Kickoff 2015 | The Indiana Gazette by Indiana Gazette INC

2 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

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 Greater Allegheny preview.......8 Heritage Conference outlook...11 Notebook...............................44 Quick hits................................ 3 Indiana at a glance ..................5 Schedules..............................24 State rankings....................... 46 Year-by-year leaders..............41 2014 statistics.......................40

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

On the Cover Clockwise from upper left: Ligonier Valley’s Collin Smith, Northern Cambria’s Adam Weiland, Penns Manor’s Bailey Mumau, Apollo-Ridge’s Duane Brown and Indiana’s Jacob Zilinskas. Cover design James J. Nestor

A BLAIRSVILLE FAN submitted this photo on the Gazette’s Facebook page last season.

End Zone Extra gets another boost Fan Zone the newest edition to the Gazette’s online presence By The Indiana Gazette Due to the ongoing success of End Zone Extra, the Gazette is again looking to step up its online coverage of high school football. Two years ago we launched End Zone Extra, an online complement to our print coverage of the 14 area teams we cover in Indiana County and surrounding counties. Last year, we expanded 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. All were hugely successful, with thousands of viewers checking in each week. To access the page, visit the Gazette’s homepage, www.indiana gazette.com, and click on the End Zone Extra Link.

“End Zone Extra is continually one of our most popular parts of The Indiana Gazette Online and includes player profiles for all 14 teams as well as coaches, extensive video coverage, photo galleries and more,” Ellen Matis, the Gazette’s digital media specialist, said. The new addition this year is the Fan Zone, a message board where fans can post their words of support for their teams. “This year, we’re adding the Fan Zone — a place where family and friends of teams and players can shout out to them before the game each week,” Matis said. “The Fan Zone message board will open on Thursdays and run through kickoff on Fridays.”

Last year’s new addition, ingame updates, was wildly successful, with 1,500 viewers on average following live scoring updates on Friday nights. The live scoring features key plays, particularly touchdowns, and keeps fans abreast of scores as games progress. “Users were able to log on and check on the score of their teams’ games in real time, plus see occasional play updates,” Matis said. “Users are also invited to share their comments as games progress.” The weekly video preview fea-

tures Gazette assistant sports editor Carly Krouse, who gives a quick breakdown of the week’s key games and other matchups. Videos are posted on Thursdays to complement that day’s print preview. The site is updated Friday night with final scores and a quick rundown of each game. 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. “You won’t find more complete coverage of Indiana High or Heritage Conference football anywhere,” Tony Coccagna, the Gazette’s sports editor, said. “We take a lot of pride in our coverage of high school sports, and End Zone Extra is just one more way we can connect with our readers.”

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 3

Finally...football Fridays What are you most looking forward to? The Gazette sports staff sounds off about the upcoming high school football season: Joe Baccamazzi: The first time I step out onto the gridiron as a Gazette sports writer, that’ll be exciting. Once I shake off those pregrame jitters, I’ll be looking forward to doing what I do best — watching football. Regardless of the location, matchup or scoring outcome, I find it nearly impossible not to enjoy my favorite sport. From a coverage aspect, I just hope to provide the players, their families and friends with a tangible memory to keep long after football season and high school have come to end. Matt Burglund: I’m looking forward to Indiana’s home opener, Sept. 11, against Hampton. What I want to see is if the crowd is unusually large. If you went to any of the IHS boys’ basketball playoff games this spring, you saw what looked like the majority of the town was there. I wonder if that momentum from March will carry over to September. The players would love it. But for one reason or another, IHS football hasn’t been a big draw in a long time. Tony Coccagna: I’m looking forward to that renewed sense of community that we get around here during every football season. I’m also looking forward to that second Friday of the season when I’ll be reminded once again, on the 14th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, that we live in the greatest society the world has ever known and that we should be thankful for the police, firefighters, EMTs, first responders and members of the armed forces who protect us and keep us safe and free. And we should be grateful for the military veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and, in some cases, given that last full measure of devotion.

RETURNING AREA STAT LEADERS

Dustin Filloy: I’m most looking forward just to getting back on the sidelines and taking in all the sights, sounds and smells that make a high school football game such an aesthetically pleasing experience. Every time I walk into a stadium on a fall Friday night in western Pa. I think back to my days of playing high school football. Regardless of where I go, who I’m covering and what kind of game it is, high school football always invokes those nostalgic feelings, and that’s what I’m most excited about this year.

Rushing: Duane Brown, Apollo-Ridge (1,252 yards) Passing: Jake Zilinskas, Indiana (1,617 yards) Receiving: Dylan Stapleton, Indiana (438 yards)

Justin Gerwick: Last football season was my first working for the Gazette, so this season will be a different experience. It was a great first opportunity, and I’m excited to go back to that time and experience high school football in all its glory once again. There is a reason people around here pile up in the stands each and every Friday night in the fall. Kids are playing their hearts out, and that’s something that is fun to be a part of. Carly Krouse: Anyone who knows me well knows I love high school football. There isn’t anything quite like it. Watching these kids go out there week after week and give it their all is awesome. It doesn’t matter if they are winning or losing, they play their hearts out, and that’s what it’s all about. This will be my sixth season on the sidelines, and I still get just as excited to go to these games as I always have. I am most looking forward to just seeing some good football and some good games. I would also like to see an area team make a nice run in the playoffs.

Shamar Campbell/ Purchase Line

DATES TO CIRCLE Sept. 4: No. Cambria at Ligonier Valley Penns Manor at Homer-Center

Sept. 11: Highlands at Apollo-Ridge Hampton at Indiana

Sept. 25: Franklin Regional at Indiana

Oct. 9: Blairsville at Homer-Center No. Cambria at Purchase Line

Oct. 23: Penns Manor at Ligonier Valley

Oct. 30: Purchase Line at Penns Manor

4 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

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GAME SCHEDULES

Who will it be?

POST-GAME INTERVIEWS Hear what the coaches and players have to say.

LIVE SCORING UPDATES Catch them all from your phone, tablet or desktop

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 5

Insight on the Indians

What you need to know before Indiana starts the 2015 season Who is back? Almost everyone. The Indians return all but five starters from last year’s team, which advanced to the second round of the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs. Quarterback Jacob Zilinskas, a senior, set two school records last season. He passed for 1,617 yards and 21 touchdowns, both single-season records. Zilinskas also pulled in an area-best six interceptions. Senior Dylan Stapleton, left, is the area’s top returning receiver. He had 32 receptions for 438 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 13.7 yards per catch. What will the big games be? Indiana welcomes Hampton on Sept. 11 for its home opener. It also plays Franklin Regional (Sept. 25), Greensburg Salem (Oct. 2), Allderdice (Oct. 9) and Gateway (Oct. 16) at home. The Indians’ matchup with the Panthers in Week 4 could be a good one. Franklin Regional is named as a team to watch in the Pennsylvania Football News’ preseason state rankings. Last season, the Indians shocked Mars in the first week of the season. They face the Fightin’ Planets in their opener and hope to knock them off again. In their final regular-season home game, Indiana plays host to Gateway. The Gators edged the Indians last year, 29-28 in overtime, after a blocked extra point. We’ll see what kind of revenge Indiana can exact on them at Andy Kuzneski Field. What are the Indians’ strengths? The passing game should be a big one. The Indians proved to everyone last season that they’re not afraid to put the ball in the air. Riley Stapleton set area records in 2014 with 69 receptions and 1,014 yards. Zilinskas has a strong arm, and Dylan Stapleton has great hands. It should be interesting to see the numbers they put up this year. Another strength will be their experienced offensive line. They have three starters coming back, but the other two have had a good bit of playing time. High school football games are often won at the line of scrimmage. What will their biggest weakness be? Defense. The Indians don’t have much experience up the middle on the defensive side of the ball. Luckily for them, the offense should be good enough to carry the weight. The defense just has to play good enough. Any surprises? Coach Mark Zilinskas, on freshman QB Luke Thomas: “He’s a bigger kid. He’s athletic. He has great skills. He’s established himself as being able to do some stuff. It’s now just a matter of maturity and having the composure of being in those situations. The game maybe hasn’t slowed down enough for him yet, but he has the skill and potential.”

Dylan Stapleton/ Indiana receiver

Zilinskas, on junior Ryan Hoff, a receiver/defensive back who didn’t play football the past two years but had nine interceptions in two days at Pitt’s 7-on-7 camp: “He’s a kid who really has great athleticism and great instincts. There’s some natural ability there.”

6 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

INDIANA

Talented Indians ready to roll

All but five starters return from last year

ROSTER

By MATTHEW BURGLUND

mburglund@indianagazette.net

Head coach Mark Zilinskas 14th season Career record: 65-65

Conference

WPIAL Greater Allegheny

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

at Mars HAMPTON at Armstrong FRANKLIN REGIONAL GREENSBURG SALEM TAYLOR ALLDERDICE GATEWAY at Knoch at Hollidaysburg

2014 results

Record: 7-4 I Opp. 29 Mars 26 6 Hampton 31 49 Yough 15 20 Franklin Regional 34 35 Greensburg Salem 14 36 Elizabeth Forward 6 28 Gateway 29 28 Knoch 25 21 Hollidaysburg 7 42 West Mifflin* 12 14 Central Valley* 41 *-WPIAL Class AAA playoffs

Quotable Quarterback Jacob Zilinskas: “The team is looking great. We’re looking forward to all the hard work paying off.”

When coach Mark Zilinskas looks at his quarterback, he sees him through two sets of eyes. He views the leader of his offense as a blossoming senior who is likely to graduate having rewritten the entire Indiana High School record book for passing. And he also sees him as his son, Jacob, his youngest child, and a representative of an end of an era of sorts. The joyful — yet sad — truth about this season is that Mark Zilinskas is excited about the arrival of his uber-talented quarterback to the land of must-see players, but he’s also sad to see his only son play through his final season of high school football. “I haven’t been thinking about it a lot,” Mark Zilinskas said. “But there have been moments out there when it hit me. There are a lot of ‘lasts’ that are coming up for us.” Coaching a team his son isn’t a member of is a thought Mark Zilinskas won’t allow to stay in his head very long. Instead, he wants to focus on the upcoming season, one in which his record-setting son could be in line for a huge season. And should that happen, the rejuvenated Indians would likely follow suit with another playoff season in tough WPIAL Class AAA. The Indians’ quarterback is doing the same. “I’m just focused on being out here with my brothers,” Jacob Zilinskas said of his teammates. “I’ll focus on that stuff when it comes time for that.” Right now, Mark and Jacob Zilinskas, plus the rest of the players and coaches, are focusing on tackling their season one game at a time, but they know there’s the possibility they will have a lot to celebrate down the road. “The team is looking great,” said Jacob Zilinskas, who passed for IHS records of 1,617 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. “We’re looking forward to all the hard work paying off.” Optimism is high because of all the talented and experienced players the Indians have back from the 2014 team, which went 7-4 and advanced to the WPIAL quarterfinals.

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

JACOB ZILINSKAS set single-season school passing records last year with 1,617 yards and 21 touchdowns. They lost only five starters to graduation, and the younger players who earned playing time last year spent their offseason getting bigger, stronger and faster. That’s especially true of the offensive line, where the five projected starters — center John Hilditch, guards James Decker and Izaak Gray, and tackles Chad Fritz and Thomas Zolocsik — have opened their coach’s eyes with their readiness. “All those guys are 10, 15, 20 pounds heavier than they were last year,” Mark Zilinskas said of the five linemen, whose average weight is 219 pounds. “It’s amazing how much they are clicking and understanding what we’re doing.” Having a solid front line is the start of what could be a great season for the offense. With Jacob Zilinskas calling the shots, emerging star Dylan Stapleton, program newcomer Ryan Hoff and junior Brayden Lorelli at receiver, and a few running backs — led by Connor Tshudy — putting points on the board shouldn’t be a problem. “That’s the plan,” Mark Zilinskas said. “It always is. The potential is there. Obviously, we’ve got some kids who can make some plays.” “I think we’ll be pretty explosive,” said Jacob Zilinskas. “We have some crazy athletes on offense. The line is doing a great job so far. Those guys are smarter, faster and

stronger, and they can do a lot of new stuff. So I’m excited to see what we can do.” Jacob Zilinskas is especially interested in seeing what he can do with Stapleton, who put up solid numbers last year while playing in the shadow of his older brother, Riley, who broke the area receiving records for receptions and yards last year. As a junior, Dylan Stapleton caught 32 passes for 438 yards and eight touchdowns, while Riley Stapleton hauled in a stunning 69 passes for 1,014 yards and 11 scores. Yet the talk throughout the season was that the 6-foot-5, 205pound Dylan Stapleton possessed the potential to end up having a better career than his brother, an idea Jacob Zilinskas will buy into. “I think Dylan can be one of the best receivers in the WPIAL, if not in the state,” he said. “He has the best hands I’ve ever seen. I know any time I throw the ball near him that he’s going to catch it. So it will be exciting to see what he can do.” Jacob Zilinskas will get no argument about that from his father. “(Dylan is) a different type of player than Riley,” Mark Zilinskas said. “Riley was that freakish type of player who made you say, ‘How did he do that?’ Well, Dylan is a little more of a polished player who executes really well. It’s not that Riley didn’t, but Dylan is so big and

SENIORS Name Pos. Brett Brice-x WR/LB James Decker-x OL/DL Chad Fritz-x OL/DL Izaak Gray-xx OL/DL John Hilditch-x OL/DL Nicholas Kucinski-x RB/LB Ryan Palmer OL/DL Joel Santoro-x OL/DL Ben Snyder-x RB/DB Dylan Stapleton-x WR/DB Connor Tshudy-xx RB/DL Jake Zilinskas-xxx QB/DB Thomas Zolocsik-x OL/DL JUNIORS Name Pos. Danyal Bajwa WR/DB Jacob Clark RB/LB Leon Cooksey RB/LB Nathan Cribbs RB/LB Reed Harkleroad-x RB/LB Ryan Hoff WR/DB Jacob Kovalchick-x RB/LB Keaton Libengood-x OL/LB Zachary Linder OL/DL Brayden Lorelli-x RB/DB Cameron Richards OL/DL William Stancombe OL/DL Nicholas Stauffer WR/LB Chad Truman WR/DB Ryan Wilson OL/DL SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Jeremy Adamson RB/DB Thomas Arbuckle WR/DB Benjamin Bianco OL/DL Isaac Decker OL/DL Alex Donahue OL/LB Brandon Dunseath WR/DB Brent Johnson OL/DL Trajan Jones-x RB/DL Daniel Millen WR/DB Brant Newman OL/DL Braedon Sheesley RB/DB Mohammed Sissoko WR/DL FRESHMEN Name Pos. Mikail Bajwa RB/LB David McElravy RB/LB Joseph McCracken RB/LB Liam McDaniel OL/DL Axel Kovalchick RB/LB Malcom Sadler OL/DL Luke Thomas QB/LB x-denotes letters earned

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

Wt. 185 215 220 235 220 175 210 190 165 205 215 200 205

Ht. 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-2 5-11 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-0

Wt. 160 195 170 170 210 180 195 170 215 175 215 200 210 165 235

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

Wt. 155 145 200 225 195 160 215 210 135 180 165 175

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

Wt. 160 165 175 230 175 185 180

he’s about a half-step quicker than Riley. I think he’s one of the big names you’ll see week-in and week-out in the WPIAL.” But Dylan Stapleton isn’t thinking about comparisons to his brother. “I really can’t,” he said. “I just try not to think about it. I think about my team.” That’s the name of the game this season for the Indians, who hope Continued on Page 7

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 7

In any language, Indians form tight bond By MATTHEW BURGLUND

mburglund@indianagazette.net

The three words are kept in their original language so their meaning will not get lost in translation. Esse Pro Fratribus. Visit with the Indiana varsity football team, and those three words, in a classic language that used to be taught in every high school, seem to be everywhere. The Latin phrase meaning “for my brothers” is on shirts and on the locker room walls, and most importantly it’s on the minds — and tongues — of the players on the roster. “It’s just resonated,” said coach Mark Zilinskas. “Esse Pro Fratribus. That’s the language that preserves the original meaning.” The three Latin words have become not just a battle cry for the Indians, who have high hopes for a con-

ference championship and another playoff berth. It’s also a guiding philosophy for the players, who know that any success will come by sticking together, like brothers should. “Our team chemistry, which I thought was already strong,” Zilinskas said, “has only gotten stronger.” Coaches know, but players rarely do, that chemistry is an intangible thing built by tangible acts. Teams can talk about chemistry all they want, but until they put in the physical work of bonding as a team, chemistry is all talk. But these Indians seemed to have found ways to build those intangible bonds that they will need in the fourth quarter of tough games, when one play here or there could decide the outcome. “We always cheer each other on and we push each

other to be better,” said senior wide receiver Dylan Stapleton. “We don’t want to be just good. We want to be the best teammates we can be.” Ideas like that were born a while ago, when upperclassmen started spending more time together off the field, focused around a weekly “steak night” at a different player’s house. “Last year it just kind of happened,” said senior quarterback Jake Zilinskas. “We didn’t have expectations and we became one big happy family.” And then this offseason, the get-together started happening more frequently, and the younger players were brought into the mix. Seniors made sure freshmen and sophomores could get a ride to the meal, and they used the night to talk about their goals and dreams — which only would be

Talented Indians ready to roll Continued from Page 6 an explosive offense will take the pressure off their defense this season. But that doesn’t mean the Indians won’t do their best to attack the football, swarm around the offense and be physical with the other team. Up front, they have Gray and Tshudy at defensive tackle and Trajan Jones and Hilditch at end. At linebacker, there’s Nicholas Kucinski and Jacob Kovalchick on the outside and Brett Brice and Reed Harkleroad inside. Rounding out the secondary in the 4-4-3 scheme is Jacob Zilinskas and Dylan Stapleton at cornerback and Hoff at safety. It all seems to add up to a potentially grand season for the Indians, who have the stated goal of winning their first conference championship since 1989. And the key to it all could be Jacob Zilinskas. Mark Zilinskas knows football is a team game, and that’s why he’s hesitant to put the pressure to win on the shoulders of one player. But being that the one player is his son, the one player

he knows better than any other, he realizes the best way for the Indians to be in position to win the Greater Allegheny Conference is to ride the quarterback’s arm. “He’s pretty dang good,” Mark Zilinskas said. “We’ve had some great runners here — like Jason Shirey and Ben Fiscus — and I think he’s just as capable in that

department. And I know he’s thrown the ball better than anybody we’ve had here. He understands what we’re doing. He does a lot out on the field to make adjustments, changing plays and that sort of thing. Plus, he’s a tough competitor. “Whether I’m his dad or not, the kid really impresses me.”

achieved together. Those offseason bonds grew stronger last month when the team spent a week at The Kiski School in Saltsburg. It was there that they went through a grueling training camp under the hot sun, which forced them to bond just to get through the daily practices. “It makes a difference out there when you’d do anything for the guy you’re playing next to,” said Jacob Zilinskas. Zilinskas, along with Stapleton and Ryan Hoff, know what team chemistry is all about after their remarkable

run with the Indiana basketball team this spring. The Indians, who had virtually no playoff success to speak of, went on a stunning tear and advanced to the WPIAL championship game, where they scored a thrilling 62-61 victory over Beaver Falls. That team relied on teamwork and chemistry to hang together when things got tough, and that’s a lesson Stapleton hopes his brothers on the football team will understand. “That showed how hard you have to work as a team,” he said. “The younger guys

see that and they know what we have to do.” Winning football games takes a lot of things beside skill, coaching and effort. It also takes chemistry, and that’s something the Indians seem to have gained, thanks to three Latin words. Esse Pro Fratribus. “They’re into it,” Mark Zilinskas said. “That, I think, is probably our strongest asset. “As talented as the players are that we have, the chemistry is great. They’ll understand to stay grounded and play for the team and play for each other.”

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8 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

WPIAL GREATER ALLEGHENY CONFERENCE PREVIEW

Indians chasing title in tough conference By MATTHEW BURGLUND

mburglund@indianagazette.net

If you were wondering when the last time was that Indiana won a conference championship in football, just ask any member of the 2015 team or the coaching staff. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a topic that gets discussed frequently. The last time it happened was 1989, long before any of the current Indians were even born. Coach Mark Zilinskas, now a 51-year-old veteran of 13 seasons on the sideline, was a recent college graduate the last time Indiana celebrated a conference championship. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to see why the Indians arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hiding anything when they talk about their goals for this season. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a banner in their gymnasium honoring that 1989 team, and they want to put up another one this

year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a long time,â&#x20AC;? Zilinskas admitted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly something that we want to get this year.â&#x20AC;? It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be easy. The WPIAL Class AAA Greater Allegheny Conference might be, top to bottom, one of the best conferences in the district. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every week youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re fighting for your life,â&#x20AC;? Zilinskas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no off week. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be tough. It will be a battle of attrition.â&#x20AC;? Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look at the conference, in alphabetical order:

CLASS AAA BREAKDOWN Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; enrollment figures for the 28 football-playing schools in WPIAL Class AAA. Greater Allegheny Conference members in bold. School Boys 15. New Castle 377 1. Armstrong 490 16. Ringgold 373 370 2. Moon 486 17. Belle Vernon 3. Albert Gallatin 470 18. Thomas Jefferson 357 352 4. Gateway 470 19. West Mifflin 5. Franklin Regional 468 20. Uniontown 349 6. Chartiers Valley 439 21. Ambridge 347 7. Hampton 409 22. Greensburg Salem 345 8. Hollidaysburg 402 23. Indiana 330 320 9. Knoch 399 24. Hopewell 10. Mars 394 25. Central Valley 309 11. Trinity 394 26. Elizabeth Forward 309 304 12. West Allegheny 391 27. Blackhawk 301 13. Laurel Highlands 388 28. Yough 14. Montour 384 Source: PIAA

ARMSTRONG 2014 record: Ford City 3-6, Kittanning 6-4 Coach: Frank Fabian Two longtime neighboring rivals have merged to form a new school, and big things are being expected from the jointure of Kittanning and Ford City.

The new team will be guided by Frank Fabian, a Ford City graduate who coached Kittanning the past three years. Fabian will over-

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see the merger of two proud programs that had dwindling roster numbers. But the two Class AA schools merged to form a big Class AAA school, and the Riverhawks are hoping for some immediate success. Armstrong will run the spread offense, which a lot of programs run, but few run well. Last year, Kittanning used the spread and averaged 36.7 points per game, so Fabian has had some success with it. The key for Armstrong will be the quarterback, as neither

Ford City nor Kittanning brought an experienced signal caller into the merger. But no matter who the quarterback is, the Riverhawks are likely to rely on the running of Zane Dudek, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards and scored 18 touchdowns last season as a sophomore at Kittanning.

FRANKLIN REGIONAL 2014 record: 7-4 (6-2 conference) Coach: Greg Botta A year ago, the Panthers were really good, but not quite good enough. They finished second in the conference, but bowed out of the playoffs in the WPIAL quarterfinals. But this year, despite losing a number of key players, most notably all-state linebacker Brett Zanotto, the Panthers have every reason to believe theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be the ones to dethrone Hampton as conference champions. But the key for Franklin Regional will be staying healthy, which hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always been easy. In recent years, one or two key players have been lost to injury, and the Panthers never seemed to bounce back. Should the Panthers stay healthy, they could be set for another run at Heinz Field for the WPIAL

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championship game. The key player in that might be quarterback Santino Birty, who earned firstteam all-conference honors last season. Also, Jacob Ross is expected to take over at running back after gaining 540 yards last season as the No. 2 tailback. Preseason predictions donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always pan out, but the Pennsylvania Football News has Franklin Regional listed as one of its teams to watch in the state rankings.

