MONITEAU MIXES YOUTH WITH EXPERIENCE IN 2001

By Chris Rossetti

WEST SUNBURY – With 11 letterwinners back from last season, Moniteau looks to improve on its 2-8 overall, 2-6 KSAC record from last season.

The Warriors have a strong group of seniors with seven letterwinners returning, but behind that group is a young team with most of the backups being sophomores.

"As you can see we have some seniors back," Moniteau head coach Tom Kidder said. "The problem is we only have sophomores as backups to substitute when seniors get hurt. That lack of depth could hurt us."

Moniteau’s top returning player on offense is starting fullback and linebacker Bill Staab, a senior. Staab, a two-year letterwinner was the captain and MVP from 2000, was a second team all-KSAC linebacker and honorable mention running back after rushing for over 1,000 yards. He was also a first team Sweet Sixteen Butler Eagle player.

At halfback, the Warriors will have another senior in the backfield in halfback Ryan Jackson, who started at both cornerback and halfback a year ago and has lettered for two years. Jackson was an honorable mention KSAC player and second team Butler Eagle Sweet Sixteen Player at kick returner.

The signal caller for Moniteau will be last year’s starter and two-year letterwinner Jason Frederick, a senior. Frederick’s top receivers will be two-year letterwinner senior Zane Grindle who started at both tight end at linebacker in 2000 and sophomore Clay Kohlmeyer, who was the starting split end as a freshman last season.

The top offensive lineman for the Warriors will be senior Justin Highland, who has letter two years. He was a tackle on offense and defense a year ago and was second team KSAC and first team Butler Eagle Sweet Sixteen player at tackle. Also adding experience to the line will be senior Vittorio DeBacco who started at tackle last season.

On defense, the other top player besides the ones mentioned above will be sophomore Steve Saul who started at cornerback last season, sophomore linebacker Jeremy Moore, who started a year ago, and sophomore free safety/halfback Scott Wiest, who lettered and started occasionally as a freshman.

Key losses for the Warriors will be starting guard Don Deal and Zack Bryan, starting center Adam Hughes and safety Joe Hetherington.