2011 Fall Football Kickoff - Centre County Gazette

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THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

azette The

Football is back!!

Serving Centre County

The Gazette P.O. Box 129 Warriors Mark, PA 16877 Tel.: 814-632-6700 Fax: 814-632-6699 www.CentreCountyGazette.com PUBLISHER Arnie Stott GENERAL MANAGER Don Bedell MANAGING EDITOR Sandie Biddle

Mon.,Tues.,Thurs., 9AM-8PM, Wed. & Fri., 9AM-5:30PM, Sat. 9AM-3PM

Joel Confer

Ron Kratzer

BUSINESS MANAGER Susan Stott

Sales Manager

PENNS VALLEY BUREAU CHIEF Sam Stitzer PennsValley@CentreCountyGazette.com

Fo r a New Fo rd Tr uc k, Auto, SU V, or C ro ss over hi cle or fo r a Late M odel Pre- ow ne d Ve

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State College NEWS StateCollege@CentreCountyGazette.com SPORTS Les Barnhart, Editor Matt Masullo sports@centrecountygazette.com OFFICE MANAGER Patti Marshall

Let The Gazette be your guide to local football. The Centre County Gazette’s 2011 Football Preview has local fans in mind. Inside are the previews and schedules of the Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and State College high school football teams. We have also gone into depth on the Penn State Nittany Lions as well as taking a look at what fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles can expect from their respective teams.

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GRAPHIC DESIGN Ralph Boldin Brandy Ritchey Rose Ann Hoover Sharen Kuhn ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Tom Orr Carol Walsh Vicki Gillette SUBMIT YOUR NEWS: editor@centrecountygazette.com ADVERTISING sales@centrecountygazette.com The Gazette is a weekly newspaper seving Centre County and is published by Stott Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 129, Warriors Mark, PA 16877.

Reproduction of any portion of any issue is not permitted without written permission from Stott Publications, Inc. Publisher reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement for any reason.

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Centre County’s Sports Media Leaders Honor Outstanding High School Athletes.

2011 Centre County High School PLAYER OF THE WEEK Award

2011 Centre County High School PLAYER OF THE YEAR Award

The sports departments of the Centre County Gazette, 970 AM WBLF and 105.9/106.9 QWiK Rock will once again team up weekly to choose a Centre County high school football player to be presented with the “Centre County Player of the Week Award”. Award recipients will be announced in The Gazette and on 970 AM WBLF and 105.9/106.9 QWiK Rock.

At the end of the football season, ONE outstanding athlete will be chosen as the “Centre County High School Football PLAYER OF THE YEAR”.

Don’t miss out on in-depth weekly football coverage by the Centre County Gazette, 970 AM WBLF and 105.9/106.9 QWiK Rock!

Les Barnhart

Matt Masullo

Todd Brown

Norm Brown

Centre County Gazette Sports Editor

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PAGE 4

THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Bald Eagle Area Eagles

Young Eagles Looking to Soar to New Heights in 2011

By Les Barnhart

When Bald Eagle Area alum, Jack Tobias, was tabbed as the Head Coach of his alma mater, the former Eagle player made a point to get the program back to the level of dominance it had once enjoyed for so many years under Gawen Stoker. Out went the gold helmets that so many were used to and in their place were the blue helmets that Bald Eagle Area originally had well before even the parents of his players were playing football.

This season Tobias and his team have a chance to take a big step toward being a player in the postseason and bringing that sense of pride back to the program. The work started in

the offseason for Tobias and his coaches and players alike. As the coach enters his fifth season at the helm of the Eagles, one of the biggest obstacles he feels facing his team is the lack of experience at the “skill� positions. That concern has been tempered at a bit by his players’ ability to grasp the system and they have impressed their coach with their work ethic and attention to detail.

The Eagles’ offseason workouts are paying dividends already as they have helped to develop his team’s mental toughness and provided his players much needed confidence as they headed into camp. That

will help them battle through at that goes into summer practices and the rigors of two-a-days.

Tobias feels that his players have been much more focused in camp as well as being very physical.

A key to any team’s success (or failure) starts with the real “skill� positions; those playing on the offensive line. Tobias, a former lineman himself, knows the importance of having a dominant line and being able to control the point of attack.