GATEWAY 2014 record: 4-6 (4-4 conference) Coach: Tom Nola In its first season in Class AAA, the former Class AAAA power was a mystery. A lot of people thought Gateway would dominate after dropping down a class, but it did not. The Gators lost their first three games and ended up being a non-factor in the conference title chase, although they did squeak into the playoffs but lost to Ringgold in the first round. The high expectations are the same this season, but it seems unlikely the Gators will repeat their early-season struggles. They have a lot of talented players coming back who gained valuable playing time last year, led by tailback Adam White, who earned all-conference honors after rushing for 899 yards last season, including 229 in a 29-28 overtime win against Indiana. The questions will come at quarterback and offensive line, where there are a lot of new faces. But problems like these have a whole different feel at schools like Gateway, where a winning tradition was built by players who performed well when it was their turn to take over. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reason to think Nola, who helped build the Continued on Page 9 Sports contacts (724) 465-5555 sports@indianagazette.net

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 9

WPIAL GREATER ALLEGHENY CONFERENCE PREVIEW

One team comes in, another set to go out Continued from Page 8 dynasty at Clairton before taking over at Gateway, will make sure last season was an aberration.

GREENSBURG SALEM 2014 record: 3-6 (2-6 conference) Coach: Dave Keefer If you look at it on a map, Greensburg Salem probably should be playing in the Big Nine Conference, along with teams located along Interstate 70. Instead, the Golden Lions are lumped into the Greater Allegheny Conference, where they have usually been on the bad end of a lot of games. The Lions hope for a reversal this year, but with only three returning starters on offense and five on defense, Greensburg Salem could be in for another rough season. How it all pans out, though, will be dependent on how quickly the new Lions adjust to their surroundings. And in a conference like the Greater Allegheny, rebuilding jobs rarely go smoothly at the start. The Lions, coached by former IUP player Dave Keefer, have added two veteran coaches, both of whom have head coaching experience: Casey Cavanaugh (Greens-

burg Salem and Hempfield) and Ray Reitz (Jeannette, Latrobe).

HAMPTON 2014 record: 9-2 (7-1 conference) Coach: Jacque DeMatteo The Talbots started the 2014 season as a dark horse in a tough conference. They finished it by winning the title outright and earning a good seed in the WPIAL playoffs. This year, though, Hampton wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be sneaking up on teams. Instead, the game against the Talbots is one a lot of teams have circled on their schedule. The Talbots went old school last season when they switched from the spread offense to a power-I, and a lot of teams couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t match up physically. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something coach Jacque DeMatteo will hope for again, thanks to the return of running back Matt Rech, who led the team with 914 yards last season. But the loss of 12 seniors from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be easy to overcome, and the Talbotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; schedule doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help much. They open with City League power Allderdice, then visit Indiana before playing host to Gateway.

HOLLIDAYSBURG 2014 record: 4-5 (3-5 conference) Coach: Homer DeLattre After being a middle-ofthe-pack team the last few years, Hollidaysburg is preparing for its swan song in the WPIAL. The school district made the decision recently to leave the WPIAL next year and return to District 6, where it will be one of the better teams. So the Tigers will hope their blend of experience and talent is enough to send them out of the WPIAL with a playoff berth and a conference title. The Tigers have the schedule on their side. They open with Armstrong, a new school making its debut, but then have to deal with conference heavyweight Franklin Regional before playing winnable games against Greensburg Salem and Westinghouse, the lastplace team in the City League a year ago. A fast start could go a long way toward the Tigers leaving the league on a high note.

KNOCH 2014 record: 4-6 (4-4 conference) Coach: Mike King

Over the course of his 18 seasons at Knoch, coach Mike King has built the Knights into a consistent winner. Well, sort of. The Knights finished under .500 for the second year in a row, and that came just three years after Knoch played at Heinz Field in the WPIAL championship game. On paper, the Knights look like they might be in for another tough season, with only 10 starters returning. But that could also be good news, meaning a lot of inexperienced players have the opportunity to step into the starting lineup and reverse the Knightsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fortunes. Knoch is usually one of the more physical teams in the conference, and the Knights will rely on their physical approach again. The key will be running the ball, a part of the game Knoch has usually been pretty good at. Senior Ben Lowery, who was second on the team in rushing last year, is getting the first crack at carrying the load.

MARS 2014 record: 7-4 (5-3 conference) Coach: Scott Heinauer A year ago, the Fightinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Planets were the team to beat, and they started off the

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season living up to expectations by dominating the first half of their season opener against Indiana. But then fullback Josh Schultheis, one of the top running backs in the state, broke his leg and Mars went on to lose to the Indians, 29-26, and the Planetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hopes seemed to fade away. Mars still managed to have a decent season and advance to the playoffs, but the Planets didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t approach the heights they were predicted to reach. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 11

Heritage Highlights The official end of summer is in a few weeks, but for many people, autumn begins Friday when the high school football season kicks off. Here is a quick look at what to keep in mind as you travel to Heritage Conference games this season: • Four new head coaches will lead their teams onto the field for the first time on Friday night, including two at Saltsburg. Yep, that’s right. The Trojans have co-head coaches, Jared McCormick and Josh Hammack. Longtime assistant Paul DeHaven took over at Marion Center in the offseason, and an experienced Kevin Marabito took the reigns at United. • Most of the statistical leaders from last year graduated. The league’s top three rushers and top three passers of 2014 are gone. That means new faces and names will come to the surface. Penns Manor’s Bailey Mumau, top left, Saltsburg’s Frankie Plowman, bottom left, Northern Cambria’s Adam Weiland, bottom right, and Homer-Center’s John Ireland, top right, could be a few of them. • In each year since the Heritage Conference was formed in 2000, the champion has never had more than one regular-season loss. Chances are whichever team wins the title this season will be either 10-0 or 9-1 entering the District 6 playoffs. RETURNING STAT LEADERS

HERITAGE CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL

Rushing: Bailey Mumau, Penns Manor (1,061 yards)

As picked by The Indiana Gazette sports staff Team (first-place votes) 1. Penns Manor (4) 2. Ligonier Valley (2) 3. Northern Cambria 4. Purchase Line 5. Homer-Center 6. Blairsville 7. Marion Center 8. United 9. Saltsburg

Pts. 52 49 42 33 31 23 15 14 11

TRENT STEWART

Passing: Frankie Plowman, Saltsburg (838 yards) Receiving: Trent Stewart, Ligonier Valley (325 yards) Scoring: Bailey Mumau, Penns Manor (72 points) Interceptions: Craig Irvin, Marion Center (six)

CRAIG IRVIN

Punting: Collin Smith, Ligonier Valley (34.3 yards average)

10 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

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12 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

BLAIRSVILLE

New Bobcats set out on their own Regrouping key with so much lost from championship team By CARLY KROUSE

three-year starters on both sides of the ball, so that gives us an opportunity to surprise some people. I BLAIRSVILLE — After Blairsville know people expect us to finish finished last season at 11-1 and near the bottom of the conference, came up just short of an appear- but I think we can compete.” ance in the district championship With just three seniors with vargame, the Bobcats have to make a sity experience on this team, Artley fresh start this year. will look to a group of seasoned The Bobcats, with little experi- underclassmen to step up. ence and only a handful of seniors, Shirley will take over at quarterfeel no pressure to live up to the back with the hopes of simply getsuccess of 2014 and want to go out ting the job done. and make their own legacy. “It’s been going pretty well,” the “It’s just a totally different team 5-foot-10, 180-pound junior said. that we’re bringing back,” coach “I worked behind Scott Thompson Rick Artley said. “I don’t think any- the last two years, and that really one could ever expect us to repeat helped me. I know I won’t be perthat. That was one of the best fect, but if I do what I’m supposed teams we’ve ever had come to do, I’ll be OK.” through Blairsville. The bottom “Ryan’s doing a nice job for us,” line is that group is gone, and we Artley said. “He knows the game. have to find ways to be successful We’re not going to use him to win with the group we have now.” the game for us. He just needs to This group of players is more put us in the right place and has to than willing to keep their be successful when we do eyes forward and concenthrow the ball. We’re not trate on coming through going to be able to drop with another winning seaback as much with him. If son. we’re successful running “That’s one thing we the football, that will open know how to do,” junior up the passing game for Ryan Shirley said. “We him as well as make it a litknow how to go out there tle easier.” and win games. We know Sophomore Noah Sleashow to get the job done, man will start the season at RYAN and hopefully we can keep running back. He showed it going this season. We’ve explosiveness when he had SHIRLEY all been playing together chances to enter the game for a long time, and we all as a freshman and said he know what we need to do. learned a lot from Deion We know how it feels to win Robinson, who rushed for the conference champi1,606 yards last season. onship, and that’s what we “I’ve been working hard plan on trying to do.” and taking a lot of reps,” Blairsville graduated five Sleasman said. “My timing players who were named is down better, I’ve gotten to the All-Gazette Top 25 faster, and I think I’m comfootball team last season. It ing along fine. There’s allost its leading passer, ways room to improve, and RICKY rusher and receiver from I hope I can keep getting SHIRLEY last year’s team, which better as we go on.” breezed through the regular sea“He got some opportunities to son unscathed. play later in the season,” Artley The Bobcats’ roster is thin and said. “He was able to step in and their players are young, but that get some time behind those guys. won’t stop them from trying to He was very successful when he open some eyes this season. was in there and was successful for “If we stay healthy, we have a us in the offseason.” chance to go out and win some Sleasman is listed at 5-8, 170 and games,” Artley said. “We have ath- will use his size as an advantage. letes, and this group of kids has He was injured during wrestling been successful along the way. It’s season, but he has worked himself not like they haven’t had success in back into shape to carry the load junior high and at the varsity level. for the Bobcats. We have a couple guys who are Continued on Page 13 ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Head coach

Rick Artley Third season Career record: 17-6

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

SILVER OAK ACADEMY (Md.) at Marion Center at Purchase Line LIGONIER VALLEY NORTHERN CAMBRIA at Homer-Center PENNS MANOR SALTSBURG at United CURWENSVILLE

2014 results Record: 11-1

B Opp. 28 Westinghouse 14 42 Marion Center 7 27 Purchase Line 6 28 Ligonier Valley 7 28 Northern Cambria 0 41 Homer-Center 6 35 Penns Manor 10 55 Saltsburg 7 49 United 13 52 Redbank Valley 6 35 Moshannon Valley* 14 24 Portage* 28 *-District 6 Class A playoffs

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

NOAH SLEASMAN is slated to start at tailback.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Ht. Josh Brown-xxx OT/NG 6-0 JD Faser-x OT/DT 5-10 Nick Kachonik WR/DB 5-10 Ayrton Lamantia WR/DB 5-10 Zevin Pease WR/DB 5-10 JUNIORS Name Pos. Ht. Joseph Faulk-x RB/LB 5-10 Tyler McIntire OL/DL 5-10 Billy McKee OL/DL/K 6-2 Jerry Moore-x TE/LB 6-1 Ricky Shirley-xx WR/DB 5-10 Ryan Shirley-x QB/LB 5-10 Andrew Stipcak-xx K 5-8 Chaz Sleasman OL/DL 5-8 Zach Sleasman-x OL/LB 6-0

Wt. 250 270 175 165 160 Wt. 175 175 240 200 155 180 160 220 160

Justin Startari-x WR/DB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Orahnde Askew RB/LB Devin Burkhart QB/DB Josh Koches RB/LB Kevin Kriley OL/DL Raynard Lawson WR/DB Zain Pease TE/DL Tyler Potts OL/DL Drew Rowland WR/LB Nick Silk OL/DL Noah Sleasman-x RB/LB Dakota Sunday-x WR/DB FRESHMAN Name Pos. Ryan Wilkins QB/LB x-denotes letters earned

5-7 160 Ht. 5-10 5-9 5-8 5-10 5-7 5-10 5-8 5-7 5-8 5-8 5-10

Wt. 165 145 140 155 140 165 175 125 240 170 155

Ht. Wt. 5-10 165

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 13

Line turns into pleasant surprise for Blairsville By CARLY KROUSE

ckrouse@indianagazette.net

BLAIRSVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Blairsville might not have many linemen, but quarterback Ryan Shirley is a fan of the ones who are there. Anchored by senior Josh Brown, the offensive line could turn out to be a strength, not a weakness like the Bobcats originally thought it would be. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing great,â&#x20AC;? Shirley said of the linemen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of guys tried out different spots during camp, and that will help us in case someone gets hurt. For them to know different positions is good for us because the next person up will know how to play that position. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working hard, and it should pay off for us. They look good.â&#x20AC;? Brown, a three-year starter, and fellow senior JD Faser line up

JOSH BROWN

JD FASER

alongside a trio of underclassmen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure what to expect out of these guys,â&#x20AC;? coach Rick Artley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Josh Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to start taking charge was something weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve noticed. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a quiet threeyear starter, but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finally starting to be that leader we were hoping he would be. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a lot in the senior class â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we only have two seniors back from last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team that played â&#x20AC;&#x201D; so we were hoping heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be able to step

up, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done a great job of that.â&#x20AC;? The problem with the Bobcatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offensive line has nothing to do with talent, but with depth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very thin at those positions on the line,â&#x20AC;? Artley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re probably our best positions right now, but we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a lot of depth. Those spots on the offensive and defensive lines are some of the better positions for us at this point. We just have nobody to fill in.â&#x20AC;? Nonetheless, a part of the offense the Bobcats were unsure of in the offseason seems like a sure thing. At least for now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People have been in the weight room and have gotten bigger,â&#x20AC;? Shirley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re putting the work in, and I feel comfortable behind them. Hopefully we can all stay healthy and put together a good season.â&#x20AC;?

Bobcats open minus key weapon

BLAIRSVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; At least one but the downfall weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have is on Blairsville player will be starting our kicking game. Andrew was the season on the sidelines. able to drop the ball right where Kicker Andrew Stipcak, a junior, we wanted it.â&#x20AC;? suffered a back injury and Stipcak became infais expected to miss a big mous in 2014 for his ability chunk of the season. to successfully execute the Stipcak led the area in onside kick. kick scoring last season â&#x20AC;&#x153;With his ability to kick with 57 points, an Indiana those onside kicks and County single-season make things happen in the record. kicking game, that will be Billy McKee will take a definite change for us,â&#x20AC;? over the kicking duties to Artley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I planned on start the season. using him as another deâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I think in extra points, ANDREW fender and to get us more Billy McKee will be all possessions because he STIPCAK right,â&#x20AC;? Artley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was does such a nice job placvery successful in JVs last year. We ing the football in so many differkicked every time and got almost ent places, but with his injury, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s every one of them. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a square- going to hurt us in that aspect.â&#x20AC;? toe kicker and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll put it through, â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Carly Krouse

New â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Cats set out on their own Continued from Page 12 â&#x20AC;&#x153;His size actually works for him because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s down behind the line of scrimmage and can read the holes,â&#x20AC;? Artley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He reads the zone well, so heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s able to see those cutbacks. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one that I believe will be very successful in our offense the next few years.â&#x20AC;? When Shirley does put the ball in the air, he will target sophomore Dakota Sunday and junior Ricky Shirley, a two-time letterwinner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our skill guys are our strength, no doubt,â&#x20AC;? Ryan Shirley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Noah in the backfield, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty

quick. And Ricky Shirley and Dakota Sunday at receiver to throw to, those will be our main guys. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking for big things from those guys.â&#x20AC;? Even though they were young and undersized, Ricky Shirley and Sunday stepped up and made their presence known on defense last year amid the more dominant players. The Bobcats allowed just 9.8 points per game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our defense wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be what it was, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coming along,â&#x20AC;? Sleasman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think we can stop the ball. A lot of us will be playing both ways

since we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have as many kids, but we have confidence in each other.â&#x20AC;? Injuries were a huge issue in Artleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first season in 2013 and ended up hurting his team at the end of last season. He hopes not to encounter the same problems again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We only have 27 kids, and if we have injuries, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to make it work,â&#x20AC;? Artley said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of our main goals was to get through camp healthy. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve very young, and inexperience is always a factor, but hopefully our younger guys will pull through.â&#x20AC;?

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Good Luck

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;OUR SKILL GUYS are our strength, no doubt. With Noah in the backfield, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty quick. And Ricky Shirley and Dakota Sunday (left) at receiver to throw to, those will be our main guys. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking for big things from those guys.â&#x20AC;?

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14 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

HOMERCENTER

Wildcats look for push up front

Strength of young team on offensive line

ROSTER

By JUSTIN GERWICK

jgerwick@indianagazette.net

Head coach Greg Page Ninth season Career record: 48-37

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule

Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

PENNS MANOR SALTSBURG at Northern Cambria at Marion Center PURCHASE LINE BLAIRSVILLE at United at West Middlesex LIGONIER VALLEY at Williamsburg

2014 results

Record: 7-4 HC Opp. 39 Penns Manor 21 50 Saltsburg 28 34 Northern Cambria 6 38 Marion Center 20 43 Purchase Line 40 6 Blairsville 41 35 United 0 6 West Middlesex 34 19 Ligonier Valley 14 13 Williamsburg 32 13 Portage* 21 *-District 6 Class A playoffs

Quotable Page: “This could be a good line. ... They are strong kids, that is for sure.”

HOMER CITY — The HomerCenter Wildcats entered preseason camp with a lot of questions. Last year’s senior class numbered 16 players. This year’s has seven. A four-year starter at quarterback graduated along with the school’s all-time leading rusher, leaving a transfer to call the signals and a stable of young backs to run the ball. The one thing coach Greg Page does know is that the Wildcats should have a pretty good offensive line, and that’s a great place for any team to start. “This could be a good line,” Page said. “They are strong kids, that is for sure. They work pretty hard in the weight room, and there is some good weight there.” Three of the seven seniors on the roster are starters on the offensive line, and two of them also start on defense. Adam McCombs-Hilliard anchors both lines as center and defensive tackle, and Todd Smeltzer and Dalton Kirkwood man the guard positions. Gabe Manzanilla, a junior who is 6-foot, 314 pounds, and Eric Shirley, a sophomore, round out the offensive line at tackle. The Wildcats averaged 220.3 rushing yards per game last season. They amassed 2,495 yards, but all that remained after the graduation of Ean Lee, Aaron Berezansky, Matt McAdoo and Josh Sasala was 284 yards. Page knows he can’t fill those voids with just one player, but he is looking to Lee’s younger brother, Jesse, to carry a heavy load. “Jesse is a bigger kid than Ean, and he’s only a sophomore,” Page said. “It’s a different running style, but to me it’s the same toughness from both kids. We think Jesse can play both roles, but he obviously looks like a typical fullback. He’s a bigger kid who has some speed and some movement.” Lee, a 6-foot, 219-pound fullback, rushed for 118 yards on 25 carries as a freshman, and Page thinks the youngster needs just one tweak to take the next step.

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

JOHN IRELAND had 18 receptions for 279 yards last season before taking over at quarterback following an injury to the starter. “He is working on running with a more rugged style because that can really wear people down on defense,” Page said. As for the tailback position, there were still some questions left to be answered as the Wildcats prepared for their opener. “We are looking for someone to step into that tailback role,” Page said as camp progressed. “We are as inexperienced in the backfield right now as we have been the whole time that I’ve been here. There are guys that are very capable, but they are young and they need game experience.” Montao Coleman, a junior, and sophomores Matt Miles and Michael McCracken are the likely candidates to get carries out of the backfield, but none saw much

playing time last year. Page hopes the strength of the offensive line makes the transition easier for the backs. “They just have to get cohesive,” he said. “If they can get cohesive and get to where they are working well together, we will be able to do what we always want to do, and that is to run the football.” At quarterback, Jesse Beacker, moved into the school district after playing at United last season. John Ireland, a wide receiver last year and the backup quarterback, is looking to build a solid connection with the new quarterback. “He has a pretty good arm,” Ireland said. “He can run it and he can throw it. It’s all going to work out with Beacker at quarterback.” The strength on the lines comes

SENIORS Name Pos. Jared Bellman OL/LB Levi Bruner-x TE/LB John Ireland-xx WR/DB Dalton Kirkwood-x OL/DL Adam McCombsHilliard-xx OL/DL Travis Ruffner-x WR/DB Todd Smeltzer-x OL/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. Jesse Beacker-x QB/DB Jonah Bence QB/DB Montao Coleman RB/DB Gabe Manzanilla-xx OL/DL Matt Warr-x OL/DL SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Tim Alcon-x WR/DB Chris Clevenger TE/LB Dom Edwards OL/DL Logan Hill TE/LB Garrison Kanouff OL/LB Jesse Lee-x RB/LB Michael McCracken-x RB/DL Matt Miles-x RB/LB Jason Monko OL/DL Dylan McQuiston OL/DL Ryan Orsargos-x RB/LB Austin Perry OL/DL Nick Schmidt-x WR/DB Eric Shirley OL/DL FRESHMEN Name Pos. Seth Carney OL/DL Tyler Dunn OL/DL Jason Hippchen WR/DB Rodney Johns OL/DL Trevor Mlakar RB/LB Garrett Mock TE/LB Seth Pribesh OL/DL Brian Sisko RB/DE TJ Tagliati OL/DL Jacob Zeiler WR/DB x-denotes letters earned

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

Wt. 154 179 157 214

5-8 258 6-2 149 5-11 197 Ht. 5-9 5-10 5-8 6-0 5-8

Wt. 157 153 151 314 182

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

Wt. 156 166 288 187 163 219 179 194 272 313 144 197 151 254

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

Wt. 198 204 133 253 218 149 222 147 229 121

from the three seniors. They have been mentoring the underclassmen, Manzanilla and Shirley. “The three seniors who are playing the interior positions are good leaders,” Ireland said. “They come out and make us work hard every day. They get that line ready to play. We’ve got the two younger guys on the line, and it seems like the seniors are getting them ready and getting them prepared.” McCombs-Hilliard, Manzanilla and Smeltzer play both ways. McCombs-Hilliard and Manzanilla line up as defensive tackles, and Smeltzer leads the linebackers. “I feel like the line will be a strength for us,” Ireland said. “They are going to really help us out and help us get some push on offense and on defense.”

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 15

Transfer quarterback fills big hole for Wildcats By JUSTIN GERWICK

jgerwick@indianagazette.net

HOMER CITY — It would be nearly impossible to fill the gaps left by the departure of a senior class of 16 players who led the HomerCenter Wildcats to a 25-19 record, two playoff appearances, a Heritage Conference championship and a District 6 championship over the past four seasons, and coach Greg Page knows that. “We have more holes to fill than what we have returning, obviously,” Page said. But one of those gaping holes was filled in an unexpected way in the offseason when former United quarterback Jesse Beacker moved into the Homer-Center district over the summer. Beacker, a junior, played under center for the Lions the last two seasons — in limited time in his freshman year and as a starter last season as a sophomore — and quickly stepped into the open role of starting quarterback at Homer-Center. The position was left vacant when four-year-starter Aaron Berezansky graduated. Beacker threw for 402 yards and rushed for 336 over the last two seasons, averaging 4.1 yards on each offensive play that he was involved in. Page had other options to fill the void at quarterback.

John Ireland, a senior, led the Wildcats to a 3-2 record while playing in place of an injured Berezansky last season, completing 58 percent of his passes for 394 yards and rushing for 86 more. Or he could have turned to Jesse Lee, a sophomore whose 6-foot, 219-pound frame is ideal for a quarterback. But as soon as Beacker arrived, Page made his decision. “Beacker is athletic,” Page said. “We don’t throw a whole lot, but when we’ve wanted to throw or needed to throw the last several years, we’ve been able to do that successfully. Berezansky was more of a runner and an athlete who I thought threw really well when he was asked to. “Beacker kind of fits that same mold. He’s athletic and intelligent. He has a good arm, but he’s also athletic enough that he can do some things running the football well, too.” Not only that, but Page saw the chance to use Ireland as a receiver as an opportunity that was too good to pass up. Ireland, at 6-3, had 18 receptions for 279 yards and three touchdowns last season. “Ireland is an outstanding receiver, and we are going to try to get him the ball in other ways, too,” Page said. “We felt that with all the young guys we have playing

“I WAS just worried about fitting in with everybody rather than the whole football situation. But everyone has been pretty welcoming, so it was pretty easy coming here.” Jesse Beacker

MICHAEL WALKER/Gazette

JESSE BEACKER started at quarterback last season at United. receiver, to have someone with game experience like John Ireland out there helped us.” Ireland was all in. “I feel like the best place I can help out the team is at wide receiver,” Ireland said. “I’m tall and I can get up and make plays. I’ll be able to get into different positions.” Page figures he can take advantage of Ireland’s versatility by using him as a slotback, where he can either

run routes or take handoffs on counter plays. “Beacker runs more, so him running the ball and getting me in space and pitching me the ball sometimes will help us out,” Ireland said. “I’ll be able to get some screens and allow him to throw me the ball in different ways. I feel like that is where I can help the team out best. Whatever I can do to help the team is what I want to do.”

