REGON 1 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
2008 CHAMPION: *Farrell, Linesville and Mercer tied for crown
OTHER PLAYOFF QUALIFIER: Sharpsville
PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS
2007: Mercer
2006: ^West Middlesex
2005: *Sharpsville
^=also won District 10 title and reached state championship game, *=also won District 10 title
FARRELL STEELERS
HEAD COACH: Jarrett Samuels
2008 RECORD: 7-1 region (tied first), 12-3 overall (lost 21-24 to Clairton in PIAA Semifinals)
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 2 (2007, 2008)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 1 (2008)
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 3 (all as member of WPIAL)
1997: beat Southern Columbia 14-12
1996: beat Southern Columbia 6-0
1990: lost 12-13 to Marian Catholic
OFFENSE
Averaged 36.4 points per game last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 1
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 2
At full strength Farrell’s offense was as dangerous as just about any in District 10 last year as the Steelers scored at least 27 points in each of their final eight regular season games and put up 21 or more in all five of their postseason contests. Two all-state performers and two more all-region picks graduated from that group, although the team does return a pair of all-region receivers in first team pick Dion Eilam (19 catches, 414 yards, four touchdowns) and second team choice Preston Jefferson (six catches, 102 yards, three touchdowns). Eilam, who was a second team all-region selection in 2007, also threw a touchdown pass and rushed for two scores last year, while Jefferson was on the receiving end of five two-point conversion tosses. Senior Dan Odem, who earned first team all-region honors in 2007, will again be the one throwing the duo the ball and he completed 50 of 103 pass attempts for 1034 yards and 14 touchdowns, while not being intercepted one time, and also rushing for 342 yards and 10 scores last year. At running back Farrell must replace second team all-state selection Terrell Jackson (118 carries, 1181 yards, 13 touchdowns), who rushed for 595 yards and four touchdowns in the team’s postseason run and two other second team all-region choices. Junior Malcolm Hailstock (85 carries, 476 yards, eight touchdowns) is the team’s top returning rusher, but through one week of camp he was behind senior Ron Jackson on the depth chart for the starting fullback job. Juniors Jamar Whitman and Kevin Brodie, who joined Eilam as the only Steelers to have both 100 yards rushing and receiving in 2008, as well sophomores Jason Pinkins, who coach Samuels mentioned as a player to watch, and Lawrence Hughes are others expected see time in the backfield. Three of last year’s starting offensive linemen graduated, including three-year starter and first team all-state center Terry Perfilio, although senior guard Ervin Hill and junior tackle Robert Trudo both enter their third seasons as starters up front. Trudo will however miss the early part of the season after having minor surgery and While he's out, senior Kevin Austin and junior Jamel Jordan will be the starting tackles, with junior Matt Carter joining Hill at guard and either sophomore Vincent Gibson or freshman Mike Williams the center.
DEFENSE
9.5 points per game allowed last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 1
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 2
It’s hard to find words to describe how good Farrell’s defense was last year, but after having the top scoring defense amongst all District 10 Class A teams during the regular season (9.5 points per game allowed) the Steelers actually bettered that number in their postseason run by allowing just 6.2 points per contest and posting three shutouts. Three all-region selections, including two first team picks, are back, although the Steelers must replace five all-region honorees. As was the case at receiver, safety Eilam (four interceptions) was a first team pick and cornerback Jefferson (43 tackles) a second team selection in the secondary. Cornerback Brodie (48 tackles, two interceptions) joins Eilam to give the unit two third year-starters, while senior safety John McCrary also has starting experience and Hughes is another player that figures to see time in the defensive backfield. Even with all of the experience that the Steelers have in the secondary, the strength of the defense could be its linebackers, led by Ron Jackson, who followed up a second team all-region performance in 2007, by earning first team honors last year as he finished with 127 tackles including, a team-high, 69 solo stops. Whitman gives the unit a second third-year starter and led the team with 158 total tackles, adding both two sacks and two interceptions, while Odem, who has been a key contributor somewhere on defense since his freshman year, recorded 98 tackles last season and completes the list of starters. Up front the team must replace three all-region members and one of losses was unexpected as senior, second team defensive end Ramon West (51 tackles, 6.5 sacks) could miss the entire season due to injury. Therefore, as was the case on offense, defensive tackle Hill (66 tackles) and Trudo (48 tackles, 1.5 sacks), who will moves from defensive end to defensive tackle when he returns, are the only two returning starters on the defensive line, although senior Devonte Goudy does have some playing experience and is joined as a starting defensive end by junior Marcus Davis, who is a transfer from Kennedy Catholic.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Eilam brought back a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown in Farrell’s PIAA Quarterfinal victory over Cameron County last season, while both Jefferson (kick) and Odem (punt) also had return touchdowns in 2008 and Whitman is a fourth player with experience being deep on both kicks and punts. West handled kicking duties the past two seasons and Whitman will take his place, while also being the team's punter, this year.
