Archives

Here are links to each preview post from this summer, including the Summer Huddle (football), the Corner Kick (soccer) and Jump Serve (girls volleyball)

Summer Huddle
Bradford, Cambridge Springs, Cathedral Prep, Central Tech, Cochranton, Conneaut Valley, Corry, DuBois, East, Eisenhower, Fairview, Farrell, Fort LeBoeuf, Franklin, General McLane, Girard, Greenville, Grove City, Harbor Creek, Hickory, Iroquois, Kennedy Catholic, Lakeview, Linesville, Maplewood, McDowell, Meadville, Mercer, Mercyhurst Prep, North East, Northwestern, Oil City, Reynolds, Saegertown, Seneca, Sharon, Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, Strong Vincent, Titusville, Union City, Warren, West Middlesex, Wilmington, Youngsville, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5, Region 6, WPIAL Northern Seven

Corner Kick
Bradford, Cambridge Springs, Cathedral Prep, Central Tech, Commodore Perry, Conneaut Valley, Corry, East, Eisenhower, Fairview, Fort LeBoeuf, Franklin, General McLane, Girard, Grove City, Harbor Creek, Hickory, Iroquois, Kennedy Catholic, Maplewood, McDowell, Meadville, Mercer, Mercyhurst Prep, North East, Seneca, Sharon, Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, Strong Vincent, Titusville, Villa Maria, West Middlesex

Jump Serve
Cambridge Springs, Central Tech, Cochranton, Conneaut Lake, Conneaut Valley, Corry, Fairview, Farrell, Fort LeBoeuf, Franklin, General McLane, Girard, Greenville, Grove City, Harbor Creek, Hickory, Iroquois, Jamestown, Kennedy Catholic, Lakeview, Linesville, McDowell, Meadville,  Mercyhurst Prep, North East, Northwestern, Reynolds, Seneca, Sharon, Sharpsville, Slippery Rock, Union City, Villa Maria, West Middlesex

– Tom Reisenweber

2011 outlook
Favorite: North Allegheny
Contenders: McDowell, North Hills
Dark horse: Shaler

2010 rewind
Conference Overall
North Allegheny 5-1 15-1
North Hills 5-1 10-2
McDowell 4-2 7-3
Pine-Richland 3-3 3-7
Shaler 3-3 5-4
Seneca Valley 1-5 3-6
Butler 0-6 0-9

Returning all-stars
Offense
RB Greg Garmon McDowell Jr. 6-2 190
MP J.P. Holtz Shaler Jr. 6-4 235
WR Sean Gavin Shaler Jr. 6-1 167
TE Luke DeHart McDowell Jr. 6-0 220
C Peter Thistle North Allegheny Jr. 6-0 220
T Patrick Kugler North Allegheny So. 6-4 255
T David Miller Seneca Valley Jr. 6-4 280
Defense
No returnees

2010 Postseason results
WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs
First round
Pittsburgh Central Catholic 37, Pine-Richland 10
Gateway 37, McDowell 21
North Allegheny 38, Peters Township 7
North Hills 20, Penn-Trafford 3
Quarterfinals
North Allegheny 23, Bethel Park 13
North Hills 16, Upper St. Clair 14
Semifinals
North Allegheny 17, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 14
Woodland Hills 24, North Hills 14
Championship
North Allegheny 21, Woodland Hills 14
PIAA playoffs
Quarterfinals
North Allegheny 21, State College 6
Semifinals
North Allegheny 35, Cumberland Valley 17
Championship
North Allegheny 21, LaSalle 0

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

– Tom Reisenweber

2011 outlook
Favorite: Cathedral Prep
Contenders: Fort LeBoeuf, Warren
Dark horse: East

2010 rewind
Region 6
Region Overall
x-Cathedral Prep (AAA) 6-0 9-5
Bradford (AAA) 5-1 8-2
z-Warren (AAA) 4-2 7-4
z-Strong Vincent (AAAA) 3-3 4-6
East (AAA) 2-4 2-6
Fort LeBoeuf (AAA) 1-5 2-8
Central Tech (AAA) 0-6 1-9
x-region champion
z-qualified for the playoffs