Beacker is well aware of just how valuable that combination is. “The connection with Ireland has been going well,” Beacker said. “Levi Bruner, Matt Miles and Jesse Lee all have good hands, too, so I have options.” Moving to a program with a winning tradition is a big change for Beacker. In his two seasons at United, the Lions managed just one win. In eight seasons at the

helm of the Wildcats, Page has compiled a 48-37 record. “It’s just a different atmosphere all around,” Beacker said. “It was a good change, but I’ll definitely miss all the guys from United.” Beacker said his biggest worry when his family made the move into a new school district was never about whether he would grab the starting role. “I was just worried about fitting in with everybody rather than the whole football situation,” he said. “But everyone has been pretty welcoming, so it was pretty easy coming here.” He never struggled to pick up on the playbook, either. “A lot of the plays are similar, the language is just different,” Beacker said. “But with two or three practices a day, they kind of beat it into you, so I think I have it pretty well down.”

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16 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

LIGONIER VALLEY

Rams going into full spread mode ‘We are going to cater to our athletes’

ROSTER

By TONY COCCAGNA

tonyc@indianagazette.net

Head coach Roger Beitel 12th season Career record: 68-46

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

NORTHERN CAMBRIA PURCHASE LINE at United at Blairsville MARION CENTER HUNTINGDON at Saltsburg PENNS MANOR at Homer-Center CENTRAL

2014 results LV 12 23 49 7 44 17 28 7 14 3

Record: 4-6

Northern Cambria Purchase Line United Blairsville Marion Center Huntingdon Saltsburg Penns Manor Homer-Center Central

Opp. 15 20 12 28 0 20 8 26 19 35

Quotable Beitel: “You’ll see us full spread, just putting athletes in space all over the place.”

LIGONIER — The Ligonier Valley Rams are no longer winging it. Asked if his team was going to run the Wing-T offense that has served the Rams so well in the past, coach Roger Beitel replied, “Not anymore. We scrapped all of it.” Ligonier Valley, with quarterback Collin Smith running the show, has ditched the Wing-T in favor of the spread, the in-vogue offense in the high school and college ranks that has even infiltrated the NFL. “We are going to cater to our athletes,” Beitel said. “You’ll see us full spread, just putting athletes in space all over the place, starting with the QB. Obviously he’s one of the better runners, and we developed a passing game this offseason. We sat down and spent months and months and months of time and effort to move into a full-spread, up-tempo offense. We’ll put six of what we believe are really skilled athletes on the field and see if teams can match up with them.” Beitel figures the spread is Ligonier Valley’s best option, not so much to compete and win the Heritage Conference championship against its Class A counterparts, but to make a run in the District 6 playoffs against Class AA opponents. The Rams have enjoyed success in the conference, going 40-16 overall in the five seasons previous to last year’s 4-6 campaign, but they have come up short in the postseason when they jump up in class. The spread fits the Rams for two main reasons: They do have the athletes, but their linemen are considerably smaller than their Class AA brethren, so they want to use speed rather than size to their advantage. “Looking at the linemen,” Beitel said, “they’ll be there waiting for the official to spot the ball, and the ball will be snapped soon thereafter. We won’t be huddling. We’re not messing around, just going. That’s our counter to 260-260-260270, whatever, up front. If you want to play those guys, then they have to run sideline to sideline, up and down the field, nonstop, and

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

COLLIN SMITH accounted for 1,449 yards at quarterback last season. those big Kahunas better be in shape because we will.” Last season, Smith accounted for 1,449 yards and 12 touchdowns — 10 rushing and two passing. He was a better runner than passer, rushing for 758 yards and a 5.5 average and completing 44 percent of his attempts for 681 yards. In the offseason, though, Smith and the Rams worked hard to develop a passing game. Likewise, Beitel and his staff worked hard to put their quarterback in position to be successful. “He’s a kid we think is pretty special,” Beitel said, “and we need to do everything we can to maximize his talents and give him the opportunity to play at the next level.” Perhaps the scariest thing for the opposition about the Rams is the fact that a roster of 48 players has only five seniors, but there are 18 lettermen. Conference teams will have trouble matching Ligonier Valley’s depth, and Beitel figures only three players will have to play both ways on a regular basis. “Young but experienced is probably the best way to describe them,” Beitel said. “Most of these kids that are now sophomores and juniors have lots of game experience. Elijah Parrish has 21 starts and he’s going into his junior season. Collin has 20 starts and he’s a junior. Trent Stewart has 16 starts going into his junior season. Aaron

Sheeder has 10 starts going into his sophomore season. Those are just some of the examples of the kids we have.” While Smith is the focal point of the offense, Parrish anchors the offensive line at right guard and the defense at inside linebacker. “He’s a heck of a player,” Smith said. “As a linebacker, he’s fast and strong. … The whole team up the middle is solid, and that’s set by Elijah. And him as my guard and pulling, I don’t have to worry about that part of the line. I know he’s got my back, and he’s a heck of a player.” Opponents will see a lot of Smith and Parrish coming at them on both sides of the ball. “You don’t get kids like Collin every day,” Parrish said. “He’s a tremendous athlete on offense and defense. I couldn’t ask for a better player on the field and a better friend off it. I always have faith in Collin and know he’s going to do something positive.” Thomas Sibal and Garrett Custer are interchangeable tailbacks. The receiving corps has plenty of skill and depth, with Trent Stewart, Trent Hepner and Brenden Linebarger out wide and Sheeder, Jackson Daugherty, Aaron Tutino and Josh Fitz in the slot. Stewart had a team-high 24 receptions last year. “There are so many kids that I

SENIORS Name Pos. Hunter Hulbert-xx OL/DL Brett Howard OL/DL Billy Shafron-xx OL/DL Thomas Sibal-x RB/DB Tyler Turcheck-x SE/DL JUNIORS Name Pos. James Cunningham SE/LB Garrett Custer-x RB/LB Josh Fitz-x SE/DB Zach Haines SE/LB Trent Hepner-x SE/DB Tyler Hulbert OL/DL Brenden Linebarger-x SE/DB Zack Mariotti-xx OL/DL Elijah Parrish-xx OL/LB Kobe Short-x RB/LB Collin Smith-xx QB/DB Trent Stewart-xx SE/DB Joey Tomosky SE/DB Austin Tutino-x RB/DL Michael Zimmerman OL/DL SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Joey Anthony RB/LB Avery Arnone-x SE/LB Nathan Burns-x SE/DB Tyler Courtney OL/DL Jackson Daugherty-x SE/DB Joe Dubics RB/LB Hunter Jones OL/DL Ben Kenyon OL/DL Brenden Machak RB/DB Michael McVicker OL/DL Jacob Neiderhiser OL/DL Cole Peters OL/DL Rob Ray OL/DL John Salancy RB/LB Aaron Sheeder-x RB/LB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Zach Beitel SE/DB Blake Bridge OL/LB John Caldwell QB/DB Lukas DeWitt OL/DL Jason Edmiston OL/DL Hayden Light OL/DL Nick Neiderhiser OL/DL Sullivan Schueltz RB/DB Niels Sigurdssen OL/DL Peter Stoll OL/DL Dillon Suthard OL/DL Aaron Tutino RB/DB Jacob Zimmerman RB/DL x-denotes letters earned

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

Wt. 231 170 203 157 173

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

Wt. 154 192 165 150 154 209 163 188 206 165 196 155 130 173 161

Ht. 5-9 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-8 6-1 5-8 5-3 5-8 5-11 6-0 5-9 5-6 5-10

Wt. 167 161 169 204 163 181 203 147 126 179 280 202 197 156 178

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

Wt. 131 187 124 191 161 149 188 141 209 163 165 141 147

could talk about that we have such high expectations for,” Beitel said. “Jackson Daugherty, a kid who broke his arm in the Blairsville game last year and we lost for the rest of the season, he’s done amazing things on the practice field and made lots of big plays. Trent Stewart, as a receiver, is as solid as you get, and he’s just flying under the Continued on Page 17

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 17

Ligonier Valley looks to get its swagger back By TONY COCCAGNA

used to, and they’re taking that to heart. We need to get back to putting that doubt in people’s minds and LIGONIER — The Ligonier Valley when they look at the schedule they Rams want to get their swagger back. say, ‘Boom, we’re not gonna win that The Rams are coming off an un- game.’ We need to get back to that.” characteristic 4-6 season, which Collin Smith and Elijah Parrish, a ended their string of five straight pair of juniors, have led the charge. winning seasons. They also sat out Smith, one of the area’s top athletes, the District 6 playoffs for the first commands Ligonier Valley’s new time since 2008. spread offense at quarterback and Prior to last year, rarely was Ligo- roams the secondary on defense. nier Valley considered an underdog Parrish, one of the area’s strongest going into any Heritage Conference players, leads the offensive line at game. That changed last year, guard and the defense at inthough, when all but 13 playside linebacker. ers on a 48-man roster were “Last year when we were 4sophomores and freshmen. 6, that didn’t settle well,” ParThe year before Ligonier Valrish said. “It leaves something ley finished 6-5, so it was apsour in you, especially Penns parent the Rams were due to Manor, losing to them and we suffer a few lumps. weren’t even close. The chalNow those players are comlenge is Northern Cambria ing of age, setting up what that first weekend, and we’re could be a dominant twogoing to take every game as it ELIJAH year run by the Rams under comes head on.” 12th-year coach Roger Beitel. “Last year,” Smith said, “we PARRISH The Rams are still young — had a record that wasn’t Ligothere are only five seniors on the ros- nier Valley. We went to the playoffs ter — but a lot of players saw a lot of every year since 2009 and last year we playing time the previous two years. didn’t. We were in a lot of games, but “This is a group of 48, and 42 that doesn’t matter, because all that jumped into the deep end and were shows is the L’s and W’s, and that reallike, ‘We’re all in, Coach,’” Beitel said. ly left a bad taste in our mouths. So a “They’re ready and motivated and lot of players worked really hard in unhappy about what happened the the offseason — weightlifting, speed last two years. They took it a lot hard- training and 7-on-7s. We worked reer than the seniors, who were held ally hard, so I think we’ve improved accountable, especially after last and we’re ready for this year.” year. They’re really motivated. Parrish, at 5-foot-9, 206 pounds, “One of the things we really ham- was the ringleader of the weightliftmered into them this offseason is our ing regimen. He led Ligonier Valley to need to get our swagger back. A cou- the weightlifting title at the Richland ple years ago, as soon as we got off 7-on-7s, setting a camp record by the bus and you saw that LV on the deadlifting 225 pounds 54 times in 60 helmet, we were up seven. But that seconds. doesn’t carry the weight as much as it “The dude’s legs are ridiculous,” tonyc@indianagazette.net

Smith said. “We went to the Richland 7-on-7s, and he did 54 deadlifts in 60 seconds at 225 pounds — ridiculous.” Smith also worked hard to get bigger, stronger and better. “I went to a lot of camps,” he said. “I went to five camps, and we went to the 7-on-7s at Richland and ended up winning that. One big thing this year was weightlifting. I made it a big thing for myself to be one of the bigger kids this year, and I’m 196 pounds, and I was only 180 last year. And my bench press is up over 100 pounds, to 330, and my squat went up to 450, and last year it was like 350. And I’m deadlifting like 515, and last year it was only 400. I worked really hard in that aspect to get bigger.” Penns Manor, Ligonier Valley and Northern Cambria are the three favorites in the Heritage Conference this season. Ligonier Valley plays both teams at home, opening with Northern Cambria. The Rams lost to both teams last year, 15-12 at Northern Cambria and 26-7 at Penns Manor. Asked if the conference title would be determined between Ligonier Valley and Penns Manor, Beitel said, “No. It comes down to Penns Manor and whoever wins Week 1 with us and Northern. … The most important game right now is that Week 1 game. We look at the season in terms of thirds, and it’s important to get off to a good start in the first third because we know what awaits us in the last third.” What awaits? “Hey, guys,” Beitel said, turning his team, which had assembled to have photos taken. “What’s Week 8?” In unison, they replied, “Penns Manor.”

Up th their irr tr tra training rain ra inin ing g game. e Siign Sign ig gn your your student stu tud deen de ent athlete ath thle lete up fo for or a personal per ers rso onal al training tra tr rain ra aiiniin ng with wit wi ith th a certified ceerti rtifi ifieed trainer tra tr rain ra aiiner er at uptown uptown own fitn fitness. tnes ess ss.

Rams shifting into full spread mode

Continued from Page 16 or four or five defensive radar because he’s consistent backs. It gives us flexibility to all the time. A freshman, get the guys on the field we Aaron Tutino, he’s going to need to play against you.” start for us, and Aaron SheedParrish made 129 tackles er is going to turn some last year. He is joined by Shetheads, and we’ve seen him do ter and Custer at linebacker, some amazing things on both with Joey Anthony and Joe sides of the ball.” Dubics in relief. Tyler Courtney joins Parrish The defensive ends are on the right side of Tyler Turcheck and the offensive line, and Austin Tutino, with Billy Shafron and Mariotti and Nathan Hunter Hulbert are Burns spelling them. on the left. Zack MariJacob Neiderhiser, Peotti is the center. Cole ters, Billy Shafron, Peters, Rob Ray, Jake Courtney and Hulbert Neiderhiser and are slated to see time Michael McVicker on the interior. provide depth on the “On defense,” Parline. rish said, “we have a “Our linemen don’t lot of starters coming AARON look like other teams’ back, from inside lineTUTINO linemen,” Beitel said. backer with me and “We don’t have those Sheeder, and this year same size kids, but they’ll get we’re going with a little bit difin your face and be real phys- ferent defense with three inical and play fast.” side linebackers with Custer The Rams also have made a on the other side of me. The switch on defense, shifting defensive line is pretty great, from a five-man front. and Coach (Adam) Foust “We’re going to run a hybrid knows what he’s doing, so we 4-2, again because we have to have real good confidence transition to a defense that is coming into the season. Me going to help us once we get and Collin started a lot of to the playoffs,” Beitel said. games so we’re not young “Depending on what we get anymore, and we’re ready to will determine whether we take the conference this use three or four linebackers year.”

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18 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

New coach making his mark

MARION CENTER

DeHaven puts his stamp on program

ROSTER

By JUSTIN GERWICK

jgerwick@indianagazette.net

Head coach Paul DeHaven First season Career record: 0-0

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

UNITED BLAIRSVILLE at Saltsburg HOMER-CENTER at Ligonier Valley at Penns Manor PURCHASE LINE at Northern Cambria ST. JOSEPH’S GLENDALE

2014 results MC 35 7 54 20 0 0 19 16 16 0

Record: 2-8

United Blairsville Saltsburg Homer-Center Ligonier Valley Penns Manor Purchase Line Northern Cambria St. Joseph’s Glendale

Opp. 7 42 24 38 44 40 24 22 36 16

Quotable DeHaven: “We’re trying to really instill in our underclassmen that they have to step up and be leaders.”

MARION CENTER — New coach Paul DeHaven didn’t waste any time putting his stamp on the program at Marion Center. DeHaven has worked with the program for 26 years as an assistant coach, and he’s letting his experience guide him along his first journey as a head coach. For starters, DeHaven changed things by taking his players to a team camp at Gettysburg College at the beginning of August. It’s something DeHaven said the Stingers did in the past, but that it’s likely been about 15 years since they last made the journey. So, DeHaven packed the team’s equipment, his coaches and 22 players from the varsity roster onto a bus, and four hours later they were running drills with schools from all over the East Coast. It was a good opportunity for the players to shake off the offseason rust and get used to playing alongside each other again. Even better, the Stingers got the opportunity to test their skills against some Class AAA and AAAA schools. “It was great,” said DeHaven. “It really put us ahead of the game a little bit.” A head start might be just what the Stingers need after posting dismal win-loss records the last few seasons. The Stingers have hovered around 2-8 the last three seasons and haven’t compiled a winning record since 2011. “We’ve been 2-8 the last couple years,” said DeHaven. “But it’s just different being the head coach now. As a coordinator, you work in a specific area. As a head coach, you have to oversee everything. So, I’m just trying to make sure we are prepared and organized for everything.” DeHaven spent the beginning of his coaching career at Marion Center as the line coach, but in more recent years he expanded his role to offensive and defensive coordinator. Even though he is a new head coach, DeHaven doesn’t feel the need to build from the ground up. “I’m fortunate that Dave Malicky did such a great job in all the 18

JAMES J. NESTOR/Gazette

PAUL DeHAVEN addressed his team prior to its opening scrimmage against Clarion on Aug. 22. years that he was the head coach,” said DeHaven. “He did a phenomenal job, so it’s not like we are starting over. I’m just taking over where he left off.” DeHaven can also count on experience on his staff, which includes offensive coordinator Justin Hill, defensive coordinator Brad Smith and assistants Camden Bailey and Chris Wagner. Smith and DeHaven have worked alongside each other for many years, and most of the assistants are former players. Offensively, DeHaven is sticking with the base Wing-T, and defensively he is using a base 4-3 to utilize the size of his interior linemen and the speed and intelligence of his defensive backs. A pair of 300-pounders anchor the defensive line. Decosta Bobak, at 6-foot-2, 335 pounds, and Sloan Brocious, 6-2, 305, figure to make an imposing duo at the defensive tackle positions. Craig Irvin, Allen Wright and Erik Hicks roam the defensive backfield. Irvin tied for the area high with six interceptions last season. While sticking with the Wing-T, DeHaven hopes to use the passing game more. The playbook features several four-receiver sets. “We are definitely trying to create a little balance in our offense,” said DeHaven. “We have some nice receivers. At our team camp we did a lot of 7-on-7 and our receivers and backs stepped up and did a nice

DECOSTA BOBAK

SLOAN BROCIOUS

job. We want to balance things out more this year and allow our passing game to complement our running game.” Irvin, the team’s leading receiver last season, has moved into the quarterback position. Newcomers Wright and Bradley Morgan are wide receivers. Zach Edwards, Brad Smith and Hicks figure to get the bulk of carries out of the backfield. Bobak, Brocious, Jordan Gromley, Tyler Cover, Bryant Miloser and Shawn Isenberg man the offensive line. Marion Center has only four seniors on a roster of 42 players, and there are only seven lettermen. There are 25 players in the junior and sophomore classes combined. “We have great kids here,” said DeHaven. “Zach Edwards, Tyler Howell, Craig Irvin and Erik Hicks (the four seniors) are our natural leaders. But we are going to count on some of our underclassmen to step up and be leaders as well.

SENIORS Name Pos. Zach Edwards-xx RB/LB Erik Hicks-xx RB/DB Tyler Howell WR/DB Craig Irvin-xxx QB/DB JUNIORS Name Pos. Decosta Bobak-xx OL/DL Sloan Brocious OL/DL Zach Collazzi WR/DB Challen Cornetto WR/DB Mackenzie Crooks RB/DB Jordan Gromley-x OL/DL Shawn Isenberg OL/DL Bryant Miloser OL/DL Bradley Morgan WR/DB Bradley Smith-xx RB/LB Rafael Sola K Michael Stewart RB/LB Eric Stitt RB/DB Allan Wright WR/DB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Zack Betts OL/DL Tyler Cover OL/DL Michael Gardner RB/LB Carmen Gett WR/DB Dylan Goss QB/LB Dylan Johnston WR/DB Troy Lewis WR/DB Gavin McClellan OL/LB Paul McClure-x WR/DL Scott McCoy OL/DL Garrick Shellhammer WR/DL Dakota Wise RB/LB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Aaron Brewer WR/LB Bryce Gromley OL/DL Zach Hicks WR/DB Matthew Himes RB/DB Levi Isenberg OL/LB Tyler Lightcap QB/DB Devin Lingenfelter OL/DL Brant Lydic RB/DB Brendan Mondi RB/DB Travis Parsell RB/DB Austin Rinehart RB/DL Andrew Steele OL/DL Ethan Stewart OL/LB x-denotes letters earned

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

Wt. 200 140 145 170

Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-8 5-11 6-3 6-0 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-9 5-5 5-10 5-11

Wt. 335 305 160 150 164 310 185 219 160 193 155 149 159 160

Ht. 5-10 6-1 5-6 6-0 6-0 5-7 6-1 5-11 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-1

Wt. 195 248 153 157 190 140 128 156 208 155 193 240

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

Wt. 150 195 121 117 168 128 198 155 143 165 163 135 180

We’re trying to really instill in our underclassmen that they have to step up and be leaders.” Irvin and his fellow seniors are eager to pull the underclassmen along and set up a bright future for the Stingers. “We definitely have a chance to step forward here,” said Irvin. “We have a lot of young guys. We’ve been young for a while, so we are really coming into our own now. This is our time. We kind of paid our dues the last few years, and we are really optimistic about this sea-

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 19

Irvin makes move to call shots at quarterback

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CRAIG IRVIN, right, is keeping his old position on defense and playing a new role on offense. stepped up this year. I feel really confident with our underclassmen. We have five or six kids out there who are really just doing a great job as receivers.â&#x20AC;? Irvin figures the move to the new position just makes him more versatile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can still be a weapon at quarterback,â&#x20AC;? said Irvin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Actually, I can probably be more dangerous.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good, smart kid who makes great decisions,â&#x20AC;? said DeHaven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are try-

ing to get him out on the edge with our running game, and we will also have him throw the ball a bit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a threat. He can run the ball as well as he can throw it. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very good athlete.â&#x20AC;? Irvin has made a quick connection with a couple receivers, Bradley Morgan and Allan Wright. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are both really doing a lot of good things here in the start of the season,â&#x20AC;? said Irvin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really

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and fill those gaps,â&#x20AC;? said Irvin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a lot of good days here in two-a-days. I like what I see, and these guys have no problems listening to me.â&#x20AC;? Irvin takes over a team that finished 2-8 last year and lost its last seven games.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are a new team this year,â&#x20AC;? said Irvin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t thinking about how last season went. We have a lot of talent, and there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic this season. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just going to take it one game at a time.â&#x20AC;?

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MARION CENTER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; One of the most difficult things to do in sports is to change positions late in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career, but Marion Center quarterback Craig Irvin has taken the challenge head on. Irvin, one of four seniors on the team, spent the last three seasons as a split end and earned a letter each year. But with no experienced quarterback in the ranks, first-year coach Paul DeHaven decided to turn the reins over to Irvin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Craig has really come along as a great quarterback,â&#x20AC;? said DeHaven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At our team camp we did a lot of 7on-7 and Craig looked really good.â&#x20AC;? Irvin doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much experience as a quarterback â&#x20AC;&#x201D; he threw seven passes last year, but none found its mark â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but he has shown the ability to make plays. Last season, Irvin caught 20 passes for 245 yards and rushed for 272 yards on 42 carries. He averaged 8.3 yards each time he touched the ball. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also one of the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top returning defensive backs, having intercepted six passes last season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you take an athlete like Craig away from the receiving corps that hurts you a little bit,â&#x20AC;? said DeHaven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had some kids come out and some underclassmen have really

impressed with what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen from them, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we are going to have any holes at receiver here.â&#x20AC;? Another receiver that could make an impact is Paul McClure, a sophomore who spent last season on the offensive and defensive lines. DeHaven plans to use his 6-foot-4 frame as a big target for Irvin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you get a guy who has hands and that much height lined up against a cornerback who is 5-foot-9 or 5foot-8, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to create some problems,â&#x20AC;? said DeHaven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really excited about that.â&#x20AC;? Irvin leads a backfield that consists of Zach Edwards, Brad Smith and Erik Hicks. His backups are Dylan Goss, a sophomore, and Tyler Lightcap, a freshman. Goss checks in at 6-foot, 190. Irvin is one of only four seniors on the roster, so as one of the few upperclassmen in the ranks and the quarterback, he knows he has to lead. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like I can step up

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20 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

NORTHERN CAMBRIA

Colts looking for consistency

Eliminating mistakes crucial for deep, experienced squad By CARLY KROUSE

ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Head coach

Frank Paronish Seventh season* Career record: 32-32

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16

at Ligonier Valley at Penns Manor HOMER-CENTER UNITED at Blairsville at Purchase Line ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC Oct. 23 MARION CENTER Oct. 30 at Saltsburg Nov. 6 NORTHERN BEDFORD Nov. 13 at Cambria Heights

2014 results

Record: 4-7 NC Opp. 15 Ligonier Valley 12 7 Penns Manor 18 6 Homer-Center 34 44 United 0 0 Blairsville 28 24 Purchase Line 28 20 Elk County Catholic 24 22 Marion Center 16 24 Saltsburg 14 6 Northern Bedford 19 7 Cambria Heights 35 *-Paronish coached from 2002-06 and returned in 2014.