OVERVIEW
Farrell was less than a minute away from a state title game appearance last year and while it won’t be easy to repeat that success, the Steelers enter 2009 as the favorites to capture both region and district crowns and possibly get another shot at that trip to Hershey.
SHARPSVILLE BLUE DEVILS
HEAD COACH: Paul Piccirilli
2008 RECORD: region 5-3 (fourth), 6-5 overall (lost 27-49 to Saegertown in district quarterfinals)
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 4 (2004-2006, 2008)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 4 (1999-2001, 2004)
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 1
1997: beat Riverside 10-7
OFFENSE
Averaged 23.3 points per game last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 5
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 9
Sharpsville averaged nearly a touchdown more per game last year than it did in 2007 - when the team finished 3-7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2002 - and returns seven starters, including its starting quarterback and top rusher. Junior Nate Titus led the team in rushing (862 yards), adding eight touchdowns on the ground, last season and each of his four 100 yard games came in the Blue Devils final five contests, including a 149-yard, two-touchdown performance in the team’s playoff loss to Saegertown. Marcus Llewellyn (713 yards, six touchdowns) is another junior starter that returns to the backfield and like Titus he eclipsed 100 yards in the postseason game (140, one touchdown), while adding a 96-yard, two-touchdown showing in a week three victory over West Middlesex, that ended up being the determining factor in Sharpsville qualifying for the playoffs. Senior Matt Totin, who has been a key contributor to the offense at either running back or quarterback since he was a sophomore, replaces three-year starter Josh Taylor (140 carries, 743 yards, 12 touchdowns), who earned second team all-region all purpose back honors in 2007, while Cameron Christopher, also a senior, is the top backup . Each of the other losses came on the offensive line and one of them was unexpected as junior Brad Marstellar, who started at tackle last year and was slated to replace, second team all-region guard Tom Weisen this year, was injured in the first week of camp and will be out eight to 12 weeks. Sophomore Robby Moss was the top backup for Marstellar, but was hurt in the team’s first scrimmage and junior Alex Pustinger will now join senior Brian Shaw, a returning starter, as a starting guard. Junior tackle David Bain gives the line a second returning starter, while Justin Wiley, also a junior, is the other starting tackle and sophomore Dylan Hogue is the center. Junior Frank Joseph (218 yards passing, four rushing touchdowns) returns as the starting quarterback as do his classmate Chad Piccirilli (11 catches, 123 yards) at split end and senior Justin Dunlap, a third-year starter, at tight end.
