2005 DISTRICT 9 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

The 2005 high school football season gets underway this weekend in District 9 with 15 games involving District 9 teams set to kickoff.

The year promised to be another exciting one with plenty of good teams, great players and exciting football lying ahead.

Some pre-season question marks include whether Curwensville will be as dominating as they were last season or if the rest of Class A has come closer? Will eight Class A teams decide to enter the 8-team field this year after only seven went a year ago? How heated will the Clearfield-DuBois game be considering it is the 100^th in the great rivalry but the first since 2003 after Clearfield refused to play the Beavers last year? Will Union’s district-leading 21-game losing streak be snapped? Will the low numbers at a lot of schools – especially perennial powerhouses like Karns City and C-L -–effect those teams in the standings? Can Brookville continue the magic it had in the playoffs when it went 3-1 after going 3-6 in the regular season?

All these questions and many more will be answered in the next nine or so weeks.

But to give you a quick look at what to expect from each of the 26 teams in D9 this season, D9Sports.com has put together capsule previews on 25 of the teams (Punxsutawney information was not available). The teams are listed alphabetically by school.

Head Coach: Randy Lemmon

Last Year’s Record: 3-6 overall, 1-6 KSAC

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Rocco Crapis (105 carries, 744 yards, 7.1 ypc, 11 TD’s; 720 of his yards came in the final 7 weeks; Ranked 18^th in D9 in rushing: Sr. who played freshman year but not sophomore season), QB Brad Rembold (Took over as a freshman mid-way through the season; 13-for-43 passing, 290 yards, 3 TD’s, 4 Ints), WR Mark Hart (3 catches, 16 yards), WR Hank Heeter (6-foot-3 target; 8 catches, 90 yards)

Notes: ACV is hoping that last year was a building block toward getting back to the level the Falcons enjoyed in the mid-1990’s. ACV started 0-2 last season, won 3 straight and lost its final 4. The 3 wins marked the most since the 2000 squad went 4-5. But since that ’00 team started 3-0, A-C Valley is just 6-36. The 2000 team snapped a string of 5-non losing seasons for the Falcons that was capped by a 7-4 mark in ’99 and D9 Class AAA title appearances in ’98 & ’99. In order to get back to that level, 2^nd year head coach Lemmon will have to make do with a small roster (just 28 players), which has to be a slight disappointment considering the A-C Valley football program is made up of two high schools (ACV & Cranberry). The good news: experienced players return at many skill spots. The bad news: an injury on the o-line has left it unsettled 2 weeks into camp.

Head Coach: Steve Ackerman

Last Year’s Record: 6-4 overall, 3-1 D9 League (2^nd Place D9 Class AAA)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Josh Holleran (63 carries, 355 yards, 5.6 ypc, 2 touchdowns; 6 catches, 115 yards)

Notes: The Owls are either rebuilding or reloading depending on who you talk to, but this much is sure: only four letterwinners and two starters return from last season’s team. Believe it or not this is the second time in three years the Owls return just four letterwinners with the 2003 team also having only four. That team did very well winning 10 games and the D9 Class AAA title. But this year’s team could have anywhere from 5 to 6 sophomores starting according to what Ackerman told the Olean Times Herald. Of the four QB’s listed on the depth chart three are sophomores (Ben Walter, Matt Teribery and Garrett DeCasper) and one junior (Jim Milbrandt). Guard/linebacker Garret McEwen joins Holleran as the only other returning starter for the Owls.

Head Coach: Ray Reckner

Last Year’s Record: 8-2 overall, 8-1 AML South (D9 Class AA Semifinals)

Key Skill Players Returning: WB Ben Donlin (121 carries, 655 yards, 12 TD’s; 23^rd in D9 in rushing; 3 catches, 19 yards), WB Andy Fremer (25 carries, 222 yards, 2 TD’s; 2 catches, 8 yards, 1 TD), TE Joe Antonuccio (12 catches, 301 yards, 3 TD’s; T-19^th in D9 in receiving yards); QB Anthony Varischetti (2-for-4, 25 yards, 2 TD’s)