NORTHERN CAMBRIA — It is said you can’t buy experience for nothing, and the Northern Cambria Colts found that out the hard way last season. Despite a few glimpses of greatness, the Colts were marred by mental lapses and turnovers and finished a season full of potential with a sub-par record. They expect all that to change. Northern Cambria returns 17 letterwinners and a lot of experience for a season that senior Mac Novella said “could be our year.” “We took our lumps last season and learned a lot. We were young and didn’t have a lot of experience,” Novella said. “But this year is different, and we have high expectations for ourselves.” The Colts will be tested early when they go on the road in the first two weeks to face two other experienced teams — Ligonier Valley and Penns Manor, respectively. The Comets, Rams and Colts were picked by league coaches and The Indiana Gazette sports staff to finish in the top three in the Heritage Conference. “We know what we’re opening up with,” coach Frank Paronish said. “We have two really tough teams back-to-back and then we go to Homer-Center. We have to be ready those first two weeks, and then it just keeps going. We can’t come out flat. We’ve got to come out strong that first week, and we think we can do that.” Paronish was the Colts’ head coach from 2002-06 and returned to the position last season. His first season back didn’t go as planned, but he hopes his players can rebound and grow from their mistakes. “Mental letdowns hurt us,” Paronish said. “They hurt us last year and have hurt us in camp. Everything will be going fine, and we’ll be running plays and fumble or something because of a missed assignment or a wrong block. That has to stop. If we’re going to be successful and move this football team to that next level, we have to get rid of that stuff. We have to be sharp from the time we start until the time the game is over.” Paronish will lean heavily on a large senior class to cut out those

mishaps. The skill players are all seniors looking for a chance to be in the mix for a conference title. “We’re looking much better,” running back Adam Weiland said. “Our line is working a lot harder and is much better than expected. Our skill guys are back and are looking good. We want to improve from last year, of course, and I think we’ll be able to do that. If we do what we’re supposed to and play to our potential, we think we can be one of those top teams.” Weiland will carry the load in the backfield along with Novella, a split end; Zack Lieb, a fullback; Alex Kopera, a slotback; and Tyler Pershing, a quarterback. All are returning starters. “I’m really pleased with those guys,” Paronish said. “Our impact players have really stepped up. Our speed looks good, and we have good size. Taking that experience from last year to this year has helped us leaps and bounds toward developing a good football team. We’re happy about it.” “Our offense is doing great,” Weiland said. “We have a lot of stuff we can come at them with with a lot of different guys. We can run and pass and have some misdirections thrown in there.” The Colts incorporated some new formations into their offense in the offseason to cater to the speed of their skill players and offensive line. Weiland rushed for 519 yards and caught 14 passes for 183 yards to lead the Colts last year. Pershing passed for just 420 yards last season, but thinks the offense will suit him better this year. “I’m feeling more comfortable in the pocket this year,” said Pershing, who is listed at 5-foot-7. “They have me moving around a lot because I’m short, but it’s been good. I have to make the right reads, long to short. Sometimes, I like to throw deep when I shouldn’t be, and that’s something I still need to work on.” “It’s not just one-sided heavy in the backfield,” Paronish said. “We have some linemen who are going to do very well this year. We like where we are all around.” Garrett Nagle anchors the offensive line in his second year as the starting center. He has taken on a Continued on Page 45

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

TYLER PERSHING, a quarterback, is one of six experienced skill players the Colts can count on.

SENIORS Name Pos. Ht. Robert Chappell OL/DE 5-10 William Davis OL/DL 5-8 Alex Kopera-xx RB/DB 5-7 Zack Lieb-xx RB/LB 5-9 Brady Lockard-x OL/DL 5-7 Nick Mays-x OL/DL 5-10 Garrett Nagle-x OL/LB/DE 5-9 Mike Nealen-x K/P 5-8 Mac Novella-xx RB/DB 5-7 Tyler Pershing-xx QB/S 5-7 Scott Serafin-x TE/DE/P 6-2 Josh Smith OL/DL 5-7 Adam Weiland-xx RB/LB 5-10 C.J. Wiewiora K 5-6 JUNIORS Name Pos. Ht. Michael Byrne OL/DE 5-9 Nathan Dumm-x TE/LB 5-8 Cody Frederick-x OL/DL 6-0 Nick Kirsch WR/DB 6-0 Ryan Lanzendorfer OL/DL 6-0 Joey Lecorchick WR/DE 5-9 Joel Ludwig OL/DE 5-9 Logan Marino-x QB/S 5-10 Chris Rippin-x RB/DB 5-6 Scott Wagner-x WR/DB 5-8

ROSTER Wt. 175 140 145 160 225 215 205 165 135 150 200 228 180 140 Wt. 145 165 260 140 240 135 155 165 130 150

Michael Webb OL/DE 5-6 SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ht. Timothy Chuhran OL/DL 5-9 Xzavier Jackson WR/DB 5-7 Frankie Jones TE/DE 6-0 Kaden Litzinger OL/LB 5-9 Austin Noll OL/DL 5-6 John Paronish-x TE/DE/LB 6-0 Nathan Pittman OL/DE 5-7 Jacob Sodomont OL/DE 5-10 Scott Yingling-x RB/LB 5-7 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Bryce Carroll RB/DB 5-4 Henry Dumm OL/DE/K/P5-11 Tyler Dumm FB/LB 5-4 Caleb Jones WR/DB 5-9 Zach Malicky OL/DL 5-10 Mark Marino QB/WR/S 5-8 Evan Peak OL/DL 5-10 Logan Onkst RB/QB/LB 5-7 Nathan Ramsey OL/DL 5-6 Nicholas Sifford OL/DL 6-0 Richard Wiewiora RB/LB 5-0 Ben Vasil RB/DB 5-1 x-denotes letters earned

195 Wt. 240 130 150 200 130 145 160 200 170 Wt 110 155 125 125 240 155 160 145 150 220 100 100

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 21

Colts learning from a full stable of coaches By CARLY KROUSE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;THIS IS GREAT for our kids. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really good for our program, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pleased with it and thankful that everyone wants to be a part of this program.â&#x20AC;?

ckrouse@indianagazette.net

NORTHERN CAMBRIA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Northern Cambria coach Frank Paronish is looking for his team to thrive this season under its all-star coaching staff. Including Paronish â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in his second stint at Northern Cambria â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Coltsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; staff includes five former varsity football head coaches who bring a lot of knowledge and experience to the table. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of cool, with all of them here,â&#x20AC;? senior running back Adam Weiland said. Paul Taranto, who was at the helm for six seasons preceding Paronishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return, is running the junior high program and helping out with the varsity team after a year off. Brady Leahey, another former Northern Cambria head coach, also has been helping out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These guys know our program, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to have them with us,â&#x20AC;? Paronish said. Sam Shutty, who calls the offense for the Colts, is a former head coach at Central Cambria. Dave Small, a longtime coach at Purchase Line and new asset to Paronishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff, runs the defense. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of head coaching experience,â&#x20AC;? Paronish said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I mean, this is great for our kids. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really good for our program, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pleased with it and thankful that everyone wants to be a part of this program.â&#x20AC;? Small headed the Red Dragons for 12 seasons, three of which ended with Heritage Conference titles. He had a brief stint at United as an assistant but joined the Coltsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; staff in the offseason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We like what Dave brings us,â&#x20AC;? Paronish said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we used to play Dave when he was at Purchase Line, one of the things I always feared was that I knew he would have a top-notch secondary. And he has brought that to our team. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really working hard with us. His knowledge on the offensive side has been great, too. Him being here is just a plus for

Frank Paronish

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

FRANK PARONISH can count on the expertise of five former head coaches. us and for these athletes.â&#x20AC;? Another addition to Northern Cambriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff in the offseason was Joe Kimmel, the school districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superintendent. Kimmel was a

three-year letterwinner at Juniata College and was an assistant coach with the Johnstown Riverhawks indoor football team. He was hired as the superintendent

last August. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was a good athlete at Juniata and had coaching experience,â&#x20AC;? Paronish said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Can you believe that? A guy like that right here in our district. It was interesting in the offseason because a couple of my coaches were stepping down, and I thought right away of him. He has all this leadership in our district, and I just wanted to approach him to see if he would be interested in helping out. He graciously accepted the position, and I just hope our athletes are aware they are getting the

best training and coaching that they could possibly have.â&#x20AC;? The players are not only aware, but are extremely grateful for their coaches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course it looks good on paper for us to have a lot of former head coaches, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re even better than they look,â&#x20AC;? Weiland said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of them bring something different to the table, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been great for us. We have two former head coaches as our offensive and defensive coordinators, and other high school kids canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say that.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a lot of experience â&#x20AC;&#x201D; players and coach-

es,â&#x20AC;? Tyler Pershing said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for all of us to have those guys here and helping us. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only making us better, and we appreciate them.â&#x20AC;? The theory that there can be â&#x20AC;&#x153;too many cooks in the kitchenâ&#x20AC;? doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to hold true with the Northern Cambria staff, and Paronish is glad everyone is getting along. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re jelling,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been fun so far and has been going great.â&#x20AC;? Then he added, laughing: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there are any other former head coaches out there looking for a place to stay, come on over, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d take ya.â&#x20AC;?

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22 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

PENNS MANOR

Comets still wearing big target

All but one starter returns from last year

ROSTER

By CARLY KROUSE

ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Head coach Bill Packer 11th season Career record: 75-35

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule

Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

at Homer-Center NORTHERN CAMBRIA at St. Joseph’s at Saltsburg UNITED MARION CENTER at Blairsville at Ligonier Valley PURCHASE LINE KEYSTONE

2014 results

Record: 8-3 PM Opp. 21 Homer-Center 39 18 Northern Cambria 7 47 St. Joseph’s 6 47 Saltsburg 8 49 United 0 40 Marion Center 0 10 Blairsville 35 26 Ligonier Valley 7 28 Purchase Line 19 14 Keystone 13 11 Bellwood-Antis* 14 *-District 6 Class A playoffs

KENWOOD — Coach Bill Packer and the Penns Manor Comets are no strangers to feeling the heat. Because of the program’s success in recent years, the Comets have had a target on their back year after year. They aren’t intimidated by the pressure, though, and will try to use it to their advantage again in 2015. “We’ve heard some talk,” Clayton Stupic said. “We’re expected to have a good season, but we don’t mind hearing that. We’ll use it as motivation. We will go out there and play every game as hard as we can.” Penns Manor returns all but one starter from last year’s 8-3 team, which came up just short in the District 6 Class A quarterfinals. There are 20 seniors on the roster, and experience will play a huge factor in the Comets’ season. Penns Manor has qualified for the playoffs in each of the past eight years. “It’s a huge plus for us,” Stupic said. “We have a bunch of guys coming back with a bunch of experience. We don’t have to have a lot of new guys trying to get in the flow of things. Everyone’s already been playing varsity football, so we will be ahead of the game this year.” Coming out strong is important for the Comets, who start their season with two tough matchups. They travel to Homer-Center on Friday in their season opener and welcome Northern Cambria in Week 2. “Everybody will be out for us,” Packer said. “The conference is going to be strong. I look at our first game at Homer. They lost a few guys but have some nice kids coming back. Then we have Northern Cambria, and they look really good, too. They’re going to be another team at the top. We have to be prepared and ready to go because they’ll be gunning for us. We know we have a target on our back.” Stupic, a senior quarterback, is just one of many weapons returning on offense. The Comets’ biggest asset is their speed, and

JAMES J. NESTOR/Gazette

BECK BRANTON is one of the Comets’ triple threats out of the backfield. that fits perfectly into their Wing-T offense. Also in the mix are Bailey Mumau, Beck Branton and Nathan Dumm, all of whom can break a big play at any time. “We always run that, but these kids here with the speed that our backs have, it works great,” Packer said of the Wing-T. “After our scrimmage, the other coach couldn’t believe our team speed. All you have to have is a little crease for those guys, and once they get through there, it’s all over. It’s a great offense for these guys.” Mumau rushed for 1,061 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and he is looking to up his numbers in his senior campaign. Branton and Dumm combined for another 993 yards, giving the Comets a triple threat in the backfield. Their weak link entering camp was the offensive line. Senior Christian Marshall, a two-time letterwinner, will be the leader up

front. The fifth and final spot on the line, a hole left behind by graduate Brandon Alter, was still up for grabs earlier this week. “We still have to get stronger on the offensive line,” Packer said. “It’s coming, but we still need to be stronger than where we are. Our depth hurts us. If someone goes down, we’ll have to move some people around, and that’s where it gets difficult.” Packer said Garrett Crowe, who started at center last season, might make the move to the guard position. “We knew there were areas we needed to improve, especially on the line,” Packer said. “(Crowe) really stepped up and got stronger. They have all improved, but they can get better yet. A lot of games are won up front, and we need to win that battle.” Penns Manor was looking to improve its passing game, too. Stupic threw for 495 yards last season, but the Comets didn’t need

SENIORS Name Pos. Daniel Aikens-x OL/DL Beck Branton-xx HB/DB Ryan Cameron-xx WR/LB Nathan Dumm-xx HB/DB Gavin Grimaldi-xx TE/DL Michael Hildebrand QB/DB Zach Hnatko-xx OL/LB Tyler Houck OL/DL Kyle Krevel FB/LB Cyrus Lieb-x WR/DB Logan Mack-x OL/DL Christian Marshall-xx OL/DL Bailey Mumau-xx RB/DB Nathan Price-x OL/DL Cody Pytash-x RB/DB David Robinson WR/LB Zack Shiley OL/DL Tyler Somogyi-x WR/DB Andrew Somogyi-xx OL/DL Clayton Stupic-xx QB/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. Dallas Buterbaugh-x HB/DB Garrett Crowe-x OL/DL Alexis Franks-x OL/DL Trent Franks FB/LB James Harvey-x K Ryan Hopkins OL/DL Anthony Koscho OL/DL Danny Myers-x TE/DL Nick Stambaugh OL/DL Collin Trinkley-x TE/LB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Zack Busovicki FB/LB Adam Dumm-x QB/DB Jeremy Hill WR/DB Zack Horwat-x HB/DB Zack Johnston OL/DL Zack Lawer TE/DL Wyatt Patterson TE/DL Eric Pontani OL/DL Brandin Robinson OL/DL Salvatore Tate HB/DB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Brandon Baird OL/DL Colton Bash OL/DL Jacob Buterbaugh OL/DL Brandon Galentine FB/LB Tommy Hamilton HB/LB Brennan Keith WR/DL Erik Keith HB/DB Anthony Larch OL/LB Jimmy Lightner QB/DB Nathan Miller OL/DL Andrew Packer TE/DL Matthew Somogyi HB/DB Austin Yeager OL/DL x-denotes letters earned

Ht. 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-9 6-2 6-0 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-11 6-4 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-11 5-10 5-9 6-1

Wt. 220 170 170 170 240 155 218 250 200 170 205 270 180 170 145 160 250 170 200 183

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

Wt. 130 200 115 165 145 170 145 170 290 185

Ht. 5-8 5-11 5-7 5-7 5-7 6-3 6-0 5-9 6-0 5-7

Wt. 145 170 140 140 180 165 175 250 190 140

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

Wt. 165 145 200 130 130 125 135 160 135 135 150 115 120

to put the ball in the air often. They might not need to this year either, but they want to be seasoned in case they get in a passing situation. “We always want to run the ball, Continued on Page 23

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 23

Defense remains a strength at Penns Manor

Comets still wearing target

By CARLY KROUSE

year, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if we had as much depth, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been putting some other KENWOOD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Penns guys from the second group Manorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense was good in on defense and are comlast year. It led the area in fortable with it. It is definitetotal defense and had a ly stronger this year.â&#x20AC;? plus-10 turnover margin. The speed Penns Manor This year, the treasures so much on Comets expect to be offense will also be better. present on defense. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been lookThe skill players will ing really good on be playing both ways defense,â&#x20AC;? senior deand look forward to fensive back Bailey getting back on the Mumau said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We field. just needed to fineâ&#x20AC;&#x153;The defense has tune some things, only gotten better,â&#x20AC;? and we were set.â&#x20AC;? senior linebacker TYLER Mumau finished Clayton Stupic said. SOMOGYI with four intercepâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hoping to tions last year, and shut some teams Tyler Somogyi down.â&#x20AC;? added three. Penns Penns Manor held Manor had 26 takehigh-powered Bellaways overall. wood-Antis to just 14 The Comets, who points in its final also led the area in game last season in rushing defense, rethe District 6 playturn all but one offs. The Comets alstarter on defense. lowed 20 or more They allowed just points in only two 190.9 yards per games. CLAYTON game, only 135.3 on â&#x20AC;&#x153;There have been a STUPIC the ground. lot of guys standing â&#x20AC;&#x153;We only lost one out on defense,â&#x20AC;? guy from last year, so we Packer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully, with should be better,â&#x20AC;? Mumau their experience, they rally said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the experi- together and come out and ence and know what to do to play good football. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have get after the ball.â&#x20AC;? a lot of athletes. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ready to â&#x20AC;&#x153;The defense has really just get started and see what come on during camp,â&#x20AC;? these kids can do. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve coach Bill Packer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We practiced hard in the offseaactually have some depth son, and now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to this year on defense. Last play some football.â&#x20AC;? ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Continued from Page 22 but sometimes you need to pass,â&#x20AC;? Packer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clayton is looking much better throwing the football. He is more comfortable, and we feel good about him back there.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting better,â&#x20AC;? Stupic said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I practiced it a lot in camp, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see what the year brings.â&#x20AC;? The Comets are eyeing a third Heritage Conference title. With the experience they bring to the table, they see no reason they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t achieve that goal.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a feeling we could do a lot of big things this year, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why you play the game,â&#x20AC;? Stupic said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rest, though. We have to go hard every week if we want to win games. ... Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to take it a week at a time and keep our heads in it. If we do that, then I think we can do anything.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;You always hope that you can win it,â&#x20AC;? Packer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The talent is there, and if we get the coaching right and the kids step up, then we have as good a shot as anybody.â&#x20AC;?

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Oct. 23 Oct. 30

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Oct. 30 Nov. 6

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Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16

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PENNS MANOR

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MARION CENTER Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23

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HOMER-CENTER

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24 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

Kutztown, 4 p.m. Lock Haven, 1 p.m. at Mercyhurst, 1 p.m. Edinboro, 2 p.m. at Seton Hill, 3 p.m. Califfoornia, 6 p.m. at Slippery Rock, 6 p.m. at Clarion, noon Gannon, 1 p.m. at West Chesterr, noon

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PURCHASE LINE

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Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

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Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 25

26 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

PURCHASE LINE

Red Dragons changing on the fly Speed, not size or strength, is main weapon

ROSTER

By CARLY KROUSE

ckrouse@indianagazette.net

Head coach Brandon Overdorff Fourth season Career record: 13-17

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 26 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

SALTSBURG at Ligonier Valley BLAIRSVILLE ST. JOSEPH’S at Homer-Center NORTHERN CAMBRIA at Marion Center UNITED at Penns Manor WEST SHAMOKIN

2014 results PL 58 20 6 33 40 28 24 63 19 50

Record: 6-4

Saltsburg Ligonier Valley Blairsville St. Joseph’s Homer-Center Northern Cambria Marion Center United Penns Manor Saltsburg

Opp. 19 23 27 27 43 24 19 30 28 14

Quotable Running back Hunter Rice: “We are very fast. We have speed. That’s our biggest thing.”

MAHAFFEY — Purchase Line coach Brandon Overdorff knows he has a different team this year than he had in the past. He also knows that change isn’t always a bad thing. “We’re not going to push anyone around this year,” Overdorff said. “We’re not as big or as strong as we’ve been. We’re built differently, but we have a lot of speed. We have a lot of skill players who have really developed. We’re going to exploit those things and hopefully it will pay off.” Purchase Line will rely on that speed — not size and strength — on both sides of the ball. The Red Dragons return just two linemen and will spread the ball out on offense and use that quickness to their advantage. “We are very fast,” running back Hunter Rice said. “We have speed. That’s our biggest thing. We’ve been working our tails off, and we’ve been building up our endurance. That’s going to be a really big factor in how we play this year because everything on our offense will be so fast.” Rice, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior who was a fullback the past two seasons behind Grant Syster, wasn’t going to play this year. He ultimately changed his mind and will be an asset in the backfield. “I missed the game, and I missed my teammates, so I wanted to come back and play,” Rice said. “I had some stuff going through my head, but I’m here now and ready to go. They’re going to have me all over the place. I’m just going to do my best whenever I get the ball in my hands and be thankful that I’m out there with my team.” Throughout camp, Purchase Line’s speed had an impact on defense, too. Overdorff said the secondary is one of the strengths for the Red Dragons, who allowed 84.7 passing yards per game last year. “We might be better on defense this year than we ever have been since I started coaching,” Overdorff said. “We’re faster, and that helps us get to the ball quicker. But can we be physical enough? That’s the question. But we should have

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

SAM STANFORD passed for 353 yards last season. no problem getting to the ball or chasing the ball down.” The Red Dragons, coming off their first winning season since 2009, will try to carry over some swagger into this year. Last year’s team finished 6-4 and fell just short of qualifying for the District 6 Class A playoffs. Overdorff took over in 2012 with the hope of turning a struggling program around, and he thinks it is heading in the right direction. The Red Dragons had two consecutive 0-9 seasons before he was hired. “In the past few years, we’ve built some confidence,” Overdorff said. “These kids didn’t know how to win. We have an expectation level now that the kids understand, and that helps a lot. Confidence and work ethic should pay off for us this year, and that’s what ultimately leads to success.” Despite losing Syster to graduation, the Red Dragons expect to build on their success. Syster was the area’s leading rusher the past two seasons and ran for 2,533 yards in 2014. “We’ve put in a lot of hard work, and we know there is no tomorrow,” senior Sam Stanford said. “We don’t have that ‘one guy’ like we did, but we’ve been doing a lot of conditioning in camp and got in a lot of reps. It’s just like camp al-

ways has been, but it seems to be a step higher this year. Now, we have expectations to meet. We’ve felt what it’s like to win, so we just want to keep winning.” Will Syster, a two-time letterwinner, anchors the offensive and defensive lines, which are surrounded by question marks. “We just don’t have the size this year that we did last year,” said the 6-1, 290-pound senior. “We have the footwork down, but we’re just not as big. I’m the only senior (on the line), so I’ve been a leader and hope I’m helping these other guys to get better.” One of those guys is Zach Book, who played both ways last year as a freshman. “We return Will Syster, who I think will be one of the top linemen in the county,” Overdorff said. “He’s big and strong and has a lot of potential. But Zach Book really came in and has been impressive. He’s young, but we really like the intensity that he’s brought. (The line) is a big concern of ours until they go live in that first game and see if they are physical enough at the varsity level.” Purchase Line plays host to Saltsburg in its opener Friday. The Red Dragons want to take the season one game at a time, but are hoping to win enough games to earn a

SENIORS Name Pos. Ht. Greg Boring-x OL/DL 5-11 Gavin Bouch RB/LB 5-11 Ronnie Button-xxx WR/DB 5-8 Jake Daisher-xx WR/DB 5-8 Alden Sink RB/LB 5-9 Sam Stanford-xxx QB/LB 5-7 Will Syster-xx OL/DL 6-1 JUNIORS Name Pos. Ht. Ryan Butz-x TE/LB 6-1 Ryan Dickey TE/DL 6-5 Levi Esposti-x WR/LB 5-10 Austin Keith WR/DB 5-8 Harold Lydick OL/DL 5-9 Joel Manioci WR/DB 5-8 Jason Phillips-x OL/DL 5-9 Hunter Rice-xx RB/LB 5-11 SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Ht. Zach Book-x OL/LB 6-1 Doug Bouch OL/DL 6-0 Shamar Campbell-x QB/WR/DB6-2 Jared Goss TE/LB 5-10 Tyler Kachmarchi RB/LB 5-6 Brandon Marsh-x OL/DL 5-10 Ethan Meckley TE/LB 5-9 Melvin Sanchez-x RB/DB 5-9 Brady Smyers OL/DL 5-8 Stanley Straw OL/DL 5-11 David Stephenson QB/WR/DB5-10 Lucas Syster-x RB/LB 5-9 FRESHMEN Name Pos. Ht. Quinn Scalese OL/DL 5-11 Devin Smith TE/LB 5-11 Kaleb Yarger OL/DL 5-8 x-denotes letters earned

Wt. 210 165 140 140 198 175 290 Wt. 165 170 150 135 185 150 165 185 Wt. 205 155 180 160 150 175 155 145 180 175 150 160 Wt. 215 155 205

spot in the postseason. “We approach each year the same,” Overdorff said. “We’re going to go out and try to compete with a lot of enthusiasm and effort and see what happens. We’re not lowering our expectations just because we have some new faces. We do lack experience, but I’m optimistic our skill guys will go out and prove themselves.” The Red Dragons traveled to Mahaffey Camp for a week of practice for the third straight year. Overdorff said it’s good for the players to concentrate on football and to come together as a team. “It’s great,” he said. “It gets us away from all the distractions. We can simply focus on football things and life things. It forces them to spend time together and get to know one another.” “We don’t have that one crutch to lean on,” Will Syster said. “Everyone has to step up and do their part. We’ve learned a lot about each other, and if we play together, we can have a pretty good season.”

