CLEARFIELD – With its top three skill players back from last season, Clearfield is looking to once again compete for both the D9 League title and the District 9 Class AAA championship in 2002.

Leading the charge in for the Bisons, who were 8-2 (D9 Class AAA runner-up) overall and 4-1 (Tri-champions) in the D9 League in 2001, are quarterback Michael Sayers, running back Dave Richards and wide receiver Todd Shaw.

Last season Sayers finished ninth in District 9 in passing going 59-for-119 for 740 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing eight interceptions.

Richards was the fifth leading rusher in the district a year ago and is the top returning rusher this season having carried the ball 172 times for 1,101 yards (6.4 yards per carry average) and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 15 passes for 98 yards and is a threat on special teams having been named the D9Sports.Com Special Teams Player of the Year in 2001 after returning three kicks for touchdowns including two game-winning kickoff returns.

Shaw caught 26 passes for 406 yards and six touchdowns in 2001.

Those three players will be asked to lead the Bisons who suffered some key loses to graduation including linemen Kurt Hepfner, Joe Ambuski and Corey Picard, fullback Matt Meckey (141 carries, 622 yards, 9 touchdowns) and place kicker Bryan Mohney (39-41 PAT).

"It's always tough to fill the senior gaps," 18^th-year head coach Tim Janocko told the DuBois Courier-Express. "But we have a good returning crew."

Janocko said besides the heat, training camp was going well.

"Things are falling into place," Janocko told the Courier-Express. "I see no surprises from this team so far. We look consistent, and I believe we will be pretty competitive."

The Bisons kickoff their season at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 when they host rival Bradford. In the past two seasons Bradford has gone 3-1 against Clearfield including three straight wins two of which came in the last two District 9 Class AAA title games.