Adams, Harris among Lakers' area standouts

The team has 13 Youngstown-area players.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ERIE, Pa. -- Justin Adams, a senior tailback for the Mercyhurst College football team from Ursuline High, leads the Lakers in three offensive categories.
Adams, one of 13 Youngstown-area players on the team, leads in scoring, rushing and all-purpose yards through eight games for Mercyhurst (3-5, 2-2 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).
Adams has scored 50 points on eight touchdowns and a conversion run, has rushed for 507 yards in 178 attempts for a 2.9-yard average, and has 669 all-purpose yards.
He also is tied for second in pass receiving with 20 catches for 128 yards.
Mercyhurst will play its final home game Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Indianapolis, followed by games at Hillsdale and Findlay to conclude the season.
Harris, Schuler
Joining Adams as team leaders are Neil Harris, sophomore defensive back from Poland, and Jim Schuler, senior quarterback-punter from Springfield High.
Harris leads the team in interceptions with six for 129 yards for a 21.5-yard average and one TD, while Schuler is the top punter with a 43.8-yard average in 64 punts, and has two receptions for 14 yards.
Another key contributor has been Mitch Phillis, freshman quarterback from United, who ranks No. 2 in passing on 37-for-62 for 446 yards and three TDs with two interceptions.
Simon Arias, a junior defensive back from Ursuline, and William Shealey, senior defensive back from Howland, and Harris have been defensive standouts. Arias is third in tackles (42) with two pass breakups, while Shealey is fourth (36) with seven pass breakups and Harris is sixth (33) with four pass breakups.
Other contributors
Marcus Patton, junior defensive back from Chaney, has six kickoff returns for 74 yards and one punt return for a 57-yard TD, along with 15 tackles.
Arias and Adams each had two kickoff returns for 12 and 34 yards, respectively, while Jim Kokrak, freshman linebacker from Warren JFK, has 22 tackles.
In Mercyhurst's recent loss to Southeastern Louisana, Adams scored the Lakers' lone touchdown with a 2-yard run and had 70 yards on 20 carries. Kokrak had nine tackles and an interception, while Harris broke up two passes and made four stops from the cornerback position.
Also on the Mercyhurst roster are Rashad Davis, senior wide receiver from Liberty; Jon Jenkins, junior fullback, Columbiana; Chris Williams, sophomore defensive back, Warren JFK; freshmen Gary Smith, offensive lineman, West Branch and Andre Dawson, defensive lineman, East Liverpool.