METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE

CANFIELD
Head coach: Mike Pavlansky, 1st year
2000 record: 7-3, 4-1 MAC
Key losses: Brian Hulea (MLB/TE), Ben Holowach (C), Josh Blaylock (DT/LG), Mitch Fusek (SS/SE).
Returning letterwinners (8): Gavin DiRusso (6-2, 167, Sr., WR/DB); Dan Leonard (5-9, 169, Jr., WR/FS); Leo Sorice (5-10, 153, Jr., QB/C); Tim Dewberry (5-11, 196, Jr., TB/SS); Mike Turjanica (5-11, 182, Jr., FB/LB); David Byce (5-8, 244, Jr., OT/DT); J.J. Rousher (6-0, 272, Jr., C/DT); Tom Banna (5-10, 184, Sr., QB/LB).
Outlook: First-year coach Mike Pavlansky's biggest challenge this season will be rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines, which lost all its starters from last season's playoff team. Should be strong at the skill positions. Underclassman will see plenty of action as Canfield has only nine seniors on the team.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Washington, D.C., Ballou7:30
Aug. 31 -- Chaney7:30
Sept. 8 -- Canton Timken (Fawcett)7:30
Sept. 14 -- Wilson7:30
Sept. 21 -- at Howland7:30
Sept. 28 -- Niles7:30
Oct. 5 -- at Struthers7:30
Oct. 12 -- Salem7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Poland7:30
Oct. 26 -- at Marlington7:30
HOWLAND
Head coach: Richard Angle, fourth year (11-19).
2000 record: 5-5, 1-4 MAC
Key losses: Brian Bishoff (SE), Charles Hamilton (OL/injury).
Returning letterwinners (16): Rick Clark (6-0, 180, Sr., QB); Mark Rek (5-9, 170, Sr., RB/DB); Brian Spence (5-10, 190, Sr., RB/LB); Anthony Petrosky (6-0, 180, Sr., WB/LB); Mike Post (6-2, 220, Sr., TE/LB); Greg Parish (6-3, 225, Sr. TE/LB); Eric Moore (6-0, 190, Sr. TE); D.J. Diveste (5-8, 160, Sr., WB/DB); James Justice (5-11, 170, Jr., RB/DB); Doug Datish (6-6, 300, Sr., 0T/DE); Sean Unger (6-0, 265, Sr., C/DT); Charles Hamilton (6-1, 200, Sr., C/LB); Craig Sallaz (6-0, 240, Sr. OG/DT); Eric Rhodes (6-2, 220, Jr., OG/DE); Ryan Nutt (6-4, 260, Jr., OT/DE); Chet Fenton (6-0, 280, Sr., OT/DT).
Promising newcomers: Anthony Jefferson (5-9, 160, Jr., RB/DB); Lance Salter (6-3, 225, Jr., OG/DT); Josh Rodgers (6-0, 180, Jr., 180); Steve Boyle (5-10, 180, Jr., RB/DB).
Outlook: Howland is deep and experienced. Doug Datish will anchor the offensive line, which returns seven players. Running back Mark Rek and quarterback Rick Clark each played solid minutes last season and are looking to have big years. Howland has improved its record each year under head coach Dick Angle. Could contend for their first MAC championship.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Campbell Memorial7:30
Aug. 31 -- John Marshall7:30
Sept. 7 -- Lakeview7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Lorain Southview7:30
Sept. 21 -- Canfield7:30
Sept. 28 -- at Salem7:30
Oct. 5 -- at Niles7:30
Oct. 12 -- Poland7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Struthers7:30
Oct. 26 -- Warren JFK7:30
NILES MCKINLEY
Head coach: Bill Bohren (236-114-6)
2000 record: 11-2, 6-0 MAC
Key losses: Matt Estes (TB/FS, All-Ohio), Tony Limongi (OT/NG, All-Ohio), Marquis Redd (SE/CB, All-NEO), Sam Gatta (FB/LB, All-NEO), Brian Biddlestone (LB, All-MAC), Rocco Nori (OG/DT, All-MAC), Adam Phillips (OG/DT, All-MAC), Brad Yeager (QB, 2nd team All-MAC), Joaquin Taborn (OT/DT, All-County).
