REGION 4 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

 

2008 CHAMPION: North East

OTHER PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS: General McLane, Fairview and Girard

 

PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS

2007: Harbor Creek

2006: Fairview

2005: Girard

2004: North East

 

 

  

FAIRVIEW TIGERS

HEAD COACH: Jerry Lightner

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-2 region (third), 7-3 overall (lost 7-35 to Sharon in district quarterfinals)

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 5 (2004, 2005 as Class A team, 2006-2008 as Class AA team)

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 25.3 points per game last season (not including playoffs)

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 3

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 7

 

Despite losing just about all of its starters from 2007, Fairview still averaged more than 24 points per game for a fifth straight regular season and had a 1,000 yard rusher for a seventh consecutive year in 2008. Senior first team all-region running back Jared Lane was the player that surpassed the Century mark in 2008 (1153 yards) and he did most of his damage in the second half of the season by rushing for 869 yards and eight of his 13 touchdowns in the team’s final five games. Early in the year it looked like Peter Jackson, also a senior, would be the Tigers 1,000 yard rusher as he rushed for at least 102 yards in each of the team’s first four games and entered week five with 526 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, but Jackson played the final six games with two torn rotator cuffs and finished the year with 655 yards and eight scores. As was the case last year, Lane and Jackson will split time at tailback spot, while junior fullback Jordan Kerner gives the backfield another returning starter. Senior Jordan Boice returns for a second season as the team’s starting quarterback and he accounted for 625 yards passing and nine touchdowns (seven pass, two rush) last year. Boice’s top four passing performances came in the final five weeks of the regular season and that included a 8-for-9, 157-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 42-13 Fairview victory against Maplewood.  Fairview lost two of its top three pass catchers from a season ago, including Jesse Mifsud (14 catches, 235 yards, one touchdown), but senior flanker Tyler Goodwin is back after finishing second the squad in both catches (10) and receiving yards (178) and finishing with a team-high three touchdown receptions. Junior Nick Boncella is a new starter at the other receiver spot, while Neil Kruse, also a junior, was the starting tight end last year and will split time with senior Eric Baumbaugh this season. Tackles Tim Lawrence (senior, right) and Dominic Kiser (junior, left) and senior center Nathan Brinling are all returning starters on the offensive line, although the Tigers must replace both starting guards, including first team all-region pick Ken Martin, and the two new starters are senior Nathan Erie (right) and junior Jacob Stanko (left). 

 

DEFENSE

13.0 points per game allowed last season (not including playoffs)

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 3

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 4

 

The defense was that unit that really told the story for the Tigers last year as it held the opposition to no more than 13 points in each of its seven wins, but gave up 28 or more in all three setbacks, including the postseason loss to Sharon. Like on offense, the defense does return a first team all-region pick, but it must replace three all-region selections, including two first team all-region choices. Linebacker could be the strength of this year’s defense as Kerner was an all-region pick last year and is joined as a returning starter on the outside by Lawrence, with senior Tim Gilson back to start at one of the inside spots and Jackson the other starting inside linebacker. Fairview’s three man defensive line must replace two all-region picks, including nose tackle Martin, who was a first team selection both of the past two years and Turner takes over as the new nose, with Kiser back as one defensive tackle and Erie in his first year starting at the other. Only one starter returns in the secondary as well and one of the departed is first team all-region safety Brooks Linkoski. Goodwin and Cramer are the two starting safeties this year with Lane and Kocan the cornerbacks. 

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Garrett Stolz, who has continued his education and playing career at Mercyhurst College, handled both punting (second team all-state) and kicking (first team all-region) duties the past couple of years and  junior Josh Gdanetz replaces him as the kicker, while Jackson will handle punting duties. Jackson will also join Lane deep on kick returns, while Lane will be joined on punt returns by Goodwin. 