Notes: Brockway is hoping this is a reloading year rather than a rebuilding year as the Rovers look to make the D9 Class AA playoffs for an eighth straight season. Brockway’s run of two straight D9 titles ended with a semifinal loss to Brookville last season. Reckner believes that this year’s team can continue the success because of a strong offensive that he calls the "strength of the team" if it stays healthy. That is because three starting offensive lineman and a tight end return from a group that helped the Rovers run for 255.3 yards last season return (T – Matt Ehrgott, G – Ian Pifer, G – Bob DeLio, TE - Antonuccio). The line with have to pace the way for an inexperienced offense that suffered a setback when Donlin separated his shoulder in Brockway’s first scrimmage. The Rovers hope he is back by the Week 2 showdown against Curwensville. Also in the backfield will be Fremer, FB Matt Taylor and junior QB Varischetti.

Head Coach: Chris Dworek

Last Year’s Record: 6-7 overall, 2-2 D9 League (D9 Class AA Champions; 1^st Round PIAA Playoffs)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Max Kutz (82 carries, 441 yards, 3 TD’s, 2 catches, 16 yards), RB Matt Berfield (77 carries, 331 yards, 2 TD’s), FB Silas Wonderling (99 carries, 454 yards, 4 TD’s, 1 catch 29 yards), WR Allen Bowen (25 catches, 434 yards, 2 TD’s)

Notes: The biggest question mark for the Raiders is how quickly they can replace graduated quarterback Nick Heschke, who accounted for 48.3 percent of Brookville’s 3,492 yards of total offense last season (1,685). Heschke was 60 of 146 passing for 991 yards, 5 TD’s and 13 Int’s while carrying the ball 138 times for 694 yards and 9 TD’s. Korey Brownlee looks to be Heschke’s replacement but he has limited varsity experience having not thrown a pass last year while rushing just twice for negative 4 yards. Heschke and Matt Mohney (25 catches, 401 yards, 2 TD’s), though, are the only real key skill player loses for Brookville. That being said, the keys to the season according to Dworek are developing chemistry similar to last year’s team that went 3-6 in the regular-season but 3-1 in the playoffs while winning the D9 title, how the QB position develops, how the offensive line mature and how quickly the linebackers pick up their keys.

Head Coach: Tony Defilipi

Last Year’s Record: 0-9 overall, 0-9 AML North

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Cash Grimone (139 carries, 624 yards, 1 TD as a sophomore; Ranked 23^rd in D9 in rushing; 4 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD); QB John Malizia (15-for-58 passing, 216 yards, 2 TD’s, 6 ints; 34 carries, 109 yards)

Notes: Tony Defilipi who went 12-38 while being head coach at St. Marys takes over a struggling Cameron County program that has only five winnings seasons since 1983 with three of those coming in a 3-year stretch from 1997-99 that was capped by the D9 Class A title and a spot in the PIAA quarterfinals in 1999. That year the Red Raiders went 12-1. In the five years since then, Cameron hasn’t even been able to match the ’99 win total going 10-35 including 4-23 the last three season. The only winning season since ’99 was 2001 (5-4). The good news is 17 letterwinners return from last year’s team that didn’t win again and the Red Raiders are still young with only five of those letterwinners being seniors. Defilipi is changing things around on offense brining the Wing-T to Emporium. Either junior John Malizia or sophomore Jordan Crande will start at quarterback.

Head Coach: Larry Wiser

Last Year’s Record: 8-3 overall, 6-1 KSAC (KSAC Co-Champions; D9 Class A Semifinals)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Chris McSwain (226 carries, 1,441 yards, 6.4 ypc, 14 TD’s, 3 catches, 62 yards, 2 TD’s; 4^th in D9 in yards rushed for), QB Sean Wolf (39 of 89 passing for 672 yards, 12 TDS, 9 Ints, 131.51 QB Rating; 14^th in D9 in yards passed for), WR Manny Carpin (25 catches, 438 yards, 6 touchdowns; 9^th in D9 in yards received for; 64 carries, 459 yards, 1 TD), FB Elliot Fabri (27 carries, 155 yards, 5.7 yards per carry – Played a part of the season with a cast on one hand)

