Varsity » Summer Huddle

Summer Huddle recap

Tom Reisenweber — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 05:00:48 +0000

Here are links to each Summer Huddle from the past two months.
Bradford, Cambridge Springs, Cathedral Prep, Central Tech, Cochranton, Conneaut, Corry, DuBois, East, Eisenhower, Fairview, Farrell, Fort LeBoeuf, Franklin, General McLane, Girard, Greenville, Grove City, Harbor Creek, Hickory, Iroquois, Kennedy Catholic, Lakeview, 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

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Region 6

Tom Reisenweber — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 14:00:02 +0000

Region 6
2011 standings
Region Overall
x-Cathedral Prep (AAA) 6-0 9-3
y-Strong Vincent (AAAA) 5-1 8-3
y-East (AAA) 4-2 7-5
Bradford (AAA) 3-3 3-7
Central Tech (AAA) 1-5 3-7
Fort LeBoeuf (AAA) 1-5 2-8
Warren (AAA) 1-5 2-8
x-region champion
y-qualified for the playoffs

2011 Region 6 postseason results
Class AAA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
East 27, Corry 16
Semifinals
Grove City 49, East 0
Cathedral Prep 49, Meadville 7
Championship
Grove City 33, Cathedral Prep 0

PIAA playoffs
Class AAAA
Sub-regional
Strong Vincent 42, Mifflin County 21
Sub-regional championship
State College 42, Strong Vincent 31

2012 outlook
Favorite: Cathedral Prep
Contenders: McDowell, Strong Vincent
Dark horse: General McLane

Region 6 returning all-stars
First-team offense
Damion Terry Cathedral Prep 12 QB
Corey Henry Strong Vincent 12 RB
Delton Williams Cathedral Prep 12 AP
First-team defense
Erik Swanson Cathedral Prep 12 DL
Quinn Thompson* General McLane 12 DL
Hassom Farooq Strong Vincent 12 LB
Corey Henry Strong Vincent 12 LB
Delton Williams Cathedral Prep 12 DB
Eugene Husband Central Tech 12 DB
First-team special teams
John Chereson Cathedral Prep 12 K
Second-team offense
Donnie Tatum Strong Vincent 12 TE
Quinn Thompson* General McLane 12 TE
Chris Kirkland Strong Vincent 12 RB
Nick Dubowski Cathedral Prep 12 RB
Eugene Husband Central Tech 12 AP
Tashan Mitchell Strong Vincent 12 OL
Zach Leight* General McLane 12 OL
Erik Swanson Cathedral Prep 12 OL
Second-team defense
Antino DeBerry Strong Vincent 12 DL
Patrick Williamson Cathedral Prep 12 DL
Tyler Hendricks* General McLane 12 LB
Nick DuBowski Cathedral Prep 12 LB
Jake Plonski Cathedral Prep 12 LB
Willie Horne East 12 LB
Chris Kirkland Strong Vincent 12 DB
Aidan Graham* General McLane 12 DB
Marcus Erdman* General McLane 12 DB
Second-team special teams
Austin Jerman Warren 12 P
*General McLane was in Region 4 in 2011

New region alignment
Team Enrollment
Cathedral Prep 433
Central Tech 461
East 399
General McLane 316
McDowell 995
Strong Vincent 390
Class AAA range: 299-505
Class AAAA range: 506 and above

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Region 5

Tom Reisenweber — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 05:00:24 +0000

Region 5
2011 standings
Region Overall
x-Grove City (AAA) 6-0 11-1
y-Slippery Rock (AAA) 5-1 7-4
y-DuBois (AAAA) 4-2 8-3
y-Meadville (AAA) 3-3 7-5
y-Corry (AAA) 2-4 6-5
Oil City (AAA) 1-5 3-7
Franklin (AAA) 0-6 0-10
x-region champion
y-qualified for the playoffs

2011 Region 5 postseason results
Class AAA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
East 27, Corry 16
Meadville 43, Slippery Rock 7
Semifinals
Grove City 49, East 0
Cathedral Prep 49, Meadville 7
Championship
Grove City 33, Cathedral Prep 0