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 27

Purchase Line trotting out some dual threats By CARLY KROUSE

ckrouse@indianagazette.net

JAMES J. NESTOR/Gazette

SHAMAR CAMPBELL figures to see time at quarterback and wide receiver.

MAHAFFEY — Sam Stanford and Shamar Campbell will split time at quarterback this season, a move that will allow Purchase Line to spread the ball around a little bit more. Stanford, who started last year, has the experience, while Campbell has the height. They both have the speed. Stanford, a 5-foot-7, 175pound senior, completed 29 passes for 353 yards in 2014. Campbell, a 6-2, 180-pound sophomore, played a utility role. “Sam Stanford is an allaround athlete,” coach Brandon Overdorff said. “He’s going to play some quarterback and he’s going to play receiver and he’s going to play running back. He’s a great competitor. He put a lot of work in during the offseason to get better and is a weapon for us.” “Sam has some legs on him,” running back Hunter Rice said. “He can move. People will be surprised. He’s a natural athlete and is a big part of the talent on this team.” Campbell, who was part of the Red Dragons’ 3,200meter relay team that qualified for the state track and field championships, is a natural. He will line up under center along with

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“Those two guys really put the work in,” Overdorff said. “They give us some more options with our offense. JAKE We have a DAISHER lot of guys who can do a lot of things, and Ronnie Button and Jake Daisher are two of them.” Purchase Line led the Heritage Conference last season in total offense, mostly be-

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cause of the area’s all-time leading rusher, Grant Syster. This year, though, the Red Dragons will look to Stanford and Campbell to get the job done with their arms and their legs. “I feel good,” Stanford said. “I feel conditioned and ready to go. I’ve been getting a lot faster, and I’ve been seeing the ball better. They have me at different positions, and it’s been good. “I have a lot of confidence in our skill guys. They’ve been putting in the hard work. We have a couple guys coming back and a few new guys, but we will be OK.”

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playing receiver. He was fifth in the area in interceptions with five as a freshman last year. “Shamar Campbell RONNIE has really, BUTTON really come along,” Overdorff said. “He’s a wide receiver, but he’s going to play a little bit of quarterback for us. He started both ways for us last year, and we’re really excited about his potential. He can throw the ball, he can go up and get the ball and the kid is fast.” “With using both of us, we’re spreading out a lot more,” Stanford said. “We are a lot quicker and are going to be able to do a lot more things. We’ve been working well together.” Incorporating the two into a quicker offensive scheme gives the Red Dragons more options behind the line of scrimmage. “We think using both of them gives us the best chance,” Overdorff said. “We’ll see how it goes, but it seems to be working.” Two other impact players, Ronnie Button and Jake Daisher, will be in the mix on offense, too. Both are 5-8, 140-pound senior receivers and cornerbacks.

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28 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

SALTSBURG

Trojans face usual daunting task Ever-optimistic team looks to make its mark under new staff By DUSTIN FILLOY

1,122 yards with 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. A true pocket passer, Plowman didn’t get as SALTSBURG — In their first year many reps at the position last year, under a new coaching regime, the when he split time at quarterback Saltsburg Trojans once again ex- with Tyler Frassenei. pect to play the role of underdog in With Plowman having two years the Heritage Conference, and of experience under his belt and that’s a moniker they fully em- more offensive weapons at his disbrace. posal this year, Hammack expects “We go into every game knowing his quarterback will enjoy a breakthat the odds are stacked against out season in a multiple-I offense. us, but we don’t mind it because “We’re going to do what the dethis year’s different,” said River fense gives us, but Frankie is a Shindledecker, a junior and two- more-than-capable thrower,” said way starter. “This year we have the Hammack. “He had almost 2,000 experience and the talent and we (passing) yards in two years and he have the coaching staff that’s going was splitting time. The accolades to utilize that talent.” are there and the stats are there Although they’re everfrom him, but we have optimistic, Shindledecker other guys. We have a runand his teammates know ning back (Shindledecker) what kind of daunting that will take some prestests wait ahead of them sure off him this year, and against larger and more he’ll be able to carry the experienced Heritage load moreso than guys did Conference foes. for him in the past. We exThe Trojans have won pect it to really benefit just four games in the last Frankie.” three seasons combined, Shindledecker rushed RIVER including just one game for 201 yards on 50 carries last year. This year, they’re SHINDLEDECKER last year as the fullback. going to have to adjust to Because of Shindledeckthe departure of coach Tim er’s toughness, athleticism and Frassenei, who guided the team downhill running style, Hammack from 2008 to 2014. decided to move him to tailback But, according to Shindledecker, this year. Jacob Braun and Tyler the team’s leading returning rush- Sandor-Gizzi will share time at er, the transition from playing fullback. under Frassenei to new co-head “He’s a tough kid and he worked coaches Josh Hammack and Jared really hard in the offseason for McCormick has been seamless. this,” said Hammack. “He got a lit“Absolutely,” said Shindledecker. tle bit faster and a little bit “They’re doing fantastic and stronger, and he comes to work they’re instilling the leadership every single day. Every time we’re and confidence in us that we need on the field he’s busting his butt, to win some ballgames this year. and as a coach, that’s all you can Every game’s going to be an uphill ask for.” battle. Because the team’s leading re“Don’t get me wrong, we’re going ceiver last year, Tanner Yard (39 reto have to fight for every game that ceptions, 552 yards and five touchwe’re in. But I feel like we can win downs), tore his anterior cruciate some serious ballgames this year ligament last year and will miss the and really turn things around.” entire season, returning starter Along with Shindledecker, the Mitch Carr and first-year varsity Trojans will rely heavily on a hand- player Jordan Booth will represent ful of two-way starters, particularly Plowman’s two best targets in the the play of quarterback/outside receiving corps. linebacker Frankie Plowman. But the success of the Trojans’ Plowman, a junior who is enter- skill players will undoubtedly ing his third season as the Trojans’ hinge on the production of returnquarterback, completed 54 of 120 ing starters Greg Grimplin at cenpasses for 838 yards with five ter, Jon McKnight and Doug Bentouchdowns and 10 interceptions der at tackle, Dylan McRoberts at last year. As a freshman, Plowman guard and Ryan Treece at tight end. completed 92 of 182 passes for “We’re comfortable with the exdfilloy@indianagazette.net

Head coaches Jared McCormick and Josh Hammack First season Career record: 0-0

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

at Purchase Line at Homer-Center MARION CENTER PENNS MANOR at Westinghouse at United LIGONIER VALLEY at Blairsville NORTHERN CAMBRIA TBA

2014 results S 19 28 24 8 0 24 8 14 0 14

Record: 1-9

Purchase Line Homer-Center Marion Center Penns Manor Westinghouse United Ligonier Valley Blairsville Northern Cambria Purchase Line

Opp. 58 50 54 47 38 6 28 24 41 50

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

FRANKIE PLOWMAN has passed for 1,960 yards in two seasons. perience we have up front, but we can’t feel complacent,” said Hammack. “We have to keep getting better at the stuff we did. We didn’t run the ball all that well last year, so we’ve had to tweak some things in the run game, but with all the experience, I think we’ll be OK.” Based on their personnel, their experience on the defensive front and their strength at the inside linebacker positions, the Trojans will make the change from a 50 look on defense to a 4-4 under McCormick. McCormick said a slew of experienced members of the defensive line — tackles McKnight, McRoberts, Grimplin and Tyler Nuttall and ends Treece and Braun — will enable inside linebackers Shindledecker and Cody Reesman to thrive. “We have a bunch of tough linebackers, and I’m excited about our defensive line,” said McCormick. “Most of those guys are seniors and they’ve been playing together for years now, so I’m really excited about them. If they can keep putting in the work that they’re doing, we’re going to see some big dividends for the linebackers and the guys in the secondary.” Other defensive starters are Sandor-Gizzi at outside linebacker, Carr and Booth at cornerback and freshman Matt Grimplin at safety.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Doug Bender-xxx T/DT Hunter Cunningham WR/CB Greg Grimplin-xx C/DT Jon McKnight-xxx T/DT Dylan McRoberts-xxx G/DT Ryan Treece-xxx TE/DE Tanner Yard-xxx RB/DB JUNIORS Name Pos. Jordan Booth WR/CB Zack Bowers G/DT Jacob Braun FB/DE Mitch Carr-x WR/CB Tyler Nuttall-x C/DT Frankie Plowman-xx QB/LB Nate Raypush G/DT Cody Reesman-x G/LB Tyler Sandor-Gizzi FB/LB River Shindledecker-xx RB/LB Skylar Sphon RB/CB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Steve Heckman T/DT Trent Perfetta T/DE Ben Sinclair QB/CB Tristen Zimmerman RB/S FRESHMEN Name Pos. Garrett Carr G/DT Ryan Elwood G/DE Joe Grguric RB/LB Matt Grimplin WR/S Gage Kiser WR/CB x-denotes letters earned

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

Wt. 270 150 240 280 265 170 150

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

Wt. 170 180 220 150 205 185 200 160 150 210 140

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

Wt. 230 220 165 130

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

Wt. 165 170 150 155 155

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 29

Co-coaches was the obvious choice at Saltsburg By DUSTIN FILLOY

dfilloy@indianagazette.net

SALTSBURG — Josh Hammack and Jared McCormick didn’t have to ponder their answers very long. The duo knew right away that Saltsburg athletic director Glenn Richards had made an astute request when he asked if they would accept cohead coaching positions for the football team. And so Hammack and McCormick replaced former longtime coach Tim Frassenei in April, becoming the first duo to be named co-head coaches in the Heritage Conference since it was formed in 2000. “We had a good relationship, so when he approached us with that question, we pretty much took it and ran with it,” Hammack said. “Josh and I were both on staff under Coach Frassenei last year, and we both worked really well together,” McCormick added. “It just

so happens he was the offensive coordinator last year, and I happened to be the defensive coordinator, so we just decided to combine things this year.” In addition to the notion that they bring different coaching expertise to the table, Richards was swayed to suggest the co-head coaching scenario due to the fact that McCormick, a health and physical education teacher at Saltsburg, can keep an eye on the team during school hours. Hammack graduated from Saltsburg in 2007, the year before Frassenei began his sevenyear tenure, but isn’t employed by the school district. “When it was brought up to us we thought that it was good because Jared’s in the building,” Hammack said. “It gave us a guy that can monitor the kids while they’re in school while also being a coach and having that different perspective.” Hammack and McCormick recognize the up-

“JOSH AND I were both on staff under Coach Frassenei last year, and we both worked really well together. It just so happens he was the offensive coordinator last year, and I happened to be the defensive coordinator, so we just decided to combine things this year.” Jared McCormick hill battle that they’re entering by taking over in Frassenei’s wake. After all, Frassenei lived and died Saltsburg football, and under his watch, the team made just one appearance in the District 6 playoffs and mustered a combined mark of 15-52. The Trojans haven’t had a winning season since 1996, when they went 5-4, and finished last year 1-9, with their only win coming over another one-win team, United. Even with the odds stacked against them to bring the program back to

3rd Annual

life, Hammack and McCormick are genuinely excited and poised to embrace the grind ahead of them. “We talked about it early on in the preseason, leading up to our summer workouts, and we looked at it like Tim did great things with these kids,” McCormick said. “You couldn’t ever say that his decisions or anything that he did wasn’t for these kids. He put in a lot of time and effort with these kids, but coming into the preseason we tried to get a movement going with this group. We wanted to start things in a positive direction, and we told them that it all started with the coaches and the team’s attitude. So we set the tone and then we just tried to ride that momentum throughout summer camp.” Hammack, who con-

Visit End Zone Extra at indianagazette.com

curred with McCormick’s heartfelt sentiments regarding Frassenei, said he doesn’t plan on making many major changes to the offense he ran last year. The Trojans averaged 231.4 total yards and 14.6 points per game last year. McCormick, on the other hand, decided to alter the defense from a 50 look to a 4-4. Last year, Saltsburg allowed area highs of 389.7 yards and 41.0 points per game. In coverage, the Trojans will primarily use a cover 3 look, although depending on the situation, they’ll use

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man-to-man coverage and zone looks. “The scheme that we’re going to is going to give us a better opportunity to improve defensively, and that’s clearly where we’re most in need of improving,” McCormick said. “We have some defensive backs that I’m more comfortable with playing that cover 3, not letting the deep ball get past them but still being able to come up and make a tackle. I feel the 4-4 just better fits our personnel and will hopefully put us in better positions to make tackles and make stops.”

Good Luck

30 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

New coach giving Lions a push

UNITED

‘We’re trying to get back to what United football once was’ By DUSTIN FILLOY

dfilloy@indianagazette.net

Head coach

Kevin Marabito First season Career record: 74-63

Conference Heritage

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 7

at Marion Center at St. Joseph’s LIGONIER VALLEY at Northern Cambria at Penns Manor SALTSBURG HOMER-CENTER at Purchase Line BLAIRSVILLE FARRELL

2014 results U 7 15 12 0 0 6 0 30 13 0

Record: 1-9

Marion Center St. Joseph’s Ligonier Valley Northern Cambria Penns Manor Saltsburg Homer-Center Purchase Line Blairsville Farrell

Opp. 35 2 49 44 49 24 35 63 49 51

Quotable Marabito: “They’re respectful kids and it’s all about getting a trust in people, and I think they trust me.”

ARMAGH — When he was hired in January, United coach Kevin Marabito devised a plan to spark a resurgence in a team that has won just one game in the last three seasons. By the time the 2014-15 school year ended in June, Marabito knew his wealth of football knowledge, his strict approach to coaching and his old-school philosophies were beginning to push his team in the right direction. “We’re trying to get back to what United football once was,” Marabito said. “The nice part is I was hired with enough time. If it would have been a late hire, I would have never looked at this job. Coming in there wasn’t a lot of participation in the first few weeks, but as time went on and the word got out, the kids began buying in. ... I’m a little bit different on discipline and a little bit different on routine, and the kids have learned that. At first they wanted to come when they wanted to, but then they found out that there are penalties when they’re not showing up. “The kids trusted with what I was telling them — probably because I’m old and gray, and they look at me as the older figure. This school’s a lot like when I coached at Laurel Valley and Ferndale. They’re respectful kids and it’s all about getting a trust in people, and I think they trust me.” Although the team was thriving just five years ago, it will undoubtedly take an extraordinary effort from Marabito and his staff to help resurrect the program. After all, United has posted a combined 129 record in the last three years, going winless in 27 straight Heritage Conference games. One of the primary changes Marabito made from the start was simplifying things schematically. So the disciple of former Laurel Valley coaching legend Jerry Page dissected his roster over the winter and decided before the summer that he’d switch his offense from the more complicated pistol set to a traditional I-formation. Running back Brent Mack, a senior and three-year letterwinner, rushed for a team-best 504 yards and two touchdowns on 108 carries last season. Tylor McLaughlin

and Logan George will provide a few more viable options out of the backfield, although the duo rushed for only a combined 15 yards last season. “We’re going to run the football,” Marabito said. “We have the capabilities to throw, but right now my philosophy is we’re going to establish the run to set up the pass.” Because Jesse Beacker, United’s quarterback last season, transferred to Homer-Center, Matt Dill, a senior and three-year letterwinner, will call the signals. Dill completed 3 of 7 passes for 32 yards last season, rushed for 37 yards on nine carries and had four receptions for 48 yards. “Matt’s turning into a leader,” Marabito said. “He’s making some great reads in practice and he’s handling the team well. Matt’s not a big vocal guy, but he’s always positive and directing people, and that’s what you ask out of a quarterback.” Flanker Devin Mack will represent Dill’s best option in the receiving corps. Mack, a junior and twoyear letterwinner, posted team highs in receptions (11) and receiving yards (109) last season. Tight end Beau Sheriff gives Dill another reliable target. Sheriff, a senior and two-year letterwinner, caught seven passes for 105 yards last year. “If a team takes our run away, then I’m going to have confidence in our passing game,” Marabito said. “We want to get to the point where defenses aren’t dictating what we do. We want to dictate what we want to do, and we have enough looks and a lot of things that we can do to pull that off.” Other offensive starters are center Trever Henry, guards Casey Uadiski and Riley Miller, tackles Justin Torok and Brenden Lawton, tight end Troy Mack, fullbacks David Brothers and Dom Eritano and slot receiver Logan Neuner. United allowed an average of 262.5 rushing yards per game last year, so in an effort to remedy some of the previous issues with stopping the run, Marabito altered the defense from a 4-4 to a 5-3. Marabito said if the front can hold up its end of the bargain, the three linebackers should become the best playmakers. “With Brent Mack, Brothers and George in there, along with Devin

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

BRENT MACK rushed for 504 yards last season.

SENIORS Name Pos. Matt Dill-xxx QB/DB Kolt Jarvis-xxx E/DB Brent Mack-xxx RB/LB Jacob Neuner WR/DB Beau Sheriff-xx E/DB JUNIORS Name Pos. Skylar Bennett RB/DB David Brothers-xx RB/LB Cole Fry G/DT Brenden Lawton-xx T/DT Devin Mack-xx WR/LB Troy Mack-xx RB/LB Logan Neuner WR/DB Justin Torok-xx T/DT Casey Uadiski-x G/LB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Timothy Baker G/DT Adam Donelson K Dominic Eritano RB/LB Logan George-x RB/DB

ROSTER Ht. 6-2 5-7 5-10 5-7 6-1

Wt. 205 150 166 160 155

Ht. 5-7 65-9 5-8 6-2 5-10 5-8 5-10 5-11

Wt. 150 163 170 210 167 220 165 192 192

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

Wt. 207 145 185 160

Mack at safety, those guys can make things happen,” Marabito said. “I like our linebackers because they can move and they can hit hard.”

Trever Henry-x C/DT Bryce Lichtenfels QB/DB Tylor McLaughlin-x RB/DB Riley Miller-x G/DE Evan Orr G/NG Nathan Pollino QB/DB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Alan Barley G/NG Hunter Berkavich E/DB David Croyle G/DT Ryan Dupre WR/DB Caleb Hansen RB/DB Anthony Kline-Glance WR/DB Luke Means QB/DB Mason Muir E/LB Cory Pollino C/NG Austin Rose G/DT Donald Shroyer WR/DB Joshua Stephens T/DT Joseph Turek T/DT Michael Uncapher RB/LB x-denotes letters earned

5-7 5-10 5-7 5-11 6-3 5-7

205 165 150 205 210 125

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

Wt. 170 165 195 175 143 120 155 163 146 170 130 260 220 170

Other defensive starters are cornerbacks Jacob Neuner and Kolt Jarvis, ends Eritano and Troy Mack, tackles Uadiski and Torok and nose tackle Miller.

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 31

Marabito aims to ‘restore the roar’ at United By DUSTIN FILLOY

dfilloy@indianagazette.net

ARMAGH — In desperate need to end a three-year slump, United sought out the help of a proven winner last winter, and in January, the school landed just that in 14-year head coaching veteran Kevin Marabito. A former head coach at Penns Manor, Johnstown and Ferndale, and an assistant for a combined 19 years at Johnstown, Laurel Valley and most recently, Forest Hills, Marabito seems like just the man to turn things around at United. He has a career 74-63 record in two seasons at Penns Manor (414), three at Johnstown (2311) and nine at Ferndale (47-38). The Lions’ one win last year represents their only victory in the last three seasons. In that span, United has not won a Heritage Conference game. “They want to turn this program around, but it’s not going to happen overnight, and that’s one thing we stress,” Marabito said. “But we’re doing the little things that you have to stress. It’s not the big picture. It’s doing the little things right, and the kids are understanding well. “They’re doing those little things, and as I told them, that’s going to pay off as the season goes on for wins. We’re not very big, we don’t have great speed, but their heart’s there, and just the attitude right now is what you’d ask for at this stage.” Marabito said since he took over several players have emerged as leaders and the team has evolved significantly. “The first morning was almost like you were at a funeral,” Marabito said. “But as the weeks have gone by they’ve picked it up. We’ve got a good mix of juniors and seniors stepping to the forefront to lead. We have a small senior class with just five players, and a couple of them aren’t vocal leaders, but they lead by example. We’ve got juniors stepping up a little bit and they’re speaking up. It’s coming together.

TOM PEEL/Gazette

KEVIN MARABITO put the Lions through drills on the first day of camp on Aug. 17. “There’s no way I’m disappointed at this stage, and as I told them, it’s going to be a grueling and slow process, but if we stay at it, we’re going to be fine as the season goes on.” After winning just four

games in two seasons at Penns Manor, Marabito started his winning ways at Ferndale, ultimately steering his team to a District 6 Class A title in 1995. Marabito then flourished at Johnstown, where he led

the Trojans to a District 6 Class AAA runner-up showing in 2008 and a Class AAA title the following season. Despite his obvious ability to build winning teams, Marabito said he couldn’t have built his résumé without having standout players. “People say I’m a winning coach, but you’ve got to have players. That’s what it comes down to,” he said. “I couldn’t even tell you what my career record is. The kids have to take the baby steps, and in the programs that I went to, it’s been slow steps and patience. Sometimes as a coach you’re not patient, but as I grew older and being with Coach (Don) Bailey at Forest Hills and being with Coach (Jerry) Page at Laurel Valley, it’s the little things, and it’s going to be baby steps. You’d love to put 100 plays in, but if you don’t execute one of them right, then there’s no sense in going on, and that’s been my motto. It’s slow steps, and I’ve had success doing it that way, and hopefully the same thing happens here.” In his latest endeavor, Marabito coached the defensive backs and the wide receivers at Forest Hills for five years. The Rangers qualified for the playoffs in each of those years, winning a District 6 Class AA title in 2010 before finishing second in 2012. Marabito admitted he

never intended to leave Forest Hills, but when he realized he could coach a team that’s roughly a five-minute drive from his house in Seward, he was sold. “I’m getting older and this might be my last stop,” Marabito said. “I was totally happy at Forest Hills, but the one thing was it was a chance to build another program, and plus it’s only six minutes from my house. I thought I could do a good job because it’s close and I could get here. Forest Hills is a place I never thought I’d leave, but I guess I’m older and the drive was getting to

me. I loved it at Forest Hills, but this is almost like a Laurel Valley. It’s a nice community, the people are great, and it seems like you have that support. I can see it in the community now and it seems like they’re getting it back. “That’s our motto: ‘We want to restore the roar.’” Marabito takes over a program that was rocked by adversity last season. Lance Holupka was suspended after six games, and Scott Boring, who’s still on the staff as an assistant, finished the season as the interim coach.