 

OVERVIEW

In the past five years, Fairview has had one of the most successful programs in District 10, with five postseason appearances, three region crowns and a spot in the 2006 District 10 Class AA Championship game. And with so much returning there is no reason to think that success won’t continue this year.  

 

 

GENERAL MCLANE LANCERS

HEAD COACH: Jim Wells

LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-2 region (second), 9-3 overall (lost 7-35 to Wilmington in district semifinals)

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 5 (2004-2007 as AAA team, 2008 as AA team)

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 3 (2002, 2005, 2006 all as AAA team)

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 1

2006: beat Pottsville 28-23

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 37.6 points per game last season (not including playoffs)

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 1

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 2

 

2008 was the fifth straight year that the Lancer offense averaged more than 30 points per game and the team has averaged at 28 points per contest in each of last seven seasons. For both of those streaks to remain intact, four all-region selections must be replaced, including region player of the year Kellen O’Neill, who had a hand in 4088 yards of offense (1471 pass, 2617 rush) and 48 touchdowns (15 pass, 33 rush) over the past two seasons. Senior Nick Lombardo, who started at running back last year (361 yards rushing, six touchdowns), takes over as the new signal caller, with sophomore Josh Ponsoll the backup. Lombardo and Ponsoll combined to attempt three passes last year, completing two of them for a total of 22 yards. Senior fullback Cory Lee led all returning players with 608 yards rushing and eight touchdowns in 2008 and junior Josh Lucas is another player that will see time at fullback. Along with Lombardo, the Lancers must replace second team all-region pick Sam McCaughtry (729 yards rushing, nine touchdowns) at slotback and as many as six players figure to see time in those spots. Junior Kyle Shinn led that group with 72 yards rushing last year, while the list of others includes Ponsoll, senior Markell Johnson, junior Travis Best and sophomores Matt Astorino - who is the younger brother of current Penn State safety Drew Astorino - and Chad Kulka. Seniors Josh Niswonger and Kyle Ponsoll and junior Jason Shesterenko are the top three split ends and senior Kyle Shuman is the starting tight end. Second team all-state selection Kevin Kulka headlines the offensive and his senior classmate Lee Provencher is also back to give the team a pair of third year starters at tackle. Senior center Mike Costa gives the unit a third returning starter and the new guards are senior Andy Soltis and junior Derek Schultz, with senior Craig Winschel another player that could see time up front.

 

DEFENSE

17.6 points per game allowed last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 4

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 7

 

General McLane gave up more points per game than any other Region 4 team that qualified for the playoffs last year and the Lancers allowed the opposition to score at least 28 points in both of their two playoff games. While the team must replace three all-region choices, it does return its top three tacklers and top four sack leaders, including second team all-region defensive end Kulka (78 tackles, 3.5 sacks). All of the other starters on the defensive line are also returning starters as Shuman is the other end and Schultz (88 tackles, 1.5 sacks) and Provencher (39 tackles, 1.5 sacks) are the defensive tackles. Two second team all-region linebackers graduated from last year’s team, although Lucas, who had 17 tackles in a win over Fort LeBoeuf and finished the year with 58 is back. Kyle Ponsoll led the team with 96 tackles, adding three sacks, and moves up from safety to take one of the linebacker jobs with Astorino or Chad Kulka taking the other. As is the case at linebacker, two all-region selections (one first, one second) must be replaced in the teams’ secondary. Josh Ponsoll (68 tackles) returns as the strong safety, with Shinn the free safety and Lombardo (26 tackles) and Shesterenko (21 tackles, one interception) the starting corners.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior David Olszewski is back as the kicker, Kyle Ponsoll is the new punter and Shinn, Astorino and Josh Ponsoll are all potential return men.

 

OVERVIEW

General McLane has been to the postseason each of the past seven years and in that time it’s compiled a record of 71-17, reached the district title game five times, captured three district crowns and added a PIAA Class AAA Championship in 2006. And while the team did suffer more than a few key losses, there is enough back to expect the Lancers make an eighth consecutive playoff trip and more than likely contend for the Region 4 crown.