He cites his offensive line as one of his team’s biggest areas of growth. Their physical play combined with their gelling as a unit could set the Eagles up

for some very enjoyable Friday nights under the lights.

Bald Eagle Area is fortunate to not face the same problem that their neighbors, Bellefonte and Penns Valley, will be facing this year in regards to scheduling.

While both of them will see the same opponent twice, the Eagles will not but rather will face two teams that they know little about but will do so within the friendly confines of Alumni Stadium.

The first of the two games will be against Springfield Township followed two weeks later by Halifax. In between those games is a visit from Clearfield in a game that will serve as an early test for the young Eagle squad.

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Springfield Township Spartans

9/9

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Clearfield Bison

9/16

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Halifax Wildcats

9/23

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Philipsburg-Osceola Mounties

9/30

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Huntingdon Bearcats

10/7

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Juniata Indians

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Tyrone Golden Eagles

10/21

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Penns Valley Rams

10/28

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Central Scarlet Dragons

11/4

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Bellefonte Red Raiders

All games scheduled to start at 7pm unless noted.

With the amount of youth on the Eagles roster this season, leadership is a certainly a concern for Tobias. How that is handled by his players will speak volumes on how well the Eagles do this season. They have a home friendly schedule this season with seven of their ten games being played on the turf in Wingate. While the schedule may be friendly to the home crowd, the teams the Eagles will face certainly won’t be with Clearfield, Huntingdon, Central and Bellefonte making the trip into the

Bald Eagle Valley. Add to that, road games at Philipsburg- Osceola, Tyrone and Penns Valley and the eagles will have their hands full on Friday night no matter where they are playing.

The Eagles will open the 2011 campaign at Alumni Stadium against Springfield Township on September 2nd with kickoff slated for 7pm. They will close their regular season on November 4th at home against rival Bellefonte as the teams once again battle for the Curtin Bowl.

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THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Bellefonte Red Raiders

Red Raiders Looking to Reload for Return to District Championship

Last season, the Bellefonte Red Raider Football team rebounded from a 1-9 season in 2009. Under first year head coach Duffy Besch, the Red Raiders won two of their first three games and four of their final five games to make their first playoff berth since the 2007 season. The Red Raiders fell in the District 6 Championship game to Johnstown, finishing

their season with a 7-4 record.

This season, the Red Raiders will face the tough task of replacing the majority of last season’s starters on both offense and defense. Gone are quarterback and 2010 Centre County Gazette Player of the year Tyler Lucas, along with seven other offensive starters.

On defense, the Raiders lose nine starters, including All-

Conference defensive backs Torin Miller and Jonas Holderman.

With the 2011 campaign upon us, Bellefonte hopes to build on the successes of last year. The Red Raiders return 12 letter winners from last season’s squad. Three-year starters Malik Breon and Clayton Filopowicz return on both sides of the ball; Breon as a wide receiver, defensive back and return man;

and Filopowicz on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Coach Besch sees the play on both sides of the line as a team strength this coming season. “The linemen have been working very hard to become a force for our team this coming season. If they continue to come together as a unit, they will help the team control the line of scrimmage and make plays

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2011 Schedule HOME

Penns Valley Rams

9/9

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Central Scarlet Dragons

9/16

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Tyrone Golden Eagles

9/23

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Juniata Indians

9/30

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Mifflin County Huskies

10/7

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Huntingdon Bearcats

10/14

AWAY

Mifflin County Huskies

10/21

AWAY

Central Mountain Wildcats

10/28

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Clearfield Bison

11/4

AWAY

Bald Eagle Area Eagles

All games scheduled to start at 7pm unless noted.

on both sides of the ball.â&#x20AC;? On paper, Bellefonte looks to be deep and experienced on both sides of the line. Besch is also impressed with the hard work he has seen so far in the preseason from quarterback Jordan Fye and newcomer Dan Roan on the offensive and defensive lines.

The Red Raiders open their season at home with the Penns Valley Rams on September 2 at Rogers Stadium.

Coaching Staff

2011 Football Preview

9/2

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Penns Valley Rams

Youth Movement in Spring Mills Continues for Rams

photo by vjm Studios

By Les Barnhart

The outlook in Spring Mills for the 2011 Penns Valley Rams football team is bright but as it the case with everything worth having; it won’t come without hard work. The team will welcome back 13 lettermen from last year’s squad and is working in an overhauled coaching staff as they get ready for their opener at Bellefonte on September 2nd.