Returning all-stars
First-team offense
Kimani Smith Cathedral Prep 11 WR
Damion Terry Cathedral Prep 10 QB
Anthony Jordan Cathedral Prep 11 AP
David Reinhardt Bradford 11 OL
Anthony Ernst Cathedral Prep 11 OL
Second-team offense
Michael Amendola Cathedral Prep 11 TE
Levonte Ford East 11 TE
Nathan Zigler Warren 11 WR
Denzel Jones Strong Vincent 11 AP
Dan Kline Bradford 11 OL
Second-team defense
Mack Engstrom Warren 11 DL
Chris Bleggi Cathedral Prep 10 DL
Kimani Smith Cathedral Prep 11 LB
Denzel Jones Strong Vincent 11 DB

Past champions
2010 — Cathedral Prep (6-0)
2009 — Cathedral Prep (4-0)
2008 — Cathedral Prep (4-0)
2007 — Cathedral Prep, McDowell (co-champs, 4-1)
2006 — Cathedral Prep (5-0)
2005 — McDowell (2-0)
2004 — McDowell (2-0)

Postseason results
Class AAA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Oil City 41, Warren 21
Semifinals
Cathedral Prep 56, Oil City 6
Championship
Cathedral Prep 28, Grove City 16
PIAA playoffs
Subregional
State College 35, Strong Vincent 7
Quarterfinals
Cathedral Prep 31, Central Valley 21
Semifinals
Bishop McDevitt 24, Cathedral Prep 21

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.

– Tom Reisenweber

2011 outlook
Favorite: Grove City
Contenders: Meadville, Corry
Dark Horse: DuBois

2010 rewind
Region 5
Region Overall
x-Grove City (AAA) 6-0 11-1
z-Corry (AAA) 4-2 9-3
z-Oil City (AAA) 4-2 9-3
z-Meadville (AAA) 4-2 5-6
DuBois (AAAA) 2-4 4-6
Franklin (AAA) 1-5 3-7
Slippery Rock (AAA) 0-6 0-10
x-region champion
z-qualified for the playoffs

Returning all-stars
First-team offense
Wes Phipps Grove City 11 RB
Erik Record Grove City 11 AP
Mike Moon Oil City 11 OL
First-team defense
Dalton Swanson Corry 11 DL
Wes Phipps Grove City 11 LB
Dylan Neal Slippery Rock 10 LB
Erik Record Grove City 11 DB
Terence Goodrum Meadville 11 DB
First-team special teams
Andy Hajec Corry 11 K
Second-team offense
Max Hine DuBois 11 WR
Sam Furrh Slippery Rock 11 WR
Tyler Dagres Grove City 11 QB
Artrel Foster Meadville 10 RB
Terence Goodrum Meadville 11 AP
Jordan Patterson Grove City 11 OL
Second-team defense
Mike Moon Oil City 11 DL
Alex Gilmore Grove City 11 DL
Harold Price Grove City 10 LB
Zack Towers Meadville 11 LB
Cody Bailey Corry 11 DB
Mason Depeal Grove City 11 DB
Second-team special teams
Max Hine DuBois 11 K
Andy Hajec Corry 11 P

Past champions
2010 — Grove City (6-0)
2009 — Grove City (4-0)
2008 — Grove City (4-0)
2007 — Titusville (5-0)
2006 — Titusville (5-0)
2005 — General McLane (8-0)
2004 — Strong Vincent (8-0)

Region 5 postseason results
Class AAA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Corry 34, Meadville 31
Oil City 41, Warren 21
Semifinals
Grove City 34, Corry 7
Cathedral Prep 56, Oil City 6
Championship
Cathedral Prep 28, Grove City 16

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.

– Tom Reisenweber

2011 outlook
Favorite: General McLane
Contenders: North East, Fairview
Dark horse: Northwestern

2010 rewind
Region 4
Region Overall
x-General McLane 6-0 10-2
z-North East 5-1 8-3
z-Fairview 4-2 7-3
z-Girard 3-3 4-6
Harbor Creek 2-4 4-6
Northwestern 1-5 3-7
Seneca 0-6 1-9
x-region champion
z-qualified for the playoffs

