RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Titans get 15 players on All-PAC team

Before closing the books on Coach Jerry Schmitt's 2002 Westminster College football team, there are several notable efforts made by the Titans during the course of the season.
First off, the Titans completed their baptismal season in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. Westminster finished 6-4 overall while finishing 4-1 in the PAC, second only to the league champion Washington & amp; Jefferson.
The frosting on the cake for the Titans came by way of the 2002 PAC all-conference team which was recently released. The Titans placed 15 on the unit, including six on first team, five on the second team and four on honorable mention.
First team honors
Capturing first team honors for the Titans were senior center Brandon Apple (Blackhawk), junior guard Glenn Silvidi (Hubbard), senior tight end Nevin Baker (Erie McDowell), senior defensive tackle Erick Pablis (Belle Vernon), senior inside linebacker Joe Bianco (Bethel Park) and senior safety Joe Stern (Chartiers Valley).
Apple and Silvidi were both stalwarts for the offensive line, which cleared the way for over 140 rushing yards per game. Baker also assisted the rushing effort with his blocking, while adding 16 catches for 174 yards. Pablis recorded 68 tackles (37 solo and 31 assists) with a team-high 11 1/2 sacks.
Bianco led the team in total tackles with 87 while Stern tallied a team high three interceptions and 10 pass break-ups while adding 64 total tackles.
The Titans second team selections were all underclassmen except for one. Defensive tackle Charles Kiger (Waynesburg Central) was the only senior selected. Rounding out the second team selections were sophomore tailback Scott Froelich (Cuyahoga Falls), junior wide receiver Brian Ekis (Boardman), sophomore placekicker Josh Simpson (Chartiers-Houston) and sophomore outside linebacker Jerry Bonenberger (Mount Lebanon).
Froelich became just the sixth running back in Westminster history to surpasses 1,000 yards rushing in a season, finishing with 1,305 on 298 carries. He scored eight touchdowns and also caught 19 passes for 244 yards and three more scores.
Ekis led the Titans in receptions (30), receiving yards (494) and average yards per catch (16.5).
Simpson connected on 7-of-8 field goals.
The four Titans making the honorable mention list were offensive lineman Rick Roden and Phil Neel, running back Ryan Mitchell and defensive back Kevin Kresinski.
Bethany College's outstanding running back, Will Anderson, was named the PAC player of the year, and John Banaszak of W & amp;J was named coach of the year.
Philly changes tune
Philadelphia schools wanted to go on their own. They did, and now they want to once again be part of the PIAA. They don't want it later, they want it now.
PIAA executive director Brad Cashman believes the merger of the Philadelphia Public League and the PIAA (the governing body of high school athletics in the Keystone State) will take place but not for several years.
The Philly Public League wants to join the PIAA in all sports which would undoubtedly make for a true state champion. Still, Cashman apparently has not heard from the Philadelphia Catholic League concerning PIAA membership. That may be coming.
There are many things still to be worked out such as scheduling, travel time, difference in season starting dates and eligibility requirements. Where there's a will, there's a way.