DEFENSE
22.6 points per game allowed last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 4
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 10
The Blue Devil defense joined Cathedral Prep as the only two 2008 District 10 playoff qualifiers that allowed more than 20 points per game last season and the team also gave up nearly a touchdown more contest than any other Class A postseason participant in the district. Like on offense, seven positions on defense will be filled by returning starters, including two second all-region picks, although first team all-region selections Taylor, who earned the honor at cornerback both of the past two years, and Andrew Miller (linebacker) must be replaced. Even with Miller gone, linebacker could be the strength of this year’s defense as outside starters Totin, who is a third-year starter, and Titus were both second team all-region picks last season, while Dunlap makes the move from defensive end to middle linebacker, where he started as a sophomore. Up front nose tackle Christopher and defensive end Joseph are returning starters, while Wiley replaces Dunlap as the other end, with Pustinger and senior Matt Redfoot the new defensive tackles. Piccirilli (safety) and senior DeWayne Odem (cornerback) are the other returning starters and sophomore Dersean Alberty completes the secondary as the other corner.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior John Wilson is back to handle both kicking and punting kicking duties, while Titus, who returned two kicks for touchdowns in the Blue Devils victory over Kennedy Catholic last year, will be deep on kicks again this year, with Piccirilli and Alberty the two punt returners.
OVERVIEW
Sharpsville has missed the postseason just twice in the past decade and getting there with such a young team last year can only benefit this year's club. The general consensus seems to be that Sharpsville could pose the largest threat to Farrell in both the region and the entire district and while the loss of Marstellar was a major setback, with one of the top coaching staffs in the district, led by Piccirilli, the Devils are still likely to be right there come playoff time.
MERCER MUSTANGS
HEAD COACH: Pat McLearn
2008 RECORD: 7-1 region (tied first), 10-2 overall (lost 7-35 to Linesville in district semifinals)
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 2 (2007, 2008)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0
OFFENSE
Averaged 35.0 points per game last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 3
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 4
Mercer joined Saegertown, Strong Vincent and Wilmington as the only District 10 teams, regardless of classification, to score at least 20 points in every regular season game in 2008 and the Mustangs added a 28-point performance in their playoff opener against Iroquois, but then had their season ended in 35-7 district semifinal loss to Linesville. Two second team all-region picks return although five graduated, including four from the offensive line as center Ray Dominguez and guards Nick Nan and Nick Ream were all first team all-region members and tackle Billy Redmond was a second team choice. Senior Rich McCullough enters his third season as the team’s left tackle, with senior guard Phil Miller joining him on the left side, one of two juniors (Corey Beck or B.J. Winner) the new right tackle, either sophomore R.J. Swartz or senior Tanner Barkley the new right guard and sophomore Brandon Little or junior Craig Beck the new center. Senior quarterback Andrew Erdos earned second team all-region honors both of the past two years and returns for a fourth year as the team’s starting signal caller. In his career Erdos has passed for 2125 yards and 25 touchdowns and last year he accounted for more than 1000 yards of total offense and 18 scores. Both of Mercer’s starting wide receivers return for their respective senior seasons and Eric Staul joined Erdos as a second team all-region member, while Andy Reda led the team in all receiving stats (seven catches, 225 yards, two touchdowns). Junior Josh DeAngio and senior Cody Frey are the top two tight ends and while the Mustangs must replace second team all-region running back Terrence Davis, who led the team in all rushing stats (168 carries, 1005 yards, 15 touchdowns), senior Rawlins Huntley does return and led all returning players in rushing last year (124 carries, 917 yards, 10 touchdowns) and surpassed 100 yards in four games, including each of the team’s final three regular season contests. Herbie Hennegan (41 carries, 304 yards, two touchdowns), also a senior, is another experienced option at running back with sophomore Kyle Mariacher and junior J.T. Manozzi two others that are likely to see some some time.
