Scots' Butler County line
SLIPPERY ROCK — Butler County is making its presence felt on the Edinboro University offensive line these days.
Josh Bzorek, a 6-foot-4, 301-pound sophomore from Knoch, is in his second season as the starting left tackle for the Fighting Scots.
Scott Christie, a 6-4, 286-pound sophomore from Karns City, has started at left guard in Edinboro's last four games.
Josh Wachter, a 6-6, 284-pound redshirt freshman from Butler, is backing up junior Andy Young at right tackle and has seen playing time there this season.
"My goal is to start a game before this season's over, let alone next season,"Wachter said. "Everybody wants a chance to show what he can do."
The Fighting Scots of this year haven't been like the Fighting Scots of recent years, however. The three-time defending PSACWest champions enter their final two games with a 4-5 overall record, 1-3 in PSACWest play.
And the offensive line, which led the PSACin fewest sacks allowed the previous two years, has surrendered 26 sacks so far this season.
"Sacks allowed aren't always the fault of the offensive line,"first-year head coach Scott Browning said. "We have a lot of youth on that side of the football.
"Maybe the tight end or fullback missed a block, or the quarterback holds the ball too long, or the receivers aren't getting open. ... We've had all of that happen."
Only two seniors, center Chris Kaczor and receiver Ryan Valasek, start for Edinboro on offense. The quarterback and tailback are freshmen.
Bzorek started as a freshman last season and already has 19 collegiate starts under his belt.
"For some reason, we haven't clicked this year,"Bzorek said. "I don't know the reason why. I wish I did."
Christie is enduring his first losing season on a football field.
"Coming from Karns City, we won pretty much all the time," he said. "Losing isn't fun, but we haven't stopped working at getting better. The potential for success is still here."
Christie began this season as a backup, but he beat out fellow sophomore Eric Costello midway through the campaign.
"It got to the point where we couldn't keep him off the field,"Browning said of Christie.
Wachter was recruited as a tight end by Edinboro, but he was quickly moved to tackle.
"As soon as they saw how big I got,"Wachter said, laughing.
"He's gotten better every day,"Browning said. "He's going to play for us. He's going to play for us soon."
"Playing alongside guys from back home is pretty cool," Bzorek said. "We're going to have a lot to do with bringing this team back next year."