The Rams will be led again this season by the most tenured coach in Centre County as he coaches his sixteenth year in Spring Mills. This offseason certainly was a bit different than the previous ones as he undertook the job of assembling a new staff for the 2011 season. The staff he

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has working with him is certainly has a local flavor with coaches from previous staffs at Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and the former Indian Valley. Staying on from the staff that ended the 2010 season aside from Tobias is Craig Collison.

Joining the Rams from Bald Eagle Area are Gary Heverly and Jim Peters. Zac Wynkoop, the former head coach at Bellefonte will be wearing more familiar colors this fall while Bob Sealy, who coached at Indian Valley, will be on the staff. Former Rams player, Forrest Rishell, rounds out the new faces in the coaches office.

In addition to getting to

know each other, Tobias states that just like in years past the biggest obstacle that he and his staff will face is getting the not only the players but the staff themselves ready to face the level of competition they will face week in and week out during the season. With the schedule the Rams will face, each Friday night poses its own challenge and that is what drives the coaches and players to get better every day.

The offseason changes to the Mountain Athletic Conference as well as the creation of Mifflin County High School (Lewistown and Indian Valley merger) have resulted in a wrinkle in the Rams’ schedule that will have

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them playing Central twice in a three week span in a home and away situation. Playing teams twice in a season isn’t something that any coaching staff wants to do but they taken it in stride and will have the Rams ready.

Tobias quickly recognized his senior leadership on a team is very young. He was counting on the seniors to help his seventeen sophomores to mature show them how to prepare themselves both mentally and physically. Thus far he has been very impressed and knows that will need to continue in order for the Rams to improve on last season’s performance.

The seniors have begun to hold the underclassmen accountable

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

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PAGE 9

2011 Schedule 9/2

AWAY

Bellefonte Red Raiders

9/9

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Juniata Indians

9/16

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Clearfield Bison

9/23

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Central Dragons

9/30

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10/7

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Central Dragons

10/14

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Huntingdon Bearcats

10/21

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Bald Eagle Area Eagles

10/28

AWAY

Tyrone Golden Eagles

11/4

HOME

Mt. Union Trojans

and have pushed each other to exceed expectations.

The Rams will certainly have their work cut out for themselves this season with the amount of youth they have on their roster and the adjustment of bringing his staff together but Tobias has a very positive outlook and the staff and players share it. It will be a challenge starting with the opener against Bellefonte and a win, on the road to open the season would be huge and provide a huge push in a schedule that along with the two dates with Central have trips to both Clearfield and Tyrone.

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THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

State College Little Lions

photo by Chuck Fong/Studio 2

Little Lions Facing Challenge of Tough Mid-Penn Conference Last season, the State College Little Lion Football team shook off an 0-5 start in the first half of the season to recover in the second half and go 4-1 down the stretch to qualify for the PIAA playoffs.

In the playoffs, State College made some noise, knocking off perennial power Erie Strong Vincent in the first round of the District 6-9-10 Semi-Finals, and Central Mountain in the District 6-9-10 Final to claim the District Championship. In the State Playoffs, the Little Lions knocked off Perry Traditional Academy before falling to

eventual State Champion North Allegheny in the Quarter Finals.

The Little Lions finished the 2010 campaign with a 7-7 record.

The Little Lions return only five starters from last season’s team, two on offense and three on defense. Arguably their biggest returnee is senior quarterback Josh Weakland. Weakland guided State College’s new look spread offense last season, and is poised to lead the team back to the playoffs this season. He is the first quarterback in eight seasons to win the starting job as a junior. Also returning this

year is senior running back and linebacker Jack Hafner. He is the team’s unquestioned defensive leader as a returning starter.

State College’s toughest task this season after replacing 17 of last year’s offensive and defensive starters will be their schedule. They do return 12 letter winners from last season’s squad. However, Coach Wolski envisions replacing last season’s starters as one of the team’s biggest hurdles. “Turning JV players into Varsity players is always a difficult task.” Wolski and company will be dealing with the loss eight varsity starters

who will be continuing their careers on Saturdays this fall.

The Little Lions play in the Mid-Penn Athletic Conference, which one of the states most competitive football conferences, playing the likes of Harrisburg and Central Dauphin on a weekly basis. Not to mention that they will play in New York against St. Anthony’s, who were one of the better teams in the state of New York in the 2010 season.