DEFENSE
11.5 points per game last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 2
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 4
In the last two years Mercer is 19-1 when giving up no more than 20 points and just 2-3 when allowing the opposition to surpass that magic number. The Mustangs allowed more than 20 just twice last season and both were losses to Linesville. Four 2008 all-region honorees graduated and second team strong safety Huntley (53 tackles, five interceptions) is the only all-region pick that returns. Huntley brought one of his picks back 51 yards for a touchdown, while returning a fumble for another score and is one of three returning starters in the secondary with free safety Reda (50 tackles, two interceptions) and cornerback Mariacher (46 tackles, one interception) the others. Senior Damian Burns, who hasn’t played football in the past but started on the basketball team last year, and sophomores Ryan Koser and Dylan Garrett are all options to be the other starting cornerback. As was the case on offense, the line was hit the hardest by graduation on the defensive side of the ball as well as all four starters graduated, including first team defensive tackle Dominguez and second team end Nan (47 tackles, four sacks). McCullough and Miller are the defensive tackles with Frey and sophomore Joey Hess the ends and due to the fact that Mercer rotated in two totally different front sevens last year, most of the new starters have some varsity experience. Along with the secondary, linebacker should be a strength as four players who recorded at least 26 tackles each in 2008 return. Hennegan led the group with 71 stops, Staul had 43 tackles, a team-high tying four sacks, and three interceptions and Manozzi (32 tackles) and DeAngio (26 tackles) are the other two experienced linebackers, with sophomore Jordan McLearn also expected to see action.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Hennegan returns for a fourth year as the team’s kicker, and earned second team all-region honors in 2007, and could also replace first team all-region pick Davis as the punter, with sophomore Aaron Collins another option to handle punts. Staul, who brought back two kicks for touchdowns, including 86-yard return in the team’s playoff win over Iroquois, Huntley and Burns are the top three return men.
OVERVIEW
After winning the region crown outright in 2007 the Mustangs became the first team to win or share back-to-back Region 1 crowns by finishing in a three-way tie with Farrell and Linesville last year. The main concerns for this year's team are on the two lines, but with a number of skill players, most notably Erdos, returning there seems to be every reason to think the team will be in the postseason for a third year in a row and possibly challenge for a third straight region title.
WEST MIDDLESEX BIG REDS
HEAD COACH: Jason McElhaney
2008 RECORD: 4-4 region (fifth), 6-4 overall
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 2 (2005, 2006)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 3 (2002, 2003, 2006)
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 1
2006: lost 14-56 to Southern Columbia
OFFENSE
Averaged 29.2 points per game last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 4
Amongst all 18 Class A teams in District 10: 6
West Middlesex averaged more points per game than any other District 10 team, regardless of classification, that failed to make the postseason in 2008 and returns nine starters, including senior second team all-region tight end Ryan Chupak, who led the team in all receiving stats (seven catches, 187 yards, three touchdowns). That’s the good news, the bad news is that both players that must be replaced were first team all-region running backs and Kyle Allen added region player of the year honors to his resume. Allen, who finished the season with 1533 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground, surpassed the 100-yard mark seven times in 2008 and that included three games with more than 200 yards. First team all purpose back Mark Saylor (612 yards rushing, six touchdowns) is the other halfback that must be replaced and the three players that will see time at the two halfback spots this year are seniors Jon Jansco, who started at receiver last year, and Logan Mihalcak and sophomore James Wills. Mihalcak led the group with 47 yards rushing in 2008. Senior fullback Nate Ash led all returning players in rushing (115 carries, 634 yards, five touchdowns) and had a stretch of three straight games with at least 95 yards on the ground, including a 100-yard performance against Lakeview. After starting four games as a sophomore, Kyle Wimer started every game as the team’s quarterback last year, accounting for 622 yards of offense (434 pass, 188 rush) and nine touchdowns (six pass, three rush) and is back for his senior year, while junior Lorenzo Mikulin and senior Kyle Beck are both options to start at split end and Beck, who was the backup tight end last year, hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Wimer in the Big Reds season opening victory against Union last year. All five starters from last year’s offensive line are back, although two of them have switched positions as senior Ryan Benson moves from center to tackle and Joe Truchan, also a senior, moves from tackle to center. Senior Frank Zieminick returns for a third season as the other starting tackle, with juniors Kris Mason and James Gearhart the starting guards.