Returning letterwinners (13): Bill Sullivan (6-0, 175, Sr. K/SE); Lou Viglio (5-11, 175, Sr., TB/SS); Eric Ashburn (5-10, 165, Sr., RB/CB); Craig Barrett (6-0, 180, Sr., OG/DE); Matt White (6-0, 210, Jr., FB/NG); Ryan Altobelli (5-10, 175, Sr., SE/CB); Mike Dunn (5-10, 195, Jr. OG/DT); Tom Karabin (6-2, 200, Jr., TE/LB); Tony Caicco (5-9, 170, Sr., OG/NG); Steve Nolen (5-10, 190, Sr., FB/LB); Jim Reppy (6-1, 200, Jr., OG/LB).
Promising newcomers: Steve Mientkiewicz (6-1, 170, Sr., QB/FS); Vince Gatta (5-10, 155, Jr., SE/CB); Jose Gardner (5-8, 160, So. TB/CB); Joe Skocik (5-8, 155, So., QB/SS).
Outlook: The Red Dragons lost 19 starters from last year's playoff team, but return 13 lettermen. Senior class had a lot of success at junior varsity and freshmen level, which could carry over. Will need to develop quickly.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Girard7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Lakeview7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Fitch7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Steubenville7:30
Sept. 21 -- Poland7:30
Sept. 28 -- at Canfield7:30
Oct. 5 -- Howland7:30
Oct. 11 -- Struthers7:30
Oct. 19 -- at Salem7:30
Oct. 26 -- Chaney7:30
POLAND
Head coach: Paul Hulea, 6th season (40-18), 11th overall (87-30).
2000 record: 6-4, 3-2 MAC
Key losses: Micah Harris (Duke), Pete Perry (YSU), Dean Coutris (Walsh), Joe Andonucci (Muskingum), Chris Ratliff (YSU).
Returning letterwinners (13): Vince Antonucci (5-10, 165, Sr., WR/DB); Jake Bajerski (5-9, 165, Sr., WR/DB); Josh Bero (6-1, 210, Sr., TE/OLB); Tom Carline (5-9, 160, Sr., WR/DB); Lou DaVonzo (6-1, 205, Sr., TE/ILB); Shane Davis (5-10, 180, Sr., QB/FB/DLB); Gaby Dibo (6-1, 275, Sr., OT/DT); Tony DiNunzio (6-1, 175, WR/DB); Jason Marchese (6-2, 220, Sr., OT/DE); Jim Mitolo (5-9, 175, Sr., FB/OLB); Brendan Moran (6-1, 210, Sr., OG/DE); Sean Clayton (6-4, 205, Jr., QB/OLB); Neil Harris (6-1, 185, Jr., WR/DB).
Promising newcomers: Rob Chance (6-0, 195, Sr., OG/ILB); Greg Angelo (6-2, 170, Sr., WODB); Chris Patrick (5-10, 160, Sr., WR/DB); Chris Dulovich (6-2, 235, Jr., G/ILB); Anthony Fuller (5-10, 160, Jr., WR/DB); George McNabb (6-2, 245, Jr., OT/DT); Tony Sabelli (6-0, 180, Jr., OG/DE); Mark Saculla (5-11, 275, Jr., C/DT); Luke Skinner (6-2, 200, Jr., OT/DT); Dave Stanton (5-10, 190, Jr.,TE/OLB); Chris Aracich (6-0, 195, So., TE/ILB); Cody Cooper (6-0, 190, So., G/C/DT); Dave Koval (5-10, 160, So., WR/QB/DB); Dan McGarry (6-5, 220, So., TE/DE); Bryce Zimmerman (5-10-, 230, So., OG/ILB).
