The following story was written by Bill Logue for the Ridgway Record and shared with D9Sports.Com by Bill Logue. Please check out the Record’s website at www.ridgwayrecord.com

By Bill Logue

COUDERSPORT – After losing only nine seniors from a 2001 team that went 10-2 and won the District 9 Class A championship, the Coudersport Falcons are steamrolling into the 2002 season looking for more.

"Playing in the playoffs (last year) gives this year’s team a taste of what the experience is like, what it is like to play in a big game and what you have to do to win," 24^th-year head coach Paul Simcoe, who is in his 30^th season overall with the team, said. "It gives them a perspective on what they have to do to get to the next step. They don’t just want to win districts and play in a state playoff game. They want to play in more than one (state) playoff game. Hopefully that will propel them to the next level."

The Falcons have 44 players on their roster this season including 12 seniors, 17 juniors, 13 sophomores and two freshmen. But three players who will be dearly missed are tight end Dane Haskins (23 catches, 393 yards, 3 touchdowns), wide receiver Steve Brink (25 catches, 583 yards, 9 touchdowns) and running back Mike Maiuro (217 carries, 914 yards, 11 touchdowns). The team also lost AML All-Star tackles Keith Gerhart and Eugene Ingalls.

"On offense, we have to replace some people up front as well as ends and a back," Simcoe said. "For the most part we’re intact, and we have some skill people. Defensive end will be the biggest position for us to fill, but outside of that we have nearly everybody back. If we can get some people to step up, I think we’ll be very sound."

The most important link to the team will be senior quarterback Ben Cary. In 2001, the lefty threw was 92-for-196 for 1,560 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions.

"Ben is not the type of quarterback you get every year," Simcoe said. "He has the size. He can throw well. He can see the field. He understands the game, and he knows where he can get the ball. Quarterback is the most critical position to us."

Joining Cart on the offense will be wide receivers Jarrett Levavasseur (4 catches, 58 yards) and Jeremiah Frederick along with wingback Zach Hetrick and Zach Pucci (3 catches, 49 yards). The tailback will be Zach Hershey (42 rushes, 210 yards, 4 touchdowns; 15 catches, 196 yards, 1 touchdown), while Ross Simcoe (85 rushes, 528 yards, 5 touchdowns), Russ Linden and Brad Austin will be competing for the halfback spot.

The biggest question mark for the Falcons is the offensive line. At tackles it should be Logan Abplanalp and Joe Gerhart with the guard being Tim Gaberseck and Donny Kudrick. Jesse Bova should be the center.

On defense, Coudersport’s front line is big and experienced.

The starters looked to be Linden, Abplanalp, Bova and Cary.

The linebacking corps includes probable starters Pucci, Austin, Frederick and Craig Mancia. Hershey, Hetrick and Levavasseur will anchor the secondary.

On special teams, junior Nick Keagle will handle the kicking duties.

"All the games are key games," Simcoe said. "You have to take it one week at a time. We’ve learned that you can’t look too far ahead, because if you do you end up getting knocked off. I would like to think we have an advantage this year with the number of new coaches. Our kids are used to our system, but the other teams have new coaches putting in new systems. It generally takes a half a year for the kids to gel under that coach and his system."

Coudersport may want to peek ahead to the middle of their schedule, as they play on the road against Curwensville and Smethport as well as hosting a much-improved Port Allegany team in a matter of three weeks.

"We play Curwensville the third week then Smethport and Port Allegany, who should be improved," Simcoe said. "As I said, we’re just going to take them one week at a time and keep our focus."

The Falcons home the 2002 campaign at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 when they host Cameron County.