DEFENSE
23.4 points per game allowed last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 5
Amongst all 18 Class A teams in District 10: 11
Last year was just the second time since 1999 that West Middlesex allowed the opposition to average more than 20 points per game and in three of its four losses the team gave up at least 34. This year the Big Reds, who return eight starters, switch from a 4-3 to a 4-4 and leading the list of returning players is Ash, who was selected as a first team all-region inside linebacker last season. Junior Dylan Mild is a first-year starter at the other inside linebacker spot, while Beck is back as one starting outside linebacker and Wills replaces Mason, who makes the move to defensive tackle, at the other. Joining Mason on the line are fellow tackle Benson, a third-year starter, and ends Gearhart and Zieminick, both of whom started last season. Jansco was a second team all-region pick last year and returns for a third year at safety, while Mihalcak moves from safety to corner in the new look defense and Mikulin, who has playing experience, takes over as the other starter.
SPECIAL TEAMS
After being a second team all-region choice as the team’s kicker in 2007, Chupak received first team honors last season and also enters his third year as the team’s punter, Wills and Jansco are the punt return men and sophomore classmate Colin Patten joins Wills deep on kick returns.
OVERVIEW
It’s unlikely that one player will duplicate the numbers put up by Allen, but if West Middlesex can get production from a number of different people and improve on defense than there is every reason to think that the Big Reds can make their first postseason appearance since 2006.
LINESVILLE LIONS
HEAD COACH: Pat Gould
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: region 7-1 (tied first), 10-3 overall (lost 7-28 to Farrell in district championship game)
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 3 (2004, 2007, 2008)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0
OFFENSE
Averaged 36.1 points per game last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 2
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 3
Over the past two years Linesville had one of the most explosive offenses in District 10, averaging more than 33 points per game, including the postseason, and being held to fewer than 20 points just three times in 24 games. And while the Lions must replace an awful lot from last year’s team, including five all-region picks, senior first team all-region quarterback Trevor Litwiler does return for a fourth season behind center after both passing (1050) and rushing (1030) for over 1000 yards and having a hand in 30 touchdowns (13 pass, 17 rush) last year. Litwiler was injured over the summer and may miss the team’s opener against Cambridge Springs, but will likely be back in its week two region encounter at Kennedy Catholic, and if he doesn’t start the first game, junior Jack Sindlinger will get the call. Sindlinger, who will be a starting running back when Litwiler returns, missed the first seven weeks of last season due to injury, but rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns in a week nine win over Sharpsville and followed that with a 101-yard, one touchdown performance against Conneaut Lake. Sophomore Jimmy Kearns (62 carries, 301 yards, six touchdowns) and senior Walter Litwin (41 carries, 135 yards, four touchdowns – 12 catches, 217 yards, five touchdowns) give the team the team two more experienced running backs, although first team all-region member Doug Farley, who rushed for 1400 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and 2712 yards and 25 touchdowns in three years as a starter, must be replaced. Junior Tyler Casto, whose only carry last season resulted in a 49-yard touchdown, is the fourth running back and will begin the year as a starter if Sindlinger is the starting quarterback. First team all-region split end Evan Smith (15 catches, 193 yards, one touchdown) and first team all-region tight end Matt Laird (27 catches, 560 yards, six touchdowns) both graduated and there spots will be filled by junior A.J. Thompson and senior Brennan Miller. On the line two second team all-region choices must be replaced, including tackle Kris Tursky, who earned the honor both of the past two seasons, although senior center Zac Deal is a third-year starter, while senior tackle Tanner Urbanick and junior guard Dennis Diodati are also returning starters. Sophomore Dylan Merritt is the other tackle with junior Dustin Buchanan or sophomore Jon Weidner joining Diodati at guard.