The Little Lions open the 2011 season at defending State Champion North Allegheny on September 2.

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THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Penn State Nittany Lions

Big Season Could Make it a Very “Happy Valley”

By Les Barnhart

Coach Joe Paterno 46th season at Penn State Career record 401-135-3 Bowl record 24-12-1

The expectations are always high when it comes to the Penn State football team. Even with the loss of career rushing leader Evan Royster from a team that went 7-6 including losses in three of their last four games to close the season, things are looking good in Happy Valley for 2011 and beyond.

2011 will be the first year of the newly revamped Big Ten Conference as Nebraska joins the fold and a first ever championship game will be held in Indianapolis on December 3rd. Two divisions have been created with the Nittany Lions calling the “Leaders” home along with Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio State. The other division, “Legends” will be highlighted

by Nebraska, Michigan State and Iowa. While there is plenty to be excited about in the conference the question of will they be playing in the first ever championship game.

The answer to that question depends a great deal on if the 14 starters returning from last season’s team continue to develop and lead the program back to atop the conference. With seven starters returning to each side of the ball, Penn State looks to have balance of experience as well as youth to build on for the future while winning this season.

In the division, the Nittany Lions biggest adversary will be Wisconsin, who will travel to Beaver Stadium for a regular season finale that could very well determine the fate of the Legends

division. The road to that game against the Badgers will have landmines along the way. Even with the problems that Ohio State have going on, Penn State will still have to travel into The Horseshoe the week before facing Wisconsin. The Nittany Lions have never played well there (1-8 in Big Ten games in Columbus) with their only win coming in 2008. Illinois has played the Lions tough as of late despite their holding a 14-4 advantage over the Illini. Last season’s 33-13 home loss should serve as some motivation when the teams meeting at Memorial Stadium on Halloween weekend.

Out of the division, there are the games against Alabama in week two and Nebraska on November 12th, but both are at Beaver Stadium. The Crimson Tide drubbed the Lions and quarterback Rob Bolden last year in Tuscaloosa and Coach Nick Saban will be bringing a team into town that is favored to win the SEC and be in the National Title discussion. Both games will certainly be big draws for the home crowd and will serve as equally large tests, especially the early game with Alabama for the Nittany Lions.

As far as personnel for Penn State, as with any other team it starts at quarterback. The Nittany Lions will again enter the season with some controversy under center as junior Matt McGloin returns after an impressive 2010 campaign while sophomore Rob Bolden returns to fight for

the starting spot that he held at the start of last season. Bolden, a very talented player, had threatened to leave the program following the team’s Outback Bowl loss to Florida. It appeared that calmer thoughts prevailed and that has Bolden in the mix for starting role. Neither option has much experience. McGloin relieved Bolden following an injury against Minnesota in the seventh game of the season and stayed on the rest of the season.

His gunslinger play will need to become more consistent this season should be able to hold off the more athletic Bolden.

The offense should not be devoid of weapons despite not being able to lean on Royster as they did the past few seasons.

Filling out the backfield will be sophomore Silas Redd and senior Stephfon Green. Brandon Beachum will also look to rebound from an ACL injury that ended his season early in 2010. It should be pointed out that Royster has stated that Redd will ultimately break his career rushing record before he leaves Happy Valley. That is a pretty big endorsement as well as some hefty expectations. The receiving corps will be returning three of their four leading receivers from 2010 with Brett Brackett’s graduation. Brackett was second on the team with 39 grabs for 525 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Returning will be senior Derek Moye (53 receptions for 885 yards and 8 TDs), junior Justin Brown (33 receptions for 452

yards and a score) and junior Devon Smith, a speedy but smaller wide out that caught 27 balls for 363 yards.

Penn State will need better production from a defensive unit that was hammer last year with injuries and then on the field as they allowed more than 20 points in eight games. They also allowed teams to gouge them for yardage seemingly at will. Healthier this season, this unit should return to closer to form this season barring the decimating injuries they faced last year. DE Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore will anchor the defensive front while Michael Mauti will head up a solid linebacker corps along with State College alum Nate Stupar that will also be looking to rebound from a below standard season in 2010. The secondary should benefit from a healthier front seven and should be a solid unit for the Nittany Lions.