Notes: Clarion has high expectations this year after reaching the D9 Class A semifinals for the first time since going to the title game in 2000. The Bobcats returns a host of skill players from that team including McSwain, Carpin and Wolf (although McSwain’s status is up in the air after he missed the last scrimmage for undisclosed reasons). The one real question mark for Clarion is how quickly its offensive line gels. If the lines come together, Clarion has to be considered one of the favorites in both the KSAC and D9 Class A this season. The Bobcats have had just 25 losing season since 1927 and two of those were 0-1 mark (’27 & ’44). Since 1986, Clarion has had just 4 losing seasons and is 123-58-5 (.675). In the last 10 years, the Bobcats are 73-29 (.716).

Head Coach: Todd Smith

Last Year’s Record: 10-2 overall, 6-1 KSAC (KSAC Co-Champions; D9 Class A 2^nd Place)

Key Skill Players Returning: QB Scott Davis (36-for-72, 560 yards, 6 TD’s, 7 Ints; Ranked 17^th in D9 in passing despite starting only 4 games at QB; 146 carries, 576 yards, 5 TD’s; Ranked 26^th in D9 in rushing; 20 catches, 400 yards, 6 TD’s; Ranked 13^th in D9 in receiving); RB/WR David "Tuffy" Brooks (30 catches, 502 yards, 3 TD’s; Ranked 7^th in D9 in receiving; 24 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD); WR Kaleb Klosky (9 catches, 217 yards, 4 TD’s)

Notes: C-L has been one of the top teams in D9 the past 5 seasons winning 2 D9 "A" titles and finishing 2^nd once (last season) while going 49-9 overall (84.5%) and 41-4 (91.1%) in the regular season since 2000. The Lions had a 34-game regular-season win streak snapped by Moniteau in Week 9 ‘04. In the past 10 seasons, C-L is 77-29 (72.6%). Two big questions face the Lions this season. 1. Can they stay healthy? This is very important with only 24 players on the roster. One or two key injuries could doom the Lions. 2. How does C-L react to playing a full season with Hayden Johnston, who accounted for nearly 70% of the Lions offense a year ago before being hurt in Week 8? The good news was the injury allowed the Lions to get an early start on the Davis era and went 2-2. Davis has a lot of fast, skill players around him highlighted by Brooks.

Head Coach: Tim Janocko

Last Year’s Record: 10-1 overall, 5-0 MAC 7 Mts. Division (MAC7MD Champions; D9 Class AAA Champions; 1^st Round PIAA Playoffs)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Lucas Aughenbaugh (432 yards, 8 TD’s); RB Will Bacharach (228 yards); WR Beau Ryan (5 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD); WR Matt Morgan (4 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD), FB Shane Davis (7 yards rushing)

Notes: The Bisons lost a ton of talent at the skill positions including QB Tanner Kelly (1,212 yards passing, 3^rd in D9, 12 TD’s), RB Josh Harbold (1,812 yards rushing, 2^nd in D9, 21 TD’s) and WR Mike Scoggins (583 yards receiving, 3^rd in D9, 7 TD’s). They also don’t have a Harbold or Dave Richards in the backfield for the first time in 6 years. Those two rushed for nearly 7,900 yards in five years. Andrew Janocko, the coach’s son, will start at QB. Clearfield returns to the D9 League after a 1-year absence that was caused by the Bisons refusal to schedule DuBois last season. With the return to the D9 League, the rivalry with DuBois is also back. This will be the 100^th meeting between the two Clearfield County schools.

