EXPERIENCED REDBANK VALLEY LOOKS TO MAKE RUN IN CLASS AA

NEW BETHLEHEM – With 15 starters returning (7 on offense, 8 on defense) from a team that went 5-4 in 2003 expectations are high for the Redbank Valley Bulldog football team, which moves from Class A to Class AA this season.

With the move to Class AA coupled with the fact that the Class AA playoffs in District 9 is an open tournament this season, the Bulldogs have a great shot at the postseason, which could lead to an opportunity to win a championship.

"If we finish over .500, we’re in the playoffs," eighth-year head coach Ed Wasilowski, who is 3-631 at the school, told the Clarion News. "That is nice for the program, but I don’t know if I like an open tournament where there’s only seven teams in Class AA. It’s nice to know if you’re deserving you can go."

On offense, the top returning starter is junior fullback Skyler Smith, who was 16^th in District 9 in rushing last season with 727 yards and six touchdowns on 143 carries. Smith added eight catches for 105 yards and a score.

Smith should get some help this season from a Redbank Valley offense that might be more option oriented than in the past.

The Bulldogs have two potential quarterbacks, senior Jason Smith and junior Brandon Doverspike, who have the ability to run the football.

"(Speed) is the strength of both Jason and Brandon," Wasilowski told the Clarion News. "Jason has the patience to let our plays develop, and he has the speed to take advantage of it. Brandon is rushing things a little bit, but he’s probably our fastest kid. I’ll feel real comfortable with either one of them."

Smith is the more experienced of the two quarterbacks having seen some action in each of the last two seasons.

Last year, as Shane Reed’s backup, Smith was 1-for-2 passing for 16 yards while rushing five times for 94 yards and score. As a sophomore in 2002, Smith was 4-for-9 for 139 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The loser of the quarterback competition will still see plenty of playing time at wide receiver for Redbank Valley joining a talented group of pass catchers that include slot backs Brandon Johnston and Bryce Miller and wide outs Nicks Johnston, Ryan Toth and Hunter Ruby. The slot backs will also carry the ball in the Bulldogs schemes.

Brandon Johnston is the most experienced of the group with playing time in each of the past two seasons. Last year he caught 19 passes for 239 yards and two scores while running the ball 21 times for 90 yards and a touchdown. Two years ago he caught 15 passes for 359 yards and five scores while running 28 times for 159 yards.

Miller also has experience having run the ball nine times for 37 yards and a touchdown, while catching 13 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Four starters return on the offensive line including center Zach Wanninger, guard Brock Shaffer and tackles Andrew Wasilowski and Danny Jordan.

On defense, Redbank Valley will use a 4-4-3 scheme with its linebackers being the strength of the unit with five players being more than capable of filling the four spots including Shaffer, Wanninger, Brandon Johnston, Skyler Smith and Brandon Brinker.

The secondary should be anchored by Miller, Jason Smith and Brandon Doverspike.

The Bulldogs have suffered one potentially key loss of a returning player with slot back and defensive end Shay Magagnotti possibly lost for the year. He had eight catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns on offense last season and was being counted on to solidify the defensive line.