ST. MARYS LOOKS TO BUILD OFF OF LAST SEASON

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.

ST. MARYS – St. Marys looks to build on last season’s 3-7 record that included back-to-back wins for the first time in four years.

"We keep improving," third-year head coach Tony Defillipi told the Tri-County Sunday. "We’re really working hard. Our goal is to improve on last year and just try and win games."

The play of senior quarterback Tony Kopp could go along way to helping the Flying Dutchmen improve over last season.

Kopp completed 29 of 118 passes last season for 398 yards and six touchdowns. He will need to cut down on his interceptions, as he threw 12 a year ago.

Kopp will be supported by returning running backs Dustin Ruberto and Dan Fox and tight end Tim Thompson.

Ruberto rushed the ball 143 times for 654 yards and two touchdowns in 2000, while Thompson caught eight passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns. He also hit six points after touchdowns and had two two-point conversions giving him 28 points.

St. Marys schedule isn’t easy with games against all its D9 League opponents plus non-conference games against A-C Valley, Clarion, Clarion-Limestone and Philipsburg-Osceola.