Head Coach: Paul Simcoe

Last Year’s Record: 9-2 overall, 8-1 AML North (AML North Champions; 2^nd Place AML; D9 Class A Semifinals)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB David Babcock (147 carries, 748 yards, 14 TD’s; Ranked 17^th in D9 in rushing; 4 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD), SE Steve Bernard (2 catches, 40 yards, 1 TD), RB Sam Decker (31 carries, 160 yards, 1 TD; 7 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: Coudersport has been the class of the AML North for the last 9 years having gone 69-21 (76.7%) overall since 1996 with 3 outright AML North titles, 2 shared titles and 1 District 9 Class A title. The Falcons have won the last 3 AML North titles and are 34-9 (79.1%) since 2000. They have 15 letterwinners back from last year’s team, and Simcoe told the Olean Times Herald it would be "disappointing" if the Falcons didn’t make a 4^th straight AML Title game (although they are 0-3 in the past 3 years). The expectations are realistic considering five players who saw starting time on the offensive line return as well as a host of skill players. Caleb Morris gives the Falcons one of the top kickers in D9 and he could see time at QB as well. Other QB’s are sophomore Boomer Wetzel & freshman Brett Whitman. Simcoe is 171-72-8 in his 27^th season at Coudy.

Head Coach: Andy Evanko

Last Year’s Record: 12-1 overall, 9-0 AML South (AML South Champions; AML Champions; D9 Class A Champions; PIAA Class A Semifinals)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Nick Sipes (1,772 yards rushing, 21 TD’s; Ranked 3^rd in D9 in rushing), QB Shawn Sopic (24 of 56 passing, 365 yards, 5 TD’s, 3 Ints; 46 carries, 371 yards, 6 TD’s).

Notes: Curwensville, which has won 2 D9 Class A titles and played for 3 championships since 2000, lost 3 all-state performers from last year’s record-setting squad including RB Nate Sipes (282 carries, 2,511 yards, 37 TD’s; Ranked 1^st in D9; 5 catches, 53 yards), who was the D9Sports.com District 9 Player of the Year in 2004, and linemen Brad Sopic and Sean Farley. They were D9Sports.com Co-Offensive Linemen of the Year in ’04, while Sopic was the D9Sports.com Defensive Player of the Year. Despite the losses, they still could be the favorite to win D9 Class A again this year and at the very least will be in the thick of the title race. Nick Sipes is only a junior with over 2,000 career yards rushing. Look also for a bigger role offensively from Sopic, who turned in some long runs in last year’s postseason. Philip Solley replaces Nate Sipes in the backfield.

Head Coach: Jason Shilala

Last Year’s Record: 6-4 overall, 4-0 D9 League (D9 League Champions; D9-10 Class AAAA Playoffs)

Key Skill Players Returning: QB Ryan Liddle (0-for-4, 1 INT; 12 carries, 66 yards, 2 TDs), TB Rob Hanzely (37 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD; 5 catches, 67 yards), TB Brandon Wagner (12 carries, 30 yards), TB Mark Malacarne (3 carries, 3 yards), WR Tony Wells (12 catches, 154 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: It’s a new era for Beaver football with Shilala taking over for Lon Hazlet (5 years, 17-33). DuBois had its first winning season last year since 1999, and Shilala believes this team is going to be just as good if not better saying DuBois has "high hopes" for the upcoming season. There is good reason for the optimism, especially considering four offensive lineman return from an offense that rushed for nearly 180 yards per game last season. That could increase this year with the Beavers using some Wing-T formations for the first time. DuBois will face Clearfield this season after the Bisons dropped the Beavers last season, a move that led to a lot of controversy. This will be the 100^th meeting between the two teams with DuBois leading the series 66-28-5. The break last year ended 84 straight years of competition between the schools.

Head Coach: Keith Lecker

Last Year’s Record: 5-5 overall, 5-4 AML South (D9 Class A Playoffs)

Key Skill Players Returning: QB Kyle Mahoney (47 of 101 for 568 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTS; Ranked 16^th in D9 in yards passed for) RB Anthony Mastrogiacomo (64 carries, 220 yards, 2 TD’s, 6 catches, 45 yards), RB Alex Lecker (7 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD), RB Nick Buchheit (14 carries, 52 yards; 3 catches, 19 yards), RB Derek McCullough (5 carries, 12 yards), QB/RB Andy Herbstritt (3 carries, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns), TE AJ Seelye (8 catches, 211 yards, 1 TD).

