BLOOMSBURG--
Never let it be said that Bloomsburg University football coach Danny Hale doesn’t look on the bright side of every situation. After starting the 2009 season 8-0, the Huskies dropped their final three games of the season and missed out on a chance to return to the NCAA playoffs. Despite that frustration, Hale wants to take that as motivation for 2010.
“We (Bloomsburg) missed a window of opportunity last year,” said the veteran coach. “We could never get in a groove offensively. It is disappointing to end the way things did, but 8-3 is still a heck of a season and I want to use that as a motivating tool for this season.” “Our team should be in contention once again in the PSAC East race,” Hale continued. “We have the manpower to be right near the top barring any unforeseen injuries, despite our tough schedule. I have high expectations for this team, especially based on how the off-season and our spring practices went. The returning players need to remember what it felt like to finish with three losses."
OFFENSE
For the first time since 2005, Dan Latorre will not be under center for the Huskies. The former all-conference signal caller has graduated leaving several players battling for the starting job. But while the passing game may take time to develop, the Huskies do have a strong running game and a very good offensive line to lean on.
“One of our strengths will be our running game with Derrick Price (Burlington, NJ, Burlington City)and Kenny Domzalski (Milford, Delaware Valley), while the O-line is very good,” said Hale. “We need to take advantage of our strengths and be smart with the ball. The key for us will be the continuity between the quarterback and the wide receiver. To be a post-season team you can’t be one dimensional or you’ll get beat.”
QUARTERBACK
Whoever gets the nod as starter will be making his first career start. Leading the way is red-shirt sophomore Pat Carey (Loyalsock, Loyalsock Twp.) who had a very good spring. Behind Carey will be Mike Wagner (Hershey, Hershey), a two-year backup to Latorre, and Adam Diltz (Bloomsburg, Central Columbia).
RUNNING BACK
Price was named first team All-PSAC East for the second straight season after earning Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman, while Domzalski is a former second team all conference selection. The pair provides the Huskies with one of the best 1-2 punches in the PSAC. Look for Franklyn Quiteh (Tobyhanna, Pocono Mountain West), who had an excellent spring, to add depth. At fullback, look for Matt Cox (Lewisberry, Red Land) to get the nod with Mike Quintans (Media, Penncrest) backing up.
WIDE RECEIVER
The Huskies were inconsistent here a year ago, but have plenty of returning experience. Cory Stiger (Williamsport, Loyalsock Twp.) leads the group after making a team-high 28 catches with seven touchdowns a year ago. Tyler Guise (Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Valley), who missed last season with an injury, is healthy and ready to play, while Chris Tressler (Lewistown, Lewistown), who also plays baseball for the Huskies, will return after making 21 catches last season. Also look for Matt Marchioni (Wilmington, DE, Brandywine), Keter Crosby (Tobyhanna, Pocono Mountain West), Ryan Dickerson (Harleysville, Souderton) and Glenn Hutton (Sicklerville, NJ, Paul VI) to see playing time this season.
TIGHT END
The Huskies have one of the best in the PSAC in Ben Weaber (Lebanon, Cedar Crest). The senior caught 25 passes last season and is also a top-notch blocker. He’ll be backed up by Dylan Manni (Bensalem, Bensalem) who saw a lot of time last season and made eight catches with one score in 2009. Also looking for playing time will be Luke Nagy (Manheim, Manheim Central) and Mark Daniels (Sinking Spring, Wilson).
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line will be one of the strengths of the Huskies in 2010 with lots of experience among the starters, although depth may be a question mark.
Three players return as starters this season: Daryl Kurtz (Milton, Milton) at tackle and guards Pat Casey (Matamoras, Delaware Valley) and Justin Walker (Coatesville, Coatesville). At center will be Alex Buchert (Robesonia, Conrad Weiser), while Brian Clarke (Hanover Twp., Hanover), who saw time a year ago, will get the nod at the other tackle spot. Also working into the rotation for the Huskies will be Kenny Orlando (Womelsdorf, Conrad Weiser), who moves over from the defensive line, while Brandon Allen (Philadelphia, Frankford) returns after sitting out last season is back along with Courtney Kimp (Pine Hill, NJ, Camden Catholic). Backing up a center will be Chris Steck (Mt. Carmel, Mt. Carmel) with Kyle Simcox (Thorofare, NJ, West Deptford) also looking to get playing time.