 

 

 

NORTH EAST GRAPEPICKERS

HEAD COACH Matt Shesman

2008 RECORD: 8-0 region (first), 9-2 overall (lost 7-21 to Slippery Rock in district quarterfinals)

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 4 (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008)

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 30.5 points per game last season (not including playoffs)

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 2

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 4

 

Last year was the first time since 2004 that North East averaged at least 30 points per game and while five all-region players must be replaced, three, including two first teamers, do return. Senior Jim Bailey is one of the first team all-region choice that’s back and he moves from wide receiver, to replace his older brother Curtis Bailey, who was also a first team all-region pick last year, at quarterback. Curtis Bailey became the team’s quarterback midway through his sophomore year and passed for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns in his time behind center, while completing 59 of 102 passes for 1168 yards, 13 touchdowns and only three interceptions last year. At running back the Grapepickers must replace first team all-region member Jeff Carniewski (204 carries, 1165 yards, 16 touchdowns), although senior classmates (halfback) Louis Neff (210 carries, 1327 yards, 15 touchdowns over the past two years) and (wingback) Nick Grow (75 carries, 338 yards, two touchdowns – 19 catches, 355 yards, five touchdowns last year) are both back, while Jordan Elchynski, also a senior, and junior Josh Klenz will share tailback duties. Junior tight end Spencer Cornelius (11 catches, 208 yards, three touchdowns) joins Jim Bailey as a returning first team all-region pick, while senior Sean Bogart and juniors Kyle Regan and Austin Schied will share time in replacing Jim Bailey at split end. Three of last year’s starting offensive linemen, including first team all-region members Glenn Murphy and Donny Sanfilippo, graduated, although second team choice, Pat Papale (left guard) returns for his senior season. Junior right tackle David Robbinson is the other returning starter on the line, while seniors Corey Ferrara (left tackle) and Ryan Bunce (right guard) and junior center Alex Mobilla are all first-year starters.   

 

DEFENSE

10.4 points per game allowed last season (not including playoffs)

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 1

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 2

 

2008 marked the first time in four years that North East allowed fewer than 14 points per game and the defense included six first all-region selections, with linebackers Cornelius and Neff, who added a second team pick in 2007 and has 122 tackles and two interceptions over the past seasons the two all-region performers that return. Senior defensive end Cody Artise (81 tackles, four sacks) leads the team’s five man defensive line, with sophomore Alex Svetz the other end, Bunce (22 tackles) and Robbinson the D-tackles and senior Donnie Wolf the nose tackle. As was the case on offense, Curtis Bailey was a first team all-region choice on defense (safety) as he finished with 70 tackles and, a team-high, six interceptions and Jim Bailey (50 tackles) is the lone returning starter in the secondary and moves from cornerback to safety, with sophomore Tyler Johnson the other safety and Regan and sophomore Cory Bailey the cornerbacks.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior Zac Henry is back as the kicker, while Neff is the punter, Jim Bailey and Tyler Johnson are the punt returners and Cory Bailey will join that duo in returning kickoffs.  

 

OVERVIEW

North East has won at least five games in each of the past six seasons and gone to the playoffs in all but one of those years and while the team did lose a lot to graduation, it still has more than a few talented and experienced players returning and, if nothing else, the Grapepickers should again be in the hunt for a trip to the postseason. 