Notes: Lecker, a long-time ECC assistant, takes over for Joe Renwick, who went 10-20 in 3 years at ECC taking the Crusaders to their first D9 playoff appearance since 1998 when only four teams made the postseason. ECC’s was either good or bad last season. In the 5 wins the Crusaders beat teams who went 9-38 combined by a combined score of 137-40. In ECC’s five loses against five D9 playoffs teams who went a combined 42-13, the Crusaders were outscored 166-20 including three blowout losses and two shutouts. The offensive line will be the key to the season for ECC with three returning starters.

Head Coach: Tom Launer

Last Year’s Record: 3-6 overall, 3-6 AML South

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Calvin Grumley (40 carries, 230 yards, 2 TDS’s; 5 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD - despite playing on 10 quarters of football on the season before being injured), RB Tom Launer (25 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD – Only played 1 game before being injured), FB Josh Feronti (72 carries, 279 yards, 2 TD’s; 8 catches, 50 yards – Missed 3 games b/c of injury), QB Anthony Imbrogno (34-for-81, 351 yards, 3 TDs, 7 Ints; 36 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD – Missed 2 full games and parts of others b/c of injuries), WR Jesse Dennis (6 catches, 71 yards; 83 carries, 228 yards; 12-for-29 passing, 82 yards, 1 TD, 2 Ints), WR Judd Zilcosky (13 catches, 158 yards, 2 TD’s)

Notes: Johnsonburg is looking for its first winning season since going 5-4 in 2000. The Rams are also looking to make it back to the D9 playoffs for the first time since 1996. Things looked like they were heading in the right direction last season when injuries decimated J-Burg especially at the running back and quarterback positions. But most of those players are back and healthy this year leading to optimism in "Paper City". The one big question mark is on the offensive line where three starters from last season are gone. If the line comes together and health is on the Rams side experience abounds especially with Imbrogno entering his third year as the starting QB. On defense, Launer expects to have strong, physical play up front, athletes at the linebacker spots and speed in the secondary while employing either 4-4 or 5-3 scheme.

Head Coach: Rick Bouch

Last Year’s Record: 1-8 overall, 1-8 AML South

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Kyle Oakes (133 carries, 807 yards, 7 TD’s; Ranked 13^th in D9 in rushing despite playing only 8 games; 8 catches, 161 yards, 2 TD’s), WR Paul Eastman (24 catches, 347 yards, 4 TD’s; Ranked 16^th in D9 in receiving), FB Alex Fadenholz (6 catches, 93 yards), WR Colton Johnson (12 catches, 94 yards)

Notes: In the 2000’s, Kane has had some great teams (9-2, 2^nd place D9 in 2002; 7-3 2000) and some bad teams (1-8 in 2001, 1-8 2004). This year they hope to repeat what the ’02 team did going from 1-8 to 9-2. With 15 seniors including two AML All-Stars (Oakes, Eastman) and 4 of the 5 o-linemen seniors led by Matt Holt (6-0, 232) they could be poised to do just that. Bouch said the Wolves had a "great camp" that reminded one of his assistants of the ‘02 team. But to do that 2 sophomores will have to come up big – QB Zach Anderson & TE/OLB John Bizzak. In ’00, the Wolves made the D9 playoffs for the first time ever with a sophomore at QB (Tyler Smith). Bouch said the strength of the team will be "experience" and "team speed" & the one question mark is can the Wolves play "D" like they did in ’02 & ’03 (Last season Kane allowed 32.9 ppg)

Head Coach: Ed Conto

Last Year’s Record: 5-5 overall, 4-3 KSAC (D9 Class AA Semifinals)

Key Skill Players Returning: QB Steve Black (110-for-173 passing, 57.8%, 1,382 yards, 13 TD’s, 8 Int’s, 140.46 QB Rating; Ranked 2^nd in D9 in passing yards for); RB Wayne Harris (69 carries, 394 yards, 1 TD); RB Roy Beham (22 carries, 192 yards, 8.7 ypc)

Notes: This season marks one of the smallest turnouts in recent memory at Karns City with just 24 players on the roster. The good thing, at least for this year, is 11 of those players are seniors and Conto thinks he is nearly 3-deep at every position. The big question mark for the Gremlins is how they rebound from a .500 mark last season – the worst record in Karns City since the 1995 team went 2-7. The Gremlins have to replace a ton of skill players including running back Josh Fiscus (178 carries, 1,126 yards, 15 TD’s; Ranked 6^th in D9 in rushing) and wide receiver David Black (52 catches, 753 yards, 9 TD’s; Ranked 2^nd in D9 in receiving). Conto fears that one of KC’s biggest weaknesses will be in the defensive backfield, which could prove a problem considering six of the top 18 passing schools were in the KSAC last season.