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32 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

APOLLORIDGE

Vikings retool for another run High-octane offense doesn’t expect to pull any surprises By JOE BACCAMAZZI

ing hard all the time. We don’t take plays off. If we see someone slacking, you can get hit. It teaches you SPRING CHURCH — With a ros- to go hard. The people that we do ter consisting of only eight seniors have here, they get all of us to work and a stark leap in the level of com- harder.” petition, Apollo-Ridge could have Taking perhaps the biggest step regressed in 2014. forward will be Kyle Fitzroy, a 6Instead, the Vikings greatly im- foot-3 sophomore quarterback. As proved. a freshman, Fitzroy threw only Following a season in which the three passses, completing two for Vikings won their first playoff 57 yards and one touchdown. game since 2007, Apollo-Ridge Now, the offense is his to run, jumped up a class last year, from and he’s ready for the challenge, Single-A to Double-A, and into the especially since he can count on WPIAL Allegheny Conference. Duane Brown in the backfield. What resulted was an 8-1 regular- Brown played primarily at quarterseason finish, a third consecutive back last season, but he also shiftplayoff appearance and another ed to running back and receiver playoff victory, this time a and accounted for more 58-40 shootout win over than 2,000 total yards. Beaver Falls. “I feel pretty good about In 2015, with 12 seniors it,” Fitzroy said. “It’s going and a collection of returnto be new to me, but I think ing playmakers, the Vikings I can do well with the line I know they won’t catch anyhave and with Duane back one in the conference off there to help me out every guard. once in a while when I need “People definitely know it. It’ll be good. who we are now, that they “I feel I’ll need to step up. DILLON definitely will not be thinkEven though I’m a sophoing past us,” coach John more, I still just need to SHIPMAN Skiba said. “In the past step up and help pick up people maybe have. And I other guys on and off the think, even this year, field, help them when they though, people know what need it.” we lost. So people are exFortunately for the young pecting us not to be as signal-caller, unlike many good as we could be.” quarterbacks at the high Apollo-Ridge is now school level, he won’t be without two of its greatest asked to contribute on deoffensive contributors fense, allowing him to dedifrom last season. Tre Tipcate all his time to learning ton, a do-it-all athlete, now ERIC MORAN and grasping the offensive plays receiver at Pitt, and playbook. running back Jonah Casella also And he has already come a long graduated in the spring. Last sea- way from a season in which he son, they accounted for more than spent most of his Saturdays play2,600 yards from scrimmage, in- ing junior varsity. cluding 1,984 rushing, and com“For a young quarterback, I feel bined for 33 touchdowns. like he knows a lot about the game It will be difficult to replace that and a lot about our offense,” said kind of production, but the Vikings Shipman. “And he’s pretty good have more than enough confi- under pressure. I have high expecdence that they can replicate the tations for him.” program’s recent success. What arguably benefits Fitzroy “We have a lot to live up to from most, though, is the experienced last season,” Dillon Shipman, a and massive group of blockers besenior wide receiver, said. “We had hind which he will operate. a great season and I expect the Bookended on the right by 6same from us this year. I mean, we foot-6, 330-pound senior tackle still have a lot of people returning. Eric Moran, the offensive line will Our line is really solid. A lot of continue to be the backbone of young guys have stepped up. The Apollo-Ridge’s run-first system. people that we have are high-in- The starting line also features of tensity all the time. We’re all work- junior left guard Beau McDermott, jbaccamazzi@indianagazette.net

Head coach John Skiba Fifth season Career record: 25-16

Conference WPIAL Allegheny

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9

KEYSTONE OAKS HIGHLANDS at Freeport at Burrell VALLEY SHADY SIDE ACADEMY Oct. 17 at Summit Academy Oct. 23 at Deer Lakes Oct. 30 WEST SHAMOKIN

2014 results

Record: 9-2 AR Opp. 41 West Shamokin 21 49 Valley 0 44 Kittanning 41 46 Shady Side Academy 20 27 Highlands 28 42 Ford City 15 49 Freeport 20 49 Deer Lakes 21 64 Burrell 20 58 Beaver Falls* 40 30 Washington* 58 *-WPIAL Class AA playoffs

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

KYLE FITZROY has taken over as the Vikings’ starting quarterback.

SENIORS Name Pos. Ghaven Baum WR/DB Joe Baustert-xxx OG/DT Megan Bonelli-x K Dylan Foster TE/LB Lloyd Galloway TE/LB Christian Haven-x OL/DE David Hazlet OL/DT Eric Moran-xx OT/DT Christian Schulze-x WR/DB Dillon Shipman-xx WR/DB Maurice Stankus-xx FB/LB Jonathan Turnbull OL/DL JUNIORS Name Pos. Eric Berkey WR/DB Duane Brown-xx RB/FS Billy Clark RB/DE Brett Coleman-x FB/LB Jeremy Dibernardo-x RB/SS Kane Kania-x RB/LB Beau McDermott-x OG/DT

ROSTER Ht. 6-0 5-11 5-6 5-10 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-6 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-10

Wt. 175 255 120 165 180 215 240 330 165 165 240 185

Ht. 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-10

Wt. 170 180 175 185 165 175 245

junior center Matthew Sells and senior right guard Joe Baustert. The group’s youngest starter, sophomore Joseph Sodowsky, slides into the left tackle spot. But while Skiba seemed to have little difficulty piecing together his starting units this summer, placing backups and strengthening the rest of the roster proved somewhat

Waylon Murray WR/DB Danny Orkwis WR/DB Matthew Sells-x C/DT Daylon Wells-x WR/DB Eric Wensel-x RB/DL SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Kyle Fitzroy QB Zach Harley TE/LB Devin Rametta OL/DL Tyler Smith OG/DT Joseph Sodowsky OL/DL FRESHMEN Name Pos. Jacob Clark OL/DL Elijah Eckenrode RB/LB Alex Gamble RB/DB Kent Harkleroad OL/DT Zack Kostelansky OL/DT Preston Sadler OL/DT Jonathan Shelkey QB/FS Tyler Williams RB/LB x-denotes letters earned

5-9 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-10

145 175 255 165 185

Ht. 6-3 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-3

Wt. 180 180 185 245 235

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

Wt. 190 135 145 230 190 265 160 155

problematic. “We’re battling depth all around just because our numbers are low,” said Skiba. “We’re not really battling injuries, but we’re battling depth. But we know the guys that are here are definitely football players. So we’re dedicated to what we’re going to do, and we’ll be Continued on Page 33

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 33

Brown set to do it all again at Apollo-Ridge By JOE BACCAMAZZI

jbaccamazzi@indianagazette.net

APOLLO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no need to tell Duane Brown about the shoes he has to fill or the responsibility he has to carry. His cleats are comfortably broken in, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been preparing for the role that is now his own since he first captivated fans of ApolloRidge High School as a freshman in 2013. As a sophomore, Brown was asked to do nearly everything â&#x20AC;&#x201D; throw, catch, run, defend, tackle and lead. In 2015, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be asked to do even more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see him come off the field,â&#x20AC;? coach John Skiba said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to have an IV stuck in his arm probably because he will not be coming off the field.â&#x20AC;? Last season, the now-

junior running back was really affects him, though, one-third of a three-headed because I think heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just monster ground attack that, used to being that guy all the along with all-around su- time anyway. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it perstar Tre Tipton bothers him one bit.â&#x20AC;? and offensive workFar from a one-dihorse Jonah Casella, mensional player, combined for 3,230 Brown proved his rushing yards. worth in every facet Brown, predomiof Apollo-Ridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nantly a quarterback high-powered oflast season, led the fense in 2014. He three with 134 caralso had 13 recepries for 1,252 yards tions for 155 yards, and passed for 914, scored 29 touchgiving him more downs and threw for DUANE than 2,100 total 13 more against only BROWN yards, but the four interceptions. Vikings will now look to him Of those 29 touchdowns, to help replace the produc- two came on defense and tion they lost when Tipton two came on special teams. (86 rushes for 1,037) and It remains to be seen how Casella (119 for 959) con- Apollo-Ridge plans to utilize cluded their senior cam- Brown in the passing game paigns. going forward, but he seems â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has a world of respon- destined to take over in the sibility on his shoulders,â&#x20AC;? backfield and lead the ofSkiba said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think it fense on the ground once

more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh, 100 percent,â&#x20AC;? senior wide receiver and defensive back Dillon Shipman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel like Duane is able to do it. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a really hard-working kid. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a time that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find him in the gym working out or staying after practice doing footwork drills or something like that. I totally 100 percent believe that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to take over that position.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready for it,â&#x20AC;? sophomore quarterback Kyle Fitzroy said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a really good athlete, all-around player. He can do anything on the field.â&#x20AC;? A two-time letterwinner who prefers playing offense to defense, despite flashing star ability on both sides of the line of scrimmage, Brown will likely only become a better player as he grows in the offense and

Vikings retool for another playoff run Continued from Page 32 Apollo-Ridge has 37 players on its roster. They have experience, with 24 players evenly split between the senior and junior classes, but there are five sophomores and nine freshmen. Those are numbers Skiba surely would like to see rise in upcoming classes. Winning cultures typically promote interest and raise awareness in high school athletics; however, Skiba seems to be at a loss when it comes to his programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waning recruitment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like I said, depth, depth, depth, and

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand it,â&#x20AC;? Skiba said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had very successful years here and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand why our depth is down. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on here in this area. It seems like weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always missing numbers anymore. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not too happy about it, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to fight through it anyway, so it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really matter.â&#x20AC;? For now at least, Apollo-Ridge has the numbers to battle with Class AA competition. The seniors are eager to pick up where they left off in 2014, and the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crop of juniors boasts

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enough capable talent to carry the program. The goal for the Vikings remains the same as every year â&#x20AC;&#x201D; return to the playoffs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My expectations are very high for this season. They really are,â&#x20AC;? said Shipman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to see 9-0, and every team wants to see that, but I think we can do it. We have a good crowd behind us. We like getting in the home games where everybody is all hyped up. It gets us going. I know everyone is excited for the season.â&#x20AC;?

Good Luck On Season 2015

to be just one thing on his mind as he enters his junior year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obviously, a perfect season,â&#x20AC;? Brown said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Trying to go undefeated, beat Highlands this year and do the things we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do last year.â&#x20AC;? By seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end, the stats on Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rĂŠsumĂŠ are sure to be even greater, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only number that really matters to him. And the aspirations of the Vikings overall far transcend his personal goals, if he even has any. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other than go 9-0,â&#x20AC;? he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;no, not really.â&#x20AC;?

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matures physically. And Skiba has already seen progress from his 5foot-10, 180-pound centerpiece. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faster, quicker, stronger than he was last year,â&#x20AC;? Skiba said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has so much confidence in the way he plays. I know I expect the world out of him, because he is that kind of player. And everything he does in practice, if you ever come out and watch him practice, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nonstop practicing, too. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a kid that takes things off. He competes in everything he does.â&#x20AC;? As for Brown, there seems

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34 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

DERRY

Trojans hope to build off victories Playoffs are goal with losing streak in past

ROSTER

By DUSTIN FILLOY

dfilloy@indianagazette.net

Head coach Tim Sweeney Second season Career record: 4-6

Conference

WPIAL Interstate

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

WASHINGTON at Mount Pleasant at Charleroi LAUREL at Southmoreland McGUFFEY BROWNSVILLE at Burgettstown WAYNESBURG CENTRAL

2014 results D 6 7 37 19 14 14 19 8 19 47

Record: 4-6

Opp. Washington 48 Mount Pleasant 35 Charleroi 6 Laurel 15 Southmoreland 27 McGuffey 43 Brownsville 18 Burgettstown 13 Waynesburg Central 28 East Allegheny 24

Quotable Sweeney: “It’s pretty cut and dried what we feel we need to do. We need to continue building off the success that we had last year.”

DERRY — They didn’t achieve their preseason goal of reaching the WPIAL playoffs for just the third time since the turn of the century, but the Derry Trojans certainly jumpstarted their struggling program last year. Tim Sweeney facilitated Derry’s resurgence in his first season, and a year later, the former Penn State walk-on linebacker has plans to help the Trojans turn the corner in their second year in the WPIAL Interstate Conference. “We played a 10th game and won pretty solidly over a team (East Allegheny) that gave us a formidable challenge in a scrimmage last August, but I’d say we still left the field that night with mixed emotions,” Sweeney said. “We were happy with the way the season ended, but did we hit our goals? No, we didn’t, and that made things a little bittersweet, but we’re hoping that feeling motivates the guys we have back.” After losing their first two games by a combined score of 83-13 to run their losing skid to 20 games (the third longest in the WPIAL at the time), Derry scored back-toback wins over Charleroi and Laurel. The Trojans, who started and ended the season with a schoolrecord-low 31 players, then won two of their last four games to finish with a 4-6 record, reaching the four-win mark for the first time since 2009. “It’s pretty cut and dried what we feel we need to do,” Sweeney said. “We need to continue building off the success that we had last year. It’s typical in high school football for a team to have a great season one year and then a big fall-off the next. You struggle one year and then all of a sudden your young players start to build their confidence and you parlay that momentum into a heck of a season and a great playoff run.” While they lost seven two-way starters to graduation, the Trojans have 43 players — 14 of which are freshmen — on their roster, including their most productive offensive threat from last year, quarterback Trey Friedline.

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

TREY FRIEDLINE started all 10 games at quarterback last season. A traditional pocket passer with a strong arm and a knack for reading defenses, Friedline is considered the cornerstone of Derry’s runheavy, Pro-I offense. Last year, Friedline, a senior and three-year letterwinner, started each of the Trojans’ 10 games, completed 68 of 133 passes for 910 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions. Because the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Friedline learned in a trial-by-fire situation last year, Sweeney fully expects his quarterback to shore up his shortcomings this year.

“He and I watched a lot of film together during the offseason, and we pinpointed some of the areas that he needed to improve in,” Sweeney said. “The major change I expect is for him to continue doing the things he does well, but correct some of his shortcomings. He’s an old-school pocket passer who throws the ball well and makes good decisions. “We learned from the poor decisions he made last year and we expect him to adjust accordingly and avoid making big mistakes, especially turning the ball over.”

SENIORS Name Pos. John Baker-x T/DT Adrian Boyer-xx WR/CB Logan Brown-xx G/DT Nick Chinchock-xxx FB/LB Trey Friedline-xxx QB/FS Levi Humberger-xxx G/DT Sonny Stevens-xxx FB/LB JUNIORS Name Pos. Tyler Balega-xx RB/SS Josh Bauer-xx WR/CB Dakota Carroll RB/CB Vincent Diana T/DT Hunter Edmiston-xx G/DT Justin Hayes WR/CB Kerek Hoffman-xx WR/FS Collin Holden-xx WR/CB Matt Marron-xx T/DE Adare Medoro G/NG Quinton Westerbeck RB/LB Owen Whitacre-xx WR/LB Noah Wiencek-xx TE/LB SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Shawn Broadway-x RB/CB Nick Johnston WR/CB Gannon Lenhart WR/LB Josh McMillen WR/CB Jeff Perratone T/DE Ryan Polinsky-x QB/SS Ethan Sellong T/LB Ben Spears T/DT Justin Wheelbarger RB/LB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Jon Bauer WR/CB Jordan Baum G/DE Dom DeLuca QB/LB Tyre Hairston G/T Hunter Hebenthal TE/LB Justin Flack WR/CB Aaron Johnston RB/SS Dillon Kirtland WR/SS Anthony Mastrorocco WR/CB Ty Miller RB/LB Colton Nemcheck FB/LB Cullen Shawley C/DT David Smith G/DT Onreey Stewart RB/CB x-denotes letters earned

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

Wt. 220 143 164 180 175 250 215

Ht. 5-11 5-11 5-8 6-4 6-0 6-3 5-6 5-8 6-3 5-11 5-10 5-8 6-1

Wt. 160 155 144 350 200 165 120 155 210 215 150 145 210

Ht. 5-7 5-5 5-10 5-6 6-0 5-10 6-5 5-7 5-5

Wt. 125 120 155 118 178 138 197 260 120

Ht. 5-4 6-1 6-3 5-10 5-11 5-7 5-5 5-6 5-11 5-8 5-8 5-10 5-7 5-4

Wt. 108 170 175 192 155 132 150 126 153 130 170 174 193 127

Friedline’s best targets are flanker Kerek Hoffman, slot receiver Owen Whitacre, tight end Noah Wiencek and flanker Josh Bauer. The Trojans also have a running back, Tyler Balega, and two fullbacks, Sonny Stevens and Nick Chinchock, who have proven that they can catch the ball out of the backfield. Stevens, a senior and three-year letterwinner, made the move from backup quarterback to starting fullback in the offseason. Sweeney said the 6-3, 215-pound Stevens has made a smooth transition. Continued on Page 35

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 35

Derry has woes on special teams Coach might consider forgoing punts on fourth down By DUSTIN FILLOY

enough time in practice. We have kids kicking the ball around with him on a dfilloy@indianagazette.net daily basis. We’re just hoping at some DERRY — Some desperate scenarios point the things he teaches will help require drastic potential solutions. Such mold one of these guys. He had a big leg is the case with second-year Derry coach and was a great punter in his time, so Tim Sweeney, who just can’t seem to find hopefully someone will catch on eventua viable placekicking or punting option ally.” for the Trojans. Sweeney has become so desper“We’re going to struggle in that ate, in fact, that he’s wrestled with department,” Sweeney said the notion of rarely to never puntbluntly. “Special teams is a really ing or attempting extra points. important aspect of football and “We’re thinking about going for our kicking game leaves a lot to it all the time on fourth down,” he be desired at this point.” said. “There’s a coach down in It’s not that Sweeney hasn’t Arkansas that has made some reconducted an extensive search ally good points about why you for a placekicker and a punter, should go for it on most fourth because he certainly has. Special downs, and it’s pretty intriguing teams coach Ron Polinsky, who stuff.” NOAH was one of the most effective The coach in Arkansas that WIENCEK punters in Derry history during Sweeney made reference to is his career in the early 1980s, has Kevin Kelley. Kelley developed a worked tirelessly with a handful of po- system that virtually stopped his team, tential kickers, but he simply hasn’t Pulaski Academy, from punting, and in found a player on the Trojans’ 43-man the last seven years, the team has won roster with genuine kicking skills. three state championships. “We’ve pretty much gone through the Kelley also relies heavily on onside process,” Sweeney said. “Coach Polinsky kicks, an idea Sweeney isn’t so ready to does a nice job in coaching the punters. adopt. He works with them and provides “Some NFL teams thought about mim-

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icking it, but I’ve yet to see it at that level,” he said. “It wasn’t my idea, and until I read about, the thought really never crossed my mind. But if you think about our situation, it really makes sense. If we have the ball on our own 40 and we’re only going to punt the ball 20 yards we might as well go for it.” Although he said he and Polinsky have yet to find a punter that they trust enough to use in a game, Sweeney said two-way starter Noah Wiencek represents their best candidate to boot extra points. Still, Sweeney pointed out that Wiencek will only attempt an extra point if the situation absolutely calls for it. “We might try and kick it in rare instances, but that depends on a number of factors,” he said. “It depends on what kind of field we’re playing on, how the kicker is doing in pregame, the weather and the condition of the field. We’ll also have to factor in how many plays he’s played in the game, how we’re moving the ball, the score of the game, my mood and how much I want to stick my fat nose out there and call the play for the twopoint conversion. “One thing’s for sure, we won’t be trying any lengthy field goals anytime soon.”

Trojans aiming to build off victories Continued from Page 34 “He’s a team player and he’s always going to do what’s best for the team,” Sweeney said. “He’s got some size and some speed, so we expect him to not only be able to run the ball but to block as well. He’s coming along and learning all the nuisances that go with playing a new position pretty quickly.” Paving the way up front for Derry are guard and three-year letterwinner Levi Humberger and tackle and two-year letterwinner Matt Marron. Also, Hunter Edmiston, Jordan Baum, Logan Brown and Cullen Shawley will rotate at the center, guard and tackle positions. After surrendering an average of 56 points per game in 2013, Derry’s defense made a remarkable turnaround last year, allowing 25 points per game. The Trojans’ 5-2 defense will be spearheaded by returning starters LEVI HUMBERGER Wiencek and Jeff Perratone at end, John Baker and Humberger at tackle, Balega at strong safety and Stevens and Chinchock at linebacker. “Our plan every game is to get 11 troublemakers out there giving offenses fits, not just three or four,” Sweeney said. Other defensive starters are Ryan Polinsky at safety, Whitacre and Quinton Westerbeck at outside linebacker and Josh Bauer and Adrian Boyer at cornerback.

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36 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

WEST SHAMOKIN

Wolves enjoy taste of success

New starters step in to fuel program’s run By JOE BACCAMAZZI

jbaccamazzi@indianagazette.net

Head coach Jon McCullough Third season Career record: 11-9

Conference WPIAL Allegheny

2015 schedule

Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16

DEER LAKES at South Park at Highlands FREEPORT BURRELL at Valley SHADY SIDE ACADEMY Oct. 23 SUMMIT ACADEMY Oct. 30 at Apollo-Ridge Nov. 6 at Purchase Line

2014 results WS 21 14 20 26 41 35 13 13 34 53

Record: 5-5 Apollo-Ridge Kittanning Highlands Freeport Burrell Valley Shady Side Ford City Deer Lakes Curwensville

Opp. 41 54 47 28 13 28 28 0 20 14

NuMINE — Continuity is key to prolonged success, but the West Shamokin Wolves will have quite a different appearance as they aim to once again prove their program’s rocky history is indeed in the past. Carried over from last season, the offensive and defensive schemes are largely the same, as is the coaching staff, and the team still dons a menacing black-andwhite get-up. Their recently improved level of competition, though now fully aware of what West Shamokin is capable of doing on the gridiron, will provide the Wolves with a similar test in the WPIAL Class AA Allegheny Conference. It’s the core position players, however, that may be difficult to recognize. “We have a lot of new starters this year, but I’m confident in the kids that are coming in because we’ve gotten good work out of them and we’ve had a good summer,” said third-year coach Jon McCullough. “I’m confident in the kids that we have stepping in. We graduated a lot of production, but I expect those guys to step in and fill the carries and the yards of the kids who graduated.” Gone is four-time letterwinning quarterback Alex Lasslo. Star fullback Zac Horner and halfback Andrew Wingard have pummeled their last defenders at Jack E. Boyer Field. And the loss of stalwarts Austin Reesman and Nick Huth left West Shamokin with question marks in the trenches. But football is a game that requires depth and rotation. And by looking at the Wolves’ roster throughout camp this summer, it was clear that West Shamokin had prepared itself for the loss of many of its key contributors since long before 2014 came to a close. New starting quarterback Brandon Stover, who threw for 89 yards in spot duty last season, headlines a group with only seven senior starters. He’ll be making a radical transition from backup running back, a position in which he found success in 2014 by rushing for 271 yards and five touchdowns.

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

BRAD SHAEFFER (67) and the Wolves went through drills during the second week of practice. But he thinks his past experience will only aid him as he takes control of the Wing-T offense. “It gives me more of an option to run the ball,” said Stover. “From last year, coming from running back to quarterback, I’m used to running the ball more than setting up and throwing. So it gives me that option. “My expectations are to get better running the ball and passing and being able to read defenses and just help my team get better.” With a roster consisting of mostly juniors and sophomores, McCullough will look to his senior quarterback to provide leadership in the huddle. “Brandon’s a smart kid,” McCullough said. “He’s almost like another coach on the field. He knows what everybody is doing at every position pretty much. And Brandon is definitely a leader.” In the passing game, Stover believes he will most heavily rely on senior halfback Jarret Kintz and junior receivers Devin Fairman and Aaron Gray to help keep defenses off-balance. It might be on the offensive line, though, where the Wolves’ pending success rests most.