DEFENSE
16.9 points per game allowed last season (not including playoffs)
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 3
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 8
Linesville’s high powered offense seemed to get most of the credit for its 2008 success, and with good reason, but the team’s defense was also very strong and really proved that during the postseason by giving up just seven points in wins over both Cambridge Springs and Mercer. Like on offense, five all-region players graduated from the 2008 defense and first team cornerback Litwiller (29 tackles, three interceptions), a third-year starter, is the only returning all-region member. Even with Liwtwiler back, two other all-region picks, including first team cornerback Farley, from last year’s secondary must be replaced, although safety Litwin (56 tackles, five interceptions) gives the group a second third-year starter and Sindlinger played quite a bit at cornerback down the stretch, while Thompson and Miller are others that will see time somewhere in the defensive backfield. At linebacker the Lions must replace first team all-region pick Laird (66 tackles, eight sacks), although Diodati (56 tackles, five sacks) does return with Kearns and Casto the other starters and Sindlinger possibly seeing some time as well. On the line Deal (nine sacks over the past two seasons) is back for a third year as one starting defensive end, with Weidner the other starter, Urbanick one of the defensive tackles and Merrick and senior Mike Fabrey both in the mix at the other.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Along with his first team selections on offense and defense, Litwiler was a second team all-region kicker in 2008 and also handles punting duties for a second straight year, while Kearns and Litwin, who brought back a kick 80 yards for a touchdown in the Lions regular season victory over Cambridge Springs, are back as the return men.
OVERVIEW
With the loss of all-region players at 10 different positions (five offense, five defense) achieving the same success that they did last year, as far as sharing the region crown and reaching the district championship game, won't be easy but, led by Litwiler, the Lions should if nothing else be in the hunt for a third straight playoff berth.
LAKEVIEW SAILORS
HEAD COACH: Dan York
2008 RECORD: 3-5 region (sixth), 4-6 overall
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 1 (2006)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0
OFFENSE
Averaged 22.8 points per game last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 6
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 10
Lakeview averaged exactly 40.0 points per game and scored at least 32 in each of its four 2008 victories, but was held to just 11.0 per game and didn’t score more than 20 in any of its six losses. Gone from last year's offense is first team all-region tackle Cory King, a four year starter and University of Pittsburgh recruit, although the Sailors do return four offensive linemen with starting experience. Two of them are junior tackles Michael Latshaw and Billy Knapp, while senior Tyler Lewis has moved from tight end to guard, junior Mike Brown moved from center to guard and sophomore Brad Ferguson is the new starting center. Senior running backs Jake Novak and Kyle Scott combined to rush over 1200 yards last year, despite the fact that Scott missed the first four games due to injury, while junior Alex Patterson could see time at both running back and wide receiver as could senior Chad Blair, although he'll start at receiver. Junior Lucas Reddick returns for a third year as the other starting wide receiver, while senior Jeremy Westlake, who rushed for a touchdown in Lakeview’s final scrimmage, has been moved from wide receiver to quarterback and junior Jake Plotner is the new tight end.
DEFENSE
25.7 points per game allowed last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 6
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 13
As was the case on offense, there was a big discrepancy in the number of points per game that Lakeview allowed in its four victories (9.0) as opposed to its six losses (36.8) and also like on offense King was the biggest loss on defense as he added a first team all-region defensive tackle honor to his resume. Second team all-region safety Scott does return to the Sailor defense and he’s joined in the secondary by cornerbacks Blair and Patterson. Novak, Brown and Westlake all are returning starters at linebacker and Novak returned an interception for a touchdown in the team’s final scrimmage. Plotner completes the starting linebacker unit, while Lewis returns as one defensive end and freshman Dylan Taylor, who had a sack in the, afore mentioned, scrimmage, is the other and the defensive tackles are Latshaw and Knapp.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Novak is back as the punter, as are Blair and Scott as the return men and either Blair or Plotner will be the kicker.
