2008 WILL BE A YEAR OF CHANGE IN DISTRICT 9 FOOTBALL

By Chris Rossetti & Rich Rhoades

FOXBURG – The 2008 District 9 football season kicks off Friday night and it's a year of change around District 9.

Change in conference affiliations, change in coaches and change in at least one District 9 champion are all happening this year.

First, the conference changes: the D9 League is no more. After 23 years the conference that at one point housed most of the "big" schools in District 9 - Bradford, Brookville, DuBois, Clearfield, Punxsutawney, St. Marys - has disbanded.

The breakup really started in 2004 when Clearfield and Punxsutawney both joined the Mountain Athletic League while maintaining an affiliation for the most part with the D9 League - although Clearfield wasn't a member in 2004 and 2007.

With the breakup, the remaining five schools from last season's D9 League have scattered to four different conferences.

Brookville and Punxsutawney are in the KSAC - a homecoming of sort for Brookville which was in the KSAC's predecessors the Little 12, Little 10 and Southern 7 from 1951-1992.

Bradford has moved over to District 10 Region 6 – the Owls are still a District 9 team – and will play an entirely District 10 schedule with the exception of Olean (NY) its cross-border rivals. The only way the Owls will see a D9 foe this year is if they make the playoffs.

DuBois is in the Mountain Athletic Conference Seven Mountains League with Bellefonte, Central Mountain, Hollidaysburg and Indian Valley.

St. Marys joins the Mountain Athletic Conference Nittany League where it is joined by Clearfield – a member of the MAC Large School Division last year – and seven District 6 schools including Tyrone, Philipsburg-Osceola and Lewistown.

There are also seven coaching changes in District 9 – one actually took place late last season when Luke Breese replaced Kerry Snow at Otto-Eldred in Week Eight.

The other new coaches are Brandon Rapp at Redbank Valley replacing Ed Wasilowski, Jeremy Lipps at Union replacing Tom Kidder, Brendan Hathaway at Coudersport replacing Paul Simcoe, the all-time winningest coach in District 9 history, Ryan Yingling at Smethport replacing former teammate Rob Cosper, Mark Heindl at Ridgway replacing Mark Morelli and Travis Skrzypek at Elk County Catholic replacing Keith Lecker.

Those seven new coaches mean that since the start of the 2006 nearly half of the District 9 football schools (12 of 26) have undergone a coaching change.

The new champion will occur in Class A where last year’s defending champion, Kane, is now a Class AA school.

Now for a closer team-by-team look at the 2008 season:

(Capsules are listed by team in alphabetical order)

A-C VALLEY FALCONS

Head Coach: Gary Pinkerton (2^nd season, 0-9)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 0-9 overall, 0-7 KSAC

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Michael Orrvick (11 of 29 passing, 85 yards, 2 Ints; 8 catches, 78 yards, 1 TD); WB Luke Walker (46 carries, 19 yards, 2 TDs; 6 catches 83 yards, 38 of 106 passing, 355 yards, 1TD, 10 Ints)

Notes: The Falcons are looking to break a 22-game losing streak this season (They are 10-62 since 2000 and haven’t had a winning season since going 7-4 in 1999). A-C Valley’s last win came Oct. 7, 2005, when it beat Union 26-13. The Falcons also haven’t won a road game since beating Union Oct. 1, 2004, losing 14 straight away from Foxburg since then. Last year wasn’t pretty anyway you look at it. A-C Valley was outscored by an average of 39.7 to 5.8 and it allowed 40 or more points five times and scored less than 10 six times including getting shutout four times.

BRADFORD OWLS

Head Coach: Steve Ackerman (8^th season, 50-26)

2008 Conference: District 10 Region 6

2007 Record: 8-3 overall, 4-0 D9 League (D9 Class AAA Champions; D9 League Champions)

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Mike Pascarella (47 carries, 93 yards), QB Tyler Grandy (16 of 28, 218 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int), WR Cody Nuzzo (2 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: The Owls have a new league home this year moving to District 10 Region 6 and playing an entire schedule against District 10 teams despite still being in District 9. The move and the schedule were made necessary when the D9 League disbanded after last season leaving Bradford scrambling for a league. The Owls enter the new league with very little experience with its top four rushers from last season gone and only two offensive linemen returning from a team that finished third in D9 in rushing at 238.3 yards per game. In keeping with the “new” theme for 2008, Bradford installed an artificial turf surface at the football stadium this year becoming the first District 9 team north of Jefferson County to have a turf field.   

