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Here is a look at the Saegertown football schedule this fall. We will publish schedules as we receive them from schools.

All times p.m. unless otherwise noted.

*Region 3 games

–Tom Reisenweber

Saegertown Panthers
Coach (season, record): Michael Rhoades (2nd season, 7-4)
2011 overall record: 7-4
2011 region record (place): 6-2 (third)
2011 playoff results: Lost to Mercer 48-20 in the District 10 Class A quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Noah Marvin, Jerrod Young, Alex Petruso, Josh Tomiczek, Brandon Stafford, Casey Chapman, Matt Mondi, Logan Pratt, Brock Lojeck
Top returning players: Kyle Wise, Dakota Long, Adam Riddle, Luke Carter, Nick Rumzie, Brock Henderson
Assistant coaches: Wayne Llody, Shane Ream, Adam Horne
Outlook: Saegertown has some big challenges in front of it this season. The Panthers are young and inexperienced and moved up to Class AA in the offseason. Saegertown changed regions and heads to Region 3 where powerhouses Grove City, Hickory, Sharon and Wilming are waiting. The Panthers have to replace a big senior class, including Noah Marvin, Jerrod Young, Alex Petruso, Josh Tomiczek, Brandon Stafford, Casey Chapman, Matt Mondi, Logan Pratt and Brock Lojeck. Petruso was voted to the all-region first team at offensive line and linebacker, while Pratt was a first-team linebacker. Marvin was a second-team quarterback and Lojeck (running back) and Young (offensive line) are also second-team picks. Also, first-team pick at tight end and defensive line, Shane Rigby, has decided to focus on volleyball and not play this year.

Saegertown doesn’t have much experience back this season. Kyle Wise, Dakota Long, Adam Riddle, Luke Carter, Nick Rumzie and Brock Henderson are back for the Panthers, but Saegertown will need big contributions from the underclassmen to stay competitive this fall. Lance Neuschler, Casey Fetzner, Willie Bernardo, Alex Barclay, Nick Monico and Spencer Price could be contributors right away. The Panthers have a tall order in Class AA this fall. Saegertown has been a perennial playoff team in Class A and will need to find some way to crack the top four in Region 3 to have a shot at the postseason. Second-year coach Mike Rhoades is focusing on keeping morale up this season. Saegertown opens at rival Cambridge Springs before a tough home opener against Sharon. The showdown with the Tigers could indicate where Saegertown is going this season.

Schedule
August
31 at Cambridge Springs 7
September
7 Sharon* 7
14 Greenville* 7
21 at Reynolds* 7
28 at Wilmington* 7
October
5 Grove City* 7
12 Maplewood 7
19 Hickory* 7
26 at Titusville* 7
November
2 at Girard 7
*Region 3 games

Saturday: Seneca

– Tom Reisenweber

Saegertown wasn’t given any favors in the offseason. Not only were the Panthers bumped up to Class AA for the new PIAA two-year cycle, but they now have to deal with powerhouses in Region 3, including Sharon, Hickory, Grove City and Wilmington. The enrollment bump could just be a bubble and Saegertown will be back in Class A two years, but for now, the Panthers have a brutal football schedule to deal with. Saegertown opens at county rival Cambridge Springs before opening the home schedule against Sharon. The Panthers will celebrate Homecoming on Oct. 12 against Maplewood and Senior Night on Oct. 19 against Hickory.

Scrimmages
Aug. 18 Mercer 10 a.m.
Aug. 24 at Seneca 7
Regular season
Aug. 31 at Cambridge Springs 7
Sept. 7 Sharon* 7
Sept. 14 Greenville* 7
Sept. 21 at Reynolds* 7
Sept. 28 at Wilmington* 7
Oct. 5 Grove City* 7
Oct. 12 Maplewood 7
Oct. 19 Hickory* 7
Oct. 26 at Titusville* 7
Nov. 2 at Girard 7
*Region 3 games

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

– Tom Reisenweber

The Erie Times-News and GoErie.com are continuing District 10 football preview coverage this week, leading up to Friday’s season openers. Starting Sunday, the preview coverage included Region 6, McDowell and Region 4. The coverage will continue through Thursday. Included in each preview are complete rosters for each team.

