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Girard YellowJackets
Coach (season, record): Laura Guncheon (3rd season, 7-28)
2010 overall record: 3-13
2010 region record (place): 3-13 (tied for seventh)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Missi Angerer, Ally McDonald
Top returning players: Ashley Weber, Leslee DiFucci, Harlie Bolt, McKenzie Fails
Assistant coach: Ben Okey
Outlook: Girard is still in the middle of its rebuilding process but the YellowJackets could improve on its three-win season. Girard lost Missi Angerer and Ally McDonald to graduation but the ‘Jackets can rely on seniors Ashley Weber and Leslee DiFucci. Also back are juniors Harlie Bolt and McKenzie Fails. Girard is looking to continue to build the program from the lower levels and sophomores Julia Hatton and Samantha Dunn could be a big part of the process. Freshmen Dacey Wohlford and Maria Welch will be in the mix for playing time this fall and they could develop into leaders throughout their careers. The ‘Jackets are in a brutal region with tough teams but winning matches won’t be as important as developing the program this season.

Schedule
September
6 at General McLane* 7:15
8 Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
13 Iroquois* 7:15
19 Seneca* 7:15
20 at Northwestern* 7:15
22 Corry* 7:15
27 at North East* 7:15
29 at Fairview* 7:15
October
4 General McLane* 7:15
6 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7:15
11 at Iroquois* 7:15
17 at Seneca* 7:15
18 Northwestern* 7:15
20 at Corry* 7:15
25 North East* 7:15
27 Fairview* 7:15

Later today: Greenville

– Tom Reisenweber

Girard YellowJackets
Boys
Coach (season, record): Jason Tomlinson (3rd season, 10-22-4)
2010 overall record: 7-10-1
2010 region record (place): 3-8-1 (sixth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top player lost: Cory Stonitsch
Top returning players: Brenden Parsons, Garrett Brown, Matt Buckman, Zach Addis, Teddy Szyplik, Gregg Overholtz, James Geraci, Marcus Connors, Ryan Barlow, Corey Twitchel
Assistant coach: Fred Gribbin
Outlook: Girard continued to build its program in the right direction last year under coach Jason Tomlinson. After winning three games in 2009, the YellowJackets won seven in 2010 and were competitive in most of their matches. Girard’s goal is to get above .500 this fall and the ‘Jackets have the depth and experience to do so. With nine of its 11 starters back, Girard’s biggest hole to fill was left by Cory Stonitsch. Brenden Parsons and Garrett Brown return after being selected to the all-region second team last year, while Matt Buckman, Zach Addis, Teddy Szyplik, Gregg Overholtz, James Geraci, Marcus Connors, Ryan Barlow and Corey Twitchel are all back. Girard has to deal with several talented teams in its region but if the ‘Jackets can improve on last year and keep building their team chemistry, they could get above .500 and be a tough team to beat.

Schedule
September
3 at Corry 10 a.m.
6 East 5:30
8 at Strong Vincent 6:30
14 at General McLane* 7
17 Fairview 11 a.m.
20 Fort LeBoeuf* 5:30
22 Harbor Creek* 5:30
26 at Seneca 4:30
28 Saegertown* 4
October
1 at North East* 11 a.m.
4 Central Tech* 5:30
6 General McLane* 5:30
10 at Fort LeBoeuf* 4
12 at Harbor Creek* 6
15 Seneca 11 a.m.
20 at Saegertown* 4
24 North East* 5:30
26 at Central Tech* 4:30

