SMETHPORT HOPES OLD FACE WILL HELP THEM GET BACK ON TRACK

SMETHPORT – Oh how times have changed.

For as long as most people can remember Smethport was the king of District 9 football.

But that is no longer the case. The Hubbers are coming off a 2-7 season that included losing its final seven games, which was preceded by a 3-6 mark in 2002, the first time Smethport has had back-to-back losing seasons since 1960-1961. The 2002 season ended Smethport’s run of 21 straight years with a winning record. Not only that, Smethport has missed the District 9 playoffs three out of the last four seasons and have their fourth new head coach in five years.

Former Smethport standout Rob Cosper, an assistant at Bradford last season, takes over for Brandon Falk, who lasted just one season. Cosper, who is 26, graduated from Smethport in 1996 and was a four-year letter winner for the Hubbers who played on District 9 championship teams in 1992 and 1995.

"Smethport had a great tradition over the year," Cosper told the Olean Times-Herald. That’s why I cam back. I have a lot of school pride. I was to focus on some of the plusses that come out of Smethport. A lot of people are always quick to jump on a lot of the negatives. I’m always focusing on the positives.

"I keep telling the kids this is what we need to do to go in this direction. I’m always reinforcing that (positive attitude) and telling them this is what we have to do to get where we want to go. It’s just starting new and trying to keep them in a good direction and never going back."

But going back, sort of, is exactly what Cosper is doing. He is going back to the cornerstone of the Smethport success by brining back the Power-I offense and the 4-4 defense.

He hopes that the change in the schemes as well as the experience he has returning (nine starters) will help to turn the program around.

"I see a lot of good athletes," Cosper said. "If we can bring them together and gel, we could have some pretty good success this year."

The returning starters for Smethport include RB/OLB Matt Clark, WR/DB Tyler Covert, C/DL Logan Linnan, T/DL Tim Linnan, TB/OLB Mike Mitchell, FB/ILB Zack Parkes, QB/DB Matt Switzer, TE/ILB Bryan Tronetti and T/DL Dave Vandermark.

Switzer was 57-for-138 last season for 669 yards, 10 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, while Mitchell was the leading rusher.

Other key players to watch for Smethport include WR/DB Brandon Funk, TE/DB Chris Fitzimmons, QB/DB Vince Kinniburgh and TB/DB Josh Switzer.

Smethport starts the season Sept. 3 at Curwensville.