Earlier, the Times-News published the 112-page Kickoff preseason guide and posted the online Summer Huddle series on the Varsity blog.

Check out the links to the Times-News team previews:
Sunday: McDowell preview
Sunday: Region 6
Monday: Region 4
Tuesday: Region 5
Wednesday: Region 2
Thursday: Region 3
Thursday: Region 1

Saegertown Panthers
Coach (season): Mike Rhoades (1st season)
2010 overall record: 9-2
2010 region record (place): 7-1 (second)
2010 playoff results: Lost 43-32 to Lakeview in the District 10 Class A quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Matt Stearns, Casey Handel, Jason Amy, Clay Dawson, Kurtis Henry, Kyle McCray
Top returning players: Noah Marvin, Al Petruso, Jerrod Young, Josh Tomiczek, Matt Mondi, Casey Chapman, Nate Siple, Shane Rigby
Assistant coaches: Jack Petruso, Wayne Lloyd, Adam Horne, Chris Allio
Outlook: Saegertown went through some major changes in the offseason. The Panthers lost several standout players to graduation and coach Dave McDonald, who rebuilt the program in two years, departed for Connellsville. One of McDonald’s assistants, Mike Rhoades, was hired to take over in the offseason. Rhoades will have a veteran group back and will need several underclassmen to step forward. Matt Stearns, Casey Handel, Jason Amy, Clay Dawson, Kurtis Henry and Kyle McCray graduated in the spring, leaving plenty of production to be replaced in camp.

All-region quarterback Noah Marvin brings experience back for the Panthers along with all-region selections Al Petruso (linebacker, offensive line), Jerrod Young (offensive line) and Josh Tomiczek (defensive line). Matt Mondi, Casey Chapman, Nate Siple and Shane Rigby could also be impact players for the Panthers this season. Staying healthy will be key as Saegertown doesn’t have a lot of depth but expectations are high and the Panthers could be in the mix in Region 2 once again. Saegertown should handle the first half of its schedule with a showdown at Mercyhurst Prep on Oct. 21 looming. When the Panthers and Lakers meet, it could be for the Region 2 championship.

Schedule
September
2 Imani Christian 7
9 Union-Rimersburg 7
16 at Cochranton* 7
23 Cambridge Springs* 7
30 Union City* 7
October
7 at Maplewood* 7
14 Iroquois* 7
21 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7
28 Eisenhower* 7
November
4 at Youngsville* 7

Look for the Kickoff magazine at a Country Fair near you beginning Aug. 15. The 112-page magazine previews the upcoming District 10 football season, including top returning players, schedules, stats and more.

Sunday: Seneca

– Tom Reisenweber

Here are some candidates for the top honors this weekend:

Brandon Akins-Jones, Strong Vincent: 7 rushes, 129 yards, TD runs of 1, 61, 9 and 38 yards.

Gary Brown, East: 7-of-10 passing, 107 yards, 2 TDs; 6 rushes, 61 yards, TD

Jordan Elchynski, North East: 22 carries, 131 yards, 2 TDs

Zach Greenawalt, McDowell: 11 rushes, 178 yards, 2TDs; 57-yard TD pass

Aaron Horton, Mercyhurst Prep: 12 rushes, 165 yards; TD runs of 12, 35 and 60 yards

Dakota Schultz, Saegertown: 9 rushes, 102 yards, 3 TDs

Corey McWilliams, Fort LeBoeuf: 5 catches, 109 yards, 2 TDs (now has six TD receptions in three games)

Trevor Litwiler, Linesville: 21 rushes, 174 yards, 3 TD; 5-of-9 passing, 106 yards, TD

Jordan Kerner, Fairview: 7 rushes, 100 yards; TD runs of 11 and 63 yards

Jared Burger, Union City: 23 rushes, 164 yards, 2 TDs

Shyquawn Pullium, Cathedral Prep, 7 rushes, 225 yards, TD runs of 54, 69 and 72 yards, 4-of-8 passing, 73 yards, 2 TDs

There were many other worthy performances this weekend — more than we can list here. Who would you vote for? Who did we miss? Let us know.