DEFENSE
The Huskies defense was outstanding a year ago, ranking number two in the PSAC in total defense and number one overall in scoring defense. Hale expects the Huskies to pick up where they left off a year ago.
“We have a lot of experience on the defensive side of the ball and I will be disappointed if we do not play up to that level this year,” Hale commented. “Our biggest holes are on the defensive front where we need some folks to step forward and raise their level of play.”
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Huskies have four players on the line who have all started a game at some point during last season with Marcus Zimmerman (Lititz, Manheim Central) and Todd Givler (Glenmoore, Downington West) as the returning starters and John Pettine (Gilbertsville, Archbishop) and Dave Huot (Bethlehem, Freedom) as the part-time starters who get the nod full-time this season. Joining that group in the rotation will be Ryan Olaf (Danville, Danville), who moves from linebacker to the line, Dave Onorato (Hummelstown, Bishop McDevitt), Shaun Moore (Landsdale, North Penn), Tyree Dudley (Philadelphia, Frankford), Marc Francola (Bloomsburg, Bloomsburg) and Mike Schlauch (Zion Grove, Bloomsburg). Also, look for contributions from Chris Kennedy (Radnor, Archbishop Carroll) and Josh Chromiak (Wind Gap, Pen Argyl), who returns from injury.
LINEBACKER
Bloomsburg has two of the best linebackers in the PSAC in Mike Varanavage (Philadelphia, Archbishop Ryan) and Thomas McFarland (Pottsville, Pottsville). The pair, who both have a nose for the ball, combined to make over 160 tackles a year ago. In the middle, Jarrett Pidgeon (Barnegat, NJ, Southern Regional) will get the start for the Huskies. Pidgeon got some good game experience a year ago and is ready to step into the role of starter. The Huskies also have good depth at the position with Ryan Feldman (Aston, JP McCaskey), Sean Clift (Philadelphia, Roman Catholic), Jeff Owsley (Aston, Sun Valley) and Pat Michael (Fairview, Fairview).
DEFENSIVE SECONDARY
This could be the most experienced group for the Huskies and will be one of the strengths of this year’s team. Led by returning first All-PSAC East selection Oscar Rivera (Bethlehem, Liberty), the Huskies also feature seniors Alex Landis (Pine Grove, Pine Grove) and Dan Oliver (Cheltenham, Cheltenham ) and junior Vince Browning (Harrisburg, Central Dauphin) as starters. Rivera and Landis were both starters last season and combined to make over 100 tackles last season, while Browning and Oliver combined for 75 tackles as back-ups.
Joining that group to give the Huskies good depth will be Justin Rivera (Bethlehem, Liberty), Dan Haverstock (York, West York), Mark Scattene (Bethlehem, Bethlehem Catholic) and Terrell Oglesby (Philadelphia, Northeast Catholic).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jared Shannon (Bloomsburg, Bloomsburg) returns to handle kickoffs for the Huskies. Shannon, with a powerful leg, had seven touchbacks a season ago and his deep kickoffs held opponents to just 20 yards per return. The pre-season will see a battle between Shannon and Dan Fisher (Harrisburg, Central Dauphin) for who will handle extra points and field goals, while Fisher will also contend with Drew Snyder (Hanover, South Western) for the punting duties. Ian Murray (Lock Haven, Central Mountain) will handle the snapping duties for special teams.
The kick return duties are yet to be finalized, but look for Tyler Guise and Alex Landis to see time in those roles.
OVERALL
“I feel good that we have the talent and ability to beat anyone on our schedule,” said Hale. “Once again it is a tough one starting with a very good Ashland team from the GLIAC on the road. Then we face an up-and-coming Clarion team and IUP, which is always tough. Then of course we have the PSAC East schedule that is a battle each and every week.”