 

 

 

GIRARD YELLOW JACKETS

HEAD COACH: Mina George

2008 RECORD: 5-3 region (fourth), 7-4 overall (lost 0-41 to Wilmington in district quarterfinals)

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 2 (2005, 2008)

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 23.7 points per game last season (not including playoffs)

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 4

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 8

 

Girard increased its points production by nearly 15 points per game from 2007 to 2008 and last year was also the first time since 2004 that the Yellow Jacket averaged at least 20 points per contest. The only all-region member from that group (first team tackle Zack Tome) graduated, although senior fullback Billy Sobucki is amongst the returnees and he surpassed 1,000 yards rushing both of the past two years, (1,022, nine touchdowns last season), while reaching the 100 yard rushing mark in seven game last season. Junior tailback Jordan Dudas joins Sobucki in the backfield and Justin Zadorozny, also a junior, is now the undisputed starting quarterback, after splitting time with 2009 graduate Pat Dunn last year. Senior split end Kyle Marzalen is the only returning player that a caught a touchdown pass last year, while his classmate Vinnie Ferrante is the starting flanker and junior Nate Smialek starts at tight end. On the line tackles Tom Yarrington (left) and Anthony Clemons (right) are both seniors, guards Adam Tracy (left) and Hunter Erdman (right) are both juniors and center Austin Platz is a sophomore.

 

DEFENSE

12.7 points per game allowed last season (not including playoffs)

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 2

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 3

 

While Girard’s offense was vastly improved, the team’s defense held the key to the team’s success last year as it held the opposition to no more than 10 points in all seven of its wins, but allowed 27 or more in all four losses, including the 41-0 postseason setback to Wilmington. Second team all-region cornerbacks Dunn and Richard Heiden both graduated and the new starters are junior classmates Joe Sobucki and Anthony Stuart, while Dudas completes the secondary as the starting free safety. Inside linebacker Ferrante and defensive end Clemons join Dudas as the only players that will begin the season as starters on both offense and defense and Ferrante is joined at linebacker by three fellow seniors with Bill Heiden the other starting inside linebacker and Josh Williams and Ryan Adamaszek the starting outside linebackers. Senior Kyle Meeder joins Clemons as a starting defensive end, with Brenton Carr, also a senior, the nose tackle and junior Jose Cimentada the defensive tackle.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brian Fischer earned second team all-region honors at both kicker and punter last year and Meeder is the new kicker, with junior John Vogel handling punting duties and both Joe Sobucki, who brought back a kickoff 91 yards for touchdown against General McLane last year, and Dudas deep on both punts and kicks and Marzalen joining the duo on kick returns.  

 

OVERVIEW

Girard’s win total last year nearly doubled that of the previous two seasons combined (4) and the Yellow Jacket should be on the positive side of .500 and likely challenge for another postseason berth this year.

 

 

 

SENECA BOBCATS

HEAD COACH: Randy Gunther

2008 RECORD: 2-6 region (tied sixth), 3-7 overall

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 2 (2005, 2006)

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 15.6 points per game last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 6

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 13

 

Last year was the first time since 2004 and just third the time since 2000 that Seneca failed to average at least 16.5 points per game. Most of last year’s starters do return, although quarterback Joe Hewel is amongst the losses and along with being the only member of last year’s team to attempt a pass (36-for-72, 443 yards, five touchdowns, six interceptions), he also led the Bobcats in all rushing stats (179 carries, 1,172 yards, 12 touchdowns). Junior Nick Lewis takes over as the new quarterback, while junior Jake Muye (75 carries, 339, two touchdowns – six catches, 51 yards, one touchdown) and senior Jeff Granger (55 carries, 335 yards, two touchdowns – four catches, 103 yards, two touchdowns) return as the top two running backs. Junior Jake Post led the team in pass receptions last year and would’ve been the third starting running back, but was injured in camp and while he will back, until his return either junior Jared Tracy or sophomore Joe Hibbler will star,t with both likely seeing time. Senior Aaron Zaksheske is the new split end and junior Mark Smith is the tight end.  The strength of the Bobcat offense could be the line as all five starters from last year’s unit are back, including senior, third-year starters, Jordan Drohn (left tackle) and Ryan Murphy (center). Juniors John Fuller (right tackle), Ben Cermak (right guard) and Russ Bean (left guard) complete the group.