BROCKWAY ROVERS

Head Coach: Frank Varischetti (2^nd season, 5-6)

2008 Conference: AML-South

2007 Record: 5-6 overall, 5-4 in AML

Top Returning Skill Players: WR Mark Shannon (12 catches, 248 yards, 1 TD), RB Ryan Terwilliger (16 carries, 73 yards), Ben Kuhar (12 catches, 275 yards, 4 TDs)

Notes: The Rovers will have a new quarterback and feature back as the Rovers try to fill a lineup devoid of any returning starters at the skill positions. Sophomore Derek Buganza will start at QB while senior Ben Kuhar is the new RB. Kuhar was second on the team in receiving yards with 275, so he’s experienced with the football. Mark Shannon, a standout basketball player who stands 6-foot-5, should be a threat at wideout, but will miss the first few games with an injury. The other big news in Brockway this year is the new artificial turf field at the football stadium that was installed over the summer.

BROOKVILLE RAIDERS

Head Coach: Chris Dworek (13^th season, 71-58)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 7-4 overall, 2-2 in District 9 League

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Kyle Galbraith (22 carries, 96 yards), RB Ethan Harmon (7 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD), RB Garrett Spence (8 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: Brookville joins the KSAC this year, which is a homecoming of sorts for the Raiders who played in the KSAC’s predecessor the Little 12, and the leagues prior to the Little 12 that became the Little 12, from 1951 through 1992. Their only titles came in 1970 and 1971. They re-enter the conference with a roster that is, without a doubt, the youngest and most inexperienced team that Chris Dworek has had since starting with the Raiders 13 years ago. This will also be the first time the Raiders will start a quarterback younger than a junior since 1991 as Dworek will look to sophomore Garrett Weaver and freshman Tyler Dombrowski to handled the signal-calling.

CAMERON COUNTY RED RAIDERS

Head Coach: Tony Defilippi (4^th season, 20-12)

2008 Conference: AML-North

2007 Record: 11-2 overall, 9-0 AML North (AML Runner-up, D9 Class A runner-up)

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Andy Lippert (20 carries, 146 yards, 2 TDs), RB Andrew Kesterholt (13 carries, 86 yards, 2 TDs), WR Kyle McManigle (17 carries, 112 yards)

Notes: The Red Raiders lost 18 players to graduation, and only two starters – Mike Malizia and Jarek Holjencin – return, but all levels of Cameron County football had a high-level of success last year with both the junior varsity and junior high teams going unbeaten last season.

CLARION BOBCATS

Head Coach: Larry Wiser (21^st season, 128-68-1)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 4-6 overall, 4-3 KSAC

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Jon Kemmer (103 carries, 544 yards, 3 TDs; 2 catches, 23 yards, 1 TD); RB Bubba Rue (22 carries, 120 yards, 2 TDs), FB Kevin Grejda (30 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: Clarion has had two straight losing seasons for the first time since 1992-93. The last time the Bobcats had three straight losing campaigns was 1932-34. Sophomore Dan Walters will start at quarterback for the Bobcats, the first time a sophomore has been tabbed the starting quarterback at the start of the season in over a decade. Walters is a converted running back, who was the start runner on the JV team a year ago.

CLARION-LIMESTONE LIONS

Head Coach: Todd Smith (6^th season, 35-19)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 2-7 overall, 2-5 in KSAC

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Dan Miller (94-of-213, 1,416 yards, 7 TDs, 16 Ints.), WR  Jace Rhoads (26 carries, 64 yards; 22 catches, 361 yards, 2 TDs), RB Mike White (15 carries, 50 yards; 9 catches, 161 yards)

Notes: The Lions, coming off back-to-back 2-7 seasons, are still young with only two seniors on the rosters. Barring injury problems, the Lions could have enough weapons especially in the offensive skill positions to be a threat with Miller, Rhoads and White. The Lions will have to step it up defensively, though, after giving up 37.8 points per game last year, the fourth worst mark in the district.