The 2011 season opens for the Nittany Lions on Labor Day weekend when the Indiana State Sycamores come calling to Beaver Stadium in what should amount to a dress rehearsal for the week two matchup with Alabama. Penn State has won their last nine home openers by a wide margin and they should move that mark to ten games with relative ease. The Sycamores were 6-5 last year but went 2-54 during the span of 2005 through 2009.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

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CRF80 SALES RESTRICTION: Due to lead content requirements established by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, as interpreted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, this motorcycle is not intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. This motorcycle must not be sold to, nor sold for, use by, persons under the age of 13. Parents need to consider their youngsters age, size, ability and maturity before allowing them to ride. Honda recommends that all motorcycle riders take a training course and read their owner’s manual thoroughly. CRFs are intended for off-road operation only. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing, and never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. For rider training information or to locate a rider-training course near you, call the Motorcycle Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. Not responsible for typographical or pictoral errors. Photos for illustrative purposes only. Top images professional rider. Get $750 in Bonus Bucks – CRF150R/RB Bonus Bucks offer is good with the purchase of new 2009 & 2008 CRF150R/RB models. Bonus Bucks can only be used for purchases at the dealership and must be redeemed on the date of purchase. Offer has no cash value and is not transferable. Redemption value is not to exceed $750. Check with participating Honda Dealers for complete details. Get $400 in Bonus Bucks – CRF100/CRF150F/CRF80 Bonus Bucks offer is good with the purchase of new 2008 & 2009 CRF100/CRF150F/CRF80 models. Bonus Bucks can only be used for purchases at the dealership and must be redeemed on the date of purchase. Offer has no cash value and is not transferable. Redemption value is not to exceed $400. Check with participating Honda Dealers for complete details. *Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excludes $115 destination charge. Offers good through 9/30/11 or while supplies last.

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THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Philadelphia Eagles is DESTROYED: • Repossessions • Tax Liens • Credit Card Difficulties

“Dream Team” Super Bowl bound???

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PAGE 16

By Matt Masullo

Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles were the talk of the league; thanks in part to the play of Michael Vick, that’s right, THAT Michael Vick. Vick’s storybook season was something straight out of Hollywood.

He started the season as the backup to Kevin Kolb, but an injury in the season opener to Kolb paved the way for Vick to recapture the allure that he has back in 2002, when he took the league by storm. He would put the Eagles on his back and carry them to the playoffs. On the way to the playoffs, he was injured for four weeks before coming back and electrifying the country on Monday Night football versus the Washington Redskins. Vick accounted for almost 400 yards of total offense and six touchdowns. The Eagles would fall to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Packers in the

Coach Andy Reid 13th year at Philadelphia Career record 118-73-1 Playoff record 10-9 Super Bowl record 0-1 (2004)

Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs.

During the craziness that was the NFL offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles resembled the Washington Redskins or Dallas Cowboys. They went out and signed many big name free agents and traded Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Among the 14 free agents lured to Philadelphia, were Nnamdi Asomugha, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Vince Young, Ronnie Brown and Steve Smith. Those players are in addition to another solid draft by Andy Reid and company. They drafted Danny Watkins, a guard out of Baylor in the first round and Jaiquawn Jarret, a safety out of Temple.

This just in, the Philadelphia Eagles just signed ANOTHER free agent.

In an interview this offseason after he was signed by the Eagles, Vince Young, who will be the highest profile backup quarterback in football this season, proclaimed the 2011 Eagles to be the “Dream Team”.

Vick and the Eagles are focused on building on the success they experienced last season and not looking to become the NFL’s version of the Miami Heat.

They will have to do so with a new defensive coordinator –who was the team’s offensive line

coach last season, a contractually unhappy wide receiver in DeSean Jackson, and an ailing Jeremy Maclin. Jackson is in training camp, and is said to be working on a new contract. Maclin is a perplexing case. He contracted mono early in the spring, and reportedly has lost upwards of 20 pounds. He recently was sent home to St. Louis for further medical tests. Maclin expects to be in camp and ready for Week 1 after getting clearance from both his doctor and the Eagles team physicians.

The Eagles are one of the early favorites to win the NFC this season with the active offseason that they had and the team that they are returning.

This could be a make or break year for Andy Reid. As one of the longest tenured coaches in the league, Reid will have more pressure than ever on his team to bring home the Lombardi Trophy.

