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The Pennsylvania Cable Network has released its “Game of the Week” schedule for the fall. District 10 will have only one game on television when St. Edward (Ohio) travels to Gus Anderson Field to take on McDowell. The two teams meet Sept. 28 and the game will be played the following day at 9 p.m. Below is the full schedule for this season.

All games will appear one day after the game on tape delay unless otherwise noted.
Sept. 1 - Parkland at Delaware Valley, 6 p.m.
Sept. 1 – Clairton at Chartiers-Houston, 9 p.m.
Sept. 7 (live) – Bishop McDevitt at Central Dauphin, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 – Nazareth at Liberty, 9 p.m.
Sept. 22 – Loyalsock at Mount Carmel, 9 p.m.
Sept. 29 – St. Edward (Ohio) at McDowell, 9 p.m.
Oct. 6 – North Allegheny at Gateway, 9 p.m.
Oct. 13 – Rochester at Laurel, 9 p.m.
Oct. 19 (live) – Roman Catholic at La Salle College, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 – Easton at Whitehall, 9 p.m.
Nov. 3 – Solanco at Manheim Central, 9 p.m.

–Tom Reisenweber

Strong Vincent runs an offensive play Saturday against Fairview at Keck Field at Jack Bestwick Stadium.

Strong Vincent’s starters looked strong against Fairview on Saturday during the first day for scrimmages for PIAA teams.

The Colonels dropped to Class AAA from AAAA in the offseason. Fairview, playing on its new turf at Keck Field at Jack Bestwick Stadium, is Class AA.

“We did well,” Vincent coach Scott White said of the scrimmage. “Going against ourselves the first week of practice we don’t get a good look. For the first time, we went against an opponent, and we looked good. We’re not there yet, but we’re making progress.”

The Colonels looked particularly solid on the line, where they have all but one starter returning. Center Kyle Bogle (5 feet 11, 230 pounds) and tackle Tashan Jordan-Mitchell (6-1, 290) lead the big group of returnees.

“That seems to be where our strong point is,” White said. “We only graduated one lineman last year, so we’re going to lean on the line more. That’s where our experience is.”

However, the Colonels also have key players back in fullback Corey Henry (741 yards in 2011) and halfback Chris Kirkland (745). Kirkland showed his big-play ability by breaking a 60-yard touchdown run Saturday on a sweep with Henry leading the way. Henry, meanwhile, displayed his bruising, physical running style on several runs up the middle.

Vincent position battles: Two places where Vincent’s White is looking for starters to emerge are the right halfback and quarterback positions.

Seniors Craig Heidelberg and Kyle Mathis are competing to replace 1,200-yard back Mike Neavins. Both players had their moments Saturday. Heidelberg, a former Cathedral Prep player, had several tough runs up the middle.

Meanwhile, there’s a three-way battle for the starting quarterback spot. Chris Starocci, a junior who transferred from Prep, has been getting the most repetitions in practice, but seniors Anthony Twillie and Tyreek Green also are competing for the starting job. The winner of that competition will replace standout Denzel Jones, who ran for 1,085 yards and passed for 890 yards.

Fairview runner shows promise: One Fairview player who might have caught fans’ attention at Saturday’s scrimmage against Strong Vincent is senior Tanner Tregaskis.

Tregaskis is a former wide receiver who led the Tigers with 16 catches for 135 yards in 2011. However, he was running out the tailback spot Saturday with junior Shannon Jackson.

Tregaskis exhibited some solid moves and good vision, and he ran tough inside.

Jackson is Fairview’s leading returning rusher with 474 yards on just 88 carries in 2011. Tregaskis’ emergence could give the Tigers a solid one-two punch at tailback.

Jarrett Koper

Bad news for McDowell, Koper: McDowell is dealing with a tough blow after starting quarterback Jarrett Koper suffered a broken leg in practice. Koper’s father confirmed that he has a broken tibia. It’s not certain if Koper will be able to return in 2012.

Koper is McDowell’s leading returning rusher after running for 681 yards and seven touchdowns in 2011.