PIAA playoffs
Class AAA
Quarterfinals
Montour 25, Grove City 21

Class AAAA
Sub-regional
State College 28, DuBois 17

2012 outlook
Favorite: Meadville
Contenders: Warren, DuBois, Slippery Rock
Dark horse: Bradford

Region 5 returning all-stars
2011 underclassmen
(Current year listed)
First-team offense
Forrest Christman Slippery Rock 12 OL
First-team defense
Dylan Neal Slippery Rock 12 LB
Artrel Foster Meadville 12 DB
First-team special teams
Pat Asinger* Bradford 12 P
Second-team offense
Jesse Rice Oil City 11 WR
Ryan Currie Slippery Rock 12 QB
Artrel Foster Meadvile 12 RB
Garrett Brown DuBois 12 AP
Second-team defense
Dalton Matthews Franklin 12 LB
Second-team special teams
Ty Riley* Bradford 12 K
*Bradford was in Region 6 in 2011

New region alignment
Team Enrollment
Bradford 311
DuBois 563
Franklin* 317
Meadville 365
Oil City** 385
Slippery Rock 304
Warren*** 299
*Franklin has a co-op enrollment of 118. Only 59 students are counted toward their total because of PIAA rules.
**Oil City has a co-op enrollment of 135. Only 37 students are counted toward their total because of PIAA rules.
***Warren has a co-op enrollment of 3. Only 1 student is counted toward their total because of PIAA rules.
Class AAA range: 299-505
Class AAAA range: 506 and above

Later today: Region 6

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Region 4

Tom Reisenweber — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 05:00:17 +0000

Region 4
2011 standings
Region Overall
x-North East 6-0 9-2
y-General McLane 5-1 10-3
Harbor Creek 3-3 7-3
y-Northwestern 3-3 5-6
Girard 2-4 3-6
Fairview 1-5 1-8
Seneca 1-5 1-9
x-region champion
y-qualified for the playoffs

2011 Region 4 postseason results
Class AA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
General McLane 54, Greenville 32
Hickory 33, Northwestern 12
Semifinals
General McLane 21, Wilmington 18
Hickory 35, North East 0

2012 outlook
Favorite: Corry
Contenders: North East, Fort LeBoeuf
Dark horse: Girard

Region 4 returning all-stars
2011 underclassmen
(Current year listed)
First-team offense
Brian McNally Girard 11 TE
Tyler Engle* Corry 12 TE
Kendall Bonnett Girard 12 WR
First-team defense
Adam Renshaw Harbor Creek 12 LB
First-team special teams
Anthony Concilla Harbor Creek 12 K
Second-team offense
Kyle McKeen Northwestern 12 WR
Tyler Bretz Harbor Creek 12 RB
Evan Daley* Fort LeBoeuf 12 OL
Second-team defense
Ross Barnett* Fort LeBoeuf 12 DL
Garrett Behringer Northwestern 12 LB
Evan Daley* Fort LeBoeuf 12 LB
Matt Cragg* Corry 12 DB
Second-team special teams
Chase Doyle North East 12 K
*Corry was in Region 5 in 2011
*Fort LeBoeuf was in Region 6 in 2011

New region alignment
Team Enrollment
Corry 284
Fairview 206
Fort LeBoeuf 267
Girard 263
Harbor Creek 275
North East 209
Northwestern 223
Seneca 186
Class AA range: 186-298

Sunday: Region 5 and 6

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Region 3

Tom Reisenweber — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Region 3
2011 standings
Region Overall
x-Wilmington 5-0 9-2
y-Hickory 4-1 11-2
y-Greenville 3-2 4-6
Titusville 1-4 3-7
Reynolds 1-4 2-8
Sharon 1-4 2-8
x-region champion
y-qualified for the playoffs

2011 Region 3 postseason results
Class AA
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
General McLane 54, Greenville 32
Hickory 33, Northwestern 12
Semifinals
General McLane 21, Wilmington 18
Hickory 35, North East 0
Championship
Hickory 35, General McLane 13

