TWENTY-SIX FORMER D9 PLAYERS CONTINUING FOOTBALL CAREER IN PSAC

SLIPPERY ROCK – Many football fans in District 9 know the quality of football that is played in the district and the quality of football player that plays in the district is very high.

Others are starting to see that as well, and a good indicator can be seen in the number of players from District 9 who are now playing NCAA Division II football in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

In 2004, 26 former District 9 football players dot the rosters of PSAC schools including 25 on the seven PSAC-West squads and one on a PSAC-East team. Many of the 26 are players who are either returning starters, are battling for starting spots or expect to see key minutes in 2004.

So why is District 9 becoming a fertile ground for PSAC school?

Edinboro head coach Lou Tepper, who has seven of those District 9 players on his roster, believes the answer is pretty simple. And he should know, his father-in-law, Bill Olezweski, was the football coach at St. Marys from 1954-1958 going 10-0 in 56, 57 and 58.

"So many kids from that district (District 9) come on so well," Tepper, whose wife Karen is from St. Marys, said. "We know that area pretty well. The unique thing about the whole area is that there are so many kids involved in three sports. If Seth Fragale (Edinboro’s ALL-PSAC linebacker who is from Cameron County) was in the WPIAL (playing) football, lifting weights and doing all those kinds of things, there would have been a lot of people recruiting him. So often we get so many steals. Those kids seem to be so well grounded in family and in value that you rarely have problems or issues with them. That is a big-time area for us."

The 26 players in the PSAC from District 9 breaks down this way: eight at Lock Haven, seven at Edinboro, four at Clarion, three at California, two at Shippensburg and one each at Slippery Rock and West Chester.

A quick team-by-team glance of the District 9 players in the PSAC follows. Note that the list is in alphabetical order by team. The team’s 2003 record is in parentheses, and the team’s coach is listed below the team name.

Notes – 2003 – Was red-shirted. Ran for 1,070 yards as a senior at Redbank Valley in 2002 and ranked fifth in District 9 in rushing that year.

Coach says – "Ronnie really came on. He’s a gamer. He has a legitimate chance to come in and make some progress for us."

Notes – A true freshman who helped the Bobcats rush for 191.4 yards per game last season, the ninth best total in District 9. Played in the East-West Pennsylvania All-Star game this summer. Could red-shirt in 2004.

Coach says – "Nate is the prototypical offensive lineman. He brings his lunch pail to work everyday. We think he has a chance to be an outstanding offensive lineman, especially at center. ."

Dylan Snyder (FR., OL, Moniteau)

Notes – A true freshman he helped Moniteau to its first-ever District 9 playoff appearance last season by anchoring an offensive line that averaged 221.8 yards per game on the ground, the sixth best mark in District 9, and 127.8 yards per game in the air, the fifth best total in District 9. Moniteau’s 339.6 offensive yards per game ranked second in District 9.

Coach says – "Dylan has untapped potential. He’s a kid with a bright future as well."

Notes – 2003 – 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble caused while also playing tight end. 2004 – Slated to start on the defensive line.

Coach says – "Corey has great speed and is our strongest player."

Notes – Son of head coach Malen Luke. 2003 – 11 tackles, 1 TFL. Missed five games with an injury. 2004 – Battling to start at inside linebacker.

Coach says – "Brock is bigger, faster and stronger this year."

Brandon Whitman (SR., OLB, Coudersport)

Notes – Moving to outside linebacker from secondary. Also an excellent special teams player.

Coach says – "Brandon is a quick, agile player with good feet. He is a team player."

Brendan Huwar (FR., RB, Clarion-Limestone)

Notes – True freshman who could see action this year. He ran for over 1,000 yards in two straight seasons helping C-L to back-to-back District 9 titles.

Coach says – Not available

Notes – 2003 – Chosen as a 2^nd team PSAC-West linebacker. Finished 2^nd on the team with 86 tackles while leading team with 49 solo tackles. Also had 12 ½ TFL’s and four sacks. Has 102 career tackles and four sacks.

Coach says – "Seth is one of the key guys on our defense He may be as important as anyone on our defense when it’s all said and done."

Notes – Father Ray, a former head and assistant coach at A-C Valley is an assistant coach at Edinboro. Chris transferred to Edinboro from Lock Haven after his freshman season. 2003 – Played in 11 games and made 10 tackles. In two years at Edinboro he has 18 tackles and two pass breakups.

Coach says – "Chris is a guy who doesn’t get enough credit. He is an outstanding kid for us. He is one of our finest special teams players, and he backs up all four secondary spots. You can put him in at any time and he does a great job."

Notes – Red-shirted last year but is penciled in to back up Fragale this season. Younger brother Tom is a freshman at Edinboro this season.

Coach says – "We are hoping he will be a quality backup and a strong special teams performer."

Notes – True freshman this season. He will probably red-shirt. His older brother Joe is a red-shirt freshman at Edinboro this year.