OVERVIEW
In 2008 Lakeview’s four wins all came against teams that finished with no more than two wins and each of them was decided by at least 16 points, while everyone of its six losses came to teams that finished over .500 (five to playoff qualifiers) and none of them was decided by fewer than two touchdowns. Therefore if the Sailors are to compete for a second postseason berth in four years they will likely have to fair better against tougher competition.
CONNEAUT LAKE INDIANS
HEAD COACH: Jerry Davis
2008 RECORD: 2-6 region (seventh), 2-8 overall
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 1 (2007)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0
OFFENSE
Averaged 12.0 points per game last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 7
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 13
After averaging more than three touchdowns per game on their way to a playoff appearance in 2007, the Indians offensive production dropped by more than 10 points per game last season. That decline was however at least somewhat expected as the 2007 squad was a senior-laden team, while the majority of last year’s starters had seen little, if any, varsity action in the past. This year’s team will be more experienced, although the Indians must replace their top three rushers, including Joe Moon (1121 yards, 14 touchdowns) from a season ago. Senior Zack Wade led all returning players in rushing last year and is joined as a starting running back by senior classmate Eric Schell and sophomore Alex Smith. Senior Drew Ketcham moves from running back to guard, while fellow senior tackles Chase Anthony and Colton Alter as well as junior guard Brock Krasa are all returning starters on the line. Sophomore Zach Smith is the new center, while senior Chase Miller returns for a second season as the team’s starting quarterback, junior Aaron Smith is the split end and senior Garth Delp is the tight end.
DEFENSE
34.1 points per game allowed last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 8
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 15
As was the case on offense, Conneaut Lake was young and inexperienced on defense last season and it showed as the team allowed nearly 10 points per game more than it did in 2007. With that in mind the Indians have switched from a 4-4 to a 3-4 and the strength of the unit could be linebacker as second team all-region pick Ketcham is back for a third season as one inside starter, while Krasa returns for a second as one of the starting outside linebackers. Schell joins Krasa as the other outside linebacker and Alex Smith is the other inside linebacker. On the line Alter is a third-year starter as one of the defensive ends, Anthony, who started at defensive tackle last year, is the other end and Delp is the nose tackle. Miller returns as one starting safety, while Wade moves from cornerback to start at the other and the new corners are Aaron Smith and junior Clint Walker.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Wade returns as the kicker and will also handle punts this year, while both he and Schell will be deep on both kicks and punts.
OVERVIEW
As mentioned the Indians were young last season and should be improved this year, but just how much could decide whether Conneaut Lake can challenge for a second postseason berth in three years.
KENNEDY CATHOLIC GOLDEN EAGLES
HEAD COACH: Tim Scarvel (first year)
2008 RECORD: 1-7 region (eighth), 1-8 overall
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 2 (2005, 2006)
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 1 (2005)
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0
OFFENSE
Averaged 6.4 points per game last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 9
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 18
Kennedy has averaged fewer points per game (6.8) than any other District 10 Class A team over the past two years and joined Reynolds as the only two teams in the district, regardless of classification, to score less than seven per contest last season. Five experienced players return from last year, including senior third-year starter Richard Ellebie (320 yards rushing, two touchdowns last season), who moves from fullback to tailback. Junior Luke Hudson is the new fullback and his classmate Chris Rossi, who played a lot last year, is now the full time starting quarterback. Senior flanker Chris Baker is another returning starter, with Andrew Miller, also a senior, the split end and junior Trent Bernat the tight end. All five of last year’s starting offensive linemen graduated and senior Nick Fill is the new center with, his younger brother, Ken Fill and Joel Stephenson, both sophomores, the guards and junior Vince D’Onofrio and senior Rocky Farmartino the tackles.