Head Coach: Jason Nellis

Last Year’s Record: 2-7 overall, 2-5 KSAC

Key Skill Players Returning: QB Mike Switzer (33-for-100 passing, 659 yards, 6 TD’s, 12 Ints; ranked 15^th in D9 in yards passed for), QB/RB Justin Bifano (missed most of last season with an injury; In 2003 was 21-for-58 passing for 331 yards, 3 TD’s, 7 Ints); WR Kyle McMunn (21 catches, 534 yards, 5 TD’s; ranked 5^th in D9 in receiving yards for)

Notes: In three of the Panthers seven loses they were in the game through three quarters only to fall apart in the fourth. Keystone’s offense also averaged only 9.4 ppg and managed double digits just three times. The offense should be better with two options at quarterback. Switzer was the starter last season after Bifano was hurt in an off-season car accident. Both are healthy this year with Switzer, only a sophomore, holding the early edge as the starter. The one who doesn’t start will play running back along with Derek Swartfager and Corey Lee. With McMunn and some young talented receivers also in the mix, Nellis said the Panthers will run a lot of spread formations this season in order to open up the field.

Head Coach: Steve Wilson

Last Year’s Record: 5-5 overall, 4-3 KSAC (D9 Class AA Playoffs)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Matt Schandelmeier (Built like an O-lineman at 6-3, 216; 180 carries, 1,083 yards, 14 TD’s; Ranked 7^th in D9 in rushing); QB Garth Kohlmeyer (49-for-123, 39.8%, 799 yards, 10 TD’s, 11 Ints; Ranked 9^th in D9 in passing yards for); RB Adam Cousins (76 carries, 407 yards, 5.4 ypc, 2 TDs); TE Ryan Protzman (10 catches, 175 yards, 2 TD’s).

Notes: The Warriors are looking to get over the hump in the D9 playoffs after qualifying 3 straight years but losing in the first round in each season. Moniteau is a young team with only 8 seniors out of the 43 on the varsity roster. The Warriors will also field a 9^th grade team for the first time in school history with 23 players on the squad. The offensive line will be one of the bigger ones in D9 with Aaron Anderson (5-10, 244) and Clay Campbell (5-11, 212) at the guards either Matt Sloan (5-11, 187) and Justin Ellenberger (6-1, 209) at center and a tackle combination that includes three behemoths (Ryan Flick – 6-2, 339; Tim Homison – 6-1, 265; So. Brice Schwab (6-5, 297) and one relative tike (Justin Castello – 6-3, 185). Six starters return on a defense that allowed 17.0 ppg last year. Wilson believes it will be a physical, attacking defense.

Head Coach: Kerry Snow

Last Year’s Record: 4-6 overall, 3-6 AML North

Key Skill Players Returning: QB Chad Bova (2 of 7 passing for 76 yards; 40 carries, 152 yards with 1 game missing; 16 catches, 139 yards, 1 TD with 1 game missing), RB Robbie Root (10 carries, 30 yards with 1 game missing)

Notes: The Terrors are still just three years removed from breaking a 27-game losing streak, but the Terrors 4-6 mark last season was a step back from a 2003 season that saw Otto go a surprising 6-3. The Terrors are still looking for their first-ever D9 playoff appearance, and the key to not only that goal but to a winning season is playing with emotion according to head coach Kerry Snow. He believes last year’s seniors were too laid back, but he expects that to change in 2005. The strength of the team should be the offensive and defensive lines, and they will need to be with only one true skill player returning – Chad Bova – and he is pretty inexperienced playing sparingly as a freshman and then starting a couple of games last year before getting hurt.