Returning all-stars
First-team offense
Josh Ponsoll General McLane 11 QB
Tyler Johnson North East 11 RB
First-team defense
Aaron Morley Northwestern 11 LB
Tyler Johnson North East 11 DB
Second-team offense
Quinn Thompson General McLane 10 TE
Austin Davis Northwestern 11 WR
Cory Bailey North East 11 QB
Aaron Morley Northwestern 11 RB
Brady Lynn North East 11 OL
Second-team defense
Quinn Thompson General McLane 10 DL
Steve Maskrey Northwestern 11 LB
Tommy Weidle Fairview 11 DB
Josh Ponsoll General McLane 11 DB

Past champions
2010 — General McLane (6-0)
2009 — General McLane (8-0)
2008 — North East (8-0)
2007 — Harbor Creek (6-0)
2006 — Fairview, Harbor Creek (co-champs, 5-1)
2005 — Girard (6-1)
2004 — North East (7-0)

2010 Postseason results
Class AA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Sharon 28, Girard 7
Wilmington 14, North East 0
General McLane 63, Greenville 14
Hickory 40, Fairview 3
Semifinals
Hickory 29, General McLane 28

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.

Saturday: Region 5 and 6 previews

– Tom Reisenweber

2011 outlook
Favorite: Sharon
Contenders: Wilmington, Hickory
Dark horse: Greenville

2010 rewind
Region 3
Region Overall
x-Sharon 5-0 11-3
z-Hickory 4-1 9-3
z-Wilmington 3-2 7-5
z-Greenville 2-3 5-6
Reynolds 1-4 2-8
Titusville 0-5 0-10
x-region champion
z-qualified for the playoffs

Returning all-stars
First-team offense
Ryan Crawford Wilmington 11 WR
Dan Sokac Hickory 11 AP
First-team defense
Zack Llewellyn Wilmington 11 LB
Andrew Smith Hickory 11 DB
Anthony Derrick Wilmington 11 DB
Second-team offense
Andrew Smith Hickory 11 WR
Jason Ondic Sharon 11 QB
Anthony Derrick Wilmington 11 RB
Bryn Kaufman Wilmington 11 OL
John Yohman Wilmington 10 OL
Reese Swatsworth Hickory 11 OL
Second-team defense
Bryn Kaufman Wilmington 11 DL
Jon Yohman Wilmington 10 DL
Randy Perkins Greenville 11 DB
Jason Ondic Sharon 11 DB
Ian Crawford Sharon 11 DB

Past champions
2010 — Sharon (5-0)
2009 — Wilmington, Sharon (co-champs, 6-1)
2008 — Wilmington (7-0)
2007 — Wilmington (6-0)
2006 — Wilmington (6-0)
2005 — Wilmington (6-1)
2004 — Greenville, Grove City (co-champs, 6-1)

2010 Postseason results
Class AA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Sharon 28, Girard 7
Wilmington 14, North East 0
General McLane 63, Greenville 14
Hickory 40, Fairview 3
Semifinals
Sharon 14, Wilmington 7
Hickory 29, General McLane 28
Championship
Sharon 14, Hickory 6
PIAA playoffs
Quarterfinals
Forest Hills 21, Sharon 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.

– Tom Reisenweber

2011 outlook
Favorite: Mercyhurst Prep
Contenders: Saegertown, Union City, Cambridge Springs
Dark horse: Iroquois

2010 rewind
Region 2
Region Overall
x-Mercyhurst Prep 8-0 12-1
z-Saegertown 7-1 9-2
z-Cambridge Springs 5-3 6-5
z-Union City 5-3 5-5
Maplewood 4-4 6-4
Iroquois 3-5 4-6
Cochranton 2-6 3-7
Youngsville 2-6 2-8
Eisenhower 0-8 0-10
x-region champions
z-qualified for the playoffs