ROSTER SENIORS Name Pos. Dominic Aimino T/DT Zach Bowser-xxx RB/LB Jacob Brink-xx T/DE Andrew Cline-xx FB/LB Logan Freeberg FB/LB Jarret Kintz-x RB/DB Hugh McClafferty-xx C/DT Brandon Stover-xx QB/DB Brad Shaeffer-x T/DT JUNIORS Name Pos. Justin Bice T/DT Kurtis Boyer G/LB Austin Harris-xx G/LB Devin Fairman-xx SE/DB Aaron Gray-xx SE/OLB Julian Lentz TE/DE Austin Mills-xx G/DE Hunter Reedy G/LB Denten Stubrich-xx RB/DB

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

Wt. 320 170 245 185 200 175 235 165 270

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

Wt. 300 145 200 175 175 150 210 150 150

Taking over at left tackle and as Stover’s blind-side protector is 6foot-4, 270-pound senior Brad Shaeffer, who battled with dehydration issues early in training camp and has aspirations of playing college ball. A gifted passblocker, he has already earned his

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TE/DE SOPHOMORES Name Pos. Doug Cornman G/DE Devin Hartman C/DT John Hartman G/DE Bryce McClafferty FB/LB Curt Slagle TE/DE Jacob Szul RB/DB Derrick Wesner T/DT Robert Wheatly SE/LB Evan Wingard RB/DB FRESHMEN Name Pos. Raymond Ballock RB/DB Sam Barker RB/DB Daniel Goldstrohm FB/LB Colton Rocco T/DT Zach Stover QB/DB Tyler Sweeney G/LB x-denotes letters earned

6-4 180 Ht. 5-8 5-10 5-9 5-6 6-0 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-7

Wt. 130 260 200 135 160 140 250 140 125

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

Wt. 125 130 160 210 115 160

coach’s praise. “Brad is a big kid, a physical player, and he’s been in our system for a while,” said McCullough. “He knows what we expect from him, and I expect him to have a pretty good season.” Continued on Page 37

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 37

Runnin’ with the Pack

New starters step in for hungry Wolves

Quartet taking over in backfield by committee By JOE BACCAMAZZI

jbaccamazzi@indianagazette.net

NuMINE — The philosophy remains unchanged for West Shamokin. Heading into his third year at the helm, coach Jon McCullough has kept it simple in implementing his scheme and approaching his practice field, bringing with him the same Wing-T, run-first offense that helped snap a long streak of abysmal seasons just a few years ago. “It’s been status quo, everything that we’ve done and the program that we’ve set in place here the last couple years,” said McCullough. “We’ve had some decent success and I don’t see any reason to change anything right now.” Enough else has already changed on the offense. For the first time since taking over the program in 2013, McCullough will be without the one-two punch ground attack that carried his team to 11 victories in two seasons and a postseason berth. Zac Horner and Andrew Wingard, who combined for 1,984 of the Wolves’ 2,452 rushing yards in 2014, have graduated. Now, a trio of new seniors is tasked with leading a rushing offense that averaged 245.2 yards per game last season. And each one is hoping to make an impact. “That’s what I’m looking for,” said halfback Zach Bowser. “Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping for. That’s the plan, as of now.”

ANDREW CLINE

ZACH BOWSER

JARRET KINTZ

Starting fullback Andrew Cline and rotational halfbacks Bowser and Jarret Kintz give West Shamokin options and fresh legs in what is sure to be a crowded and busy backfield. Experience, though, is the only concern. In 2014, Bowser rushed for 118 yards, Cline contributed 24 and Kintz did not have a carry. None of them have scored a varsity touchdown. But what the new rushers lacked on the stat sheets, they made up for in camp as the new leaders of a young locker room. “Yeah, especially Cline,” said McCullough. “He’s sort of come out of his, I’m not going to say shell, but he’s definitely been more vocal and been more of a leader. And so has Bowser. Bowser has always been more of a vocal kid. But definitely Cline; he’s shown more from a vocal standpoint, and Kintz has always been one of those guys who’s been a leader by example.” As far as who will become West

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BRANDON STOVER

Shamokin’s leader in rushing yards this season, it’s anyone’s guess. The Wolves have always run as a pack, and that isn’t about to change. “It will be pretty even,” McCullough said. “We spread the ball around, so there’s not much predictability in what we do as far as one guy getting the ball consistently more than others. We’re pretty even. We’re not going to rely on just one guy. It’s going to be all four of them. And when I say all four, Brandon (Stover) will also be carrying the ball quite a bit from the quarterback position.” Regardless of who gets the ball first and who gets the ball last in West Shamokin’s running back committee, one thing is certain — opponents of the Wolves will receive a heavy dose of Cline, Bowser and Kintz. “We’re looking good this year,” Bowser said. “I think some people are going to underestimate us, but they better watch out. We’re here to play, that’s for sure.”

snapped a 46-game losing streak. Continued from Page 36 The next year, the team Shaeffer is joined by three returning starters: senior center shocked high school football. In 2013, West Shamokin ended Hugh McClafferty, senior tackle Jacob Brink and junior guard its regular season with a 6-3 Austin Harris. Three players — record before falling to unbeaten junior Austin Mills, junior Justin Monessen, 37-14, in its first playBice and sophomore Derrick off appearance since the school Wesner — battled throughout was formed in 2000. In terms of records, it’s easy to camp for the remaining right say the Wolves took a step back in tackle position. The veterans on the squad 2014 — they broke even after an know they have a responsibility 0-4 start, a year after finishing with their first winning to step up and become season — but that’s not leaders in the locker room how McCullough sees it. as well as on the field, but “Not after we moved up they are confident they a level,” McCullough said can continue their recent with a smile. “We were in winning culture. Single-A (in 2013) and we “The younger guys realmoved back up to Douly need to pay attention ble-A last year. And if anyand get better as they’re body knows the history of coming through,” said our program, prior to Shaeffer. “We have a lot of HUGH being in Single-A for two younger guys this year, so helping them is going to McCLAFFERTY years, the program was 173 against WPIAL Doublebe a big thing for me. We’re a pretty consistent team A competition. So for us to go 5-5 now and I think we’ll be able to last year was a pretty good accomplishment. Now our kids recompete.” “Playoffs, hopefully,” said alize that they’re more than able Stover, who will continue to play to compete at this level.” Now, with a largely untested, defensive back, where he racked up 55 tackles and two intercep- unproven and, perhaps most imtions in 2014. “I think we definite- portantly, unpredictable offenly have enough skill that we could sive personnel group, the Wolves have a chance to surprise again. go pretty far this year.” “I expect us to compete in the Following a span of terrible seasons from 2004 to 2011 in which conference,” said McCullough. “If the Wolves never won more than we stay healthy, we’re not going to two games in a year, the team fi- be an easy team to beat. That’s nally broke the curse in 2012, fin- what I expect, week in and week ishing 3-7. That season they out, to be competitive.”

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38 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

PUNXS’Y

Chucks don’t plan on rebuilding New coach expects success right away By DUSTIN FILLOY

dfilloy@indianagazette.net

Head coach Brad Wright First season Career record: 0-0

Conference Keystone Shortway (Large-School Division)

2015 schedule Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

MONITEAU at Keystone at Brookville UNION at DuBois at A-C Valley ST. MARYS at Clarion-Limestone KARNS CITY

2014 results

Record: 6-5 P Opp. 14 Moniteau 22 42 Keystone 0 47 Brookville 6 54 Union 36 26 DuBois 69 42 A-C Valley 7 28 St. Marys 21 42 Clarion-Limestone 6 16 Karns City 43 8 Clearfield 35 12 Somerset* 51 *-District 9 Class AAA playoffs

Quotable Wright: “We anticipate being competitive right from the get-go.”

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Brad Wright doesn’t envision a rebuilding season unfolding in the first year of his coaching stint at Punxsutawney. As Wright sees it, former coach Alan Nichol set the stage for another District 9 Class AAA playoff run. “We anticipate being competitive right from the get-go,” Wright said. “We didn’t come in talking about this being any type of a rebuilding project. We expect to be successful right away. We have a good group of kids and they’re tough and hard-working. We just need them to buy into what we’re doing and we’ll reach our goals.” Nichol stepped down in the offseason after guiding the Chucks to a 36-29 record and four playoff berths in six years. Wright acknowledged that Nichol jumpstarted the program by taking TOM PEEL/Gazette Punxsutawney to three District 9 title games (2009, ’10 and ’14) in THE CHUCKS worked on tackling in a practice session during the second week of camp. his tenure. Wright’s only genuine concern is the Chucks’ lack of lection. Despite his inexperience depth. ROSTER at the position, Wright expressed “One of our goals early on is to supreme confidence in Jones. Ethan Riley-x RB/S 5-10 165 SENIORS increase the participation in the “He’s a dual-threat kid,” Wright Jacob Weaver-x WR/CB 5-10 145 Name Pos. Ht. Wt. next few years,” Wright said. “We said. “We expect him to do well in Tyler Asburay T/G 5-10 225 Tanner Zimmerman QB/LB 6-0 190 need to get the numbers up in the both the run and the pass. He’s SOPHOMORES Levi Campbell-xx FB/LB 5-8 165 mid-40s, somewhere close to 50 been picking it up pretty quick. It’s Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Greg Carroll Jr.-x C/DT 5-9 204 kids just on the varsity team. Right been a learning experience for Brandon Douthit-xx T/DE 6-6 260 Gage Arrington T/LB 5-10 180 now we have 38 kids, so we have a him, learning the reads and the Preston Brubaker T/DE 5-11 182 Evan Dyson FB/LB 5-10 170 little bit of work to do.” timing and the rhythm of the ofRyan Jones-xx QB/CB 6-0 180 Brian Davis FB/LB 5-10 175 Wright, whose last coachfense. He’s got a really Logan Geist WR/CB 5-5 110 Nathan Lingenfelter-xx WR/CB 5-7 140 ing stint was at Warren strong arm, and he can Tyler Getch RB/CB 5-9 170 Jared Manners-xx TE/S 6-3 185 High School, where he was make any throw on the Cody Sanner WR/CB 6-1 150 Matthew Greenblatt G/DT 5-10 215 the head coach from 2008 field. His accuracy thus far Brandon Matthews QB/S 6-2 150 Larry Yeager-xx G/T 6-1 230 to ’12, decided to alter the has been really good, and JUNIORS Zack May RB/LB 5-9 142 Chucks’ offense and dehe’s picking up the option Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Shawn McQuown WR/CB 6-3 134 fense. game as well. He’s working Carl Metsger C/DE 6-0 215 Garrett Bennett T/DT 6-2 260 Rather than sticking with on making quick reads and Blake Bizousky-xx C/LB 6-0 215 Levi Molinaro G/DT 5-8 225 the run-first, multiple-I ofattacking the line of scrimAlexander Neal C/DT 5-11 230 Joey DiPietro-x FB/LB 5-11 200 fense that Nichol ran, mage, so right now, I’m Ethan O’Dell T/DT 6-1 220 Caleb Harvey-x T/DE 6-2 189 Wright will employ a pistol very happy with where he’s Devin Kelly-x WR/LB 6-1 185 Jake Pearce WR/CB 6-2 160 offense, which focuses on RYAN JONES at.” Jeffrey Kuntz LB/WR 5-7 135 John Serian DE/T 5-11 241 the read-option. Wright Jones will have to make Sean Newara WR/FS 5-6 130 Stone Smith RB/SS 5-10 150 said he made the change primarily due without the conference’s most x-denotes letters earned Dillon Perry-x G/LB 5-10 180 because the Chucks have the skill productive wide receiver from last players to do so. season, Braxton Giavedoni. GiaveAgile quarterback Ryan Jones doni, an all-conference selection But emerging in Giavedoni’s Wright said. “I don’t think we represents the most important at wide receiver and safety who wake are Ethan Riley and Devin dropped one ball the whole time, variable in Wright’s pistol offense. caught 33 passes for 754 yards and Kelly. Two of the team’s best ath- and we threw the ball a good bit.” Jones was a backup last year to nine touchdowns last year, opted letes, Riley and Kelly will each get Levi Campbell, Evan Dyson and Dakota Thomas, who was an All- to sit out his senior year after ac- equal reps at tailback and flanker. Joey DiPietro will each get reps at Keystone Shortway Athletic Con- cepting a scholarship to play base“Both looked excellent in our fullback, returning starter Nathan ference Large-School Division se- ball at Penn State next year. scrimmage with Clearfield,” Continued on Page 45

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 39

Punxsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y boasting pair of Division I prospects By DUSTIN FILLOY

COACH WRIGHTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TAKE

dfilloy@indianagazette.net

PUNXSUTAWNEY â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Because of a sheer lack of numbers, few NCAA Division I football recruits hale from District 9. Like fellow District 9 standouts before them, Brandon Douthit and Ethan Riley could land in a Division II or III program at some point after high school. That is, of course, unless both players reach the lofty goals that Punxsutawney coach Brad Wright has set for them. Wright said Douthit, a 6foot-6, 260-pound senior, could be recruited as a defensive end or an offensive tackle by top-flight college programs. Riley, a junior who is expected to become one of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best playmakers on offense at either running back or wide receiver and on defense at safety, has Division I potential as a punter. Riley also is the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s placekicker. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They both have Division I potential at their positions, no doubt about it,â&#x20AC;? Wright said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brandonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s God-given size, coupled with his quickness and his speed, gives him the potential to be a big time recruit. He runs a 4.8 (40-yard dash), and at his size, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just unbelievable to watch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ethan has an incredibly

â&#x20AC;&#x153;BRANDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOD-GIVEN SIZE, coupled with his quickness and his speed, gives him the potential to be a big time recruit. He runs a 4.8 (40-yard dash), and at his size, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just unbelievable to watch.â&#x20AC;?

BRANDON DOUTHIT

â&#x20AC;&#x153;ETHAN HAS AN INCREDIBLY strong leg, and I definitely think he has D1 potential at that position. He just needs to work on his technique and consistency because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of potential there for him, too.â&#x20AC;?

strong leg, and I definitely think he has D1 potential at that position. He just needs to work on his technique and consistency because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of potential there for him, too.â&#x20AC;? Douthit has served as the linchpin of the offensive and defensive lines the last two seasons. An All-Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference Large-School Division pick at offensive tackle as a sophomore, Douthit started every game on both sides of the ball last year, steering the Chucks to their third appearance in the district championship game in the last six years. Douthit certainly has the speed and dexterity to develop into a Division I lineman, but Wright pointed out

that one area of his game still needs some polishing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has the kind of speed that most high school running backs would want, but he needs to get stronger,â&#x20AC;? Wright said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He needs to work in the weight room and improve his overall strength. If he can make those gains in the weight room, and he has a successful senior year, I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised if he gets a DI scholarship offer from someone.â&#x20AC;? Riley was named an allconference punter in his first year as a starter last year. He punted 31 times for an average of 36.5 yards, a mark that was good for second in the area. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make a field goal, but he did drill 9 of 9 extra-

ETHAN RILEY

point attempts. Wright said Riley naturally earned starting roles in every facet of the game because of his undeniable athletic ability. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a track athlete, too, and he actually finished 10th in the state in the triple jump as a sophomore,â&#x20AC;? Wright said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just an exceptional athlete, and his leg strength is a real gift. He just has it.â&#x20AC;? Because he anticipates few of the Chucksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scheduled opponents, if any, to possess a special teams weapon like Riley, Wright said he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect to lose many battles of field position. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you can flip the field like that, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big advantage. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like

pinning someone down in their own end with a long punt,â&#x20AC;? Wright said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That can really change the momentum and the flow of the game, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got the leg strength to do it regularly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen him routinely boot 40-yarders as a punter, and he can place the ball, too, which is very uncommon for a kid his age.â&#x20AC;? Another would-be college recruit, former wide receiver/safety Braxton Giavedoni, would have represented the Chucksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most productive player returning on both sides of the ball. However, after accepting a scholarship to play baseball at

Penn State next year, Giavedoni decided to forgo his senior year of football. Last year, Giavedoni was an all-conference selection at wide receiver and safety. He posted team highs in receptions with 33, receiving yards with 754 and receiving touchdowns with nine. Giavedoni finished with 118 rushing yards (61 of which came on one run), 272 kickoff return yards (88 of which came on one return) and 1,169 all-purpose yards. He also had a team-high three interceptions, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and 13 tackles.

Good Luck Chucks On a Great Season!

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40 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

2014 FINAL STATISTICS FINAL STANDINGS (Includes Playoffs) League Overall W L W L PF x-Blairsville 8 0 11 1 444 #-Apollo-Ridge 8 1 9 2 499 x-Penns Manor 6 2 8 3 300 x-Homer-Center 7 1 7 4 283 #-Indiana 5 3 7 4 308 Purchase Line 4 4 6 4 341 ^Punxsutawney 2 2 6 5 331 West Shamokin 4 5 5 5 270 Ligonier Valley 4 4 4 6 204 Northern Cambria 4 4 4 7 168 Derry 2 6 4 6 190 Marion Center 2 6 2 8 167 Saltsburg 1 7 1 9 146 United 0 8 1 9 83 x-qualified for District 6 playoffs #-qualified for WPIAL playoffs ^-qualified for District 5-6-8-9 playoffs

PA 118 285 134 236 240 254 296 273 220 193 257 293 410 401

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS ALL CAPS DENOTES RETURNING PLAYERS

RUSHING

Name Grant Syster, PL Deion Robinson, Bls DUANE BROWN, AR Ean Lee, HC Zac Horner, WS BAILEY MUMAU, PM Tre Tipton, AR Colton Fairman, MC Jonah Casella, AR Andrew Wingard, WS Perry Arrington, Punx Michael Keller, Lig COLLIN SMITH, Lig JAKE ZILINSKAS, Ind Aaron Berezansky, HC NATHAN DUMM, PM Tyler Frassenei, Sbg Dakota Thomas, Punx ADAM WEILAND, NC Brent Mack, U

Att. 258 216 134 192 171 150 86 123 119 121 130 102 137 164 93 90 115 118 107 108

Yds. Avg. 2533 9.8 1606 7.4 1252 9.3 1197 6.2 1154 6.7 1061 7.1 1037 12.1 974 7.9 959 8.1 830 6.9 813 6.3 758 7.4 758 5.5 651 4.0 629 6.8 612 6.8 545 4.7 542 4.6 519 4.9 504 4.7

TD 29 28 24 16 13 10 7 8 12 6 6 12 10 10 12 8 8 8 4 2

PASSING (minimum 50 attempts) Name Com. Att. Yds. TD BROWN, AR 47 90 914 13 ZILINSKAS, Ind 109 195 1617 21 Lasslo, WS 38 75 782 6 Thompson, Bls 64 110 918 9 Tipton, AR 31 67 511 4 Thomas, Punx 75 158 1197 13 Frassenei, Sbg 44 78 514 3 Berezansky, HC 41 92 612 5 STUPIC, PM 35 76 495 4 PLOWMAN, Sbg 54 120 838 5 Olish, NC 31 69 371 2 STANFORD, PL 29 66 353 1 SMITH, Lig 54 125 681 2 PERSHING, NC 33 89 420 3 Orr, MC 33 90 363 2 BEACKER, U 30 86 345 1

Int. Rate 4 176.3 7 153.9 5 151.3 7 142.6 3 121.1 15 119.3 4 114.2 5 107.5 5 105.0 10 100.7 4 88.1 2 87.8 9 79.8 6 74.4 7 62.3 6 58.5

RECEIVING Name Riley Stapleton, Ind TANNER YARD, Sbg Braxton Giavedoni, Punx DYLAN STAPLETON, Ind Andrew Fedigan, Punx Cameron Livingston, Bls Tre Tipton, AR TRENT STEWART, Lig

Rec. 69 39 33 32 27 26 25 24

Yds. 1014 552 754 438 333 445 478 325

Avg. TD 14.7 11 14.2 5 22.8 9 13.7 8 12.3 3 17.1 3 19.1 8 13.5 1

Alex Smith, AR Matt McAdoo, HC CRAIG IRVIN, MC Tyler Frassenei, Sbg JOHN IRELAND, HC Noah Zimmerman, Sbg ALEX KOPERA, NC Zac Horner, WS Jonah Casella, AR ADAM WEILAND, NC Deion Robinson, Bls Ean Lee, HC DUANE BROWN, AR

22 21 20 18 18 16 16 14 14 14 14 13 13

403 267 245 313 279 186 116 249 194 183 167 263 155

18.3 12.7 12.2 17.4 15.5 11.6 7.2 17.8 13.9 13.1 11.9 20.2 11.9

PASSING DEFENSE

5 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 1 0 2 3 1

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

SCORING Name TD Grant Syster, PL 32 DUANE BROWN, AR 29 Deion Robinson, Bls 30 Ean Lee, HC 23 Tre Tipton, AR 18 Zac Horner, WS 16 Cameron Livingston, Bls 17 Jonah Casella, AR 15 Aaron Berezansky, HC 13 Riley Stapleton, Ind 12 Michael Keller, Lig 12 BAILEY MUMAU, PM 12 COLLIN SMITH, Lig 11 NATHAN DUMM, PM 10 Tyler Frassenei, Sbg 10 Braxton Giavedoni, Punx 11 Alex Young, Punx 8 JAKE ZILINSKAS, Ind 11 Colton Fairman, MC 9 ANDREW STIPCAK, Bls 0 DYLAN STAPLETON, Ind 9 Andrew Wingard, WS 9

XP 2XP FG 8 9 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 54 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0

Pts. 218 182 180 142 118 102 102 92 78 78 74 72 70 66 66 66 66 66 62 57 56 56

KICK SCORING Name ANDREW STIPCAK, Bls DAYLON WELLS, AR John Gatti, Ind NICK SCHMIDT, HC JAMES HARVEY, PM KOBE SHORT, Lig Alex Lasslo, WS Blake Orr, MC ETHAN RILEY, Punx Grant Syster, PL

FG 1 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0

XP 54 41 30 24 15 14 14 9 9 8

Pts. 57 47 30 24 21 20 14 9 9 8

PUNTING (minimum 10 punts) Name Punts Scott Thompson, Bls 20 Ethan Riley, Punx 31 COLLIN SMITH, Lig 15 Joe Olish, NC 43 Ean Lee, HC 18 Blake Orr, MC 28 Alex Smith, AR 17 Gavin Grimaldi, PM 21 JACKSON DAUGHERTY, Lig 12 JESSE BEACKER, U 41 Riley Stapleton, Ind 24 SHAMAR CAMPBELL, PL 13 Jimmy Beitel, Sbg 32

Avg. 39.2 36.5 34.3 33.9 33.7 33.4 32.9 32.6 31.8 31.5 31.0 29.0 28.0

INTERCEPTIONS Name Cameron Livingston, Bls JAKE ZILINSKAS, Ind Matt Hankey, WS CRAIG IRVIN, MC SHAMAR CAMPBELL, PL Alex Lasslo, WS BAILEY MUMAU, PM

Int. 6 6 6 6 5 4 4

Yds. 102 66 57 38 45 129 114

TD 1 1 0 0 0 1 1

Yds. 646 612 653 675 768 896 847 879 908 1217 1139 1535

Avg. 53.8 55.6 59.4 61.4 76.8 81.5 84.7 87.9 90.8 110.6 113.9 139.5

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

GP 11 12 10 11 11 11 10 11 11 10 10 10

Yds. 2100 2471 2461 2740 3127 3216 3007 3312 3343 3393 3421 3897

Avg. 190.9 205.9 246.1 249.1 284.3 292.4 300.7 301.1 303.9 339.3 342.1 389.7

SCORING OFFENSE JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

PENNS MANOR’S Bailey Mumau is the top returning rusher in the Heritage Conference. He gained 1,061 yards last season. Scott Thompson, Bls Riley Stapleton, Ind Ean Lee, HC Alex Smith, AR COLLIN SMITH, Lig Perry Arrington, Punx RICKY SHIRLEY, Bls Ryan Jones, Punx Matt McAdoo, HC Braxton Giavedoni, Punx TYLER SOMOGYI, PM

