Mercer Mustangs
Coach: Pat McClearn
2008 overall record: 10-2
2008 league record (place): 9-1 (Region 1 co-champion)
Playoff results: Beat Iroquois 28-14 in the District 10 Class A quarterfinals; lost to Linesville 35-7 in the District 10 Class A semifinals.
Top players lost: OG/DT Nick Ream, C/DT Ray Dominguez, OG/DE Nick Nan, RB/DB Terrence Davis, TE/LB Josh McGinnis, OG/DE Bill Redmond, SE/DB Tyler Hoffman.
Top underclassmen: SE/LB Eric Staul, QB/LB Andrew Erdos, RB/DB Rawlins Huntley, RB/DB Andy Reda, RB/LB J.T. Mannozzi, RB/LB Herbie Hennegan, RB/LB Kyle Mariacher, SE/LB Jordan McClearn, RB/DB Nick Campbell, OG/DE Tanner Barkley, C/DE Cody Frey, OT/DT Rich McCullough, OG/DE Phil Miller.
Key games: Sept. 11 at Farrell, Sept. 25 Linesville, Oct. 9 Sharpsville.
Outlook: Andrew Erdos returns for his final season with the Mustangs, the defending Region 1 champions. Erdos, who accounted for 864 yards in total offense and 14 touchdowns, could be under increased duress as the team’s starting quarterback early in the season. Mercer graduated first-team, all-region selections Nick Ream, Ray Dominguez and Nick Nan from its offensive line. … Erdos also will have a new primary ball carrier to hand off to come the fall. Terrence Davis rushed for 13 touchdowns and 941 yards in his final year. Expected to replace Davis as the Mustangs’ best thoroughbred is Rawlins Huntley. As a junior, Huntley rushed for 845 yards and nine scores. … Mercer does get its top two receiving threats back in Andy Reda and Eric Staul. As juniors, Reda caught six passes for 139 yards and a touchdown, while Staul was good for four receptions for 50 yards and a score. … The Mustangs’ only losses of 2008 were to Linesville. The Lions beat them 28-21 in a Sept. 19 regular season game and 35-7 in the Nov. 14 district semifinals at Wilmington High School. … McClearn enters his fifth season as Mercer’s head coach with a record of 28-16.
Schedule
September
4 Mercyhurst Prep 7
11 at Farrell* 7
18 Kennedy Catholic* 7
25 Linesville* 7
October
2 at Harborcreek Youth 7
9 Sharpsville* 7
17 at Conneaut Valley* 7
23 Conneaut Lake* 7
30 at West Middlesex* 7
November
6 at Lakeview* 7
* Region 1 game
Wednesday: Region 1: Sharpsville