PIAA playoffs
Quarterfinals
Tyrone 40, Hickory 28

2012 outlook
Favorite: Hickory
Contenders: Grove City, Wilmington
Dark horse: Sharon

Region 3 returning all-stars
2011 underclassmen
(Current year listed)
First-team offense
Donnie Watson Wilmington 12 TE
DeShawn Coleman Hickory 12 RB
Tyler Fattman Greenville 11 AP
John Yohman Wilmington 12 OL
First-team defense
Jeremy Miller Wilmington 12 DL
Mike Palumbo Hickory 12 LB
First-team special teams
Brandon Ryder Wilmington 12 K
Second-team offense
Calvin Pryts Hickory 12 TE
Luke Houpt Greenville 11 WR
Dionte Pope Hickory 12 AP
Logan Rickert Reynolds 12 OL
J.J. Hauck Greenville 12 OL
Second-team defense
Joe Hines Hickory 12 DL
Armand Rickerson Titusville 12 DL
Logan Rickert Reynolds 12 DL
Tyler Donati Wilmington 12 LB
Calvin Pryts Hickory 12 LB
Kellen Gursky Reynolds 12 LB
Harold Price* Grove City 12 LB
Dionte Pope Hickory 12 DB
Foster Reznor* Grove City 11 DB
*Grove City was in Region 5 in 2011

New region alignment
Team Enrollment
Greenville* 213
Grove City 298
Hickory 258
Reynolds** 212
Saegertown 198
Sharon 252
Titusville 233
Wilmington 223
*Greenville has a co-op enrollment of 66. Only 33 students are counted toward their total because of PIAA rules.
**Reynolds has a co-op enrollment of 68. Only 34 students are counted toward their total because of PIAA rules.
Class AA range: 186-298

Saturday: Region 4

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Region 2

Tom Reisenweber — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 05:00:49 +0000

Region 2
2011 standings
Region Overall
x-Youngsville 8-0 10-1
y-Mercyhurst Prep 7-1 9-2
y-Saegertown 6-2 7-4
y-Cambridge Springs 4-4 5-6
Eisenhower 3-5 3-7
Cochranton 2-6 3-6
Iroquois 2-6 2-8
Maplewood 2-6 2-8
Union City 2-6 2-8
x-region champion
y-qualified for the playoffs

Region 2 postseason results
Class A
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Sharpsville 48, Cambridge Springs 0
Farrell 28, Mercyhurst Prep 25
West Middlesex 47, Youngsville 0
Mercer 48, Saegertown 20

2012 outlook
Favorite: Mercyhurst Prep
Contender: Cambridge Springs
Dark horse: Eisenhower

Region 2 returning all-stars
2011 underclassmen
(Current year listed)
First-team offense
Cornelius Barclay Mercyhurst Prep 12 RB
Kyle Drabic Mercyhurst Prep 12 OL
First-team defense
Jordan Gurdak Youngsville 12 LB
Nathan O’Brien Eisenhower 12 DB
Rocco Gatta Youngsville 12 DB
First-team special teams
T.J. Hardy Youngsville 12 K
Second-team offense
A.J. Nageotte Cochranton 12 WR
Josh Reinke Union City 12 WR
Austin Andrews Cochranton 12 RB
Jared Flaisman Eisenhower 11 OL
Second-team defense
Josh Dennis Cochranton 12 LB
Josh Reinke Union City 12 DB
Second-team special teams
Justyn Roda Iroquois 12 K
Nathan O’Brien Eisenhower 12 P

New region alignment
Team Enrollment
Cambridge Springs 149
Cochranton 103
Eisenhower 139
Iroquois 145
Maplewood 164
Mercyhurst Prep 185
Union City 137
Youngsville 128
Class A range: 185 and below

Friday: Region 3

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Region 1

Tom Reisenweber — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 05:00:03 +0000

Region 1 preview
2011 standings
Region Overall
x-Sharpsville 7-0 13-1
y-Mercer 6-1 8-3
y-West Middlesex 4-3 7-5
y-Farrell 4-3 6-5
Linesville 3-4 5-4
Lakeview 2-5 4-5
Kennedy Catholic 1-6 2-7
*Conneaut Valley 1-6 1-8
x-region champion
y-qualified for the playoffs
*No team this year; program merged with Linesville