Breakout Candidate: RB LeSean McCoy – After taking over the starting role last season, “Shady” showed glimpses of greatness throughout the season.

With a year as a starter under his belt, and a complimentary back in Ronnie Brown in town, it could help to keep McCoy fresh and healthy though the rigors of the 16 game NFL schedule.

($46 AND ",5 2!9 0,!9%2 SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

WWW.CENTRECOUNTYGAZETTE.COM

PAGE 17

Think you know your football?

Can you pick a winner?

Use your prognosticating skills TO WIN FREE STUFF!

weekly prizes from:

SUPER BOWL XLVI GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE: SONY BRAVIA 46” HDTV AND SONY BLU-RAY DISC/DVD PLAYER

AND MANY MORE!!!

PROVIDED BY:

Paul & Tony’s STEREO

Brought to you by:

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Centre County’s Award-Winning Seven Mountains Wine Cellars

Interior view of Seven Mountains Wine Cellars

Featuring:

Seven Mountains Wine Cellars won the Governor’s Cup award at the 2011 Pennsylvania Farm Show for best in show fruit wine.

The winery also won the second Oak barrels of their red wine age for at least a Governor’s Cup at the 2011 year in a man-made cave. Pennsylvania Farm Show, for best in show grape wine, and made history as the first winery to win both awards in the same year.

DRY RED WINES, including “Ten Point,” a 2011 Bronze Medal Winner DRY WHITE WINES, including “Whippoorwill White,”a 2011 PA Farm Show Silver Medal Winner SEMI-DRY WINES, including “Traminette,” a 2011 PA Farm Show GOLD Medal Winner SWEET WINES, including “Tickled Pink,” a 2011 Silver Medal Winner FRUIT WINES, including “Black Raspberry,” a 2011 PA Farm Show Silver Medal Winner PORT STYLE WINE, “General Potter’s Fort,” a 2010 PA Farm Show Bronze Medal Winner

Located just 1 Mile Off Route 322 near Potter’s Mills | 814.364.1000

Plan a visit to Seven Mountains Wine Cellars

located in the Seven Mountains region of Central Pennsylvania.

Tour the winery, taste our award winning wines, and browse the gift shop for the perfect accessory.

Be sure to save enough time to enjoy a glass of wine in front of the fireplace or on the patio!

www.sevenmountainswinecellars.com

PAGE 18

THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Looking to Avoid Super Bowl Hangover

By Matt Masullo

Coach Mike Tomlin 5th season at Pittsburgh Career record 43-21 Playoff record 5-2 Super Bowl record 1-1 (2008 win, 2010 loss)

The Pittsburgh Steelers made it to Super Bowl XLV last season and squared off with the storied Green Bay Packers. The Steelers would come up seven points shy of capturing their unprecedented seventh Super Bowl Title, falling to the eventual champs 31-25.

During the LONG offseason, the Steelers made headlines seemingly on a weekly basis. Ben Roethlisberger was recently married, and avoided making any headlines for the wrong reason, so kudos to Big Ben! Hines Ward went on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and captured the elusive Mirror Ball Trophy with his partner Kym Johnson. He was also involved in a DUI traffic stop in Georgia in late July, and has yet to face any sort of suspension from the league for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Always controversial linebacker James

Harrison made some off the cuff comments to Men’s Health Magazine referring to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell as a “crook and a puppet”, calling out teammates Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall and posing shirtless with handguns, which is a great way to draw positive light to yourself and your team. Speaking of Mendenhall, he made some controversial remarks on Twitter about the death of Osama bin Laden and the September 11th tragedy.

Needless to say, the Steelers took a page from their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, in terms of being in the news for all of the wrong reasons.

On the bright side of things, the Steelers also made some personnel moves. They drafted defensive end Cameron Heyward out of Ohio State with their first round draft pick in the 2011

NFL Draft, as well as Marcus Gilbert, and offensive lineman from the University of Florida; they re-signed cornerback Ike Taylor, linebackers Lamarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons as well as offensive lineman Willie Colon and Trei Essex to contracts. They also released offensive lineman Max Starks and Flozell Adams.

