CLARION-LIMESTONE LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY IN 2004

STRATTANVILLE – The two-time defending District 9 Class A champion Clarion-Limestone Lions will be trying to make history in 2004.

C-L is attempting to become the first Class A team since District 9 started a playoff system in 1987 to win three straight Class A crowns. If they accomplish that feat, the Lions will be only the third District 9 school to win three football crowns in a row at any classification joining Smethport (1990 – Class AA, 1991-92 – Class A) and Karns City (1999-2001 – Class AA).

The Lions also have a chance to surpass Ridgway and move into second place on the district’s longest regular-season win streak list. C-L has won 26 straight games. Ridgway won 33 in a row back in the 1970’s and St. Marys won 30 in a row in the late 1950’s. Smethport owns the District 9 record with 67 straight regular-season wins from 1989-96.

C-L, which went 12-1 last season for the second straight year and advanced to the PIAA Western Semifinals for the second consecutive season, has won 32 of its past 36 overall games and has not lost a regular-season contest since a 25-7 defeat at the hands of Karns City Aug. 31, 2001.

For the Lions to continue their success this season they will have to replace five players who filled 10 starting spots (five on offense and five on defense) last season including all-state performers Brad Beggs (WR), Brendan Huwar (RB) and David Ferguson (OL).

"We are just approaching the season the way we have always approached it," C-L head coach Todd Smith said. "We are just trying to be the best we can be. We have some good skill players back. I feel we are very talented there. We have a lot of inexperience on the line, but I feel good about our kids, about their attitude and about how they are working. I just know they are going to get the most out of themselves."

C-L’s biggest question mark on offense will be the offensive line where only senior guard Dan Jeannerat and junior center Sheldon Champion return.

"How good we can be depends on how fast our line comes together," Smith said. "We have a couple of combinations we are trying out. I feel good about the guys we have."

Senior Nate Tote is penciled in at the other guard spot with sophomore Jesse Zahoran at the one tackle and either sophomore Bobby Beidl or freshman Cam Schirmer most likely at the other tackle spot.

If the line gels, the Lions should once again have a scary offense led by senior quarterback Hayden Johnston, who returns for his fourth season leading the Lions offense including his third straight as the full-time starter.

Johnston, probably the best quarterback to ever play at C-L, is the reigning D9Sports.Com District 9 Offensive Player of the Year after completing 103 of 173 passes last season for 1,546 yards and 24 touchdowns while throwing just nine interceptions. He also added 580 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and ranked second in District 9 in passing yards, first in passing touchdowns and 21^st in rushing while being the top rushing quarterback.

"Hayden is the best athlete, the best quarterback to come through C-L," Smith said. "He makes everything go for us offensively and defensively. I think this will be his best year. He is in the best shape he has ever been in. He weighs 20 more pounds than he did last year and has the same speed as he did last year. He is also stronger this season."

Johnston will probably run the ball more this season, as the Lions have to replace Huwar, who was a consensus all-state pick last season after putting up his second straight 1,000-yard season with 1,385 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Johnston is no stranger to running the ball having carried it 159 times for 799 yards and 11 scores his sophomore season. This year he has a shot at being a rare 1,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher.

Taking some of the pressure off Johnston in the backfield will be junior Neil Reynolds and senior Trevor Williams. Reynolds got some experience at fullback last season carrying the ball 21 times for 141 yards and one score. He is a bruising runner, while Williams is more of a slasher.

C-L will also have to replace an all-state receiver in Beggs, who caught 51 passes for 754 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.

The leading candidates to step up are junior tight end/slot back Tuffy Brooks (18 catches, 299 yards, 208 rushing yards), sophomore slot back Scott Davis (10 catches, 168 yards), senior slot back Erik White (6 catches) and junior wide receiver Kaleb Klosky.

The Lions defense also has some holes to fill especially at linebacker and on the defensive line.

Johnston returns to anchor the middle linebacking spot where he was a second-team all-state performer last season. But the Lions have to replace both outside backers with Reynolds and Zahoran expected to fill those slots.

Jeannerat returns to anchor the defensive line, but another expected returning starter, defensive end Kenny Rossey, will probably miss the first three or four games with an injury meaning Williams and Klosky will have to step up and fill the hole. The nose guard position is still a big question mark with no candidates separating themselves from the pack.

While the defensive line and linebackers will be young, the secondary will have a lot of experience with three of the four starters from last season returning and all four expected starters having seen significant playing time in 2003.

Davis and Tote will be the safeties with White and Brooks at the corners.

"There is a lot of experience in the secondary," Smith said.

Johnston returns as one of the best punters in the league with Brent Rhoades getting the first crack at the kicking position. Johnston and Davis will return punts and kickoffs and will be joined by White and Brooks on kickoffs.