sullinger, Blairsville 8 1979 Brad Shirley, Saltsburg 7 1978 Rich Steffee, Homer-Center 6 1977 Mike Kudlawiec, Northern Cambria 8 1976 Mike Kudlawiec, Northern Cambria 14

PUNTING 2013 Royce Bish, Purchase Line 36.7 Dom DiBernardo, Apollo-Ridge 36.7 2012 DeQuan West, Indiana 37.8 2011 Tyrayl Veney, Indiana 33.9 2010 Nolan Turcheck, Ligonier Valley 34.7 2009 Ryan Merle, United 35.4 2008 Matt Beckman, Ligonier Valley 39.2 2007 Eric Skedel, United 41.8 2006 Eric Skedel, United 36.2 2005 Garrett Anderson, Purchase Line 34.7 2004 Travis George, Marion Center 33.3 2003 Joe Posa, Marion Center 35.9 2002 Adam Hall, United 33.4 2001 Tony Fatula, United 35.5 2000 B.J. Mikeska, Derry 37.9 1999 Larry Little, Blacklick Valley 37.5 1998 Brian Paulik, Derry 36.9 1997 Jason Rado, Homer-Center 34.5 1996 Jason Rado, Homer-Center 38.4 1995 Grant Dorn, Derry 36.3 1994 Mike Pavlosky, Penns Manor 36.4 1993 Jayson Ventura, Derry 35.0 1992 Jeremy Reed, Saltsburg 38.6 1991 Mike Palermo, Armstrong East 32.8 1990 Greg Stauffer, Punxsutawney 37.6 1989 Bruce Yard, Apollo-Ridge 35.2 1988 Nick Rotosky, Indiana 35.2 1987 John Gaylord, Punxsutawney 38.5 1986 John Gaylord, Punxsutawney 39.1 1985 Don Arotin, Northern Cambria 37.2 1984 Mike Kolafsky, Blairsville 38.7 1983 Fred Larson, Punxsutawney 36.4 1982 Eli Crosby, Apollo-Ridge 36.2 1981 Terry Zele, United 38.9 1980 Tom Krizmanich, Shannock Valley 37.0 1979 Dan Boothman, Northern Cambria 36.4 1978 Dave Fatta, Saltsburg 38.2 1977 Cliff Thompson, Punxsutawney 38.9 1976 Cliff Thompson, Punxsutawney 38.5

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 43

COACHESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; RECORDS 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Totals

BILL PACKER

DAVE MALICKY

Penns Manor

Marion Center

W 3 4 6 5 10 9 12 9 9 67

L 7 6 5 5 2 1 2 2 2 32

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pct. .300 .400 .545 .500 .833 .900 .857 .818 .818 .677

ROGER BEITEL Ligonier Valley 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Totals

W 1 5 6 9 3 7 9 8 10 6 64

L 8 5 4 1 6 4 2 3 2 5 40

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pct. .111 .500 .600 .900 .333 .636 .818 ,727 .833 .546 .615

ALAN NICHOL Punxsutawney 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Totals

W 9 10 3 5 3 30

L 3 1 7 6 7 24

T 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pct. .750 .909 .300 .455 .300 .556

RICK ARTLEY Blairsville 2013 Totals

W 6 6

L 5 5

T 0 0

Pct. .546 .546

T 0 0 0 0

Pct. .222 .600 .727 .533

JOHN SKIBA Apollo-Ridge 2011 2012 2013 Totals

W 2 6 8 16

the FIND A

L 7 4 3 14

JOB

Post your resume. Get matched instantly.

W L T Pct. 1997 5 4 0 .556 1998* 5 4 0 .556 1999 6 4 0 .600 2000 8 2 0 .800 2001 6 4 0 .600 2002 6 4 0 .600 2003 2 7 0 .222 2004 5 5 0 .500 2005 8 3 0 .727 2006 9 2 0 .818 2007 2 8 0 .200 2008 1 8 0 .111 2009 8 3 0 .727 2010 4 5 0 .444 2011 7 4 0 .636 2012 3 7 0 .300 2013 2 8 0 .200 Totals 87 82 0 .515 *Dave Sitosky was interim coach in 1998.

