ST. MARYS TURNS TO SCHLIMM TO END LOSING WAYS

ST. MARYS – It has been 18 years since St. Marys football has had a winning year including a 1-9 mark last season, but the Dutchmen are hoping that my turning to an experienced coach with a proven track record they can turn the program around.

Joe Schlimm, who coached 15 seasons at Elk County Catholic, the St. Marys catholic school, takes over as head coach for the Dutchmen.

In his 15 years at ECC, Schlimm posted a very respectable 74-62-2 record that included the 1991 AML title as well as District 9 playoff berths in 1995 (second place) and 1998 (tied for third place). 0

"I look forward with a great deal of optimism and excitement for the coming football season," Schlimm said. "I believe we have an excellent group of young athletes who have worked very hard over the past few weeks. They have collectively made participation in football to be a priority in their life. We are in the process of becoming a team, and I have high expectations for a successful season."

Schlimm believes in order for St. Marys to become a successful program, it needs to do so from the ground up at every level.

"I feel we have assembled an excellent group of coaches on every level of the program," Schlimm said. "We are organized, united and working together on a daily basis. Together we hope to build the foundation of a consistent and competitive football program centered around a philosophy of making football a positive experience for every member of the team. We want to create an environment in which our enthusiasm and dedication can be seen in our players."

Schlimm’s optimism seems to be working with 33 players out for the varsity team and 43 for the junior high squad.

"If we do a good job of coaching and selling the program, I think our future is bright," Schlimm said."

According to Schlimm, the goal for the 2004 Dutchmen will be to play at a "level consistent with the limits of our talents and abilities."

"We will play hard, and we will be prepared," Schlimm said. "Our team up to this point in the year has maintained an attitude very receptive to coaching. They are a pleasant and enjoyable group of kids. I have no reason not to be optimistic about our season."

It may be a good thing for the Dutchmen that they will be looking at a fairly new crop of players this season with only a few holdovers.

One of those holdovers, though, is junior quarterback Lucas Wendel who went 38-for-94 passing for 574 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions last season.

Joining Wendel on offense at the skill positions will be fullback Adam Geer (3 carries, 6 yards), split end Steve Gaul (5 catches, 69 yards) and running backs Scott Schatz (29 carries, 134 yards, 1 TD including a 91-yarder in a Week 10 win over ECC, the only win of the year for St. Marys), Andy Yost and Adam Cornelio (2 carries, 2 yards).

On the offensive line, guards Allen Pistner and Caleb Merritt and tackle Kris Meyer will be expected to lead the way.

On defense, Pistner and Geer will lead the linebacking corps with Merritt and Meyer anchoring the defensive line and Gaul the secondary.