Cambridge Springs Blue Devils
Coach (season, record): Clint Rauscher (2nd season, 5-6)
2011 overall record: 5-6
2011 region record (place): 4-4 (fourth)
2011 playoff results: Lost 48-0 to Sharpsville in the District 10 Class A quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Wes Stafford, Shawn Reynolds, Justin East
Top returning players: Quentin Stafford, Devin Walker, Colton Noble, Jim Banks
Assistant coaches: Jason Turner, Justin Grubbs, Bryan Costa, Steve Reisenauer, Jim Beach, Nick Vella
Outlook: Cambridge Springs was somewhat of a surprise last fall as the Blue Devils still made the playoffs in a rebuilding year. Cambridge had lost coach Walt Nottingham to retirement and lost its first four games of the season. The Blue Devils rallied to win five of their last six games in the regular season to qualify for the postseason. Cambridge ran into a buzzsaw in the first round but gained valuable experience last fall under new coach Clint Rauscher. The Blue Devils graduated Wes Stafford, Shawn Reynolds, Justin East and Adam Bernosky, which leaves several big holes to fill. East was named to the all-region first team as a defensive lineman, while Reynolds was a first-team kicker. Stafford was a second-team selection as an all-purpose player and Bernosky was a second-team defensive back. Stafford ran for 695 yards on 149 carries and 10 touchdowns during the regular season, while pulling down 21 catches for 397 yards and three TDs. He also had 519 return yards, including two touchdowns. Reynolds was second on the team with 400 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, while throwing for 428 yards and three TDs and punting 853 yards on 21 punts.
Cambridge now looks to its younger players to step into big-time roles. Quentin Stafford, Devin Walker, Colton Noble and Jim Banks are back this season, while Zac Stafford and Blaine Wolfrom are up-and-coming players. Walker ran for 214 yards on 46 carries, including one touchdown, last fall and threw for 147 yards. Walker could be the new quarterback for the Blue Devils, while Noble had 29 carries for 142 yards and could also start in the backfield this year. Stafford caught three passes for 66 yards last fall and could work his way into more touches this season.
The Blue Devils have speed and athleticism but more importantly, they had a year to learn a new offense. The experience gained last year could lead to another spot in the playoffs this fall. The key for Cambridge in 2012 will be developing leadership. The Blue Devils lost plenty of senior leadership to graduation and will need several players to step to lead this year’s team. Cambridge opens at home with rival Saegertown before jumping right into a tough portion of its region schedule. After battling teams in September that might decide the playoffs, October gets even tougher with Eisenhower, Maplewood, Mercyhurst Prep and Class AA Fort LeBoeuf.
Schedule
August
31 Saegertown 7
September
7 Cochranton* 7
14 at Youngsville* 7
21 Iroquois* 7
28 Union City* 7
October
5 at Eisenhower* 7
12 at Fort LeBoeuf 7
19 Maplewood* 7
27 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7
November
2 Bye
*Region 2 games
Wednesday: Cathedral Prep
– Tom Reisenweber