 

DEFENSE

24.9 points per game allowed last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 7

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 11

 

As was the case on offense, Seneca’s defense had its share of struggles last year, allowing more than 21 points per game for the first time since 2004 and just the second time since 2001 and, also like on offense, Hewel was the most significant loss from last year’s defense as he was a second team all-region selection at safety. Zaksheske or Lewis will be the new safety with Granger (47 tackles, one interception) back as one starting cornerback, while Post (43 tackles) started as the corner last year and until his return Zaksheske or Hibbler will start. Drohn, a third-year starter, led the team with 63 tackles last season and is joined as a starting defensive tackle by Bean with Murphy (38 tackles) and junior Randy Alexie others in the rotation and Cermak (45 tackles) and Fuller (43 tackles) back as the defensive ends. Muye (40 tackles) and senior Richard Horn (48 tackles) give the team two returning starters at linebacker and Smith joins Horn on the inside with sophomore Bob Koeth joining Muye on the outside.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Smith is back as the kicker with Hibbler or junior Jake Twaroski the punter and Granger and Zaksheske the return men.

 

OVERVIEW

After reaching the postseason in both 2005 and 2006, Seneca finished below .500 both of the past two years, but the Bobcats do return an awful lot from last year and Gunther feels this might be the most athletic team that he’s had in his tenure as the team’s head coach, so don’t be surprised if they challenge for a third playoff berth in five years.   

 

 

 

FORT LEBOEUF BISONS

HEAD COACH: John Campbell

2008 RECORD: 4-4 region (fifth), 4-6 overall

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 1 (2007)

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 9.4 points per game last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 9

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 16

 

The bad news is that Fort LeBoeuf was one of only five District 10 teams, regardless of classification, to average fewer than 10 points per game. The good news is that the Bisons win total doubled that of the other four combined and, despite that poor production, the team finished just one game behind Girard for the fourth and final playoff spot out of the region. Two all-region honorees from last year’s team graduated, including right guard Joe McIntire, who backed up a second team selection in 2007, by being named as a first team pick last year. But, even without McIntire the line still figures to be a strength as senior right tackle Matt Kowle, a third-year starter, was a second team all-region honoree last year, while senior left tackle Andrew Enterline and junior left guard Nate Carr are also returning starters. Junior Matt Kelley and sophomore Jake Kowle, who is Matt Kowle’s younger brother, are both options to replace McIntire at right guard with senior Mike Kaylor or junior Tim Johnson the new center. Second team all-region running back Blake Hockett (184 carries, 1072 yards, seven touchdowns) had more rushing yards in a Bison victory over Maplewood (230) than anyone else on the team had the entire season as senior Richie Kolesar finished second on the team and led all returning players with 226 yards on the ground. The list of players that could join Kolesar in seeing time at running back includes senior Danny Kress and juniors Josh Newell and Casey Pace. Junior Brandon Bradney returns as the starting tight end, while Jake Green, also a junio,r could see time there as well, with Trevor Cragle, a third junior, the split end and one of two seniors (Corey Myers or Corey McWilliams) the flanker. Junior B.J. Arrowsmith took over as the team’s starting quarterback in week two of last season and he never let the job go, passing for 333 yards and four touchdowns, while leading LeBoeuf to each of its four victories.  

  

DEFENSE

22.4 points per game allowed last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 5

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 9

 

LeBoeuf allowed fewer points per game than any other District 10 Class AA team that didn’t qualify for the playoffs last year and this unit was mainly responsible for all of the team’s wins as it held the opposition to just six points in three of them and allowed only 14 in the other one.  As is the case on offense it looks like the line has a chance to be the strength of this year’s defense as first team all-region defensive tackle Matt Kowle leads a list of three returning starters. Ends Bradney and Enterline are the other starters that are back, while senior Mike Finchio replaces second team all-region pick McIntire as the other defensive tackle and Green is another player that figures to see some time up front. Kolesar is back as one starting with linebacker with Pace the other, while strong safety Kress is a returning starter in the secondary with McWilliams and sophomore Mike Hall both options to be the starting free safety and Arrowsmith, Myers and Cragle all options to be the two starting cornerbacks.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior Adam Nass returns as the kicker and will also handle punting duties, with McWilliams and Cragle the top two return men.