Saegertown Panthers

Coach: Dave McDonald
2008 overall record: 11-1
2008 league record (place): 10-0 (first)
Playoff results: Beat Sharpsville 49-27 in the District 10 Class A quarterfinals; lost to Farrell 31-0 in the District 10 Class A semifinals.

Elijah Mattocks

Top players lost: TE/LB, Jake Carter, RB/SS Keenan Ellison, OL/DL Nick Sullivan, OL/DL Tyler Lopus, WR/DB Jared Campbell, RB/LB Ian Price, RB/LB James Chest.
Top underclassmen: OL/DL Elijah Mattocks, OL/DL Dave Andrews, RB/LB Joe Waddell.
Key games: Oct. 1 Iroquois, Oct. 9 Union City, Nov. 6 at Cambridge Springs.

Outlook: Being a first-time head coach has enough challenges. Dave McDonald’s football lineage, plus what the immediate future holds, should add intrigue to the Panthers and their new leader. The 40-year-old McDonald is the son of former Edinboro football coach Bill McDonald and formerly served as an assistant at Gannon, Cathedral Prep, Central and Girard. He replaces Ken Achenbach, who resigned after the Panthers’ record 11-win season of 2008. If that’s not enough, he also must try to help Saegertown defend its Region 2 title. … The obvious question the Panthers must answer is who or whom will run the ball. Saegertown graduated its top three backs, Keenan Ellison, Ian Price and James Chest. Combined, the trio rushed for 2,812 yards and 37 touchdowns. … Ellison led with 1,101 yards and 19 scores. That doesn’t account for his 15 receptions for 306 yards and another four TDs. He was also a superb return man and a skilled defensive back. … The Panthers also lost quarterback Aaron Stirling to graduation. The early favorites to replace him are junior Matt Stearns or sophomore Noah Marvin. … Saegertown does return experience on the offensive and defensive lines. Elijah Mattocks and Dave Andrews were first-team, all-region selections last season. Mattocks, a bruising 6-foot 3-inch 275-pounder, was an all-District 10 defensive tackle. … The Panthers do have a huge break in their attempt to repeat. They host region rivals Iroquois, Union City, Linesville and Mercyhurst Prep in consecutive October weekends.

Schedule
September
4 at Conneaut Lake 7
10 at Eisenhower* 7
18 Cochranton* 7
25 at Harborcreek Youth Services* 7
October
1 Iroquois* 7
9 Union City* 7
16 Linesville* 7
23 Mercyhurst Prep* 7
30 at Youngsville* 7
November
6 at Cambridge Springs* 7

*Region 2 games

Saturday: Region 2: Union City

In 2008, Saegertown was the class of Region 2 with a very talented team. Unfortunately for the Panthers a lot of talent graduated and the head coach resigned. Dave McDonald takes over as a first-year coach and some rebuilding to do from last year’s team. Cambridge Springs, Union City and Iroquois were all solid playoff teams but did not fare well against the powerful Region 1. There was a little controversy with the playoff selections as Iroquois and Mercyhurst Prep finished with the same region record. The District 10 handbook, at the time, stated the team with the best overall record advanced. Iroquois had the better record even though Mercyhurst Prep beat the Braves head to head. The rules have changed with head to head being the first tiebreaker this season. Mercyhurst Prep, Iroquois and Cambridge Springs will be solid with Saegertown and Union City in the hunt. Eisenhower could be a very dangerous sleeper with plenty of starters returning. Here are last year’s standings:

Region 2
Region Overall
y-Saegertown 8-0 12-1
z-Cambridge Springs 6-2 7-4
z-Union City 5-3 7-4
z-Iroquois 5-3 6-5
Mercyhurst Prep 5-3 5-5
Eisenhower 4-4 4-6
Youngsville 2-6 2-7
Cochranton 1-7 1-9
Harborcreek Youth 0-8 0-10
y-clinched region championship
z-qualified for playoff spot

Key 2009 games: Oct. 1 Cambridge Springs at Mercyhurst Prep, Oct. 9 Cambridge Springs at Eisenhower, Mercyhurst Prep at Iroquois, Oct. 23 Mercyhurst Prep at Saegertown, Oct. 30 Iroquois at Cambridge Springs
Predicted champion: Mercyhurst Prep