BROOKVILLE LOOKS TO TAKE STEP FORWARD IN 2002

BROOKVILLE – Coming off a season that saw his team go 1-8 overall and 0-5 in the D9 League, Brookville head coach Chris Dworek is stressing the little things to help the Raiders get better this season.

"Our goals are, and we are not talking too much about wins and losses, is improving practices as far as being more emotional on the field during practice and being more physical on the on the practice field," Dworek told the DuBois Courier Express. "If we can get better at that and that all relates into having fun, working hard and busting their butts a little harder, that will take care of the wins and loses right there. It’s more of mental focus. Making yourself excited for something you don’t want to do."

Brookville has a good base to build with this season with 21 letterwinners back from last year.

On offense, returning starting quarterback Cole Cook will run the Raiders offense. Cook was 57-of-143 for 757 yards, 3 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season.

"He’s had a real good summers and has looked good in practice," Dworek told the Courier Express.

While Cook is back, his two top receivers Ben Daniels (22 catches, 387 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Keith Richards (26 catches, 308 yards, 2 touchdowns) are gone as well as the Raiders leading rusher Norman Byerly (36 carries, 174 yards).

The top returning receiver is Brett Puller (5 catches, 76 yards), while the top returning rusher is Josh Rakovan (36 carries, 97 yards).

Other key receivers on the team are Cliff Park, Corey Santoriello and Keith Ishman.

A key to Brookville’s offense will be the offensive line, which was young last season but at the same time got a lot of experience.

Mike Hetrick will anchor the line along with Mark Kaczmarczyk. Other key linemen should be Tony Morres, Jason Allshouse, Wes Bashline, Chris Swab, Dan Dempsey and Geoff Peterson.

"I want to have more balance on offense this season," Dworek told the Courier Express.

Last season Brookville was forced to pass a lot because of being behind in games and ended up with almost twice as many passing yards for the season as rushing yards.

On defense, Hetrick, Swab and Bashline are battling for time at defensive end with Dave Galbraith, Kaczmarczyk and Allshouse shooting for time at defensive tackle.

At inside linebacker the Raiders are looking at Billy Morrison, Alex McKinney and Matt Gilbert, while on the outside Jeremy Fleming, Rakovan and Mores are battling for time.

Brett Berfield, Ishman and Santoriello will see playing time at cornerback with Kerry Swineford and Puller at the safeties.

Brookville opens the season at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Titusville.