CLEARFIELD BISONS

Head Coach: Tim Janocko (24^th season, 164-84-3)

2008 Conference: Mountain Athletic Conference-Nittany Division

2007 Record: 7-4 overall, 4-2 in MAC

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Jarrin Campman (126-of-233, 1,840 yards, 16 TDs, 12 Ints.; 191 carries, 685 yards, 15 TDs); RB Isiah Morgan (99 carries, 379 yards, 5 TDs), WR Trey Campman (26 catches, 304 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: With the retirement of District 9’s all-time winningest coach Paul Simcoe at Coudersport, Janocko becomes the winningest active coach in District 9. The Bisons are in yet another new conference this year. After spending the last four years in the Mountain Athletic Conference-Seven Mountain Division (and some of those years in the D9 League as well), Clearfield moves to the bigger – in terms of number of teams – Mountain Athletic Conference-Nittany Division. History says that when the Bisons return experience at the skill positions, it’ll be a big year. Quarterback Jarrin Campman is on the short list for Player of the Year honors after passing over 1,800 yards and rushing for almost 700 yards last year. Isiah Morgan, an 1,100-yard runner as a sophomore, hopes to bounce back from an injury-filled junior year. The Bisons have three returning starters on the line back meaning the offense, which averaged 27.4 ppg last year should be just as good if not better. That means defense could determine how far Clearfield goes. The Bisons allowed 21.9 ppg last season, 12^th in District 9 and allowed 26 or more points five times including twice allowing over 40.

COUDERSPORT FALCONS

Head Coach: Brendan Hathaway (1^st season)

2008 Conference: AML-North

2007 Record: 8-3 overall, 7-2 AML-North

Top Returning Skill Players: – RB Dirk Cowburn (68 carries, 399 yards, 5 TDs; 17 catches 270 yards, 2 TDs), WR Brett Whitman (30 catches, 491 yards, 5 TDs), QB Eric Babcock (5 of 10, 55 yards)

Notes: The big news in Coudersport this year is who is on the sideline. For the first time since 1978 Paul Simcoe won’t be roaming the Falcons sideline as the head coach. Simcoe retired from teaching and coaching this past year after compiling a record of 204-78-8 in 29 years as the Coudersport head coach. He finished his tenure as the all-time winningest coach in District 9 and the only D9 coach to get 200 wins. Brendan Hathaway, who coached under Simcoe, takes over. Hathaway inherits a team that returns its top rusher – Dirk Cowburn – and its top receiver – Brett Whitman – from a year ago, but a squad that must replace quarterback Boomer Wetzel, a three-year starter and some other key players. Senior Eric Babcock should take over at QB, as Hathaway tries to keep the Falcons' tradition rolling.

CURWENSVILLE GOLDEN TIDE

Head Coach: Andy Evanko (9^th season, 64-26)

2008 Conference: AML-South

2007 Record: 4-6 overall, 4-5 AML

Top Returning Skill Players: QB David Kalgren (64-of-143, 844 yards, 3 TDs, 12 Ints.; 64 carries, 257 yards, 6 TDs), RB Jed Greslick (83 carries, 592 yards, 6 TDs), RB Ben McGary (117 carries, 538 yards, 6 TDs), WR Jesse Hoover (37 catches, 523 yards, 2 TDs)

Notes: The Golden Tide got a ton of experience for a team that returns virtually intact from a year ago, losing just two two-way starters to graduation. Kalgren is a strong two-way player at quarterback and defensive back and Evanko may open up the passing game more than usual for his program because of him. Jed Greslick and Ben McGary return from last year’s 1-2 running duo. Curwensville made a last season push in 2007 to make the D9 Class A playoffs winning its final three regular-season games and four of its last five after starting the year 0-4.