Girls
Coach (season, record): Michael Frick (11th season, 91-96-7)
2010 overall record: 8-9-1
2010 region record (place): 2-9-1 (sixth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Samantha Lane, Katy Rickard, Leanna Edder, Korin Koeth, Kelly Drushel, Kristen Stonitsch, Brittany Straw, Vicki Olesnanik
Top returning players: Erin Allen, Bekah Edder, Sydney Dunn, India Boderocco, Taylor Shaw
Assistant coaches: Justin Whitford, Matt Paschke, Jason Morgan, Mark Corey
Outlook: Girard will be looking for some help from its underclassmen this season with seven starters gone to graduation. The YellowJackets had 10 seniors depart, including Samantha Lane, Katy Rickard, Leanna Edder, Korin Koeth, Kelly Drushel, Kristen Stonitsch, Brittany Straw and Vicki Olesnanik. Girard seems to hover around .500 each year and the ‘Jackets could have eclipsed that mark last year if a few over their overtime matches had gone their way. Retuning this year is Erin Allen, an all-region selection, along with Bekah Edder, Taylor Shaw, Sydney Dunn and India Boderocco. Girard had a solid eighth-grade team last year and some of those players could be called upon right away to play on the varsity along with junior varsity players Danielle Ames, Brittany Edwards and Dillin Gadley.

Schedule
September
10 Conneaut Valley 11 a.m.
13 North East* 5:30
15 at Seneca* 6
17 at Central Tech 11 a.m.
19 at Fort LeBoeuf* 4
21 at Fairview* 4:30
24 Central Tech 11 a.m.
27 Harbor Creek* 5:30 p.m.
29 at General McLane* 5:30
October
3 Corry 4
5 at North East* 4
8 at Cambridge Springs 11 a.m.
11 Seneca* 6:30
13 Fort LeBoeuf* 4
17 Fairview* 4:30
19 at Harbor Creek* 6
22 at Conneaut Valley 11 a.m.
25 General McLane* 5:30

Monday: Grove City

– Tom Reisenweber

Girard YellowJackets

Jim Funk

Coach (season, record): Jim Funk (2nd season, 4-6)
2010 overall record: 4-6
2010 region record (place): 3-3 (fourth)
2010 playoff results: Lost 28-7 to Sharon in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Jordan Dudas, Joe Sobucki, Nate Smialek, Anthony Stuart, Hunter Erdman, Justin Zadorozny, John Vogel, Tyler Tome
Top returning players: Jake Kalicky, Austin Platz, Hayden Erdman, Brandon Hall
Assistant coaches: Mike Zona, Pat Erdman, Josh Chiocco, Bill McNally, Ron Platz, Tracy Dinger
Outlook: It should be an interesting year in Girard this fall. The YellowJackets will basically have a new backfield and will search for a new set of standouts. Talented running backs Joe Sobucki, Jordan Dudas and Tyler Tome have graduated as well as quarterback Justin Zadorozny. Wide receiver Anthony Stuart graduated as well, leaving second-year coach Jim Funk with almost no experience at the skill positions. All-region members Hunter Erdman (lineman) and John Vogel (linebacker) have also graduated, leaving holes on the offensive line and on defense.

Jake Kalicky

Austin Platz

Jake Kalicky, a fullback/linebacker, took on a leadership role in the offseason in the weight room and could be an impact player this season, along with Austin Platz, Hayden Erdman and Brandon Hall on the offensive line. Christian Bock could step into a starting role as a linebacker, while Hunter Jones could be an impact player at wide receiver. Almost all starting jobs are open this fall, which should create some intense competition in camp.

Girard is a young team and might go through some growing pains this season. The ‘Jackets’ schedule won’t be easy this season. It includes a season-opening road game at Class AAA Corry along with home games against Class AAA teams Oil City and Fort LeBoeuf. The biggest stretch for the ‘Jackets this season will come in September. Girard will host Harbor Creek and Northwestern – two teams the ‘Jackets will battle for a playoff spot – along with an important road game at North East.

Schedule
September
2 at Corry 7
9 Harbor Creek* 7
16 Oil City 7
23 Northwestern* 7
30 at North East* 7
October
7 Fort LeBoeuf 7
14 Fairview* 7
21 at Seneca* 7
28 at General McLane* 7
November
4 Bye

Wednesday: Greenville

– Tom Reisenweber