2011 Region 1 postseason results
Class A
District 10 playoffs
Quarterfinals
Sharpsville 48, Cambridge Springs 0
Farrell 28, Mercyhurst Prep 25
West Middlesex 47, Youngsville 0
Mercer 48, Saegertown 20
Semifinals
Sharpsville 36, Farrell 0
West Middlesex 44, Mercer 34
Championship
Sharpsville 21, West Middlesex 13

PIAA playoffs
Quarterfinals
Sharpsville 35, Port Allegany 33
Semifinals
Clairton 30, Sharpsville 8

2012 outlook
Favorite: Sharpsville
Contenders: West Middlesex, Mercer, Farrell
Dark horse: Conneaut

Region 1 returning all-stars
2011 underclassmen
(Current year listed)
First-team offense
Lance Messett, Farrell 12 WR
Tyler Luchey, Sharpsville 12 WR
Sage Pope, West Middlesex 12 WR
Sam Breese, Lakeview 11 OL
Nate Brest, Mercer 12 OL
First-team defense
Sam Breese, Lakeview 11 DL
Tyler Luchey, Sharpsville 12 DB
First-team special teams
Joey Pagliaroli, Sharpsville 12 K
Second-team offense
Jake McPhatter, Kennedy Catholic 11 WR
Blake Reddick, Lakeview 11 RB
Trevor Harrison, West Middlesex 12 OL
Second-team defense
Austin Mirizio, West Middlesex 12 DL
Luke Patten, West Middlesex 12 LB
Evan Nan, Mercer 12 LB
Sage Pope, West Middlesex 12 LB
Zac VanDuesen, Lakeview 11 DB
Dwayne Burns, Farrell 11 DB
Second-team special teams
Chase Hoffman, Mercer 11 K
Jeremy Jancso, West Middlesex 12 P

New region alignment
Team Enrollment
Conneaut (AAA) 319
Farrell (A) 113
Kennedy Catholic (A) 109
Lakeview (A) 149
Mercer (A) 154
Sharpsville (A) 175
West Middlesex (A) 162

Class A range: 185 and below
Class AAA range: 299-505

Thursday: Region 2

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Youngsville

Tom Reisenweber — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 05:00:19 +0000

Youngsville Eagles
Coach (season, record): Luke Alex (2nd season, 10-1)
2011 overall record: 10-1
2011 region record (place): 8-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Lost to West Middlesex 47-0 in the District 10 Class A quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Cory Craig, Sawyer Dininny, Sam Lucas, Dalton Maze, Stephen Beattie, Sage Sivak, Ryan Rickerson, Kyle Rickerson
Top returning players: Jordan Gurdak, Rocco Gatta, Tylor Keyes, Jacob Marino, T.J. Hardy, Seth Wachter, Syler Wolfe
Assistant coaches: Eric Rozanski, Chad Edwards, Mike Wright, Don Hardy, Andy Chase
Outlook: Youngsville had one of its best seasons in program history in 2011 with a 10-0 regular season, Region 2 title and spot in the District 10 Class A playoffs. The Eagles were gutted by graduation and will need some of the underclassmen to step up this fall. Cory Craig, Sawyer Dininny, Sam Lucas, Dalton Maze, Stephen Beattie, Sage Sivak, Ryan Rickerson and Kyle Rickerson are gone and leave huge holes to fill. Craig was an all-district pick at defensive back and was an all-region quarterback. Dininny and Beattie were voted to the all-region first team at offensive and defensive line, while Lucas and Sivak were voted first-team linebackers. Maze was a second-team defensive back and Ryan Rickerson was a second-team offensive lineman. The Eagles lost a total of seven starters on offense and eight on defense.

