EXPERIENCED BROOKVILLE LOOKING FOR BIG THINGS IN 2001

Information for this story was obtained from various sources including information found in the Aug. 26 edition of the Tri-County Sunday. For information on the paper, please visit its web site at www.thecourierexpress.com.

BROOKVILLE – Brookville is looking for good things from its football team this season, as the Blue Raiders return 15 letterwinners from last year’s squad that went 3-7 overall and 1-5 in the D9 League. Brookville lost to Brockway 30-12 in the opening round of the District 9 Class AA playoffs.

"Based on the players that are coming back and a very, very solid 10^th grade class, we should do some things this year," Brookville’s sixth-year head coach told the Tri-County Sunday, "We are definitely looking to improve on our record."

Leading the way on offense for the Blue Raiders will be senior quarterback Matt Melillo who was 77 for 205 passing for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Melillo also added 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but he will need to cut down on his interceptions this season having thrown 14 of them a year ago.

Melillo’s top target will be senior Keith Richards who had 22 catches for 237 yards and three touchdowns.

Richards will be helped at receiver by senior Corey Santoriello and senior Ben Daniels.

In the backfield, Melillo will be joined by senior Norman Byerly, sophomore Josh Rakovan and junior Jeremy Fleming.

Byerly rushed 55times for 80 yards and one touchdown in 2000.

At tight end, the Blue Raiders will deploy senior Travis Lewis and senior Richard Merz. Lewis caught five passes for 58 yards in 2000.

The offensive line will be anchored by returning starter and senior Will Northey. Northey will be joined at guard by senior Scott Himes, while junior Jason Allshouse and sophomore Tony Morres are in competition for playing time at center. At the tackles, sophomore Geoff Peterson and junior Chris Swab should provide protection for Melillo.

On defense, Northey, Byerly and Swab will anchor the line with Merz, Lewis and senior Jared Belfiore solidifying the linebacking position and Melillo, Santoriello and Daniels lending experience to the secondary.

According the Tri-County Sunday, the key to Brookville’s season might lie replacing some of the linemen the Blue Raiders lost to graduation and establishing a running game to compliment the passing attack.

Key games in the 2001 schedule for Brookville include Sept. 7 at Clearfield, Sept. 14 at home against DuBois, Oct. 5 at home against Bradford and Oct. 12 at traditional power Wilmington.