PORT ALLEGANY HOPES EXPERIENCE WILL TRANSLATE INTO WINNING SEASON

2002 PORT ALLEGANY SCHEDULE

Information for the following preview information for Port Allegany was found in the Aug. 15 on-line edition of the Olean Times Herald written by Brian Moritz. Please visit the Times Herald website at www.oleantimesherald.com

PORT ALLEGANY – Two seasons ago Port Allegany surprised a lot of people by making it to the AML Title game before losing to Curwensville. Last year the Gators slipped backward to a 2-7 mark after losing 16 seniors. But a return trip to the AML Title game but not be out of the question in 2002, as Port Allegany only lost six seniors from last season’s team.

Not only did the Gators lose just the six seniors, they should be very deep this season with 52 players out for the team many of whom saw playing time in 2001.

"This year we’ve got a bigger senior class," Port Allegany head coach Bob Haskins told the Olean Times Herald’s Brian Moritz. "We’ve got a little bit more experience, which will be a positive. I still think, even though we’re experienced, we’ll be quite young.

"That (the high numbers) could be a big advantage for us. You look at our roster, and there are two or three kids at every position. We have a lot of kids that played an awful lot of football. Compared to last year we have better athletes overall."

Port Allegany’s experience runs so deep, that the Gators have 11 players back who could be considered starters from last season.

The experience on offense for the Gators starts with two talented seniors in running back Adam Rohrer and tight end Jordan Barnard.

"Those are two outstanding athletes," Haskins told Moritz. "Adam, without a doubt,
will be our best player. You will see his impact on the field. Jordy’s an awfully gifted athlete. We hope want to get the ball to him."

Senior Joe Hardes and junior Claude Haskins will join Rohrer in the backfield, while senior David Darush team up with Barnard at end. Junior Jerry Tanner returns at spilt end.

As experienced as those skilled players are, the offense line is also experienced with four starts back from last year led by seniors Casey Pettys at tackle and Jason Boyer at center. Other returnees include junior Fran Ludwig at guard and junior Brett Williams at tackle.

But coach Haskins also believes a lot of his younger players might see playing time on the line as well.

"The younger kids could get some time," Haskins told Moritz. "The older kids will have to
prove themselves. The line could be dominated by juniors and sophomores."

Strong line play will be important for the Gators, because one place they aren’t very experienced at is quarterback.

Sophomore Craig Flint is the most likely candidate to get the starting nod after gaining some experience last season.

"He’s still going to be young," Haskins told Moritz. "He still needs experience."

Freshman Willie Bova is pushing Flint right now.
"He’s probably the best talent we’ve had around here in a long time," Haskins told Moritz. "He can make a flat-footed throw 50 yards. He makes plays that we haven’t seen around here."

On defense, the Gators return a solid secondary with Barnard, Hardes, Pettys and Tanner.

Three linebackers return as well including Darush, Haskins and Rohrer.

But only two returning starters are back on the defensive line in Ludwig and Williams.
Although Haskins is excited about the season, he doesn’t want people to think that the Gators will necessarily reach the lofty spot they were in two years ago.

"The league has gotten so tough," Haskins told Moritz. "Especially since they added Curwensville and Brockway (four years ago). There just are no east games. You’re got to play football every week.

"Realistically, I’m looking for a .5000 record. I want them to play hard. Every football coach, I think, all they ask is that the kids give 100 percent. That’s all we’re asking from the kids."

The Gators open their season with two games against AML South opponents opening with Kane and then traveling to Cameron County. Then the season’s two most important games potentially come in weeks three and four when they host defending AML Champion Smethport (Sept. 14) before traveling to defending District 9 Class A champion Coudersport (Sept. 20).