Youngsville will be in reload mode instead of rebuild. The Eagles return first-team linebacker Jordan Gurdak and first-team defensive back Rocco Gatta. T.J. Hardy, a first-team kicker, is also back at wide receiver and defensive end. Gurdak and Gatta bring experience to the backfield while Jake Marino is taking over at quarterback. Youngsville will have plenty of new faces and the Eagles must get big-time contributions from underclassmen to compete for the Region 2 title. Youngsville opens at Fairview before two huge home games with Iroquois and Cambridge Springs. The biggest game of the year could be Sept. 29 in Erie against Mercyhurst Prep after an intense showdown last fall.

Schedule
August
31 at Fairview 7
September
7 Iroquois* 7
14 Cambridge Springs* 7
21 at Maplewood* 7
29 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7
October
5 Union City* 7
12 at Seneca 7
19 Cochranton* 7
26 at Eisenhower* 7
November
2 Sheffield 7
*Region 2 games

Wednesday: Region 1

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Wilmington

Tom Reisenweber — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 05:00:03 +0000

Wilmington Greyhounds
Coach (season, record): Terry Verrelli (34th season, 262-110-3)
2011 overall record: 9-2
2011 region record (place): 5-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Lost to General McLane 21-18 in the District 10 Class AA semifinals.
Top players lost: Anthony Derrick, Bryn Kaufman, Ryan Crawford, Gunnar Donati, Nick Vasko, Josh Tekac, Kyle Jones, Mark Lehman, Zack Llewellyn, Colton Kendall, Nick Vasko, Cameron Rossi
Top returning players: John Yohman, Donnie Watson, Tyler Donati, Josiah Bloise, Jeremy Miller
Assistant coaches: David Welch, Robert Mitcheltree, Brian Cooper, Rob Shimrack, Brandon Phillian, Mike Neurhor, Mark Shenker, Brian Fulkman, Frank Berardi, Josh Phillian
Outlook: Wilmington has one of the strongest programs in District 10 and will need every bit of that strength this fall to stay competitive. The Greyhounds were brutalized by graduation with 16 starters gone. Anthony Derrick, Bryn Kaufman, Ryan Crawford, Gunnar Donati, Nick Vasko, Josh Tekac, Kyle Jones, Cameron Rossi, Nick Vasko, Colton Kendall, Mark Lehman and Zack Llewellyn are gone this fall. Kaufman was an all-district offensive lineman and a first-team all-region offensive and defensive lineman. Jones was a first-team offensive lineman and Kendall was a second-team offensive lineman. Llewellyn was a first-team linebacker and Lehman a second-defensive lineman. Along with most of the line being gone, the entire backfield has graduated as well. Tekac, a first-team punter and second-team quarterback, is gone along with running backs Crawford and Donati. Crawford was a first-team running back and linebacker, while Donati was a second-team running back and defensive back. The losses keep on coming with first-team defensive backs Derrick and Vasko along with Rossi, a second-team wide receiver.

The Greyhounds’ offense will be completely rebuilt at the skill positions. Wilmington has a few returning starters but the offense will need an overhaul. John Yohman, an all-region first-team selection on the offensive and defensive line is back along with Watson, a first-team tight end. Also back on defense is second-team linebacker Tyler Donati and second-team defensie lineman Jeremy Miller. Linebacker Josiah Bloise also provides depth on defense. Brandon Ryder, a first-team kicker, returns as well. With so many holes to fill, Wilmington will look to new players to fill them in. Seniors Chris Welch, Casey Hilton, Xavier Coulter, Keith Fulkman and Zack McCluskey could help rebuild the line, while running backs Nic Pugh, Steven Muscarella and Brady Lutz will compete for carries. Alex Patton will look to contribyte at wide receiver and Riley Kollar at linebacker. Sophomore Cody Llewellyn could get the nod at quarterback but will have some competition in camp for the starting job.

Wilmington doesn’t have much time to build chemistry with almost a completely new starting lineup. The Greyhounds jump right into its schedule against West Middlesex before their two biggest games of the year against Grove City and Hickory. Wilmington also has tough games with Sharon, Sharpsville and Farrell in the second half of the season but the ‘Hounds should know by then where they stand in Region 3. The ‘Hounds are almost a complete mystery heading into the season with little experience back. Wilmington and coach Terry Verrelli have reloaded for decades and will need another big effort this fall for the ‘Hounds to compete for the region and district titles.