There’s no word yet on who is in line to start at quarterback in Koper’s absence.

It’s always rough when a high school athlete suffers an injury. But it’s particularly devastating when that player is a key contributor who had big plans for a senior season. The Varsity blog wishes Koper a speedy recovery.

Four District 10 football teams are ranked in the top 10 in their class in the Pennsylvania Football News preseason rankings, which were released today. Cathedral Prep (Class AAA), Grove City (AA) and Sharpsville (A) are ranked No. 5 in their respective classes. Hickory, meanwhile, is ranked No. 6 in Class AA.

McDowell (Class AAAA), Strong Vincent (AAA), Wilmington (AA), Mercyhurst Prep (A) and West Middlesex (A) are listed among Others to Watch.

CLASS AAAA

Rank – School – District
1. Central Dauphin (3)
2. North Allegheny (7)
3. Wilson (West Lawn) (3)
4. Easton Area (11)
5. North Penn (1)
6. LaSalle College (12)
7. Gateway (7)
8. Downingtown East (1)
9. Upper St. Clair (7)
10. Ridley (1)

Others to Watch: Abington (1), Bethlehem Freedom (11), Council Rock North (1), Cumberland Valley (3), Delaware Valley (2), Garnet Valley (1), McDowell (10), McKeesport (7), Parkland (11), Pennridge (1), Pennsbury (1), Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7), Roman Catholic (12), Scranton (2), Seneca Valley (7), St. Joseph’s Prep (12), State College (6), Whitehall (11), Woodland Hills (7)

CLASS AAA

Rank – School – District
1. Archbishop Wood (12)
2. Bishop McDevitt (3)
3. Franklin Regional (7)
4. Central Valley (7)
5. Cathedral Prep (10)
6. Manheim Central (3)
7. Cardinal O’Hara (12)
8. Pottsgrove (1)
9. Berwick Area (2)
10. West Allegheny (7)

Others to Watch: Blackhawk (7),  Clearfield (9),  Cocalico (3),  Knoch (7),  Lampeter-Strasburg (3),  Lancaster Catholic (3),  Mars Area (7),  Montour (7),  Pottsville (11),  Scranton Prep (2),  Shippensburg (3),  Strath Haven (1),  Strong Vincent (10),  Valley View (2),  West Chester Henderson (1),  West York (3)

CLASS AA

Rank – School – District
1. Aliquippa (7)
2. Wyomissing (3)
3. Mount Carmel (4)
4. Jeannette (7)
5. Grove City (10)
6. Hickory (10)
7. Pen Argyl (11)
8. GAR Memorial (2)
9. South Fayette (7)
10. Washington (7)

Others to Watch: Beaver Falls (7),  Bermudian Springs (3),  Danville (4),  Delone Catholic (3),  Forest Hills (6),  Imhotep Charter (12),  Karns City (9),  Mifflinburg (4),  Montoursville (4),  Northern Lehigh (11),  Richland (6),  Seton-LaSalle (7),  Towanda (4),  Trinity (3),  Tyrone Area (6),  West Catholic (12),  Wilmington (10),  Wyoming Area (2),

CLASS A

Rank – School – District
1. Clairton (7)
2. Southern Columbia (4)
3. Dunmore (2)
4. Rochester Area (7)
5. Sharpsville (10)
6. Brentwood (7)
7. Penns Manor (6)
8. Bellwood-Antis (6)
9. Old Forge (2)
10. Port Allegany (9)

Others to Watch: Avonworth (7),  Bethlehem-Center (7),  Bishop Canevin (7),  Clarion Area (9),  Coudersport (9),  Elk County Catholic (9),  Line Mountain (4),  Mercyhurst Prep (10),  Minersville (11),  North Star (5),  Pius X (11),  Riverside (2),  Schuylkill Haven (11),  Shenandoah Valley (11),  Sto-Rox (7),  West Middlesex (11)

Cathderal Prep's Damion Terry on 2012 Kickoff cover

Kickoff magazine gives fans a look at What's New in 2012

Kickoff magazine is expected to be available at all Country Fair locations in Erie County and Crawford County today and then in Country Fair locations throughout northwestern Pennsylvania by Friday.