DUBOIS BEAVERS

Head Coach: Jason Shilala (4^th season, 11-19)

2008 Conference: Mountain Athletic Conference – Seven Mountains Division

2007 Record: 2-8 overall, 1-3 District 9 League

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Danny Henry (83-of-145, 769 yards, 5 TDs, 13 Ints.), RB Garrett Malmgren (141 carries, 710 yards, 8 TDs; 26 catches, 284 yards), RB Kyle Bish (30 carries, 106 yards; 24 catches, 244 yards, 3 TDs), WR Josh Means (14 catches, 140 yards, 2 TDs)

Notes: It’s a new-look but still difficult schedule for the Beavers, who move out of the defunct D9 League to the Mountain Athletic Conference’s Seven Mountains Division with Bellefonte, Central Mountain, Hollidaysburg and Indian Valley. Shilala hopes his line can give some opportunities to some returning skill players, led by quarterback Danny Henry and running back Garrett Malmgren.

ELK COUNTY CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

Head Coach: Travis Skrzypek (1^st season)

2008 Conference: AML-South

2007 Record: 5-6 overall, 5-4 AML-South

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Matt Meholic (17 carries, 114 yards), RB Josh Catalano (32 carries, 97 yards), RB Kyle Gerber (13 carries, 46 yards), RB Tom Marconi (9 carries, 36 yards), WR Matt Bauer (9 catches, 145 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: Skrzypek, a 2000 ECC graduate and former Crusader players, takes over this year for Keith Lecker. Skrzypek says he wants a hard-nosed football team that can win low-scoring, defensive battles, and ECC has a strong group of linebackers led by Josh Catalano, Tom Marconi and Kyle Gerber to try to make that happen. On offense, there are no stars, but Skrzypek is thinking the sum is going to be greater than the parts in helping ECC make a second straight D9 Class A playoff appearance. 

JOHNSONBURG RAMS

Head Coach: Tom Launer (5^th season, 18-21)

2008 Conference: AML-South

2007 Record: 1-8 overall and in AML

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Zane Zelehoski (139 carries, 767 yards, 10 TDs), RB Mark Myers (70 carries, 303 yards, 1 TD), QB Ren Yonker (38 catches, 603 yards, 10 TDs; 18 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD), Craig Carrow (25 catches, 436 yards, 3 TDs)

Notes: The Rams start the season with a handful of players more than last year’s 20-ish numbers and return most of their lineup, save quarterback. That nod will go to one of last year’s top receivers in the district in Ren Yonker. He’ll move to QB while Craig Carrow will be his top target. Zane Zelehoski rushed for almost 800 yards last year. Linebacker Mark Myers will try to spark a defense that gave up almost 31 points a game a year ago.

KANE WOLVES

Head Coach: Jason Barner (3^rd season, 17-8)

2008 Conference: AML-South

2007 Record: 14-1 overall, 9-0 AML-South (D9 Class A Champions, AML Champions)

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Kenny Kane (1-for-3 passing, 6 yards in 2007; In 2006 he was 71 of 140 for 695 yards, 3 TDs, 12 Ints as a sophomore when he was forced into the starting role after a Week 1 injury to Zach Anderson), WR Arie Paup (1 catch, 12 yards; 6 carries, 21 yards), TE/LB Ross Nicholson (2007 D9Sports.com District 9 Co-Defensive Player of the Year after recording 146 tackles, 14 ½ sacks and 1 Interception; 10 rushing yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 6 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: Kane is coming off its first-ever District 9 title taking the Class A championship a year ago. The Wolves, who bumped up to Class AA this year, have lost almost all their skill players from that team and have moved some players around this year. Nicholson is the unquestioned leader of the defense after sharing the D9Sports.com Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors with Karns City’s Cameron Turner, who has graduated.

