ELEVEN LETTERWINNERS RETURN FOR JOHNSONBURG

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.

JOHNSONBURG – Johnsonburg returns 11 lettermen including a quarterback, a running back and a tight end from a team that went 5-4 in 2000.

The Rams hope to build on the success they had at the start of last season when they went 4-0 and put the end of last year when they went 1-4 as the 2001 season nears.

"Our goal is to reach the AML Championship (game)," fifth-year head coach Bob Vallone told the Tri-County Sunday. "But in order to do that we have to focus on one game at a time. If we reach our goal, then we will look at the District 9 championship. I think we do have the potential to fulfill our goals this year."

If the Rams are going to fulfill their goals in 2001, they are going to need to have productive seasons from senior quarterback Francis Iorfido, senior running back Francis Jovenitti and senior tight end Ryan Yurchick.

Iorfido was 42 for 109 last season for 898 yards and seven touchdowns while throwing six interceptions. Jovenitti carried the ball 79 times for 406 yards and one touchdown, while Yurchick caught seven passes for 127 yards.

The Rams did lose their top receiver from last season Jake Sprague, who had 19 catches for 435 yards receiving with five touchdowns in 2000. Johnsonburg also lost top running back Joey Carnovale who led the team with 10 touchdowns.

This seasons offensive starters look like they will be Iorfido at quarterback, Jovenitti at tailback, either Steve Iorfido or Jeremy Polaski at fullback, Mike Carter and Jason Durian at wide receiver, Yurchick at tight end, Bryan Muroski and Rich Schreiber at tackle, Brandon Zimmerman and Matt Myers at guard and Travis Atkinson at center.

On defense the Rams will start Muroski, Myers and Jacob Pearson up front with Yurchick, Eric Bennette, Steve Iorfido or Polaski and Roger VonArx at linebacker and Carter, Jovenitti, Francis Iorfido and Jason Durian in the secondary.

Carter led the Rams with three interceptions in 2000.

Johnsonburg doesn’t have an easy schedule ahead of it with its AML South games along with Smethport, Port Allegany and Coudersport from the AML North, probably the three strongest teams from the North.