Corry Beavers
Coach (season, record): Homer DeLattre (11th season, 44-61)
2011 overall record: 6-5
2011 region record (place): 2-4 (fifth)
2011 playoff results: Lost 27-16 to East in the District 10 Class AAA quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Cody Bailey, John Cragg, Drew Dunmire, Andy Hajec, Dalton Swanson
Top returning players: Matt Cragg, Nate Smith, Jacob Seely, Shane Taubert, Tyler Engle, Ryan Morris
Assistant coaches: Jeff Goodwill, Travis Carey, Greg Luther, Bill Ross
Outlook: Corry will be an interesting team to watch this season. The Beavers lost eight starters on both sides of the ball and depth seems to always be an issue, but coach and newly appointed athletic director Homer DeLattre is confident heading into the 2012 season. DeLattre commented that the Beavers had their best offseason in 10 years and that several young players are ready to step into starting roles. Corry lost Cody Bailey, John Cragg, Drew Dunmire, Andy Hajec and Dalton Swanson to graduation after Corry made the postseason last year. Dunmire was voted to the all-region first team as a defensive lineman and the second team as an offensive lineman. He had 61 tackles and three sacks as a senior. Bailey, a first-team defensive back, was Corry’s top receiver last year with 30 catches for 468 yards and four touchdowns and he had 54 tackles with two interceptions on defense. The Beavers also lost John Cragg, a first-team wide receiver who had three interceptions and 26 catches for 442 yards and 12 touchdowns. The biggest loss could be Hajec, who was voted to the first team as a kicker and second team as a punter. Hajec had 27 extra points and two field goals and averaged 32.6 yards per punt. His consistent play throughout his Corry career could be tough to replace.
Matt Cragg, Nate Smith, Jacob Seely, Shane Taubert, Ryan Morris and Tyler Engle are back to lead a young Corry team. Matt Cragg threw for 118 yards and three touchdowns last season but moved to running back to help bolster the Beavers’ rushing attack. Matt Cragg ran for 674 yards on 141 carries and scored four touchdowns and even caught 17 passes for 240 yards. Matt Cragg had two interceptions and was voted to the all-region second team at defensive back. Matt Cragg’s replacement under center, Nathanel Smith, threw for 1,389 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. Joining Matt Cragg and Smith as returning offensive weapons is first-team tight end Tyler Engle. Engle ran for 403 yards on 67 carries with five touchdowns last fall and he caught 22 passes for 261 yards and two TDs. Morris and Taubert are back as defensive leaders. Morris was Corry’s second-leading tackler with 80 tackles, while Taubert had 72 tackles and seven sacks.
Corry has to deal with a new region and new class this fall. The Beavers dropped from Class AAA to AA and from Region 5 to 4. Corry still maintains a tough non-region schedule with games against Class AAA Oil City and Warren but the Beavers will renew old Erie County League rivalries throughout the region season. Corry will know almost immediately where it stands in the hunt for not only a District 10 Class AA playoff spot but the Region 4 title as well. The Beavers host perennial playoff teams North East and Fairview in early September before heading to Waterford and Albion to take on Fort LeBoeuf and Northwestern. Corry has enough talent to compete with the best teams in Region 4 but depth and injuries could be a concern as the season goes on.
Schedule
August
31 at Oil City 7
September
7 North East* 7
14 Fairview* 7
21 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7
28 at Northwestern* 7
October
5 Seneca* 7
12 Warren 7
19 Girard* 7
26 at Harbor Creek* 7
November
2 at Union City 7
*Region 2 games
Monday: DuBois
– Tom Reisenweber
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