4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

114 75 50 102 91 50 38 36 29 25 22

0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0

TEAM STATISTICS Yds. 783 1131 515 1458 606 935 559 685 381 1292 744 377 895

GP 12 11 11 11 10 11 10 10 10 11 10 11

RUSHING OFFENSE

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

GP 10 11 10 12 11 11 10 11 10 11 11 10 10

Yds. 3201 3374 2481 2950 2665 2423 1943 2109 1853 1739 1710 1390 962

Avg. 320.1 306.7 248.1 245.8 242.3 220.3 194.3 191.7 185.3 158.1 155.5 139.0 96.2

PASSING OFFENSE School Indiana Apollo-Ridge Saltsburg Punxsutawney West Shamokin Homer-Center

GP 11 11 10 11 10 11

Yds. 1687 1488 1352 1328 871 921

Avg. 153.4 135.3 135.2 120.7 87.1 83.7

Blairsville Ligonier Valley Northern Cambria Penns Manor Purchase Line United Marion Center

12 10 11 11 10 10 10

966 719 791 563 463 388 384

80.5 71.9 71.9 51.2 46.3 38.8 38.4

GP 11 10 10 12 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 11 10

Yds. 4862 3664 3352 3916 3437 3426 3344 3228 2572 2327 2314 2501 1778

Avg. 442.0 366.4 335.2 326.3 312.5 311.5 304.0 293.5 257.2 232.7 231.4 227.4 177.8

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

Avg. 135.3 152.1 152.8 161.4 186.8 189.7 193.3 202.8 239.7 254.2 262.5 298.9

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

GP 11 12 11 10 10 11 11 11 11 10 10 10

Yds. 1488 1825 1681 1614 1868 2087 2126 2231 2637 2542 2625 2989

Pts. 499 444 341 331 311 308 270 296 204 167 175 146 83

Avg. 45.4 37.0 34.1 30.1 28.3 28.0 27.0 26.9 20.4 16.7 15.9 14.6 8.3

GP 12 11 10 11 11 11 10 11 11 10 10 10 10

Pts. 118 148 183 228 240 257 254 284 295 274 293 401 410

Avg. 9.8 13.5 18.3 20.7 21.8 23.4 25.4 25.8 26.8 27.4 29.3 40.1 41.0

TURNOVER MARGIN

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

GP 11 12 10 11 11 11 10 11 10 10 11 10 10

SCORING DEFENSE

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

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

See 2015 weekly statistics every Tuesday during the season in The Indiana Gazette

Give 10 16 13 14 13 27 15 18 18 23 23 27

Take 26 26 22 23 20 32 17 20 13 17 16 12

+/+16 +10 +9 +9 +7 +5 +2 +2 -5 -6 -7 -15

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#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

2014 Grant Syster, Purchase Line 218 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 2014 Grant Syster, Purchase Line 2533 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) 2014 Tre Tipton, Apollo Ridge 12.1 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 2014 Jake Zilinskas, Indiana 1617 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 2014 Jake Zilinskas, Indiana 109 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 2014 Duane Brown, Apollo-Ridge .588 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 2014 Jake Zilinskas, Indiana 21 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 2014 Riley Stapleton, Indiana 69

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 2014 Riley Stapleton, Indiana 1014 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

Continued on Page 42

42 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

YEAR-BY-YEAR LEADERS Continued from Page 41

YARDS PER RECEPTION 2014 Braxton Giavedoni, Punxsutawney 22.8 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 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 2014 Grant Syster, Purchase Line 2533 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

TERI ENCISO/Gazette

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

PURCHASE LINE’S Grant Syster, left, and Indiana’s Riley Stapleton set all-time area records in rushing and receiving, respectively, as seniors last season. KICK SCORING 2014 Andrew Stipcak, Blairsville 57 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 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 2014 Daylon Wells, Apollo-Ridge 2 James Harvey, Penns Manor 2 Kobe Short, Ligonier Valley 2 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 2014 Cameron Livingston, Blairsville 6 Jake Zilinskas, Indiana 6 Matt Hankey, West Shamokin 6 Craig Irvin, Marion Center 6 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 2014 Scott Thompson, Blairsville 39.2 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, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 43

COACHESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; RECORDS RICK ARTLEY

Blairsville W L 2013 6 5 2014 11 1 Totals 17 6

ALAN NICHOL

Pct. .546 .971 .739

JOHN SKIBA

Apollo-Ridge W L 2011 2 7 2012 6 4 2013 8 3 2014 9 2 Totals 25 16

Pct. .222 .600 .727 .818 .610

BILL PACKER

Penns Manor W L 2005 3 7 2006 4 6 2007 6 5 2008 5 5 2009 10 2 2010 9 1 2011 12 2 2012 9 2 2013 9 2 2014 8 3 Totals 75 35

Pct. .300 .400 .545 .500 .833 .900 .857 .818 .818 .727 .682

Note: Brad Wright succeeds Nichol at Punxsutawney.

JON McCULLOUGH

West Shamokin W L Pct. 2013 6 4 .600 2014 5 5 .500 Totals 11 9 .550

FRANK PARONISH

Northern Cambria W L Pct. 2002 5 5 .500 2003 10 2 .833 2004 4 6 .400 2005 2 8 .200 2006 7 4 .636 2014 4 7 .400 Totals 32 32 .500

MARK ZILINSKAS

ROGER BEITEL

Ligonier Valley W L Pct. 2004 1 8 .111 2005 5 5 .500 2006 6 4 .600 2007 9 1 .900 2008 3 6 .333 2009 7 4 .636 2010 9 2 .818 2011 8 3 .727 2012 10 2 .833 2013 6 5 .546 2014 4 6 .400 Totals 68 46 .597

GREG PAGE

Homer-Center W L 2007 4 6 2008 7 4 2009 5 5 2010 7 3 2011 0 9 2012 6 4 2013 12 2 2014 7 4 Totals 48 37

Punxsutawney W L Pct. 2009 9 3 .750 2010 10 1 .909 2011 3 7 .300 2012 5 6 .455 2013 3 7 .300 2014 6 5 .546 Totals 36 29 .554

Pct. .400 .636 .500 ,700 .000 .600 .857 .636 .565

Sports contacts (724) 465-5555 sports@indianagazette.net

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Indiana W 2 6 5 3 4 6 8 1

L 8 4 4 7 6 3 3 8

Pct. .200 .600 .556 .300 .400 .667 .727 .111

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals

8 3 7 3 3 6 5 6 7 4 65 65

.727 .700 .333 .455 .636 .500

DAVE MALICKY

Marion Center W L 1997 5 4 1998 5 4 1999 6 4 2000 8 2 2001 6 4 2002 6 4 2003 2 7 2004 5 5 2005 8 3 2006 9 2 2007 2 8 2008 1 8 2009 8 3 2010 4 5 2011 7 4 2012 3 7 2013 2 8 2014 2 8 Totals 89 90

Pct. .556 .556 .600 .800 .600 .600 .222 .500 .727 .818 .200 .111 .727 .444 .636 .300 .200 .200 .497

Note: Paul DeHaven succeeds Malicky at Marion Center.

BRANDON OVERDORFF

Purchase Line W L Pct. 2012 2 8 .200 2013 5 5 .500 2014 6 4 .600 Totals 13 17 .433 Sports hours 8 to 11 p.m.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR AREA ing r o lo TEAMS! &F Quality Furnishings "DDFTTPSJFT t 'MPPSJOH .PO 5IVST BN QN t 'SJ BN QN t 4BU BN QN

TIM SWEENEY 2014 Totals

Derry W L 4 6 4 6

Pct. .400 .400

TIM FRASSENEI 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Totals

Saltsburg W L 0 9 3 6 2 7 4 6 3 7 2 8 1 9 15 52

Pct. .000 .333 .222 .400 .300 .200 .100 .224

Note: Jared McCormick and Josh Hammack succeed Frassenei as co-head coaches.

LANCE HOLUPKA 2013 2014 Totals

United W 0 1 1

L 10 6 16

Pct. .000 .143 .059

Note: Scott Boring took over as interim coach in 2014 and went 0-3. Kevin Marabito is the new coach.

JAMIE EMPFIELD/Gazette

MARK ZILINSKAS, who took over at Indiana in 2002, has the longest tenure among the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 14 head coaches.

44 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

NOTEBOOK

Teams adapt to shorter camp schedule By The Indiana Gazette

TOM PEEL/Gazette

UNITED PLAYERS went through their first practice on Aug. 17.

Indiana County football teams had to deal with shorter preparation time this year. In some instances, teams that usually conduct two weeks of preseason camps, complete with two-a-day practices, had only one week of camp due to the early start of the school year. In many cases, school began the week of Aug. 24, one week after the start of practice, and two weeks before the Labor Day weekend. This year, Labor Day is Sept. 7, the latest date possible for a holiday that always falls on the first Monday of September. Purchase Line, for instance, held its first week of camp at Mahaffey and then returned the next week for the start of school. “We usually go to camp for a week and then have a whole week of two-a-days when we get back,” Purchase Line coach Brandon Overdorff said. “This year, we had camp and one day of two-a-days before getting back into the school schedule. The five-day heat camp makes up for a little bit of that. I don’t really like heat camp, but it gave us some time to get on the field.” The five-day heat camp that Overdorff referred to is a heat-acclimation period that all teams are required to go through. It was held the week before the state-mandated practice date of Aug. 17 to allow players and coaches to adjust to the high temperatures of late summer. “It’s a short and awkward year, but everybody has to deal with it,” Overdorff said. “It’s not just us.” That was a sentiment echoed by most coaches in the Heritage Conference. It’s hard to consider the reduction in camp-style practices a disadvantage when everyone experiences it. “It certainly does have an effect on our preparation,” Marion Center coach Paul DeHaven said. “You feel like

you are rushed in your preparation. The only good thing is that it is across the league.” Homer-Center coach Greg Page saw some advantages and disadvantages to the reduced practice schedule. “It’s tough,” he said. “I was personally happy to have the five-day heat-acclimation period so that we could get some more teaching done. It was necessary. “Still, there are so many things you can’t simulate until you start contact. That’s been so-so this (first) week. We’ve been pretty fortunate that things went pretty well. The health has been good. Hopefully that’s a positive, instead of saying we haven’t been popping the pads enough.” For some of the schools, though, things didn’t change too much. “Since I started coaching in 2000, we’ve only ever had one week of camp when the other Indiana County schools had two weeks,” said Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel. “We’ve started school here the same time every year where we’re in the second week of camp and we’re starting school. … The first week is camp and the next week we report at 2:30 and go into the evening. Over time we’ve developed a special schedule to deal with that. For us it’s no change.” Northern Cambria coach Frank Paronish said the same, adding that the late start date to the season might present a different problem for his team. “You look at how it’s set up now that we have such a long season,” he said. “This season goes 11 games for us now. We end up with Cambria Heights in mid-November, and I’m wondering if we should even be playing that game if we don’t make the playoffs. That’s really late in the season. That’s a long time playing football. We love the game, but I think there need to be limits.” BACK IN THE FOLD: Marion

Center added 25 new players to its roster this season. This season’s roster boasts 42 players, while last season’s consisted of just 30. Of the 25 additions, 13 are freshmen. Making up the additional 12 are seven juniors, four sophomores and an exchange student. “We have been really fortunate to get some players out that maybe took a year off, so it’s nice to have them back,” coach Paul DeHaven said. “The guys have spent a great deal of time this summer working out and going to camps, so I hope it pays off for them.” Six of those new additions figure to see regular playing time. Juniors Sloan Brocious and Bryant Miloser and sophomore Tyler Cover play on the offensive and defensive lines. Juniors Bradley Morgan and Allen Wright are the starting wide receivers, and junior Eric Stitt figures into the running game. “The coaches have spent a tremendous amount of the offseason with the players trying to get them ready,” said DeHaven. “So we are excited to see where we are and where we will finish.” EARLY OPPORTUNITY: The way first-year United coach Kevin Marabito sees it, the Lions could snap out of their three-year-long funk in the Heritage Conference with a win over Marion Center in their season opener. While United has struggled more than any other team in the Heritage Conference the last three seasons — losing each of its last 27 conference games — the Stingers have been on a similar path. Marion Center won just two games last season and just seven in its last three campaigns. “That first trip to Marion Center is going to be key for us,” Marabito said. “I’ve always said as long as I’ve been coaching that your first game is very important, no matter where you are, because you’re going through all types of stuff in Continued on Page 46

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 45

Colts hope to avoid costly lapses Continued from Page 20 leadership role and was impressed with the effort put in by underclassmen during camp. “We’ve been working really hard, and we have some guys who have really been stepping up,” Nagle said. “We are solid up front. There were guys showing some heart and fighting for positions, and that’s always a good problem to have. There are always things to work on, but so far, I have confidence in our line.” Northern Cambria, coming off

a 4-7 campaign, lost its final two games last year and will use that as motivation. The Colts have never won a Heritage Conference championship, even though that has been the goal each season. “It was a pretty tough camp, but we feel ready,” Pershing said. “We did a lot of conditioning, but it will pay off. We are coming along well on both sides of the ball, and this is kind of the year we’ve been waiting for. We have a lot of seniors and a lot of experience. We’re definitely excited.”

Paronish continually asked his players throughout camp if they had done enough in the offseason to prepare them for the season. He said he will find out the answer soon enough. “We had a lot of letdowns last year, and we weren’t happy about that,” Novella said. “We have worked extremely hard and development is a process. We’ve been following through with what we’re supposed to be doing every day, so hopefully it pays off like we think it’s going to.”

GARRETT NAGLE

Chucks aren’t entering rebuilding phase Continued from Page 38 Lingenfelter and Jacob Weaver will be the No. 1 and 2 split ends, and Jared Manners will start at tight end. Brandon Douthit, a senior and allconference selection as a sophomore, will anchor the offensive line at left tackle. Larry Yeager will start at left guard, and John Serian and Caleb Harvey will split time at right tackle. Blake Bizousky and Greg Carroll Jr. will each bounce back and forth between center and right guard, and Matthew Greenblatt, Levi Molinaro and Alex Neal will provide depth at both spots. “We made the schematic change based on both personnel and my own philosophies. We have the skill people to go three- and four-wide or line up in two-back sets, so it made sense in that regard,” Wright said. Wright also made a major change on the other side of the ball, shifting the Chucks’ defensive look from a 3-4 to a

BLAKE BIZOUSKY

JOEY DiPIETRO

4-2-5. Like the alterations he made offensively, Wright said he modified the defensive look based on personnel and his own ideology. “We have two strong middle linebackers (Bizousky and DiPietro) and we’re pretty deep in the secondary. Plus we’re not too big in the defensive front, so once again, it made sense,” Wright said. While Douthit represents the corner-

stone of the line at defensive end, Bizousky, DiPietro, Kelly and Campbell make up the real strength of the defense. Because the Chucks don’t have the most depth and experience up front, they need linebackers who are sure tacklers, and that’s precisely what guys like returning all-conference selection Bizousky and second-year starter DiPietro offer. And according to Wright, Kelly and returning starter Campbell give the Chucks four sure tacklers at middle linebacker. The only other returning starters on defense are Douthit at defensive end and Jones at cornerback. Douthit is a Division I prospect, and Jones was an all-conference pick last year. Other defensive starters are Harvey at defensive end, Yeager at tackle, Carroll at tackle, Weaver at cornerback and Riley at safety. Also, Serian and Molinaro will see time at tackle, and Manners will get reps at safety.

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46 — Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015

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Teams adapt to shorter camp schedule Continued from Page 44 camp. The confidence could come if we could go to Marion Center our first week and steal a win. “It’s a pure fact that we haven’t won a game in this conference in three years, so that’s our main goal. We’re looking to them and we’ll take the other games as they come. If we get a couple wins under our belt, you don’t know where we’re going to go. It’s all a mindset.” A NEW LOOK: Purchase Line will look like a new team when it takes the field this season. Mostly because of its uniforms, that is. The Red Dragons will don new uniforms this year, including a new dragon logo on their helmets. “It was just our turn in the rotation with the school,” coach Brandon Overdorff said. “We were due for new ones. We are really happy with what we got, the Nike uniforms. We’re thankful for the school board and administration for making it happen. We’re tickled to death with them, and it just makes us even more excited about the season.” They will sport dark gray pants with red-, white- and grey-schemed Nike jerseys. “They are pretty sharp,” senior Will Syster said. THE SEARCH IS ON: The Homer-Center Wildcats have a big hole to fill in trying to replace running back Ean Lee. Lee carried a majority of the load for a team that likes to run, racking up 1,197 yards in his senior season. He holds the school’s all-time rushing record at 2,879 yards. With little experience left over at the running back position, coach JESSE LEE Greg Page is turning to a run-bycommittee approach to keep the wheels turning. “We are looking for someone to step into that tailback role,” Page said. “We are as inexperienced in the backfield right now as we have been the whole time that I’ve been here. There are guys that are very capable, but they are young and they need game experience.” Of the six players listed as running MONTAO backs on the roster, only two tailCOLEMAN backs — Montao Coleman and Matt Miles — carried the ball last season. Coleman carried 17 times for 78 yards, and Miles had just two carries. “Montao Coleman is a junior, and he doesn’t have too many carries,” Page said. “But he probably has more carries than any of the other guys.” Coleman is listed as the starting running back. Lee’s younger brother, Jesse, is listed as a fullback, Continued on Page 47

STATE RANKINGS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA FOOTBALL NEWS Records from 2014 (District in parentheses) CLASS AAAA 1.Saint Joseph’s Prep (12) 11-3 2.Central Catholic (7) 11-2 3.Wilson (3) 14-1 4.Woodland Hills (7) 8-3 5.Parkland (11) 11-3 6.Coatesville (1) 13-1 7.LaSalle College (12) 8-3 8.Central Dauphin (3) 11-3 9.State College (6) 6-7 10.North Allegheny (7) 8-3 Honorable mention: Downingtown West (1), Father Judge (12), PennTrafford (7), Pine-Richland (7), Simon Gratz (12), Upper Dublin (1), Upper Saint Clair (7), West Chester Henderson (1) CLASS AAA 1.Imhotep Charter (12) 12-2 2.Archbishop Wood (12) 14-1 3.Bishop McDevitt (3) 14-1 4.Thomas Jefferson (7) 11-1 5.Somerset (5) 14-2 6.Erie Cathedral Prep (10) 11-1 7.Bethlehem Catholic (11) 12-2 8.Conneaut (10) 11-2 9.Berwick (2) 9-3 10.West Allegheny (7) 11-2 Honorable mention: Clearfield (9), Franklin Regional (7), Meadville (10), Montour (7), Saucon Valley (11), Scranton Prep (2), Springfield-Delco (1) CLASS AA 1.Aliquippa (7) 12-1 2.Hickory (10) 12-3 3.South Fayette (7) 16-0 4.North Schuylkill (11) 11-1 5.Wyomissing (3) 13-2 6.West Catholic (12) 7-4 7.Beaver Falls (7) 7-3 8.Montoursville (4) 9-5 9.Bedford (5) 9-2 10.Southern Columbia (4) 11-1 Honorable mention: Berks Catholic (4), Central Martinsburg (6), Karns City (9), Loyalsock (4), Prep Charter (12), Sharon (9), Springfield-Montco (1), Tyrone (10) CLASS A 1.Clairton (7) 15-1 2.Camp Hill (3) 10-4 3.Neshannock (7) 11-1 4.Bishop Guilfoyle (6) 16-0 5.Sharpsville (10) 11-4 6.Marian Catholic (11) 8-4 7.Old Forge (2) 12-1 8.Farrell (10) 8-4 9.North Catholic (7) 11-1 10.Portage (6) 11-2 Honorable mention: Bellwood-Antis (6), Berlin-Brothersvalley (5), Bishop McDevitt (12), Greensburg Central Catholic (7), North Penn (4), SteeltonHighspire (3), York Catholic (3)

Indiana Gazette Football Supplement, Thursday, September 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 47

Wildcats looking for a couple good backs Continued from Page 46 and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely to help the inexperienced stable of tailbacks right the ship. He carried 25 times for 118 yards last season. After having a reliable running back for the last few seasons, finding something that works will be high priority for the Wildcats. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely an important thing, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a concern,â&#x20AC;? Page said. AVOIDING INJURIES: Staying healthy has been a problem for the Northern Cambria Colts in the past few seasons, but coach Frank Paronish said his team worked hard in the offseason to avoid that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very important for us to stay healthy,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we can do that, add in our experience, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be OK. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working hard in MAC NOVELLA the offseason to stay physically fit because we have a long road ahead of us, and we need to be

ready.â&#x20AC;? Senior Mac Novella said the Coltsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offseason training and conditioning will help them avoid the injury bug. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been tough,â&#x20AC;? Novella said of camp. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been running and working, trying to get prepared. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ahead of where we were, physically, and that will help keep us more healthy this season.â&#x20AC;? GIVE AND TAKE: An expanded role at running back wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take away from Zach Bowserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s linebacking duties on defense. As a defender in 2014, Bowser racked up 40 tackles over nine varsity appearances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I expect Bowser to continue to do what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been doing the last couple years,â&#x20AC;? West Shamokin coach Jon McCullough said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tough kid. He brings a little tenacity to our team, a little attitude. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just one of those kids that works hard every day. You know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to get from him. You know heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to go out and give 110 percent and give everything he has for his teammates.â&#x20AC;? Although the senior looks forward to taking on more responsibility in the back-

field, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just fine with returning the increased punishment heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be taking as a ball carrier. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bittersweet both ways,â&#x20AC;? Bowser said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love getting the touchdowns and I love getting the rushes, but then again, you get punished a lot playing running back. Then you can hop on defense and you can do the same thing back. I love it.â&#x20AC;? FRESHMAN HEAVY: Derry has more freshmen on its team than any other class, but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily mean the Trojans will be led by a clan of youngsters that played junior high football last year. Derry has 14 freshmen (tied with United for most in the area) on its roster because the school no longer has a ninth-grade football team. And even though second-year coach Tim Sweeney acknowledged that he has several freshmen with great potential, those players will be lucky to see any significant playing time this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We definitely have some freshmen who are good athletes, but whether theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to play high school football is a whole different

ball game,â&#x20AC;? Sweeney said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of these guys are going to be really good high school football players one day, but you might not see them on the field this year. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just so tough for a freshman to play on Friday nights, especially in a league like the WPIAL.â&#x20AC;? HONORING A LEGEND: The Indiana High School football program is honoring retired former coach Bernie McQuown before the Indiansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home opener against Hampton on Friday, Sept. 11, at Andy Kuzneski Field. McQuown was the head coach at Indiana for 21 seasons (1966-1986) and compiled a record of 135-58-8. McQuown, who also had stints at Kane, Punxsutawney and IUP, coached for 58 seasons before retiring after the 2014 season at IUP. The Indiana Athletic Department is inviting all former players who played under McQuown to gather at 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 11 outside Fifth Street Gymnasium for an informal gathering. McQuown and former players will then proceed inside the locker room at 6:30 for the pregame with this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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team before making the walk to the field for a short ceremony before kickoff. Former players who plan to attend should either contact Darla Mathe at the high school athletic office at (724) 463-3530 or dmathe@iasd. cc or Doug Steve at dmsteve33@yahoo.com. Former players who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attend can email a message to McQuown at honoring coachmcquown@gmail. com. FOWL INVASION: Blacklick Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football team had to move its first scrimmage after geese â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the waste

they leave behind â&#x20AC;&#x201D; invaded their field. Blacklick Valley moved its scrimmage to a practice field after the field in Nanty Glo was deemed off limits. The field is owned by the borough and its recreation authority, but the school district was paying to have the goose waste removed. Blacklick Valley Superintendent John Mastillo hoped workers would have the field cleaned up in time for the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home opener. Mastillo said about 65 geese took over the field and might have been drawn by people feeding the birds.

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