ST. MARYS – While it only has six returning letterwinners back from a 2001 team that went 6-4, Elk County Catholic should have a competitive team in 2002 according to 1^st-year head coach Joe Renwick.

"Though inexperienced as a team (15 of 31 players are sophomores), we are very talented at key positions," Renwick, who is in his 20^th season with ECC, told the DuBois Courier-Express. "We should be competitive in all of our games."

Renwick said he is excited about the opportunity to take over the reins at the school he has spent the past 20 years coaching at.

"I am very excited at the opportunity to work with the bunch of kids coming back and the big sophomore class coming back," Renwick told the Courier-Express.

The six returning letterwinners for the Crusaders are quarterback/cornerback Bob Pearsall, running back/linebacker Matt Eckert, offensive tackle/ defensive end Andy Herbstritt, tight end/defensive end Tom Schneider, running back/linebacker Tom Cherry and fullback/linebacker Shane Funair.

Pearsall, a three-year starter at quarterback, was 51-for-93 last season for 545 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw seven interceptions.

Cherry is the leading returning rusher for ECC have carried the ball 38 times for 271 yards and three touchdowns in 2001.

With Pearsall at quarterback and Cherry at one running back spot ECC has Eckert and Andy Bobenrieth also at running back, Schneider, Brandon Emmert and Adam Blashock at tight end, Funair at fullback, Eric Yorns, Joe Auman and Herbstritt at tackle, Mike Donahue, Jude Wendel and Carl Lindberg at guard, Eric Bush at center and Randy Pearsall at split end.

On defense, the Crusaders will have Herbstritt and Schneider at defensive end, Wendel, Blashock, Auman and Donnie Gesi at defensive tackle, Funair, Eckert, Cherry, Bush and Anthony Tettis at linebacker, Bob Pearsall and Randy Pearsall at the corners and Emmert at safety.

Bush will be the kicker for the Crusaders.

ECC opens its season at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Smethport.