GREG PAGE

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2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Totals

W 4 7 5 7 0 6 12 41

L 6 4 5 3 9 4 2 33

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pct. .400 .636 .500 ,700 .000 .600 .857 .554

4 4 7 6 3 3 8 3 3 6 6 61

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

.600 .556 .300 .400 .667 .727 .111 .727 .700 .333 ..455 .487

JON McCULLOUGH West Shamokin 2013 Totals

W 6 6

L 4 4

T 0 0

Pct. .600 .600

BRANDON OVERDORFF Purchase Line 2012 2013 Totals

W 2 5 7

L 8 5 13

T 0 0 0

Pct. .200 .500 .350

TIM FRASSENEI Saltsburg 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Totals

FRANK PARONISH

W 0 3 2 4 3 2 14

L 9 6 7 6 7 8 43

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pct. .000 .333 .222 .400 .300 .200 .246

AL GAIARDO

Northern Cambria W L T Pct. 2002 5 5 0 .500 2003 10 2 0 .833 2004 4 6 0 .400 2005 2 8 0 .200 2006 7 4 0 ,636 Totals 28 25 0 .528 Note: Paronish succeeds Paul Taranto at Northern Cambria

Derry W L T 2011 2 7 0 2012 1 8 0 2013 0 10 0 Totals 3 25 0 Note: Tim Sweeney succeeds Gaiardo at Derry.

Pct. .222 .111 .000 .107

LANCE HOLUPKA MARK ZILINSKAS

United

Indiana 2002

W 2

L 8

T 0

Pct. .200

2013 Totals

W 0 0

L 10 10

T 0 0

Pct. .000 .000

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JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

MARION CENTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Dave Malicky, who is in his 18th season, is the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest-tenured head coach.

44 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

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STATE RANKINGS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA FOOTBALL NEWS Records from 2013 CLASS AAAA Dist. Rec. Opening game 1. St. Joseph’s Prep 12 13-3 at Mount Carmel (Ill.) 2. LaSalle College 12 8-4 at North Penn 3. Central Catholic 7 15-1 vs. Bethel Park 4. Woodland Hills 7 10-3 at Peters Twp. 5. Parkland 11 12-2 at Dieruff 6. North Penn 1 10-4 vs. LaSalle College 7. Pennsbury 1 10-2 at Council Rock South 8. Seneca Valley 7 8-2 vs. North Allegheny 9. McKeesport 7 10-1 vs. Connellsville 10. Coatesville 1 9-2 vs. Martin Luther King Honorable mention: Abington (1), Bethel Park (7), Governor Mifflin (3), McDowell (10), Neshaminy (1), Pine-Richland (7), Roman Catholic (12), Spring-Ford (1), Wilson (3), Wyoming Valley West (2) CLASS AAA Dist. Rec. Opening game 1. Archbishop Wood 12 13-2 vs. DeMatha Cath. (Md.) 2. Bishop McDevitt 3 14-2 vs. Steelton-Highspire 3. West Allegheny 7 13-1 at New Castle 4. Cathedral Prep 10 13-1 vs. Strong Vincent 5. Central Valley 7 11-2 at Montour 6. Bethlehem Catholic 11 8-5 at Liberty 7. Imhotep Charter 12 12-3 at Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) 8. Manheim Central 3 13-1 vs. Warwick 9. Gateway 7 8-3 vs. Greensburg Salem 10. Penncrest 1 7-3 at Upper Moreland Honorable mention: Berwick (2), Cocalico (3), Crestwood (2), Dover (3), Franklin Regional (7), Glen Mills (1), Lancaster Catholic (3), Mars (7), Pottsgrove (1), Thomas Jefferson (7) CLASS AA Dist. Rec. Opening game 1. South Fayette 7 16-0 vs. East Allegheny 2. Aliquippa 7 12-1 at Mohawk 3. Southern Columbia 4 12-1 at Mifflinburg 4. Loyalsock Township 4 8-4 at Mount Carmel 5. West Catholic 12 9-3 vs. Haverford School 6. Berks Catholic 3 14-1 at Muhlenberg 7. North Schuylkill 11 8-4 vs. Tamaqua 8. Northwestern Lehigh 11 9-3 vs. Notre Dame 9. Quaker Valley 7 8-3 at Keystone Oaks 10. Karns City 9 12-2 vs. Brookville Honorable mention: Bermudian Springs (3), Delaware Valley Charter (12), Dunmore (2), Hickory (10), Kittanning (7), Littlestown (3), Seton-LaSalle (7), Springfield Twp. (1), Troy (4), Wyomissing (3) CLASS A Dist. Rec. Opening game 1. Clairton 7 9-2 vs. Wilkinsburg 2. South Williamsport 4 10-2 vs. Montoursville 3. North Catholic 7 16-0 at Northgate 4. Wellsboro 4 10-1 at Cowanesque Valley 5. Schuylkill Haven 11 10-4 at Panther Valley 6. York Catholic 3 8-4 at Northeastern 7. Neshannock 7 9-3 at South Side Beaver 8. Clarion 9 14-1 vs. A-C Valley 9. Berlin Brothersvalley 5 10-2 vs. Shade 10. Steelton-Highspire 3 12-2 at Bishop McDevitt (3) Honorable mention:: Avonworth (7), Brockway (9), Bishop Guilfoyle (6), Camp Hill (3), Fort Cherry (7), Jeannette (7), Pius X (11), Portage (6), Sharpsville (10), Tussey Mountain (5)

