MERCER COUNTY SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE

HICKORY
Head coach: Phil Annarella, 4th year (15-15).
2000 record: 5-4, 1-2 Mercer County Athletic Conference.
Returning letterwinners (12): Ross Trimmer (6-2, 190, Sr., QB/DB); Bobby Byerly (5-11, 215, Sr., OG/ILB); Adam Gassner (6-1, 290, Sr., OT/DT); Ryan DeArment (6-0, 240, Jr., OT/DT); Nate Banick (5-9, 175, Sr., WR/DB); Josh Covert (5-9, 193, Sr., RB/ILB); Brian Necastro (5-10, 170, Sr., TE/DE); Joe Sakony (6-4, 296, Sr., OT/DT); A.J. Staul (5-6, 165, Sr., RB/DB); Micah Bender (5-11, 185, Jr., C/ILB); Rico Cruz (6-0, 220, Jr., RB/DE); Ben Woods (6-2, 160, So., K).
Promising newcomers: Mike Brandan (5-11, 235, Sr., OT/DT); David Drivere (5-11, 205, Sr., TE/DE); Bruce Graban (5-8, 155, Sr., WR/DB); Matt Kornbau (5-11, 175, Sr., WR/DB); Markos Papamarkos (5-6, 150, Sr., WR/DB); Mark Tarkanick (5-11, 135, Sr., WR/DB); Chad Ceremuga (5-10, 152, Jr., K); Chris Clark (5-10, 160, Jr., OG/DE); Chad Fitzgerald (5-10, 175, Jr., WR/DB); Preston Gibbs (5-8, 125, Jr., WR/DB); E.J. McLaurin (6-1, 160, Jr., WR/DB).
Outlook: The offensive and defensive lines should be steady for the Hornets, and that's good because the backfields on both sides of the ball will need to prove themselves.
Schedule:
Aug. 31 -- at Brookfield7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Slippery Rock7
Sept. 14 -- Reynolds7:30
Sept. 21 -- Grove City7:30
Sept. 28 -- Wilmington7:30
Oct. 5 -- Sharpsville7:30
Oct. 12 -- at Sharon7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Mercer7
Oct. 26 -- Mercyhurst Prep7:30
KENNEDY CATHOLIC
Head coach: John Turco, 8th year (58-35 at Kennedy; 152-108-3 overall).
2000 record: 9-2, 2-0 MCAC.
Key losses: Justin George (RB), Ryan Squatrito (QB), B.J. Jarrett (OG/DT), Angelo Hall (DE).
Returning letterwinners (11): Danny Harris (6-1, 178, Jr., QB/DB); Matt Cascio (5-11, 175, Sr., WB/SS); Jake Dougherty (6-4, 290, Jr., OT/DT); Phil Doyle (6-4, 220, Sr., RB/SS); Andy Wilds (6-0, 232, Jr., OG/DE); Rick Whalen (6-1, 172, Sr., SE/SS); Adam Cwynar (6-1, 178, Jr., C/LB); Pat Connelly (5-10, 232, Sr., OT/DT); Justin Snyder (6-0, 175, Jr., FB/LB); Ramone Truxon (6-4, 210, Jr., TE/DE); Nick Hurl (6-1, 192, So., TE/DE).
Promising newcomers: Zachary Zuschlag (5-9, 165, So., SE/S); Jeremy Dunlap (6-0, 178, So., TE/DB); Jon Jennings (6-1, 182, So., TE/DE); Matt Carothers (5-8, 175, Sr., WB/SS); Mike Triplett (5-10, 152, So., RB/DB); George Revere (5-9, 165, Sr., SE/DB); Ron Robinson (5-10, 142, Fr., SE/LB); Chris Simon (5-11, 252, Sr., OT/DT); Jason Cowens (5-8, 238, So., OT/DT); Ernest Cottle (6-3, 238, Jr., OT/DE); Tommy Malone (6-2, 315, Sr., OG/DT); Mike Tuscano (6-0, 178, Jr., OG/LB); Marcus Russell (6-0, 185, Jr., FB/SS).
Outlook: A competitive schedule that includes Campbell, Warren JFK and St. Thomas Aquinas, plus Pius X, should test the Golden Eagles.
