COLLEGE FOOTBALL 10-player area flavor on Mercyhurst team

Jim Kokrak, Simon Arias and Dan Schuler have been standouts for the Lakers.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst College football team has 10 area players on the roster this season, including several starters.
But the Lakers have struggled in the early going, losing their first four games before Saturday's contest at Ferris State.
Mercyhurst gave its first three opponents a battle, losing to Gannon (35-26), Northern Michigan (40-35), Michigan Tech (24-20), before being drubbed by Northwood (35-7) two Saturdays ago.
Emerging as standouts have been Jim Kokrak (Warren JFK), Simon Arias (Ursuline) and Andre Dawson (East Liverpool) on defense, and Dan Schuler (Springfield) and Mitch Phillis (United) on offense.
Kokrak leads the defense
Kokrak, a sophomore linebacker, leads the team in tackles with 46, including 21 solo stops.
Arias, a senior defensive back in his fourth year as a starter, is seventh in tackles with 15, including eight solo stops; while Dawson, a sophomore defensive back, ranks 11th with 10 total tackles.
Schuler, a junior tight end, is the team's second-leading receiver with 10 catches for 213 yards and two TDs. He had a game-high 63 yards receiving against Northwood.
Phillis, a sophomore quarterback, played in his first game of the year against Northwood and turned in an impressive performance. He completed 9-of-13 passes for 99 yards and one TD, an 18-yard toss to John Egbert.
Also on the Mercyhurst roster are Chris Williams, a junior defensive back from Warren JFK; Gary Smith, a sophomore offensive lineman from West Branch; and three freshmen: Bryan Boyce (Hubbard, quarterback), Nick Lyon (Howland, running back) and Alan Stevens (Champion, defensive lineman).
Arias is four-year player
Last year, Arias tied for third on the team in total tackles with 59, including 37 solos stops that ranked fourth. He also had 2.5 tackles for losses, broke up three passes and had one interception and one fumble recovery.
In 2003, Arias ranked second on the team in total tackles with 54 and solo stops with 45. He also had 3.5 tackles for losses, broke up four passes and had two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
In 2002, Arias had 27 tackles, including 14 unassisted, and returned two kicks for 42 yards.
The son of Christine VanSuch, Arias is majoring in business.
While in high school, Arias helped Ursuline to win the state championship as a senior. He led the team in interceptions that year with six, had 108 tackles, and was All-NEO. For his Ursuline career, he had 200 total tackles and 10 interceptions.
Kokrak played in 10 games last season and had 24 tackles, including 14 solo stops.
The son of Anne and Albert Kokrak, Jim is majoring in business.
While at JFK, Kokrak made 140 tackles as a senior and made first-team all-state and was NEO defensive player of the year; and had 108 tackles his junior season. He also was a two-time all-county first-team selection.
Schuler, the son of JoAnn and James Schuler, played in 10 games last season and caught one pass covering 35 yards. In 2003, he played in nine games and caught two passes for 18 yards and had two solo tackles.
Schuler academic pick
A mathematics major, Schuler was selected to the 2004 GLIAC All-Academic Team.
While at Springfield, he made all-state special mention and the All-Inter County League first team.
He also was a basketball standout at Springfield, making first-team All-Ohio as a junior and senior.
Phillis played in five games last year and led the team in completion percentage (51.9 percent on 41-for-79). He threw three TD passes and was intercepted three times.
The son of Lynn and Mike Phillis, Mitch is majoring in history education.
While at United in his senior season, Phillis passed for 1,933 yards, 12 TDs and only three interceptions.
Dawson, the son of Jayma and Ray Falkner, played in five games last season. He is majoring in business.
kovach@vindy.com