FAMILIAR FACE TAKES OVER AT JOHNSONBURG

2002 JOHNSONBURG SCHEDULE

By Bill Logue

JOHNSONBURG - Kevin Carter, who coached Johnsonburg from 1985-96, returns to the Rams sideline this season after a six-year hiatus.

Carter takes over a team that is coming off a disappointing 3-6 season that started with high expectations because of the talent and leadership excepted from the 14 seniors in 2001.

"From last year’s team, I know that Francis Jovenitti rushed for over 1,000 yards (1,036 & 11 touchdowns), and obviously that is a tremendous loss," Carter said.

While last year’s team was stocked with seniors, this season’s team will be dominated by underclassmen. Only nine seniors dot the 2002 record along with 14 juniors, 10 sophomores and one freshman.

"We have nine listed seniors on our roster," Carter said. "The nice thing is we have 14 juniors listed on the roster. That is a big plus."

Not only are the Rams young this year, they are also inexperienced with the majority of the underclassmen having very limited varsity experience.

Graduation is being felt every where but especially up front where the offensive and defensive lines were composed of nearly all seniors last season.

"With the seniors gone from last year, we appear to be wiped out as far as position players, and really all around," Carter said.

The Rams do have some players returning with playing experience.

At quarterback will be junior Greg Wonderly who took over the held when Francis Iorfido went down with an injury in Week Six. Wonderly started the final three games for the Rams and faired decent going 14-for-58 passing for 210 yards. He threw one touchdown pass but also threw seven interceptions.

"Right now we’re looking at Greg Wonderly as the starter and Eric Iorfido as the backup at quarterback," Carter said. "Both are juniors. Wonderly took some snaps last year, and Iorfido ran quarterback a little in JV’s."

Other returning players from 2001 who saw considerable playing time were Eric Bennett (9 rushes, 32 yards), Steve Iorfido (43 rushes, 169 yards, 1 touchdown; 3 catches, 48 yards), Jeremy Polaski (1 interception), Rich Schreiber, Roger Vonarx, John Mawn, Don Wenner, and Eric Iorfido (1 catch, 26 yards).

Polaski and Wenner each played fullback last season, while Shreffler, Eric Iorfido and Travis McAlee are being considered at the wingback positions.

"At tailback we’re looking at Steve Iorfido and maybe Shreffler or Tony Clerkin," Carter said.

Other players vying for time will be seniors Andy Clerkin, John Clopp, Fred Maletto and Jacob Pearson. Juniors that will more than likely see playing time are Kevin DeStephano, Harry Dilley, Jesse Feronti, Keith Guaglianone, Cody Hodgdon, John O’Rourke, Shawn Wolfel and Dan Zeigler.

Carter said this season is a transitional year for the Rams.

"It is not so much a transition from football but a transition from one system to another," Carter said. "The kids have to adapt to new terminology. It’s going to take time to develop an understanding of what our purpose is with our system."

Carter said the team hasn’t really set any goals as a team.

"We coaches have set goals for what we project to see," Carter said. "One is to develop a team concept. If you get the 11 players on the field at any given time to play in unison, they are a team. If they play as individuals, it creates problems. If they player as a team and do their duties properly, they will be successful."

When asked about the offense, Carter didn’t hide the fact that he likes to throw the football.

"In my past experiences, we have thrown the ball," Carter said. "We are going to try and spread it around to the receivers on the field. We will probably throw one-third of the time."

On defense, the Rams are small and shallow as far as depth goes.

"Our defense is a little bit smaller," Carter said. "I’m pleased with the speed we have. We’re going to attempt to be around the ball, and we’ll have to gang tackle because we don’t have any dominating size."

Johnsonburg has many big league games on their schedule including home dates with AML powerhouses Brockway and Curwensville.

"They are all key season games starting with game No. 1," Carter said. "When you look at the schedule you can project what you want, but the true schedule is the game you are preparing for that week. If you lose a game, you can’t dwell on it because the next game comes in line. And that game is the next key game."

Other than Carter, the team has added new coaches Jeff Zuchowski and Ron Yurchick.

Carter said that the AML is mainly the same as it was when he coached previously, other than a few changes.

"The only changes I know of are the additions of Brockway and Curwensville, and the creation of the AML North and South, compared to the previous East and West," Carter said. "It’s nice to have the two new additions to the league because it makes the league stronger. In past years, there has always been good representation from the AML in postseason play. The league is at a highly competitive level week in and week out."

The Rams season opens at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Youngsville.