Outlook: The 1999 state champions have reloaded for this season and are expected to contend for the MAC title. Lost a couple key players, but have a lot of depth and experience. Strong senior class compliments a number of underclassmen who could see playing time.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Springfield7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Jefferson7:30
Sept. 7 -- Wilson7:30
Sept. 14 -- Canton Central Catholic7:30
Sept. 21 -- at Niles7:30
Sept. 29 -- Chaney2
Oct. 5 -- at Salem7:30
Oct. 12 -- at Howland7:30
Oct. 19 -- Canfield7:30
Oct. 26 -- Struthers7:30
SALEM
Head coach: Doug Phillips, 1st year (32-13 at Springfield)
2000 record: 2-8, 0-5 MAC
Returning letterwinners (16): Geoff Cody (5-11, 195, Jr., QB/LB); James Wilson (5-9, 195, Sr., FB/LB); Rob Roberts (5-9, 175, Sr., RB/DB); Ryan Mosher (5-10, 165, Sr., WR/DB); Andy Hippely (6-0, 165, Sr., WR/LB); Josh Douglas (6-2, 265, Jr., T/DT); Robbie Powell (6-0, 215, Sr., G/DT); Gary Colian (5-9, 170, Jr., FB/LB); Dan Roberts (6-0, 175, Sr., DB/WR); Evan Crowdgy (5-11, 225, Sr., C/DE); Scott Yuhanick (6-1, 155, Sr., WR/DB): David Young (6-3, 235, Sr., TE/DB); Troy Tice (6-0, 210, Sr., G/DT); Ken Buckley (6-0, 195, Sr., RB/DB); Dan Potts (5-10, 160, Sr., WR/DB); Jason Greenamyer (6-3, 185, Sr., WR/DB)
Promising newcomers: Brandon Bowers (6-2, 190, Jr., TE/DE); Ross Helmick (6-1, 190, Jr., TE/LB); Ryan Wadlow (6-1, 160, Jr., WR/DB); Ryan Riley (6-0, 150, Jr., WR/DB); Garrett Sevek (5-11, 185, Jr., LB/DB); Derek Fredrick (6-5, 240, Jr., T/DE); David Andre (6-3, 315, Jr., T/DT); Brandon Planisky (6-2, 250, Jr., G/DT); Marty Ciminelli (6-2, 340, Sr., T/DT); Brendon Hart (5-9, 175, Jr., G/DE); Landen Heath (5-10, 185, So., QB/LB).
Outlook: New coach Doug Phillips led Springfield to the playoffs last season but takes over a team that has won just two games in two years. He brings everything the Quakers haven't had in the past few years: a winning tradition, toughness and stability. Have experience, but several players will need to play both ways. Must play mistake-free football to compete.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- Marlington7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Beaver Local7:30
Sept. 7 -- East Liverpool7:30
Sept. 14 -- at Indian Creek7:30
Sept. 21 -- at Struthers7:30
Sept. 28 -- Howland7:30
Oct. 5 -- Poland7:30
Oct. 12 -- at Canfield7:30
Oct. 19 -- Niles7:30
Oct. 26 -- at West Branch7:30
STRUTHERS
Head coach: Gary Zetts, 10th year (52-42).
2000 record: 6-4, 2-3 MAC.
Key losses: Tony Crawford (TE/OLB, All-MAC), Mike Colaneri (QB, All-MAC), Fred Geer (K/LB/FB, All-MAC), Josh Shields (RB/DB), Darnell West (RB/DB).
Returning letterwinners (8): Nick Leiter (5-10, 165, Sr., K/QB/DB); Jason Martin (6-3, 170, Sr., WR/DB/P); Jim Tabak (6-1, 195, Sr., RB/MLB); Jason Mitchell (6-2, 205, Sr., TE/ILB); Mike Marapese (6-0, 165, Sr., WR/OLB); Taylor Hall (5-11, 225, Sr., G); Bob Benson (6-0, 225, Sr., G); Nick Crespo (5-11, 265, Sr., OL).
Promising newcomers: Dan Livesay (5-11, 165, So., LB/FB); Justin Decker (6-3, 265, So., OT); Matt Thurik (5-10, 160, So., OLB/FB); Jed Hill (6-3, 215, So., DE); Luke Moore (6-1, 165, Sr., DB); Jason Carcelli (5-10, 225, Sr., C/DT); AJ Yash (5-11, 175, Sr., DT).
Outlook: Very physical. Will have to jell quickly since many of the returning starters have had to switch positions since last season. Depth could be a factor.
Schedule:
Aug. 24 -- at Liberty7:30
Aug. 31 -- at Campbell Memorial7:30
Sept. 7 -- at Hubbard7:30
Sept. 14 -- Rayen7:30
Sept. 21 -- Salem7:30
Sept. 28 -- Wilson7:30
Oct. 5 -- Canfield7:30
Oct. 11 -- at Niles7:30
Oct. 19 -- Howland7:30
Oct. 26 -- at Poland7:30