What is Kickoff? It’s District 10′s most comprehensive high school football season preview. All week, we’re giving fans a sneak peek of the magazine on the Varsity blog. Today, we’ll look at What’s New for football season in 2012.

Page 6 of Kickoff is dedicated to telling fans about the new developments in District 10. We discuss McDowell’s move away from the WPIAL, Conneaut’s first season, six coaches at new schools, new turf at Fairview’s stadium, rules changes and more.  The page also guides fans throughout the magazine to find more in-depth information about those topics and others. Read it all by picking up a Kickoff at a Country Fair.

This is the third edition of the award-winning Kickoff produced by the Erie Times-News, and we believe it’s our best. Fans can get 116 pages packed with information, feature stories and color photos, and it will be available for $5 by Friday at all area Country Fair stores.

McDowell standout James Conner has locked up his collegiate future by verbally committing to Pitt. Conner, a 6-foot 3-inch, 230-pound running back/defensive end, set a school record in 2011 with 12 sacks. He finished with 46 tackles and one pass deflection as a junior while rushing for 267 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries. Conner also caught four passes for 75 yards and one touchdown.

Conner also had standing offers from Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Toledo and Youngstown State. He becomes the fifth District 10 player to commit to a major-college football program. Damion Terry (Cathedral Prep) committed to Michigan State, while Hickory’s DeShawn Coleman is headed to West Virgina and General McLane’s Quinn Thompson will attend Connecticut. Meadville senior Artrel Foster recently committed to Temple and Prep senior Delton Williams is still entertaining offers but recent reports have him down to Nebraska and Michigan State.

–Tom Reisenweber

Quinn Thompson

DeShawn Coleman

Damion Terry

Artrel Foster

Meadville’s Artrel Foster is the latest in a series of District 10 skill-position players who have committed to major colleges.

When Foster announced that he had picked Temple recently, he became the fourth high-profile skill-position player from the district to commit to a major college before his senior season.

Foster joins Cathedral Prep quarterback Damion Terry (Michigan State), Hickory running back DeShawn Coleman (West Virginia) and General McLane tight end Quinn Thompson (Connecticut) on that list.

At least two other skill-position players in D-10 are being recruited: McDowell running back/defensive end James Conner and Cathedral Prep running back/safety Delton Williams. Pitt is among those interested in Conner, while Williams has more than a dozen offers, including Michigan State and Nebraska.

McDowell Trojans
Coach (season, record): Mark Soboleski (8th season, 38-35)
2011 overall record: 8-3
2011 conference record (place): 4-2 (tied for second)
2011 playoff results: Defeated McKeesport 42-7 in the District 7 first round before losing to Upper St. Clair 21-14 in the quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Greg Garmon, Luke Lecce, Mason Giacomelli, Paul Kemper, Anthony Raucci, Anthony Szymczak, Zach Baker
Top returning players: James Conner, Khyre Drayer, Jarrett Koper, Scott Augustine, Tyree Spearman, Joel Masharcka, Ethan Stark, Riley Warren, Tim Hess
Assistant coaches: Joe Magorien, Todd Strasenburgh, Tim Cacchione, Aaron Slocum, Kareem Carson, Kim Parker, Andrea Bridgett, Joe Wanson
Outlook: McDowell went through plenty of transition in the offseason. District 10 passed a policy that forces every school to return to D-10 for the playoffs if they play their regular season in another district. This set off a domino effect that ended with McDowell rejoining District 10 for the regular season and postseason. The Trojans aren’t happy about it but they will be in Region 6 for at least the next two years. McDowell is currently appealing the new policy but their status won’t change for the current PIAA cycle. The Trojans have some holes to fill, including Iowa-bound Greg Garmon. The all-conference first-team running back carried the ball 137 times for 1,050 yards and nine touchdowns and he led McDowell with seven catches for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Also, the Trojans will have to replace four offensive linemen for the second straight year. Mason Giacomelli, Paul Kemper, Anthony Raucci and Anthony Szymczak have graduated. Giacomelli and Kemper were second-team offensive linemen, while Raucci was named an honorable-mention offensive lineman. Szymczak, who is now playing for Youngstown State, was a first-team defensive lineman. McDowell also graduated quarterback Anthony Lecce, who threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns last fall, and Zach Baker, a first-team kicker who connected on 41 extra points and three field goals. Luke DeHart and Khlique Harris leave big holes to fill on the defense. DeHart, a first-team linebacker, led the Trojans with 121 tackles, while Harris, a second-team linebacker, had 56.