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NOTEBOOK

Robinson provides big lift By The Indiana Gazette Deion Robinson is one of the heavy lifters in Blairsville’s offense. Turns out, he’s a heavy lifter — and a motivator — off the field. “He’s definitely our leader off the field with the weight room and things of that nature,” Blairsville coach Rick Artley said of his senior running back. “He puts our guys that work out with him through a lot harder workout than anyone else, because he is just that kind of person. He works his tail off.” The weight work, Robinson and his teammates hope, will help the offensive line in front of the running back. “I don’t know if it’s something you can change in a six-, eight-month period completely,” Artley DEION said, “but they defiROBINSON nitely put in their time in the weight room this year, and it’s something that was definitely needed by this group. They have the experience. They understand the game plan, but it was just one of those physical things, and hopefully getting a year older and the work in the weight room is going to pay off.” INSPIRATION FROM ABOVE: Blairsville hasn’t gone far in the postseason in recent years, but, like a lot of Heritage Conference teams, the Bobcats can look to their rivals just to the north, Homer-Center, for inspiration. Homer-Center is the defending District 6 Class A champion. “Our conference a lot of times is overlooked,” Artley said. “Don’t get me wrong, you’ve got to compete when you’re playing Guilfoyle and Portage and those teams, but it’s something that has been done. It’s not like we’re at a point where we totally can’t compete, because the conference has won two out of the last three in Single-A. It just happened right up the road last year, and that group went from 0-9 three years ago to winning the whole Continued on Page 45

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 45

Success creates boom for Comets Continued from Page 44 thing. That is something we can all look at.â&#x20AC;? FOOTBALL BOOM: When Penns Manor won the District 6 championship and finished one step shy of the state title game in 2011, it created a buzz unlike anything before in the school district. That included drawing all kinds of kids to the game of football, increasing participation in the younger ranks. Some of those kids have moved up and make for some underclass depth, which is important for a team with just four seniors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This senior group this year, this has been one with just not a whole lot of athletes,â&#x20AC;? Penns Manor coach Bill Packer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beneath that, the junior group is a real talented group. We have 18 juniors playing this year and then a nice sophomore group. We had a nice JV team last year, and the junior high team won six games. The young kids are coming up, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re running the same things through the program.â&#x20AC;? SMALL BACKERS, BIG HEARTS: His team lacks size and experience, but 11thyear Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel expects freshman Aaron Sheeder and sophomore Nathan Porterfield to become disruptive

forces in his linebacking corps. The 5foot-10, 155-pound Sheeder (inside linebacker) and the 5-foot9, 148AARON pound SHEEDER Porterfield (outside linebacker) forced Beitel to consider their defensive services by becoming downright menaces on the NATHAN practice PORTERFIELD squad. Beitel first described Sheeder by saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;All this kid does is make plays. He started making plays in the very first session and that continued all through camp. I just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ignore what I see on film with him. He just flies around and makes plays all over the place. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the biggest kid in the world right now, but, boy, he just flies around and makes things happen.â&#x20AC;? Beitel than offered the following thoughts on Porterfield. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nathanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another great kid who transferred in because his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the mili-

tary and he wanted to come back home to Ligonier,â&#x20AC;? Beitel said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unbelievable. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another kid just like Sheeder. All he does is makes plays all over our practice field. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see what he can do.â&#x20AC;? TASTE OF VICTORY: Despite the varsity teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent struggles, Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s junior varsity team went 6-1-1 last season, losing its season opener to Ligonier Valley before ending the season on a seven-game unbeaten streak. Sophomore Kyler Baird and 11 others made up the

majority of the starters on last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JV team. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll bring a winning attitude to the varsity team, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an intangible that coach Lance Holupka hopes will take the Lions a long way this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hoping to build on that,â&#x20AC;? Holupka said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we have higher expectations this year.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will help us a lot,â&#x20AC;? Kolt Jarvis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get people used to that taste of victory instead of just having the taste of losing in their mouths. They know what to expect and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to Continued on Page 46

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46 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, August 28, 2014

Coal Bowl might be on again Continued from Page 45 fight to keep that taste in their mouth. I see a difference. The work ethic is definitely a lot different. That just came from people knowing what it takes to win.”