 

OVERVIEW

Fort LeBoeuf finished just a game behind Girard for the fourth and final postseason berth out of Region 4 last year, but that was somewhat misleading as the Bisons lost each of their four games against the region playoff qualifiers, as well a season-opening contest against Region 3 postseason participant Slippery Rock, by at least 17 points (27.8 per game) and didn’t score more than seven points in any of those outings. Therefore if the team is to make a serious push for a postseason berth it will obviously have to perform better against top competition.

 

 

 

HARBOR CREEK HUSKIES

HEAD COACH: Dan Budziszewski

2008 RECORD: 1-7 region (tied eighth), 2-8 overall

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 4 (2004-2007)

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 11.3 points per game last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 8

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 15

 

Last year was just the second time since 1999 that Harbor Creek didn’t finish the regular season averaging at least 20 points per game (it averaged 19.9 in 2006) and not surprisingly it was the first time since 1999 that Huskies didn’t finish with a winning record. One player that will likely play a key role in how much better the offense is this year is junior quarterback Cody Bootes who completed 62 of 158 passes for 795 yards, five touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a first-year starter last year. Nearly 75 percent of Bootes’ passing yards (554) came in the second half of the season and he also had his top two rushing performances in the final two games of the year, so there is reason to be optimistic. Senior second team all-region tight end Josh Rzepecki (34 catches, 438 yards, four touchdowns) is back as Bootes’ top target and Rzepecki had his top two games against playoff qualifiers Fairview (10 catches, 117 yards, one touchdown) and Girard (six catches, 104 yards, one touchdown) last year. Juniors Michael Beskid (eight catches, 140 yards) and Adam Weismiller are the starting wide receivers with senior Josh Giannamore and junior Jason King the top two fullbacks. Last year’s leading rusher Chris Carpin (468 yards, two touchdowns) graduated, while Tim Schwenk (321 yards rushing, six touchdowns) transferred to Mercyhurst Prep and seniors Ryan Crosby and Jason Yurchak are now the top two tailbacks. Seniors Caitlin Lowes (center) and Joe Bundy (left tackle) and juniors Chris Suchy (right tackle), Andy Swindlehurst (right guard) and David Cartney (left guard) make up the offensive line.   

  

DEFENSE

25.6 points per game allowed last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 8

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 12

 

After holding the opposition to fewer than 10 points per game in both of the previous two seasons Harbor Creek allowed more than 20 points per game, for the first time in more than a decade last season, and gone from that team are two second team all-region picks, including defensive end Jon Gredler, who earned the honor both of the past two years and was a four year starter. Bundy and Rzepecki are this year’s defensive ends with Swindlehurst and sophomore Brandon Phillips the D-tackles. Senior Ian Nowosielski moves from defensive tackle to be the middle linebacker with Cartney one of starting outside linebackers and Yurchak or Giannamore the other. Crosby is back as one starting safety, while junior Tom Schauble is the other starter and the cornerbacks are Beskid and Weismiller.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Early in the second week of camp, the kicker job was open with Crosby, Yurchak and freshman Anthony Concilla all options, while Giannamore is the punter, Crosby, Yurchak and junior Connor Chadwick are the top three kick return men and Beskid handles punt returns.

 

OVERVIEW

It was strange to see Harbor Creek struggle so much last year and while the team should be improved this year, getting back into the playoff picture could be tough as each of last year’s four postseason qualifiers from the region figure to be strong again. 

