MATHEWS (DIV. VI)

MATHEWS (DIV. VI)
Head coach: Jim Parry, fourth season (11-19).
Assistants: Brian Ulrich, Tom Parry, John Johnson, Dean Bofenkamp, Matt Estes, Jim Buckner, Mark Nichols.
2004 record: 7-3, 7-0 East Suburban Conference.
Offensive/defensive formations: Wing-T/ 5-2.
Key losses: Cerbus RB/S, Haynie LB, Steve Palac OG/DE, Jared Gowdy OT/DT, Marty Joseph TE, Mike Novicky DE.
Returning lettermen: 15.
Returning starters: Seven on offense/nine on defense.
Returning offensive backs: Nick Ocheltree, FB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Adam Mathews, RB, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Lucas Buckner, QB, 5-10, 170, So.
Incoming offensive backs: Brad Hughes, RB, 5-9, 160, So.; Phil Ciprian, RB, 5-10, 150, So.; Ben Kaiser, FB, 5-10, 180, Fr.; Brent Jackson, RB, 5-8, 145, Fr.
Returning offensive ends: Chris Joseph, WR, 5-6, 145, Sr.
Incoming offensive ends: Andrew Winans, WR, 6, 175, Jr.; Ben Mackall, TE, 5-8, 185, Sr.
Returning offensive linemen: Jimmy Michalec, G, 6-2, 200, Jr.; Eric Ocheltree, C, 5-9, 195, Sr.; Carmen Lamancusa, OT, 6-2, 295, So.
Incoming offensive linemen: Craig Stitle, OT, 6-4, 260, Jr.; Jake Lewis, OT, 5-10, 230, Jr.; Darnell DeFrance, G, 6, 220, Sr.; Vince Cordy, OT, 5-11, 200, Sr.; Mike Gibbs, G, 5-10, 235, Fr.
Returning defensive linemen: DeFrance, DT, Lamancusa DT, Michalec DT.
Incoming defensive linemen: Eric Ocheltree, DE, 5-9, 185, So.; Cordy DT, Mike Swesey, DT, 5-9, 230, So.; Davis DE, Lewis DE.
Returning linebackers: Nick Ochletree, Mackall.
Incoming linebackers: Ben Kaiser.
Returning defensive backs: Mathews S, Hughes S, Winans CB, Joseph CB.
Incoming defensive backs: Ciprian CB, Jackson S.
Outlook: Team goal: To be the first in school history to make the playoffs as well as to defend its East Suburban Conference championship. The strength this should be the offensive and defensive backfield. Both groups are quick and experienced. Mathews also returns three offensive linemen (two that started as freshmen). Mathews must replace the loss of running back Mike Cerbus, the school's all-time leading rusher and ESC offensive player of the year, and linebacker Jon Haynie, the team's leading tackler for the past three seasons and ESC defensive player of the year. The team must also replace both starting defensive ends. Pymatuning Valley, Cleveland Central Catholic and Ledgemont will all be strong contenders as Mathews tries to defend its ESC championship this season. All played several young players and seem to be programs on the rise.