STRONG NUCLEUS, NUMEROUS RETURNING PLAYERS THE KEYS TO CLARION-LIMESTONE'S SUCCESS 

CLARION TWP. - This could be the year of the Lion.

Having lost only five players to graduation from last year's 7-3 squad that qualified for the District 9 playoffs, the Clarion-Limestone Lions could cause a lot of noise in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference.

"I would like for us to stay healthy," C-L coach Clyde Conti said. "That is toughest part for me to deal with is any kid that gets hurt at any time. If we keep working hard, we have a nice mixture of skilled athletes. We always need our younger starters to step it up. But if we stay healthy, we should be fine."

Gone from last year is C-L's leader on the lines in Adam Heplf, multi-dimensional back Mike Reynolds, All-KSAC Honorable Mention offensive tackle Rich Sherman, lineman Jason Frances and Nate Beckwith. 

But the Lions return a plethora of players, especially in the skilled positions, including senior Dan Alderton, the Lions' leading rusher, receiver and scorer last season. The All-KSAC First Team running back and Second Team defensive back gained 935 yards of total offense, scored 15 touchdowns including one kickoff return for a score and grabbed three interceptions. Numbers aside, Alderton is probably the fastest player in the district (with titles in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes in last year's D-9 Track and Field Championships to back him up) and is the leader of the Lions offensively and defensively.

"Dan is very athletic obviously," Conti said. "He is the type of kid that is an excitable, emotional-type player that plays very well up against good competition in any sport he is in. So he brings a lot of leadership along with his talent and his abilities. He certainly will be a go-to guy in our offense, and we'll try to move him around and take advantage of his abilities.

"He's probably the best athlete I have ever coached and probably ever will. He brings a great deal to the team."

Also returning is two-year starting quarterback, senior J. J. Ferguson (32-for-85, 593 yds., 9 TD, 5 INT.),  but Ferguson is facing stiff competition for the job from freshman phenom Hayden Johnston.

"I think they have a good relationship," Conti said. "Both of them are excellent athletes. J. J. gives you an awful lot of experience. He can read defenses a lot better and certainly has a good feel for what we are trying to do. Hayden gives you a pure athlete with a linebacker mentality. He's a kid that could be a fourth running back in the backfield, and he will be someone that, before he graduates, his name will be pretty well known around this league, believe me."

The starter at quarterback, whomever that may be, has other weapons at his disposal besides Alderton, having the luxury to the hand the ball off to an experienced backfield of senior tailback Chad Conti and junior fullback Ben Brooks (85 att., 589 yds., 8 TD).

With a strong running game to boot, the Lions boast experience and talent in the wide receiver positions in seniors Ryan Smith and Justin McKissick. Another weapon in the C-L passing game will be junior Harley Doane, who started in the D-9 playoff game against eventual district champion Curwensville last year. Conti plans on gaining yards through the air and is confident in his quarterbacks and receivers to get the job done.

The offensive line lacks experience with four underclassmen (three sophomores, one junior) as possible starters but do not lack potential. Two sophomores will anchor the tackle spots in Ron Frances and Dave Eggleton and another sophomore, Dave Ferguson, will play at center. But C-L returns two bulls to the line in All-KSAC Second Team guard Jordan Johnston and senior Kyle Brocious in the other guard position.

Many of the starters on the offensive line will start defensively as well. Johnston and Brocious will man the tackle positions, while Eggleton will be a defensive end and Frances at linebacker. 

Conti feels a key to success will be the play of both lines. C-L usually has a smaller line compared to many of the elite teams, but the players are athletic and quick.

"We have some kids on our lines that can run," Conti said. "All our good teams always had at least one sophomore who has done well. We would like to be a lot more aggressive defensively. That is something we have talked to the guys about. We want to get more people to the football. The type of teams in the past that have hurt us have been the Karns Citys, the Clarions, the Curwensvilles, they are all powerful teams. That will be something that we need to address."

Sophmore Brendan Huwar, who will also take snaps as a running back, will start at the other defensive end position, as senior Jason Thompson and Brooks are the other linebackers.

C-L boasts a strong, experienced secondary with seniors at all four positions. All-KSAC Second Team defensive back Conti will start at cornerback alongside Smith, while Alderton will be at free safety with partner McKissick at the strong position.

In terms of special teams, All-KSAC First Team kicker Rocky Davis returns to lead the special teams core.

The Lions have one luxury this season they have not had in previous years in a deeper roster. C-L will carry a 36-man roster, and Conti believes it definitely has its advantages.

"If you ask these guys (players), practice-wise, they will tell you that it has been a lot better (with a bigger roster)," Conti said. "Coaching-wise, I think it has been better for us to rotate different units and keep people fresher, it picks everything up with a little more depth."

With a strong running game, experienced secondary and good overall team speed and athleticism, the Lions should perform well in the KSAC once more, and a return trip to the D-9 playoffs is attainable. And Conti believes that his team will certainly not fail due to a lack of effort.

"We have a great group of guys here," Conti said. "We are not going to lose because we don't work hard. You just can't control the talent of your opponent. We have a couple of good classes here athletically. It's just a matter of football is a collision sport, and are we going to be strong enough and powerful enough. Those things aren't determined during this time of the year but when people aren't paying attention, during the winter and summer. If we have worked hard enough, we will soon find out.

NOTES: The Lions preseason schedule includes scrimmages against the defending D-9 Class AAA champ Bradford and Class A powerhouse Sharpsville, who defeated D-9 Class A champ Curwensville in the PIAA state playoffs last season ... C-L will start its season Aug. 31 at home against Karns City, who is the preseason favorite to win the KSAC ... The Lions were the last team to beat Clarion in the regular season, 19-6 on Oct. 30, 1999.