  

 

MAPLEWOOD TIGERS

HEAD COACH: Matt Crocker

2008 RECORD: 1-7 region (tied eighth), 3-7 overall

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 0

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 13.3 points per game last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 7

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 14

 

After averaging fewer than 11 points per game for four straight years, Maplewood put up more than 13 per contest for a second consecutive season in 2008 and while it must replace two all-region picks, the team does return its starting quarterback and four starters on the offensive line. Broc Baker returns for his senior season as the Tiger's starting quarterback and he completed 111 of 221 pass attempts for 1338 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions, while also rushing for four touchdowns last year. Both of Baker’s top targets graduated as Nick Bancroft, a second team all-region all purpose back, led the team with 57 catches for 667 yards and two touchdowns, while second team all-region wide receiver Mark Kohnen hauled in 27 passes for 415 yards and three scores. Junior Daishawn Mewborn led all returning players with 10 catches for 221 yards and one touchdown and is joined at wide receiver by classmate Zach Marvin (six catches, 28 yards). Along with having to replace its top two pass receivers, Maplewood also lost its top three rushers from a season ago and that trio combined for 248 carries, 1087 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior Matt Graff led all returning players with 46 yards rushing in 2008 and is one of four options at tailback with senior classmates Josh Mowris and Marvin MacHer and junior Scott Burns the others. Junior Marshall Parker (three catches, 32 yards, one touchdown) makes the move from tight end to slotback and will be replaced at tight end by classmate Jacob Snyder. Senior center Willie Carlson is a third-year starter, while guards Tanner Nirmaier (senior, right) and Joel Stewart (junior, left) and junior left tackle Jacob Potts are all second-year starters and either sophomore Eric Willey or freshman Mitch Worley will be the new right tackle.

 

DEFENSE

31.0 points per game allowed last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 9

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 16

 

Last year was the first time since 2005 that Maplewood’s defense allowed at least 30 points per game, although at least some of that can be attributed to the team’s classification jump. Each of the Tiger's top four tacklers graduated, including free safety Bancroft, who led team with 113 stops last season after earning second team all-region (2) honors as a junior. Marvin led all returning defensive backs with 36 tackles, adding an interception, and is one starting cornerback with Mewborn (one interception) the other and senior Travis Granger also in the mix. Granger could also see time at free safety, although Mowris will start the year there and either Parker or Burns (11 tackles) will be the strong safety. Senior Jonathan Hollabaugh led all returning players with 45 tackles and is back as the MIKE, as is Covine as the WILL with either MacHer or Snyder starting as the team’s stud linebacker. Carlson, Potts, Nirmaier, senior Tyler Wheeling and sophomore Dakota Keeno are all in the rotation at defensive tackle, while Nrimaier could also start or see time at nose tackle along with Graff.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

MacHer will handle both kicking and punting duties with Mewborn, Mowris and Marvin the return men.

 

OVERVIEW

When Crocker took over the Maplewood program before the 2006 season it had dropped 30 consecutive games, but in his three years he’s led the team to mark of 8-21 and despite making the jump from Class A to Class AA the Tigers finished with the same record in 2008 (3-7) as they did in 2007. Although the team must replace some key players, with Baker back behind center and the majority of the offensive line intact, the team should continue to improve.

 

 

 

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS

HEAD COACH: Aaron Shaw

2008 RECORD: 2-6 region (tied sixth), 3-7 overall

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES IN LAST 5 YEARS: 0

DISTRICT TITLES IN LAST 10 YEARS: 0

PIAA FINALS APPEARANCES: 0

 

OFFENSE

Averaged 15.8 points per game last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 5

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 12

Amongst 45 teams, regardless of classification that compete, in six District 10 regions: 31

 

NO INFORMATION PROVIDED

 

DEFENSE

24.8 points per game allowed last season

RANK

Amongst 9 teams in region: 6

 

Amongst 17 Class AA teams in District 10: 10

NO INFORMATION PRVIDED