McDowell definitely has some work to do in replacing all-star players but the Trojans have a solid group back. Quarterback Jarrett Koper starting taking over under center last year and threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for 681 yards and seven touchdowns on 101 carries and was voted to the all-conference second team at defensive back. Koper is a leader along with Division I recruit James Conner. Conner, a second-team defensive lineman, racked up 12 sacks, a school record. He has offers from several MAC schools and Pitt. Conner also ran for 267 yards and three touchdowns on only 41 carries. Khyre Drayer adds depth in the backfield. The running back, who was voted to the all-conference honorable mention team, ran for 498 yards and eight touchdowns on 95 carries. Drayer also had two interceptions last year and could be a defensive force along with Tyree Spearman, a second-team defensive back. Scott Augustine, Joel Masharcka, Ethan Stark, Riley Warren and Tim Hess are back for the Trojans and could have a big-time impact on the season.

McDowell put together one of the toughest schedules in the state and might almost be better off than the past two years. The Trojans play four Ohio powerhouses, the PIAA Class AA champion from last year which is now AAA, and five region games, including Cathedral Prep, General McLane and Strong Vincent. There won’t be a week McDowell can take off and cruise to a win this season which should get the Trojans ready for the PIAA playoffs. The District 6-9-10 subregion expanded to include District 8 over the next two years. The eight teams in the subregion have the option to play in the playoffs at the end of the season and the winner moves on to the quarterfinals. McDowell opens its wild season with a tough game against Mentor, one of the biggest schools in Ohio. Mentor’s quarterback is headed to North Carolina after also receiving offers from Ohio State and Alabama. Week 2 should also be interesting as General McLane runs a very similar system to McDowell. Of course, the one game every Prep and McDowell fan have circled on their calendars is Oct. 5 at Veterans Stadium.

Schedule
August
31 Mentor (Ohio) 7
September
7 at General McLane* 7
15 at Lancaster Catholic 5
21 St. Ignatius (Ohio) 7:30
28 St. Edward (Ohio) 7:30
October
5 at Cathedral Prep* 7
12 at Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) 7:30
19 East* 7
26 at Strong Vincent* 7
November
2 Central Tech* 7
*Region 6 games

Friday: Meadville

– Tom Reisenweber

McDowell’s football schedule was tough enough at nine games. The Trojans have added another state champion to complete the 10-week schedule. McDowell will travel to Mansion Park in Altoona on Sept. 15 to take on Lancaster Catholic. The Crusaders defeated Tyrone 17-7 in last fall’s PIAA Class AA championship. Lancaster Catholic moved up to Class AAA in the offseason.

McDowell already has Ohio powerhouses Mentor, Cardinal Mooney, St. Ignatius and St. Edward on the schedule along with Erie County powers Cathedral Prep, General McLane and Strong Vincent.

Here is a look at McDowell’s finalized schedule:
Aug. 31 vs. Mentor (Ohio), 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 at General McLane*, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 vs. Lancaster Catholic (Altoona’s Mansion Park), 4 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. St. Ignatius (Ohio), 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 vs. St. Edward (Ohio), 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Cathedral Prep* (Veterans Stadium), 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Cardinal Mooney (At Austintown Fitch High School, Ohio), 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. East*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Strong Vincent* (Veterans Stadium), 7 p.m.
Nov. 2 vs. Central Tech*, 7 p.m.

