By Chris Rossetti

KANE – With eight starters on both sides of the ball and 15 returning letterwinners Kane's football team will try to duplicate its success of two years ago when the Wolves made the District 9 Class A playoffs.

Last season Kane fell to 1-8, but with an experienced senior class coming back should be better in 2002.

"The big key for us is the experience of our senior class," first-year head coach Richard Bouch, who was an assistant with the team last season, said. "Our quarterback Tyler Smith and our running back Mike Jamerson have been starters since the first game of their sophomore year. Jared Cecchetti, a junior, anchors the offensive line at center. He has been a starter since his freshman year."

Smith, who last season was the fourth-leading passer in District 9, went 109-for-186 for 1,477 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing six interceptions. Two seasons ago he was 66-for-116 for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing 14 interceptions. In his career he is 175-for-302 (57.9%) for 2,672 yards, 20 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

"Tyler runs the option very well and is very elusive," Bouch said.

Jamerson, who is moving from tight end to running back this season, caught 21 passes last season for 363 yards and four touchdowns. He is a big, fast player who is 6-3, 230 pounds with a 4.8 in the 40 according to Bouch.

"We need Mike to touch the ball more so we moved him to the backfield," Bouch said. "He has looked impressive in our two scrimmages."

In addition to Jared Cecchetti on the offensive line, the Wolves also return Ron Christian, Ted Slater and Jim Costanzo.

"Jared's brother, Andy, will start at tight end," Bouch said. "He is a good athlete having jumped 14-feet in the pole vault."

Kane also returns its top two receivers from last season in Justin Jeffords and Hugh Rich.

Jeffords, an all-purpose player, caught 18 passes for 342 yards and four scores in 2001, while Rich led the team with 29 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns.

Joining Rich and Jeffords at wide out will be Tim Smith, while Jake Anderson, a transfer from Sheffield and Steve Chittester are battling for the start at fullback.

Defensively eight starters return for the Wolves led by Jamerson and Jared Cecchetti at defensive end, Christian and Slater at defensive tackle, Costanzo at middle linebacker, Chittester and Andy Cecchetti at outside linebacker, Anderson and Hefferds at free safety and strong safety respectively and Tim Smith and Mike Sivak or Rich at the corners.

"The linebacking position is our deepest," Bouch said. "In addition to the starters we have Jordan Martin, Matt Burton and Tyler Smith who are all very capable players."

Bouch said in January his team set its goals for the upcoming season

"We set our first goal as beating Port Allegany in Game One," Bouch said. "From there in order our goals are to win the AML South, to win the AML Championship and to win the District 9 Class A title. "

According to Bouch the strength of his team lies in its offensive cohesiveness and its overall experience.

"The seniors having been playing in this system since their sophomore year," Bouch said. "Plus they have been together since midgets. They understand the game and play with a passion."

Bouch said his team still has some things it needs to work on to reach its goals.

"We need to play more to get accustomed to playing a new defensive system," Bouch said. "The more reps we get the better we will get at it."

Bouch said he realizes some people might wonder about the team thinking it can compete for the AML South after a 1-8 season.

"I hope we are one of the top team in the South," Bouch said. "However, coming off a 1-8 season probably won't raise too many eyebrows. We are confident, though, that we are one of those teams. The South is loaded. Brockway brings back some great players and is always tough to defend. Curwensville has gotten used to winning and will be a contender. Ridgway is big up front and returns quite a few starters and they looked good in their scrimmage with Port Allegany. ECC, Cameron County and Johnsonburg all have new coaches, so this may be the year of the South beating each other up.

"In the North there is perennial power Smethport and the team to beat I think just might be Coudersport. We scrimmaged Sheffield, and they have some good skill people, as does Eisenhower.

"All in all this should be an exciting year of AML football."