DEFENSE
32.6 points per game allowed last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 7
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 14
With Scarvel as the defensive coordinator last year, Kennedy allowed 12 points per game fewer than it did in 2007 and in their second year in the system the Golden Eagle defense should again be improved. Four players that began last year as starters return and three of them are linebackers with Bernat and D’Onofrio on the outside and Ellebie one inside starter. Stephenson is the other starting inside linebacker, while Baker returns as one corner, freshman Jeff Thompkins is the other and the safties are Miller and Hudson. Up front Nick Fill is the nose tackle and the defensive tackles are Ken Fill and Farmartino.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rossi replaces second team all-region punter Dan D’Onofrio, who was also the kicker, and is being replaced at that spot by senior Jenna Green, while Baker and Thompkins are the return men.
OVERVIEW
The past two years have been tough for Kennedy and in his first season in charge, Scarvel would like to see his team be competitive for 48 minutes every game and if they can do that he feels the team has the talent win five or six games. The main concern for this year’s group is a lack of depth as fewer than 30 players make up the Golden Eagle roster and 10 of the starters will go both ways.
CONNEAUT VALLEY INDIANS
HEAD COACH: Scott Hoover
2008 RECORD: 0-8 region (ninth), 0-10 overall
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 0
DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0
PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0
OFFENSE
Averaged 10.8 points per game last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 8
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 15
Conneaut Valley’s offense has averaged more than 20 points per game just once in the past decade and last year was the third time in that span that it put up no more than 11 per contest. But there is reason for hope as amongst the list of returning players is junior tailback Andrew Butterfield, who led the team in rushing (108 carries, 514 yards, four touchdowns) and had its only 100-yard game (137 vs. Linesville) a season ago. Joining Butterfield in the backfield are junior classmates Jake Conley (fullback) and Bobby Harris (slotback), while senior Justin Smith, who transferred from Linesville, is another player that figures to see time at slotback. Valley lost its top five receivers from a season ago and its returning players combined to catch 10 passes for 64 yards and no touchdowns in 2008. Sophomore Nolan Varee and junior Jimmy Hayworth are the top two split ends and while neither was on the varsity roster last season, Varee has some pedigree as his older brother Ben was a standout receiver for the Indians and earned first team all-region honors in 2007 by catching 51 passes for 585 yards. Junior Paul Duda is the new tight end and quarterback Casey Baker is also a junior. Baker began last season as the starter, but didn’t play in the final six games due to a broken wrist, although he still finished the year as the team leader in passing yards (317). Heading into camp, head coach Scott Hoover’s biggest concern was the offensive line, which returns just one starter in senior right tackle Ryan First. Right guard Tyler Griffin, center Doug Fenton and left tackle Dan Yearick are other seniors that figure to start on the line, while junior left guard Bo Walters completes the group.
DEFENSE
37.8 points per game allowed last season
RANK
Amongst 9 teams in region: 9
Amongst 18 Class A teams in District 10: 16
Amongst all District 10 Class teams, regardless of classification, only Harbor Creek Youth, Cochranton and Central Tech gave up more points per game than the Indians last season and like on offense, outside linebacker, Butterfield is one of the key players on defense as he enters his third year as a starter. Valley must replace its other two starting linebackers, including Mike Leonard, who was a four year starter in the middle. Smith and Conley are the two new starters with Smith likely to take Leonard’s place as the new middle linebacker and Conley joining Buttefield on the outside. Baker began last season as a starting safety and Hoover believes his absence hurt the team more on defense than it did on offense. Duda is the other starting safety, with Varee and Harris the new starting cornerbacks. As is the case on offense, First is the only returning starter on the defensive line and he’s joined at tackle by Yearick, with Walters and Fenton the starting ends.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Harris returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in the team’s season finale against West Middlesex last year and could be joined deep on both kick and punt returns by Smith. Yearick is the new kicker and entering camp the punter job was up for grabs.
OVERVIEW
Conneaut Valley was one of just three District 10 teams that failed to win a game last year and in his second season Hoover is looking for improvement and possibly a .500 record this year. If the Indians can make those improvements and gain some momentum, with a strong junior class, they could be a team to watch in 2010.