– Tom Reisenweber

DeShawn Coleman rushed for more than 2,000 yards and led Hickory to a District 10 title in 2011.

DeShawn Coleman

Two things have become clear during this college football recruiting period: District 10 underclassmen are in high demand, and in many cases, the prospects are skill-position players.

Hickory junior running back DeShawn Coleman recently became the second D-10 back to commit to a major-college program when he verbally committed to West Virginia. He joins Cathedral Prep junior quarterback Damion Terry, who recently committed to Michigan State. Check out a Varsity video of Terry.

Coleman and Terry have piled up prolific numbers at their respective schools and still have their senior seasons ahead. Coleman challenged the District 10 record before finishing with 2,393 rushing yards and 35 TDs in 2011. Terry already has set the Prep career passing record with more than 3,600 yards.

But they won’t be the only backs from northwestern Pennsylvania to land scholarship offers from high-profile programs.

For instance, Prep junior running back/defensive back/return man Delton Williams is considering a dozen offers, including Penn State, Nebraska, Pitt and Michigan State. McDowell junior fullback Khyre Drayer and junior running back/defensive end James Conner also are reportedly getting interest from big schools.

All of this D-10 talent means that football fans have many interesting moments ahead in 2012 — on the field and off.

McDowell is back in District 10 for the next two years but that hasn’t stopped the Trojans from putting together another loaded schedule. McDowell has four impressive non-region games and should be tested throughout the season. Here is a look at their schedule with one open date in Week 3. The Trojans open with Ohio-power Mentor before immediately beginning region play at General McLane. The toughest stretch of the season comes in late September into October. McDowell will face St. Ignatius and St. Edward back-to-back before road games at Cathedral Prep and Cardinal Mooney. The Trojans will celebrate Homecoming at its Sept. 28 game against St. Edward and Senior Night on Nov. 2 against Central Tech.

Scrimmages
Aug. 18 at Seneca Valley 10 a.m.
Aug. 24 Woodland Hills 7
Regular season
Aug. 31 Mentor (Ohio) 7
Sept. 7 at General McLane* 7
Sept. 14-15 Open
Sept. 21 St. Ignatius (Ohio) 7:30
Sept. 28 St. Edward (Ohio) 7:30
Oct. 5 at Cathedral Prep* (Veterans Stadium) 7
Oct. 12 at Cardinal Mooney (Ohio) 7:30
Oct. 19 East* 7
Oct. 26 at Strong Vincent* (Veterans Stadium) 7
Nov. 2 Central Tech* 7
*Region 6 games

McDowell is the fourth team to announce its complete football schedule. Check out the schedules for Union City, General McLane and Corry. Football schedules will be posted throughout the spring as they are submitted to the Erie Times-News.

– Tom Reisenweber

Khyre Drayer

Greg Garmon

One McDowell running back who already has signed a letter of intent was the focus of a website story recently, as was another McDowell back who is being recruited as a junior.

Senior Greg Garmon has signed with Iowa, and Dustin Hockensmith of The Patriot-News in Harrisburg recently wrote on PennLive.com that the Hawkeyes’ troubles at running back could create an opportunity for Garmon during his freshman season.

Meanwhile, McDowell junior fullback Khyre Drayer was the subject of a story by Chris Anderson of EerSports — a West Virginia University-related website. Anderson wrote about how Drayer is receiving interest from top programs.

Last week, the Varsity blog featured a post about the recruitment of Cathedral Prep stars Delton Williams and Damion Terry, both juniors.

– Jeff Kirik

AUSTIN, Texas — The International Bowl high school football all-star game didn’t go as expected for Greg Garmon or his U.S. Team Wednesday night.

Garmon, a McDowell senior running back, was limited to two rushes for 6 yards in the U.S. Under-19 National Team’s 35-29 loss to the International Federation of American Football World Team in the third annual International Bowl.

(For more information and a photo, click below:)

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