Returning all-stars
First-team offense
Dwayne Canady Mercyhurst Prep 11 WR
Noah Marvin Saegertown 11 QB
Alex Petruso Saegertown 11 OL
Jarod Young Saegertown 11 OL
First-team defense
Darrin Donikowski Mercyhurst Prep 11 DL
Sawyer Dinniney Youngsville 11 DL
Alex Petruso Saegertown 11 LB
Parrish Brown Iroquois 11 DB
First-team special teams
T.J. Hardy Youngsville 10 K
Clayton Beatty Cochranton 11 P
Second-team offense
Shane Rigby Saegertown 10 TE
Cole Graham Cochranton 11 WR
Mike Weber Maplewood 11 OL
Sawyer Dinniney Youngsville 11 OL
Jordon Hefferman Eisenhower 11 OL
Justin Bengel Union City 11 OL
Second-team defense
Josh Tomiczek Saegertown 11 DL
Jordon Hefferman Eisenhower 11 DL
Josh Agresti Mercyhurst Prep 11 DL
Matt Desin Iroquois 11 LB
Logan Battin Maplewood 10 LB
Sage Sivak Youngsville 11 LB
Second-team special teams
Justyn Roda Iroquois 10 K
Justyn Roda Iroquois 10 P

Past champions
2010 — Mercyhurst Prep (8-0)
2009 — Mercyhurst Prep (8-0)
2008 — Saegertown (8-0)
2007 — Mercyhurst Prep (8-0)
2006 — Mercyhurst Prep (8-0)
2005 — Fairview (7-0)
2004 — Fairview (7-0)

2010 Postseason results
Class A
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Farrell 33, Union City 0
Lakeview 43, Saegertown 32
Mercyhurst Prep 54, Mercer 14
Sharpsville 42, Cambridge Springs 6
Semifinals
Mercyhurst Prep 56, Sharpsville 33
Championship
Farrell 39, Mercyhurst Prep 0

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.

Friday: Region 3 and 4 previews

– Tom Reisenweber

REGION 1
2011 outlook
Favorite: Farrell
Contenders: Mercer, Sharpsville, Linesville
Dark horse: West Middlesex

2010 rewind
Standings
Region Overall
y-Farrell 7-1 13-2
y-Sharpsville 7-1 10-2
z-Lakeview 5-3 8-4
Linesville 5-3 6-4
z-Mercer 5-3 6-5
West Middlesex 4-4 5-5
Conneaut Valley 2-6 4-6
Kennedy Catholic 1-7 1-9
Conneaut Lake 0-8 0-10
y-co-region champions
z-qualified for the playoffs

Returning all-stars
First-team offense
Nolan Varee Conneaut Valley 11 WR
R.J. Swartz Mercer 11 OL
Dylan Hogue Sharpsville 11 OL
First-team defense
Diallo Lewis Farrell 11 LB
First-team special teams
Travis Foster Conneaut Valley 11 P
Second-team offense
Joe Hess Mercer 11 RB
James Wills West Middlesex 11 AP
Jamel Jordan Farrell 11 OL
Brandon Little Mercer 11 OL
Trevor Harrison West Middlesex 10 OL
Second-team defense
R.J. Swartz Mercer 11 DL
Joe Hess Mercer 11 DL
Luke Patten West Middlesex 10 LB
Dersean Alberty-Brown Sharpsville 11 DB
Second-team special teams
Will Juergens Mercer 10 K
Aaron Collins Mercer 11 P

Past champions
2010 — Farrell, Sharpsville (co-champs, 7-1)
2009 — Farrell (8-0)
2008 — Farrell, Linesville, Mercer (tri-champs, 7-1)
2007 — Mercer (8-0)
2006 — West Middlesex (8-0)
2005 — Kennedy Catholic (6-0)
2004 — Sharpsville (6-0)

2010 Postseason results
Class A
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Farrell 33, Union City 0
Lakeview 43, Saegertown 32
Mercyhurst Prep 54, Mercer 14
Sharpsville 42, Cambridge Springs 6
Semifinals
Farrell 34, Lakeview 7
Mercyhurst Prep 56, Sharpsville 33
Championship
Farrell 39, Mercyhurst Prep 0
PIAA playoffs
Quarterfinals
Farrell 35, Curwensville 14
Semifinals
Clairton 48, Farrell 8

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.