JAMES J. NESTOR/Gazette

PURCHASE LINE’S Barry T. Madill underwent renovations in the offseason.

COAL BOWL, OR NO COAL BOWL?: After a heartbreaking 17-13 loss last year in their rivalry game against Cambria Heights, Northern Cambria thought the Coal Bowl was to be no more. The Coal Bowl series, which started in 1961 and then went on a hiatus from 2005-12, was supposed to come to a halt again this season due to the Highlanders’ 10game league schedule in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference. But the two teams found a way around that and plan to play against each other this season. Sort of. The game is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 7, Week 11 of the sea-

son, which would be the first week of the District 6 playoffs. The game will be called off if either team advances to the postseason. “Yes, that game is scheduled, and we love to play that game, but obviously we’re hoping that we don’t have to play that game,” Northern Cambria coach Frank Paronish said. “That’s one of our goals is that we’re not going to play that game because we’ll be in the playoffs. All that hinges on is how our athletes handle the adversity that they are about to face.” The Coal Bowl game regularly attracts more than 1,000 fans, and the two teams are tied in the series, 21-21-1. RED DRAGON RENOVATIONS: As the season progressed last year, the Purchase Line got better and its football field got worse. In the offseason, Barry T. Madill

Field was recrowned and a new drainage system was installed. “They stripped all the soil and replanted it,” Purchase Line coach Brandon Overdorff said. “They planted it from seed. It looks pretty good right now, and we’ll see how it is, but we intend to play all of our football games there. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I’m not in charge of replanting the field, but it should be nice. “There were drainage problems, and it was torn up pretty badly. There was no crown on the field. It does drain a lot better now, I know that for sure.” BIG TACKLE, BIG POTENTIAL: On a Punxsutawney offensive line that has four returning starters, junior Brandon Douthit has found a way to distinguish himself, and it’s not just because he’s 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. Continued on Page 47

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Chucks counting on big tackle Continued from Page 46 Douthit, a returning AllKeystone Shortway Athletic Conference Large-School Division first-team selection, will anchor a seasoned offensive line for the Chucks at tackle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They all played a lot last year and they all know their positions, but I expect Brandon to stand out again,â&#x20AC;? sixth-year PunxBRANDON sutawney DOUTHIT coach Alan Nichol said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He should be confident, and this year, when heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in those situations where heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really up against it, he can think along with the coaches and know why weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making the calls. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really going to help him anticipate what the other team is going to do.â&#x20AC;? THROWN INTO THE FIRE: AllGazette Offensive Player of the Year Jesse Zelonka threw for 1,613 yards and ran for 779 yards for Apollo-Ridge last year. Those are big shoes for junior Dillon Shipman to fill. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a guy thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worked his way into (the starting quarterback positon),â&#x20AC;? Apollo-Ridge coach John

Skiba said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dillonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to have a shot. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worked really hard in the offseason. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll give him that. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gotten extra tutoring, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done some things. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working to get better, so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the biggest thing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of stuff is based off what we did last year, so he got to watch it and he got to play some of it, so he has a base understanding. Now, just getting him a ton of reps is whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to get him through.â&#x20AC;? Already planning on moving his offensive pieces around, Skiba could be creative with the quarterback position, too, something receiver Tre Tipton alluded to when asked who has been throwing him the ball. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I honestly couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell you,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to explain. All I can say is just be ready. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a fun year.â&#x20AC;? LACES OUT: Tipton is listed as an athlete on the preseason all-state first team. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a standout receiver and he received allstate defenTRE sive honors TIPTON in the past. When Tipton gets to the University

of Pittsburgh, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expected to stay at receiver, but he had a couple other ideas to get him onto the Heinz Field turf as soon as possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just want to be on the field, no matter how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be,â&#x20AC;? the senior said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to play special teams, punt, if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to even hold the ball for the kicker kicking the field goal, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do that.â&#x20AC;? IDEAL TIME FOR A MOVE: For the first time in Derry football history, the Trojans will compete in a Class AA division in the WPIAL. A year after going 0-10 while playing in the WPIAL

Class AAA Greater Allegheny Conference, Derry made the descent to the Class AA Interstate Conference due to a decline in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enrollment figures. Derry should welcome the change, considering the fact that the Trojans were outscored 461-53 in conference play last year against the likes of Franklin Regional, Mars, Highlands and Knoch. Along with Derry, the Interstate Conference consists of Southmoreland, Charleroi, Brownsville, Burgettstown, McGuffey, Mount Pleasant, Washington and Waynesburg.

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