Schedule:
Aug. 31 -- at Reynolds7
Sept. 8 -- Campbell Memorial1
Sept. 15 -- at Warren JFK (Mollenkopf)7:30
Sept. 22 -- at Erie Mercyhurst Prep7
Sept. 29 -- Pius X1
Oct. 6 -- St. Thomas Aquinas (Canton) 7:30
Oct. 12 -- at Sharpsville7:30
Oct. 20 -- Slippery Rock1
Oct. 27 -- West Middlesex1
SHARON
Head coach: Jim Wildman, 28th season (199-71-5)
2000 record: 12-2, 6-0 MCAC
Key losses: Marlin Jackson (Michigan), Terrance Phillips (Penn State), Kevin Davis (Pitt) and James Barnett (Edinboro).
Returning Lettermen (12): Rich Manning (6-0, 170, Sr., DB); Marcus Smith (6-0, 200, Jr., TB/DB); Mike Schneider (6-3, 215, Sr., QB); LeRoy Taylor (6-3, 215, Jr., DE); Justin Schweiss (6-2, 215, Sr., E/LB); John Reay (s5-9, 175, Sr., WR); Jake Brayner (5-10, 175, Sr., WR); Wade Vogan (6-2, 250, Sr., OL/LB); Jim Morocco (5-9, 215, Sr., (C/P/PK); Jeremy Jewell (6-4, 240, Sr., OT); Ryne Rodemoyer (6-3, 235, Sr., OG); Duane Pearson (6-2, 300, Jr., OT).
Outlook: The Tigers' strength lies in their offensive line which has started the last 22 games together. Senior quarterback Mike Schneider, who passed for over 2,000 yards last year, and punter-placekicker Jim Morocca are also key returnees. The team's weakness is on defense, where they are very young.
Schedule:
Aug. 31 -- Cornell7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Mooney (YSU)7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Grove City7:30
Sept. 21 -- at Columbus Watterson7:30
Sept. 28 -- Mercer7:30
Oct. 5 -- Reynolds7:30
Oct. 12 -- Hickory7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Wilmington7:30
Oct. 26 -- at Slippery Rock7:30
WILMINGTON
Head coach: Terry Verrelli, 23rd year (156-82-3).
2000 record: 12-2, 3-0 MCAC.
Key losses: Jason Lane (OG/DE), Clint Buckwalter (OT/DT); Chad Harper (TE/LB); Matt Coad (QB); T.J. Chambers (TE/DE); Jon Hall (RB/SS); Brian Knox (C/DT); Mike Oestreich (FB/LB).
Returning letterwinners (18): Brian Baer (5-10, 162, Sr., SE/LB); Mark McGinnis (5-10, 162, Jr., HB/S); Matt Krawchyk (5-10, 160, Sr., RB/CB); Tim Hughes (6-2, 188, So., QB/S); Nick Sheehan (6-1, 158, Jr., QB/CB); Brandon Whiting (5-11, 165, Sr., HB/CB); Brandon Boron (5-10, 170, Jr., FB/LB); Chris Shaner (5-7, 165, Jr., FB/CB); Craig Copper (6-1, 170, Sr., HB/S); Parker Maynard (5-8, 180, Sr., FB/LB); Scott Meskel (6-0, 173, Sr., TE/LB); Mike Telesz (6-2, 210, Sr., OG/DE); Shawn Courson (6-0, 258, Jr., OG/LB); Brad Sherrod (5-10, 172, Sr., C/LB); Pat Buckley (6-0, 254, Jr., OT/DE); Jeremy Lewis (6-1, 260, Sr., OT/DT); Clayton Gruber (6-0, 280, Jr., C/DT); Justin Davison (6-1, 174, Sr., TE/DE).
Promising newcomers: Jonathan Fennick (5-10, 206, Jr., OG/DT), Joel Boyle (6-1, 201, Jr., TE/DE), Boron, Sherrod, Telesz, Baer, Gruber, McGinnis, Sheehan, Hughes, Buckley and Lewis.
Outlook: The Greyhounds are experienced at the skilled positions, but they're in the process of rebuilding their lines.
Schedule:
Aug. 31 -- Linsly Academy7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Grove City7:30
Sept. 14 -- Slippery Rock7:30
Sept. 21 -- at Mercer7:30
Sept. 28 -- at Hickory7:30
Oct. 5 -- at Mount Pleasant7:30
Oct. 12 -- Brookville7:30
Oct. 19 -- Sharon7:30
Oct. 26 -- at Reynolds7:30