KARNS CITY GREMLINS

Head Coach: Ed Conto (9^th season, 71-20)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 12-1 overall, 7-0 KSAC (D9 Class AA Champions; KSAC Champions)

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Anthony Stimac (75 of 159, 1,540 yards, 19 TDs, 9 Ints; 82 carries, 462 yards, 9 TDs), RB Markus LaVan (75 carries, 469 yards, 6 TDs), RB Josh Stimac (46 carries, 407 yards, 7 TDs), WR Josh Callender (12 catches, 284 yards, 4 TDs)

Notes: Is it really possible that Karns City returns all but five players from last year’s D9 Class AA and KSAC championship team that outscored its regular-season opponents by 30.3 ppg and its two D9 playoff opponents by 35 ppg before finally running into the buzz-saw called Terrelle Pryor and the Jeannette Jayhawks in the PIAA playoffs? Yes, it is. And maybe the scarier part is that the most important area of the team – the offensive line – returns nearly an entire slate of three-year starters that helped Karns City average 361.3 yards per game. While the losses weren’t insignificant – they included the D9Sports.com District 9 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and the leading receiver on offense Cameron Turner as well as the top kicking duo in school history in twin brothers Mike and Matt McConnell, who both contributed at wide receiver and on defense as well – with the firepower the Gremlins have, another romp through District 9 might not be that far of a reach.

KEYSTONE PANTHERS

Head Coach: Jason Nellis (5^th season, 16-24)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 6-5 overall, 4-3 KSAC

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Dan Reed (72 of 159, 939 yards, 7 TDs, 12 Ints; 69 carries, 324 yards, 2 TDs); QB Ben Black (39 or 86, 630 yards, 7 TDs, 4 Ints; 42 carries, 73 yards, 3 TDs), WR Brett Zuck (12 catches, 133 yards)

Notes: When was the last time a team had two quarterbacks returning but almost literally nothing else in the skill positions? That is the position Keystone finds itself in this year with its two-headed QB of Dan Reed and Ben Black back from last year, although Reed is moving to running back out of sheer necessity for the Panthers. Outside of those two players, the only other skill player to make an impact last year was wide receiver Brett Zuck. And it’s not only the skill positions. Two of the top linemen are also gone with Matt Hunsberger probably the best of the linemen that do return. Not only is Keystone inexperienced, it is also young with more freshmen and sophomores (19) than juniors and senior (18) and only three seniors.

MONITEAU WARRIORS

Head Coach: Jeff Campbell (2^nd season, 6-6)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 6-6 overall, 4-3 KSAC (D9 Class AA runner-up)

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Tyler Armagost (136 of 286, 2,105 yards, 24 TDs, 12 Ints; 125 carries, 360 yards, 10 TDs), RB James Shope (150 carries, 1,011 yards, 12 TDs; 7 catches, 133 yards, 2 TDs); WR Clayton Casper (19 catches, 408 yards, 3 TD), FB Dakota Campbell (50 carries, 255 yards, 3 TDs; 31 catches, 407 yards, 7 TDs), TE Josh McFadden (23 catches, 243 yards, 1 TD), WR Mitch Czech (15 catches, 216 yards, 2 TDs, 18 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: The Warriors are loaded, plain and simple. Not only is Armagost, who is arguably the best quarterback in District 9, back for his third year behind center, Moniteau also returns its top four rushers from a year ago including James Shope who ran for 1,011 yards as a sophomore, and six of its top seven receivers. The Warriors aren’t thin up front either with three starters back, although two of them – Zane Slater and Justin Sanderson – will miss the first week along with tight end Josh McFadden because all three were thrown out of the D9 Class AA title game against Karns City last year. The big question mark for Moniteau is if it can take its “paper” talent and turn it into on-field results, a problem the Warriors have had the last few years.