Head Coach: Mike Bodamer

Last Year’s Record: 6-4 overall, 6-3 AML North (D9 Class A Playoffs)

Key Skill Players Returning: QB Willie Bova (Has split time past two seasons with Craig Flint as the Gators QB but with Flint graduated its his job. He was 32-for-74 for 363 yards, 2 TD’s & 9 Ints last season), RB Cody Anderson (205 carries, 1,156 yards, 16 TD’s; Ranked 5^th in D9 in rushing; 16 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD; leading receiver for Gators), RB Bobby Nichols (Missed a lot of last season with an injury but ran 40 times for 170 yards; in 2003 he ran 99 times for 548 yards and six TD’s as a sophomore while catching 5 passes for 122 yards).

Notes: Bodamer takes over from Bob Haskins this season after serving 12 years as an assistant coach at Port Allegany. Haskins remains with the program as the defensive coordinator. Port has a very experienced team back with 10 starters or part-time starters on both sides of the ball returning including four starters on the offensive line (Sam Kephart, Glenn Shidnet, Brian Mickle and Josh Saltsman with Saltsman, a sophomore being the only non-senior among the group).

Head Coach:

Last Year’s Record: 2-7 overall, 0-4 D9 League

Key Skill Players Returning:

Notes:

Head Coach: Ed Wasilowski

Last Year’s Record: 7-4 overall, 5-2 KSAC (2^nd Place D9 Class AA)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Skyler Smith (3-year starter at running back; 198 carries, 957 yards, 16 TD’s in 2004; Ranked 9^th in D9 in rushing; 7 catches, 162 yards, 2 TD’s; 2-year rushing total of 1,684 yards & 22 TD’s on 341 carries), WR Nick Johnston (2 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD), WR Nick Magagnotti, WR Mike Booher.

Notes: The quarterback spot is very important in the Bulldogs offense, and a competition in fall practice between senior Brandon Doverspike and sophomore Jake Smith ended with Doverspike getting the nod from Wasilowski. Redbank Valley is a rather young team with 20 of the 37 players being either sophomores or freshman. The Bulldogs have had a quite a bit of success in the past 28 years going 167-96-1 (63.2%) with 22 winning season, 1 .500 season and just 5 losing seasons. In the past 10 years, the Redbank Valley is 62-37 (62.6%) with two KSAC titles (1995 & 1996). The Bulldogs have won at least four games every year but 3 (’89, ’97, ’01) since 1979.

Head Coach: Mark Morelli

Last Year’s Record: 2-8 overall, 2-7 AML South

Key Skill Players Returning: RB/S Adam Handley (Tied a state record with 5 interceptions in a Week 9 win over Cameron County; It has only been accomplished 3 times in state history – 1962 Danville’s Bob Marks; 1933 Pottsville’s Matt Whitaker; 16 carries, 48 yards, 5 catches, 78 yards), TE Joe Sampson (5 catches, 84 yards). QB Nate Williamson (1-for-1, 8 yards), QB Nick Dickant (0-for-8, 1 interception).

Notes: Ridgway missed the D9 playoffs for the 1^st time since 2001 last season while suffering through one of its worst season in 32 years. It was the 1^st time since ’97 that Ridgway didn’t have a winning record (they went 5-5 that year). In the 3 years prior to last season the Elkers were 21-8. One of the biggest challenges will be getting the defense back on track. Last season the Elkers allowed the second most points in D9 (367, 36.7 ppg), which was 10 more points than Ridgway had allowed in the last two seasons combined (357). Morelli needs just 4 wins to tie Mike Dominick as the school’s all-time winningest coach. He currently stands third with 49 wins (49-30 in 8 season). Strength of the team on offense should be the o-line. But skill positions are inexperienced with only two returning starters back (Handley and Sampson).

