CURWENSVILLE HOPES LAST YEAR'S STRONG CLOSE WILL PROPEL FAST 2004 START

CURWENSVILLE – Last season was really the tale of two seasons for the Curwensville Golden Tide.

The first part, Curwensville went 1-6 and was outscored 138-150 including 143-83 in the six loses. But the Golden Tide lost the final two games of that stretch by a grand total of two points and then rolled off three straight wins to close the season outscoring its opponents 113-33.

This season, Curwensville has 13 starters returning (6 on offense, 7 on defense) and hopes that last year’s end run that left it at 4-6 will be the spark to a return of success this season.

"We have a very committed group this year with great senior leadership and a very good work ethic," fifth-year head coach Andy Evanko, who led Curwensville to two straight D9 Class A title games in his first two seasons including the 2000 District 9 title, said. "We hope to be able to raise to the weekly challenges of playing in the AML, which is very competitive."

Evanko is trying not to put too much pressure on his team, which is seen by many as one of the possible contenders for this season’s Class A title.

"We are simply trying to get better each and every time we walk on the field," Evanko said. "We started at one rung on the ladder and hope to climb a step each day."

Helping the Golden Tide climb that latter will be an experienced group of players on both sides of the football.

On offense, Curwensville will be led by an experienced offensive line that includes guards Sean Farley and Steve Pentz, tackles Bobby Haley and J.D. Skebo and center Brad Sopic.

The line will be blocking for a talented group of skill players led by a pair of talented sophomores in quarterback Shawn Sopic and running back Nate Sipes.

Sopic took over as the starting quarterback from Dean Swatsworth in Week Six and led Curwensville to a 3-2 record that included the two one-point loses. The Tide rolled to an average of 33.8 ppg with Sopic at the held and he was 25-for-55 passing for 405 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 66 rushing yards and three more touchdowns.

Nick Sipes was the third leading rusher for Curwensville as a freshman running the ball 61 times for 347 yards and two scores.

Joining Nick Sipes in the backfield is his older brother Nate, a senior.

Last season, Nate was the leading rusher for Curwensville gaining 609 yards on 102 carries while scoring seven touchdowns. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry and had one 100-yard game.

Doug Swatsworth, a senior, will also see time in the backfield after missing most of last season with an injury after gaining 32 yards on eight carries in the opener. Two seasons ago as a sophomore, Doug was the second leading rusher for the Tide gaining 472 yards on 98 carries while scoring three touchdowns.

Doug’s brother Dean Swatsworth moves over to wide receiver this season after starting the first five games at quarterback last year while also playing some running back and going 24-for-72 passing for 333 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 60 carries for 256 yards and three scores.

Senior Zack Baer joins Dean in a pass catching role as a slot back this season. Baer had one catch for 22 yards and a touchdown a year ago.

Key newcomers on offense for Curwensville could include Derek Caldwell at slot back, Josh Kephart and Philip Solley at tight end, Bart McGarry at wide receiver, Jason Null at running back, Jesse Freyer at guard and Sam Kephart at tackle.

"We are striving to have a balanced attack as our offensive strength," Evanko said.

On defense, the key returning players at Farley, Brad Sopic, Pentz, Haley and Skebo on the defensive line, Nelson, Nate Sipes, Doug Swatsworth and Nick Sipes at linebacker and Baer, Dean Swatsworth and Sopic at defensive back.

The newcomers will also step in on defense with Freyer and Josh and Sam Kephart expected to play on the defensive line, Null and Solley at linebacker and Caldwell and McGarry at defensive back.

"Defensively, our linebacker would be our current strength," Evanko said.