Schedule
August
31 West Middlesex 7
September
7 at Grove City* 7
14 Hickory* 7
21 at Titusville* 7
28 Saegertown* 7
October
5 at Reynolds* 7
12 at Sharpsville 7
19 Sharon* 7
26 Greenville* 7
November
2 at Farrell 7
*Region 3 games

Tuesday: Youngsville

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – West Middlesex

Tom Reisenweber — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 05:00:41 +0000

West Middlesex Big Reds
Coach (season, record): Jason McElhaney (6th season, 26-26)
2011 overall record: 7-5
2011 region record (place): 4-3 (tied for third)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Youngsville 47-0 and Mercer 44-34 in the District 10 Class A playoffs before losing to Sharpsville 21-13 in the D-10 championship.
Top players lost: Colin Patten, James Wills, Clay Allen
Top returning players: Austin Mirizio, Sage Pope, Jeremy Jancso, Luke Patten, Trevor Harrison, A.J. Barris
Assistant coaches: Ed Roberson, Mark Means, Joel Murray, Brad Powell, Rob Townsend
Outlook: West Middlesex has made strides recently and took its program to the District 10 Class A championship game last fall. The Big Reds will need to replace several standout players in the backfield to repeat that success. Colin Patten, James Wills and Clay Allen are gone this year. Patten, Wills and Barris graduated, while Allen decided to focus on track and field this year. Patten led Middlesex with 895 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Allen had 891 yards and 11 touchdowns. Patten also caught 12 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. Wills paced the Big Reds with 19 catches for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Barris leaves a big hole on the line after starting the past two years at guard.

The Big Reds have a rushing attack to reload but they have most of their line back and quarterback Jeremy Jancso, who is also an all-region punter. He threw for 1,148 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for four touchdowns as a junior. His favorite target, Sage Pope, returns as well. Pope was voted to the all-region first team at wide receiver and second team at linebacker. Pope caught 14 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns and recorded 60 tackles. Trevor Harrison (offense) and Austin Mirizio (defense) will anchor the line after being named to the all-region second team in 2011. Luke Patten, a second-team linebacker, returns to add depth for the Big Reds. Patten ran for 310 yards and two touchdowns last fall and caught seven passes for 82 yards and one touchdown. He had five sacks last year and provides leadership for Middlesex.

Expectations are high for the Big Reds this season. Middlesex has one of the most experienced teams back in Region 1 but it will need to find some ballcarriers to make up for the loss of the Big Reds’ top two rushers. Jancso is a leader of Middlesex and could see some time at running back. Trey Staunch could also be utilized in the backfield in different ways, including quarterback. The Big Reds might have to get creative in finding some running backs but they will be a tough team to beat this season. Middlesex opens at Wilmington before an immediate bye week to recover. October could be the Big Reds’ crucial month with games against Sharpsville and Lakeview lined up.

Schedule
August
31 at Wilmington 7
September
7 Moniteau 7
14 Farrell* 7
21 at Conneaut* 7
28 at Mercer* 7
October
5 Sharpsville* 7
12 Sharon 7
19 Kennedy Catholic* 7
26 at Lakeview* 7
November
2 at Seneca 7
*Region 1 games

Monday: Wilmington

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Warren

Tom Reisenweber — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 05:00:22 +0000

Warren Dragons
Coach (season, record): Brad Wright (5th season, 15-26)
2011 overall record: 2-8
2011 region record (place): 1-5 (tied for fifth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Nathan Zigler, Chris Danielson, Bobby Atkins, Mack Engstrom
Top returning players: Austin Jerman, Mark Cecco, Mark Davis, Mike Manderfeld, Geoff Stewart, Luke Wortman, Jordan Willetts
Assistant coaches: Greg Latimer, Mark Bupp, Gregg Miller, Ken Hinton, Paul Genis
Outlook: Warren went through some changes in the offseason. With a few teams shifting around, the Dragons were taken out of Region 6 and put into Region 5. Warren is an instant contender in the region and could be a tough out this season. The Dragons will have to replace Nathan Zigler, Chris Danielson, Bobby Atkins and Mack Engstrom. Zigler was a second-team all-region wide receiver, who caught 52 passes for 732 yards and six touchdowns. Danielson ran for 127 yards and one touchdown as a senior and caught 21 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Atkins and Engstrom were all-region lineman this past year. Atkins was a second-team pick on the offensive line and Engstrom, a second-team defensive lineman.