The Steelers have a tendency for flopping the season after a Super Bowl appearance, failing to make the playoffs in the following season. In recent memory, following Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII, both victories, the Steelers failed to qualify for post season play in the following season. This will be the first time since the 1995 season that the Black and Gold made it to the Super Bowl and didn’t bring home the Lombardi Trophy. Following that loss, in

the 1996 season, the Steelers won the division and made the playoffs.

Heading into the 2011 campaign, the Steelers have to be considered a favorite to win the AFC North again, not because they are the most talented team in the division, but because of the limited roster turnover and veteran presence in their locker room following the NFL’s lockout.

Breakout Candidate: DE Ziggy Hood – Entering his third season with the Steelers, the 2009 1st round draft pick saw increased time throughout last season, thanks in part to injuries to the defensive line. Hood has all of the tools to be a staple in the Steelers 3-4 defensive scheme for years to come.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

WWW.CENTRECOUNTYGAZETTE.COM

Win with The Gazette

PAGE 19

+??N NB? (I?F !IH@?L ONI -ONF?N 1N;LNCHA *CH? 3J The Players!

Joel Confer

Seth Confer

CONTEST

Joel Confer Brad Fritchman

Attention Gazette readers! Do you think you know your football? Can you pick a winner? We here in the Gazette Sports Department want you to use your stuff.

Back soon for another season is the Pigskin Pick â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Em Contest â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and AGAIN the Sports Department is NOT allowed to win. But our loss could be your gain! Each week you will be provided a number of games from which you will pick who you think will win. Sounds simple you say? It is! Pick the right number of winners in a given week and you could win prizes from local vendors. Each WEEKLY winner will be automatically entered in the PLAYOFF ELIMINATION to compete for the Grand Prize at the end of the year, just in time for the Super Bowl! The Grand Prize Package includes a 46 inch Sony Bravia HDTV and a Sony Blu-Ray/DVD player from Paul & Tonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stereo!!!

So watch The Gazette each week for games from which you will pick the winners, be sure to send it in on time and then watch the games to see if you are the winner. Just imagine, you get FREE and really COOL stuff just for reading The Gazette, picking some winning football teams AND you get to watch football while doing it! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually ridiculous but that is mainly due to the fact that the Sports Department canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play!

You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t playâ&#x20AC;Ś Get in the game!

See upcoming issues of The Gazette for more details!!!

Alan Hall

Corey Confer

Tom Frantz

Mike King

Devlon Cowart

Jerry Brancefield

Joe Fletemake

Ted Woodring

Tim Fisher

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PAGE 20

THE GAZETTE - SERVING CENTRE COUNTY

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Mount Nittany Physician Group: expanding care throughout the region.

By building the Mount Nittany Physician Group, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re expanding access to care throughout the region.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re focused on providing better, more comprehensive and specialized care â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no matter where you live or what your needs. The name may be new, but youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll feel right at home with the people youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come to know and trust. Mount Nittany Physician Group. Stronger, smarter, better care for you and your family. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s L I F E F O R W A R D .

For more healthcare thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comprehensive, integrated and simpler to use, visit mountnittany.org/physiciangroup.

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Internal Medicine/ Guillard Medical Group 905 University Drive State College, PA 16801 814.237.3122

Mount Nittany Physician Group - Bellefonte 141 Medical Park Lane Bellefonte, PA 16823-9112 Internal Medicine: 814.355.7322 Pediatrics: 814.355.3626

Mount Nittany Physician Group - Boalsburg

Penns Valley Area Family Medicine

2520 Green Tech Drive State College, PA 16803 814.231.7888

4570 Penns Valley Road Spring Mills, PA 16875 814.422.8873

Mount Nittany Physician Group - Lock Haven

Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgery

24 Cree Drive Lock Haven, PA 17745-2639 Cardiology: 570.893.5423

100 Radnor Road, Suite 101 State College, PA 16801 814.231.7878

Mount Nittany Physician Group - Park Avenue

State College Urology

1850 E. Park Avenue Centre Medical Sciences Building State College, PA 16803 Internal Medicine: 814.234.8800 Cardiology: 814.689.3140 Medicine Specialties: 814.234.3140 OB/GYN: 814.237.3470 Appointment Line: 814.234.5056

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30

Check out the

2011-2012

Centre County Gazette

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE POSTER

CLICK THE LINK BELOW! http://issuu.com/stottpublicationsinc/docs/football_schedule_09-02-11rev?mode=embed