Head Coach: Scott Park

Last Year’s Record: 3-7 overall, 3-6 AML North

Key Skill Players Returning: (all stats missing 1 game) TE Cole Fitch (4 catches, 36 yards), WR Jason Borst (1 catch, 12 yards), QB Jordan Copley (2-for-5, 63 yards, 1 TD; 14 carries, 64 yards)

Notes: The Wolverines always have the added challenge of blending two very unrelated schools (Sheffield & Abraxas), especially considering there is very little continuity from year-to-year with the players from Abraxas. It has also been a challenge to have a winning season with just two since 1995 (1999 & 2001 – both years 5-4). This year’s team is young in the skill positions so Park wants to see each player "improve" while the group "matures as a football team." He said the goal is to "improve on last season and being disciplined." The keys to the season are "staying healthy, and the sophomores maturing as players and young men." Some experience returns on the offensive line with Fitch at tight end, Jeb Siffin at center and Ed Renninger at tackle.

Head Coach: Rob Cosper

Last Year’s Record: 6-4 overall, 6-3 AML North (D9 Class A Playoffs)

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Josh Switzer (Stats not available), QB Vince Kinniburgh (Stats not available), TE Bryant Tronetti (Stats not available), SE Chris Fitzsimmons (Stats not available).

Notes: At one point in the 1980’s & 90’s the mere mention that a team was playing Smethport was enough to get the Hubbers a win. That has changed with Smethport going 17-17 in the last 3 seasons after going 189-34-2 (84.4%) from 1981-2001. It took them five years (1997-01) to amass 17 loses before doing the same in the past 3. Maybe the biggest problem has been 4 coaches in 5 years, but Cosper, a former Hubber standout, is back for his 2^nd straight season. He said a key to this season is having "key players in the right positions already" meaning there isn’t a lot of pre-season shuffling. Still a lot of key skill players have to be replace from a team that won 6 of its final 8 games last year but lost to Coudy in the playoffs, the 4^th straight loss to the rival Falcons. Cosper believes he has the athletes to fill the spots but they have to "take advantage of their opportunities".

Head Coach: Joe Schlimm

Last Year’s Record: 2-7 overall, 1-3 D9 League

Key Players Returning: RB Scott Schatz (65 carries, 431 yards, 3 TD’s; 4 catches, 17 yards, 1 TD), RB Adam Cornelio (79 carries, 340 yards, 2 TD’s; 13 catches, 84 yards), QB Lucas Wendel (7-for-19, 108 yards, 1 INT – lost for the season after 2 weeks b/c of injury; 2003 – 38 of 84, 574 yards, 7 TD’s, 6 Int’s), QB Bryan Dempsey (22-for-50, 172 yards, 2 TD’s, 3 Ints), WR Shad Boschert (3 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: If anyone can emphasize with the Pittsburgh Pirates heading toward their 13^th consecutive losing season, it is St. Marys football fans. In fact, the Dutch have gone 18 years without a winning record last achieving the feat in 1986. Since then the Dutch have gone a miserable 46-126-5 (27.4%). St. Marys is hoping that 2^nd year coach Schlimm, who had success at rival ECC has started to get things going in the right direction. With 48 players out and many of those working hard in the off-season, it looks like things just might be headed North. Wendel and Dempsey were battling it out in fall practice to start at QB with Wendel starting the year at the helm in 2004 before giving way b/c of an injury to Dempsey.

Head Coach: Tom Kidder

Last Year’s Record: 0-10 overall, 0-7 KSAC

Key Skill Players Returning: RB Colton Davis (125 carries, 676 yards, 5.4 ypc, 2 TD’s; Ranked 21^st in D9 in rushing), QB Josh Holden (19-for-67 passing, 252 yards, 2 TD’s, 10 Ints), WR Brett Moore (11 catches, 229 yards, 20.8 ypc, 2 TD’s)

Notes: Union is hoping it has hit rock bottom and that the only way is up. The Knights have lost 21 straight games (the longest streak in D9), 34 of their last 37 and have had just 3 winning years in the last 20 (last one in ’97, 5-4). In the last 7 season, Union is 10-56. Last year, Union allowed a school-record 488 points (most in D9) while scoring just 62 (2^nd fewest in D9). Kidder returns for his 2nd season, and that says a lot with Union having had 5 head coaches in 6 years (if Jason Best, who never actually coached a game, counted). Union also returns many key players from ‘04 including the entire o-line anchored by 255-pound Jim Greenwalt. The Knights seem dedicated with 31 players out (up from 21 last season) and between 15-20 having hit the weights hard in the off-season.