– Tom Reisenweber

Youngsville Eagles
Coach (season): Luke Alex (1st season)
2010 overall record: 2-8
2010 region record (place): 2-6 (tied for eighth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: Aaron Niemeyer, Nathan Smith, Jared Camp, Christian Bundy, Derek Gifford
Top returning players: Sawyer Dininny, Sam Lucas, Cory Craig, Jordan Gurdak, Rocco Gatta, Sage Sivak, Ryan Rickerson, Dalton Maze
Assistant coaches: Chad Edwards, Mike Wright, Eric Rozanski, Adam Vincent and Don Hardy
Outlook: Youngsville is looking to turn things around this season under new head coach Luke Alex. Not only with the Eagles have a new system in place and a fresh approach, but quarterback Cory Craig is back after sitting out most of 2010 with injury. Also back for Youngsville are Sawyer Dininny, Sma Lucas, Jordan Gurdak, Rocco Gatta, Sage Sivak, Ryan Rickerson and Dalton Maze. All provide experience and depth for the Eagles this season. Alex knows he has a veteran group back and commented that this group has been in the system the longest and they know it well. Lineman Jake Marino and wide receiver/defensive back Kyle Rafalski are new to the varsity level and are looking to make an impact right away.

The biggest issue for the Eagles last year was scoring in the red zone. Youngsville is looking to cut down on its turnovers and to start putting points on the board when in the red zone. The Eagles are deep at the skill positions but will need to develop the offensive and defensive lines a little more. Youngsville’s passing game suffered without Craig last year but could be vastly improved.

The Eagles have a strong defense and that will be especially important in Region 2. Youngsville will go up against big teams that love to run the ball and slowing them down will be key. The Eagles hit the road three of their first four games with only a home game against Maplewood in the mix. Youngsville will get Mercyhurst Prep at home but the Eagles might need to pull the upset in order to compete for the Region 2 title. The Eagles have experience and talent this fall and if they can stay healthy, they might be looking at a District 10 playoff spot in November.

Schedule
September
2 at Seneca 7
9 at Union City* 7
16 Maplewood* 7
23 at Iroquois* 7
30 Mercyhurst Prep* 7
October
7 at Eisenhower* 7
14 at Cambridge Springs* 7
21 Conneaut, Ohio 7
28 at Cochranton* 7
November
4 Saegertown* 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.

Thursday: Region 1 and 2 previews

– Tom Reisenweber

Wilmington Greyhounds
Coach (season, record): Terry Verrelli (33rd season, 253-108-3)
2010 overall record: 7-5
2010 region record (place): 3-2 (third)
2010 playoff results: Lost 14-7 to Sharon in the District 10 Class AA semifinals.
Top players lost: Sutton Whiting, Jason McFarland
Top returning players: Anthony Derrick, Ryan Crawford, Bryn Kaufman, John Yohman, Tyler Donati
Assistant coaches: David Welch, Bob Mitcheltree, Pat Anderson, Brandon Ghillian, Brian Cooper and Rob Shimrack
Outlook: It could be trap year in Region 3 if any teams are doubting perennial power Wilmington. Sharon and Hickory had impressive seasons in 2010 to play each other for the District 10 Class AA championship, but to overlook the Greyhounds would be a huge mistake. Wilmington lost one of the top running backs in District 10 in Sutton Whiting and a standout lineman Jason McFarland but almost everyone else is back. Sharon and Hickory were hit much harder by graduation than Wilmington. The ‘Hounds return Anthony Derrick, Ryan Crawford, Bryn Kaufman, Jon Yohman and Tyler Donati. Wilmington’s strength this year will be it offensive and defensive lines as well as experience. The ‘Hounds had numerous underclassmen starting last fall and that experience could pay off in a big way.

The offense is set with the exception of replacing Whiting. Josh Tekac and Nick Vasko split time at quarterback last season and both return along with a backfield of Derrick and Donati. Crawford, Cameron Rossi and Zack Llewellyn are back after solid receiving seasons in 2010.

It’s no surprise Wilmington loaded up its non-region schedule with Class AAA teams and out-of-District 10 powers. The ‘Hounds actually don’t play a region game at home until a showdown with Hickory on Sept. 30. Wilmington follows with another brutal home game against Grove City, but the most important game of the year could come Oct. 21 against Sharon if both teams survive Hickory until that point in the Region 3 standings.

Schedule
September
2 Slippery Rock 7
9 at Greenville* 7
16 at Karns City 7
23 at Reynolds* 7
30 Hickory* 7
October
7 Grove City 7
14 at Titusville* 7
21 Sharon* 7
28 at Warren JFK 7
November
4 Northwestern 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.