OTTO-ELDRED TERRORS

Head Coach: Luke Breese (2nd season; 1^st full season; 2-1)

2008 Conference: AML-North

2007 Record: 3-7 overall, 2-7 AML-North)

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Logan Kellogg (17 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD; 12 catches, 143 yards), RB Drew Coscia (30 carries, 114 yards; 10 catches, 95 yards)

Notes: Luke Breese, a 2004 Otto-Eldred graduate, begins his first full season as the Terrors coach this year after taking over for Kerry Snow in Week 8 last season. Breese saw a lot of success in those last three games leading Otto to a 2-1 record including an upset win over Ridgway in Week 9 that kept the Elkers out of the playoffs. One thing is immediately noticeable about Otto’s team this year and that is the numbers. The Terrors have 38 kids on the roster, one of the largest at Otto in recent memory, including 18 seniors. Considering that last year’s roster had 23 kids on it and at one point Otto was forced to forfeit a game to Cameron County because of injuries, and things are looking up in Duke Center. Maybe the most telling sign that Breese, who is a Physical Education teacher at the high school, is making a positive impact on those numbers is that last year there were just 10 juniors on the roster but this year there are 18 seniors. 

PORT ALLEGANY GATORS

Head Coach: Mike Bodamer (4^th season, 15-14)

2008 Conference: AML-North

2007 Record: 6-4 overall, 6-3 AML-North

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Seth Lowery (21 carries, 72 yards), RB Ryan Bodamer (9 carries, 33 yards; 2 catches, 6 yards), QB Camrin Stuckey (6-for-17, 128 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 2 rushing TDs)

Notes: The Gators are young this season with only six seniors on the 25-man roster. Stuckey got some experience at the QB position last season and fared decently, but Port Allegany must replace its top two offensive players form a year ago in running back Nick Nichols and quarterback Derek Morey. Lowery is the reigning D9Sports.com District 9 Rookie of the Year mainly for his defensive work a year ago when he recorded 77 tackles and seven sacks while also picking off a couple of passes from his linebacker position. 

PUNXSUTAWNEY CHUCKS

Head Coach: Blake Moilan (4^th season, 4-25)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 0-10 overall, 0-4 D9 League, 0-5 MAC-Large Schools

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Nick Wehrle (33 carries, 223 yards, 2 TDs), WR Easton Weaver (9 catches, 107 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 64 yards, 1 TD), RB Kyle Steffey (3 carries, 6 yards; 3 catches, 22 yards)

Notes: The Chucks enter their first year in the KSAC with a very inexperienced team. Only 13.5 percent of Punxsy’s total offense from a year ago returns with Wehrle the most accomplished of the returning skill players. Punxsutawney has struggled over the last 16 years with just one winning season since 1992 (6-5 in 2002). Not only that, the Chucks have gone winless in two of their last three campaigns including 0-10 last year and 0-10 in 2005 and have just four wins in the last three years.

REDBANK VALLEY BULLDOGS

Head Coach: Brandon Rapp (1st Season)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 10-2 overall, 6-1 KSAC

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Alex Bladel (135 carries, 847 yards, 13 TDs), Pat Goheen 19 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD), WR Jerrett Magagnotti (28 catches, 668 yards, 11 TDs), WR Kasey Haines (25 catches, 364 yards, 4 TDs)

Notes: First-year coach Brandon Rapp, who replaced Ed Wasilowski, comes from Keystone, so there will be little adjustment offensively as both programs use the spread offense. That could be bad news for Bulldogs opponents as the team’s top rusher and receiver return in Alex Bladel and Jerrett Magagnotti. Bladel, with 2,241 yards rushing, is pegged to be the next 3,000-yard back in the district. Rapp needs a new QB to replace graduated Jake Smith. It’ll be Shiloh Buchleitner or Brandon Bain.

RIDGWAY ELKERS

Head Coach: Mark Heindl (1^st season)

2008 Conference: AML-South

2007 Record: 4-5 overall, 4-5 AML-South

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Elliott Pontious (138 carries, 755 yards, 7 TDs; 13 catches, 180 yards, 3 TDs), ZB Sam Skraba (6 catches, 78 yards, 3 TDs; 8 carries, 29 yards)

Notes: Heindl takes the helm of Ridgway replacing his former boss Mark Morelli, who is now an assistant coach at St. Marys. Part of Heindl’s task will be getting the Elkers to put last season’s late-season collapse behind them. In 2007, Ridgway was sitting at 4-2 after six weeks needing just one more win to get into the postseason. But the Elkers lost three straight, including upset losses at the hands of Curwensville and Otto-Eldred in the final two games and missed the playoffs. Heindl is changing the offense, going to an I-formation with the possibility of some spread sprinkled in. Pontious will be the focal point of the offense and for good reason considering he was 14^th in D9 in rushing last season. 