Warren will have to plug some holes but the Dragons have its potent passing offense in place. Quarterback Austin Jerman, a second-team punter, threw for 2,206 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior and rushed for 135 yards and five touchdowns. Luke Wortman returns in the backfield and could see a huge increase in carries this season, while wide receiver Jordan Willetts and tight end Mark Davis are also back. Willetts had 26 catches for 441 yards and two touchdowns last fall and Davis had 35 catches for 551 yards and nine touchdowns. Mark Cecco, Mike Manderfeld and Geoff Stewart return on the offensive and defensive lines for the Dragons. Warren is in an interesting situation with a brand-new region. The Dragons have new opponents and have a solid chance at winning the region. Warren opens at East before a non-region game against Clarion-Limestone. The ensuing two weeks will be important for the Dragons. Warren travels to rival Bradford before hosting Meadville. Those two games could decide if the Dragons are serious contenders in the region or not. Warren later has a tough stretch against Slippery Rock, Corry and DuBois. If the Dragons can develop a few more targets for Jerman to throw to and make a concerted effort in stopping the run, Warren could not only contend for a playoff spot but for the Region 5 title.

Schedule
August
31 at East 7
September
7 Clarion-Limestone 7
14 at Bradford* 7
21 Meadville* 7
28 Oil City* 7
October
5 at Slippery Rock* 7
12 at Corry 7
19 DuBois* 7
26 at Franklin* 7
November
2 Titusville 7:30
*Region 5 games

Sunday: West Middlesex

– Tom Reisenweber

Summer Huddle – Union City

Tom Reisenweber — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 05:00:30 +0000

Union City Bears
Coach (season): Randy Gunther (1st season)
2011 overall record: 2-8
2011 region record (place): 2-6 (tied for sixth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class A playoffs.
Top players lost: Justin Bengel, Kyle Hetrick, Cole Lewis, Curtis Brown
Top returning players: Josh Reinke, Gage Michael, Storm McDonald, Brody Mangel
Outlook: Union City’s future could be in jeopardy after a low turnout over the summer. The Bears have 20 returning players from last year and only three confirmed freshman so far. Randy Gunther takes the program over after a quick one-year stint by Joe Sanford. Union City graduated Justin Bengel, Kyle Hetrick, Cole Lewis and Curtis Brown in the spring and lost Jarred Brooks, who moved. Lewis was a second-team all-region offensive lineman, while Bengel was a second-team linebacker. Hetrick led the Bears in rushing last season with 644 yards and six touchdowns on 148 carries, while Brooks was second at 265 yards on 59 carries. He also had four catches for 34 yards and one touchdown.

Union City has a decent group back this season but depth will be a major issue. Josh Reinke, a second-team wide receiver and defensive back, led the Bears with 19 catches for 346 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Brody Mangel is also back after throwing for 377 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman. Gage Michael and Storm McDonald are back on the line and their leadership could be crucial this fall. Running back Jason Klus and wide receiver Austin Kinney could step in right away and be impact players for the Bears. Union City opens with two brutal games at Lakeview and a home opener against Mercyhurst Prep. A three-game stretch could decide the Bears’ season at the end of September. Union City travels to Cochranton, Cambridge Springs and Youngsville in three straight weeks. The Bears may still be a year away from contending but building the program and generating interest are the two most important things for Union City this year.

Schedule
August
31 at Lakeview 7
September
7 Mercyhurst Prep* 7
14 Maplewood* 7
21 at Cochranton* 7
28 at Cambridge Springs* 7
October
5 at Youngsville* 7
12 Girard 7
19 Eisenhower* 7
26 at Iroquois* 7
November
2 Corry 7
*Region 2 games

Saturday: Warren

– Tom Reisenweber