Wednesday: Youngsville

– Tom Reisenweber

West Middlesex Big Reds
Coach (season, record): Jason McElhaney (5th season, 19-21)
2010 overall record: 5-5
2010 region record (place): 4-4 (sixth)
2010 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 playoffs.
Top players lost: James Gearhart, Kris Mason, Eric Coast
Top returning players: Jeremy Jancso, Clay Allen, James Wills, Luke Patten, Colin Patten, Trevor Harrison
Assistant coaches: Lucas Allen, Mark Means, Joel Murray, Clayton Pratt, Ed Roberson
Outlook: West Middlesex has been on the cusp of the District 10 playoff picture the past few years and might have enough talent to make the postseason this fall. The Big Reds return nearly every skill position player but will need some help on the offensive and defensive lines. James Gearhart, Kris Mason and Eric Coast all contributed on the line the past few years and will be missed. Trevor harrison, an all-region offensive lineman, is back but the rest of the line will be determined in camp.

The good news for the Big Reds is the experience and depth in the backfield. Jeremy Jancso eclipsed 1,000 passing yards last season and could be due for a bigger year. Luke Patten, James Wills, Clay Allen and Colin Patten are standout offensive weapons coach Jason McElhaney can call on at any time in a game. Junior Roman Klaric could earn some playing time at wide receiver and defensive back, while freshmen Trey Staunch and Michael Gladysz could see playing time right away.

West Middlesex was in line for a playoff spot in 2010 before a close 32-27 loss to Linesville and a heart-breaking 19-15 loss to Mercer ended the season and hope for the payoffs. The Big Reds loaded up their non-region schedule with Class AA opponents Hickory and Reynolds, but a three-game stretch in the middle of the season could determine their shot at the region title and the postseason. Middlesex will travel to Sharpsville, Lakeview and Farrell in three straight weeks before ending the season once again with Linesville and Mercer.

Schedule
September
2 Hickory 7
10 Conneaut Valley* 7
16 Reynolds 7
24 at Sharpsville* 7
30 at Lakeview* 7
October
7 Bye
14 at Farrell* 7
21 Kennedy Catholic* 7
28 at Linesville* 7
November
4 Mercer* 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.

Tuesday: Wilmington

– Tom Reisenweber

Warren Dragons
Coach (season, record): Brad Wright (4th season, 13-18)
2010 overall record: 7-4
2010 region record (place): 4-2 (third)
2010 playoff results: Lost 41-21 to Oil City in the District 10 Class AAA quarterfinals.
Top players lost: T.J. Latimer, Matt Stapleford, Andrew Morrison, Logan Morley, Brett Ball, Matt Jaskolka
Top returning players: Mack Engstrom, Bobby Atkins, Nathan Zigler
Assistant coaches: Greg Latimer, Mark Bupp, Ken Hinton, Paul Genis and Gary Campbell
Outlook: Coach Brad Wright is hoping to see his team get to the playoffs for the second straight year. Warren has some work to do in camp for that to happen. The Dragons lost T.J. Latimer, Matt Stapleford, Andrew Morrison, Logan Morley and Brett Ball to graduation, leaving some big holes on both sides of the ball. Austin Jerman, who led the junior varsity team to a 9-1 record last year, could be in line to start at quarterback. His biggest competition would have been Matt Jaskolka but he has decided to concentrate on baseball this year. The Dragons also have all-region lineman Mack Engstrom back as well as two-way starting lineman Bobby Atkins. Nathan Zigler provides some depth at wide receiver and defensive back.

Warren has some experience back but filling in holes left by graduation will be crucial. The Dragons made their way to the District 10 playoffs in 2010 but could find a tougher road to the postseason this fall. Region 6 was a little down last year but it could be on its way back up. Warren will travel for three of its first four games, including two big region games at Fort LeBoeuf and Strong Vincent. The Dragons need to take care of those teams and East before showdowns with rival Bradford and powerhouse Cathedral Prep in October.

Schedule
September
2 at Titusville 7
9 East* 7
16 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7
23 at Strong Vincent* 7
30 Harbor Creek 7
October
7 at Franklin 7
14 at Bradford* 7
21 Central Tech* 7
28 Cathedral Prep* 7
November
4 Corry 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.

Monday: West Middlesex

– Tom Reisenweber