Coach says – Not available

Notes – Red-shirted last year. In 2002, as a senior at Curwensville, he caught two passes for 19 yards. Is moving from tight end to wide receiver this season.

Coach says – "We are probably going to move him to wide receiver because of the depth we have at tight end. My guess is that he’ll probably be a depth guy."

Notes – Red-shirted last season. Is coming off an injury that occurred in the summer and his status for the 2004 campaign is still uncertain.

Coach says – Not available.

Notes – True freshman this season. He will probably red-shirt. Helped Karns City rush for 217.6 yards per game, the fourth most in D9 last season.

Coach says – "We plan to get him stronger and to work on his feet. He will most likely be a scout team lineman for us this year."

Notes – Is moving from the defensive line to the offensive line this season. He has played three years on defense, and there is a possibility he could go both ways at times this year. 2003 – 32 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble.

Coach says – "He would prefer to be on the defensive side of the ball, but he is willing to do what is best for the team. I think with his addition to an offensive line that returns four starters, we will probably have the best offensive line since I came here as an assistant coach in 1994. He brings a demeanor to the line that we were lacking. He has a meanness, a nastiness to him. He plays hard."

Notes – Is moving running back to wide receiver this season. One of the top players all-time at DuBois. 2003 – 3^rd leading rusher for Lock Haven averaging 18.2 yards per game. Had 45 carries for 146 yards while catching three passes for 26 yards. Had a season-high 51 yards rushing vs. Cheyney. Younger brother Derek is a sophomore for Lock Haven this season.

Coach says – "We have worked Justin at wide receiver some just to find another way to get him the football."

Notes – 2003 – Played in 5 games with 13 carries for 58 yards, 1 TD. Caught five passes for 34 yards. His older brother Justin is a senior for Lock Haven this season.

Coach says – "Derek is a strong runner that we would like to utilize in short-yardage situations. But he is also someone who we would feel comfortable giving the ball to 20-30 times in a game."

Notes – Trying to return from an injury suffered in the spring.

Coach says – "He got injured in the spring, which was unfortunate. But he has been around enough and works hard enough that hopefully he will be out there competing for us this fall. He should see some playing time."

Notes – True freshman who will probably red-shirt this season.

Coach says – Not available

Notes – 2003 – Saw action in 11 games and made 12 tackles with 2 TFL’s. Also forced a fumble.

Coach says – "Brian is competing for a starting spot at defensive tackle. He had a good spring. He will definitely be playing a lot for us this season."

Notes – Moving from safety to cornerback. 2003 – Played in nine games with four starts, 34 tackles & shared team lead with four pass break-ups. Also had an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. Had a career-high 12 tackles vs. Clarion.

Coach says – "We moved him from safety to cornerback this year, and right now he has settled in as one of our starting corner."

Notes – Two-year starter at defensive end. 2003 – E. Ross Nevel Jr. Unsung Hero award winner for Lock Haven. Started 7 games and made 37 tackles while ranking 2^nd on the team with 11 TFL’s. Added two sacks, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks. Had a career-high 8 tackles vs. Clarion.

Coach says – "I think Dustin will be one of our leaders. He has added weight, and his work ethic and his demeanor both on and off the field are great. I am looking forward to him having a great year."

Notes – Red-shirted last season but could see time as a back-up this year.

Coach says – "There is a good possibility Morrison may play this year. He is a physical kid who has learned a lot. He is playing the pass much better. I think he will break into the top two, but he is looking at three seniors ahead of him right now with starting spots. I expect him to see playing time but not be a starter."

Notes – Red-shirted last season & has some eligibility issues he needs to take care of this year. Is the all-time career touchdown leader in District 9 with 80. He ran for 2,506 yards and 41 touchdowns while scoring 45 total touchdowns his senior year at Clearfield (2002) and was D9Sports.Com’s District 9 Player of the Year and the PFN Class AAA Player of the Year.

Coach says – "He needs to get some credit stuff squared away in the summer time. I am not sure how it is going to work out for him. I hope so; we like him a lot. We wish would could play him. He is a good working kid both on and off the field, but we have some things we need to iron out."

Notes – True freshman who played running back and linebacker at Clarion last season leading Bobcats in rushing with 605 yards and 8 touchdowns. Was the 19^th leading rusher in District 9 last season. He will probably red-shirt this season and his future is most likely on the defensive side of the ball.

Coach says – "He is very athletic, and we just know his future is bright on the football field. I think a lot of where he ends up playing depends on what happens with his physical growth over the next year or two. He can definitely play defense. If he continues to grow, he could grow into an offensive lineman. He has good genetics and a good family history."

Notes – Earned playing time as the starting extra point kicker for the Golden Rams as a true freshman. Also played baseball for West Chester. 2003 – 43-of-50 extra point attempts. Is listed as a starting returning kicker for West Chester.

Coach says – Not available.