SHEFFIELD WOLVERINES

Head Coach: John Bonavita (2^nd season, 1-8; Also coached Sheffield from ’97-’01 and was 19-27 during that time)

2008 Conference: AML-North

2007 Record: 1-8 overall, 1-8 AML-North

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Craig Fitch (62 of 170, 798 yards, 5 TDs, 10 Ints; 1 rushing TD), WR Jim Hahn (15 catches, 252 yards, 3 TDs; 8 carries, 21 yards); FB Jesse Parsons (20 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD)

Notes: It’s year two of the second stint of head coach John Bonavita, and the head coach is hoping his team is ready to take the next step up. Sheffield has had four winning seasons since 1965 and only two since 1982 with the last coming in the last year of Bonavita’s first tenure when the Wolverines went 5-4. Before that you have to go all the way back to 1984 when Sheffield was 6-3 to find another winning season. The Wolverines are 11-45 since their last winning campaign including 2-26 the last three years.

SMETHPORT HUBBERS

Head Coach: Ryan Yingling (1^st season)

2008 Conference: AML-North

2007 Record: 1-8 overall, 1-8 AML North

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Preston Birtcil (82 carries, 626 yards, 8 TDs;14 catches, 201 yards, 3 TDs), RB Kyle Nobles (87 carries, 537 yards, 2 TDs), RB Bill Pruett (61 carries, 325 yards, 4 TDs)

Notes: Smethport has another new coach, the fifth new coach since 2000. Yingling replaces former Smethport teammate Rob Cosper, who went 10-27 in four years, including 4-23 the last three years and 1-17 the last two. The Hubbers have had three straight losing seasons, something that hasn’t happened since they had five straight losing years from 1943-1947. Smethport could turn things around this year with its entire backfield and 12 total lettermen returning.

ST. MARYS FLYING DUTCHMEN

Head Coach: Joe Schlimm (5^th year, 17-24)

2008 Conference: Mountain Athletic Conference-Nittany Division

2007 Record: 8-4 overall, 3-1 District 9 League (D9 Class AAA runner-up)

Top Returning Skill Players: RB Mitchell Straub (22 carries, 94 yards), WR Brett Quiggle (7 catches, 80 yards), WR James Swanson (moving from QB to WR but ran for 2 TDs and threw for 8 and 699 yards last year), QB Greg Simchick (4 of 7, 46 yards

Notes: The Flying Dutchmen lost a ton of key players to graduation, so it’ll be a rebuilding year in a new conference as St. Marys joins the Mountain Athletic Conference’s Nittany Division with Clearfield, Bald Eagle Area, Central-Martinsburg, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Penns Valley and Philipsburg-Osceola. Mitchell Straub and Shane Krise will be the main ball carriers while Greg Simchick takes over at quarterback for James Swanson, who has moved to wideout.

UNION GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Head Coach: Jeremy Lipps (1^st year)

2008 Conference: KSAC

2007 Record: 1-9 overall, 1-6 KSAC

Top Returning Skill Players: QB Matt Gagliano (50 of 142, 859 yards, 5 TDs, 16 Ints; 56 yards rushing ,1 TD), RB Colby Davis (68 carries, 406 yards, 5 TDs; 9 catches, 56 yards), TB Zach Traister (40 carries, 238 yards, 2 TDs; 3 catches, 161 yards, 2 TDs), HB Trent Switzer (59 carries, 193 yards; 10 catches, 56 yards)

Notes: Jeremy Lipps, a 2003 Union graduate and former Golden Knights player, takes over the head coaching duties. Lipps, an offensive lineman during his playing days, will try to turn around a Union program that hasn’t had a winning season since going 5-4 in 1997, and that is the lone winning campaign since 1995. The Golden Knights have won just 12 games in the last 10 years, including just three since 2003.