SAXONBURG— An era is ending.

When Edinboro University's season concludes, a 16-year run of Bzorek brothers playing college football will end with it.

Josh Bzorek is a senior right guard and a four-year starter for the Fighting Scots. He shifted to guard after three years of playing tackle.

"There was never any question he'd make the transition," Edinboro coach Scott Browning said. "He's a Bzorek. You never have to worry about those guys."

Josh is the fifth of the Saxonburg-based Bzorek brothers to play college football.

The first was Joe Bzorek, who began his career with Clarion in 1993.

As a senior, Joe was a starting guard for Knoch High, which played in the WPIALchampionship game at Three Rivers Stadium that year.

As a senior at Clarion, Joe Bzorek was a starting defensive tackle for the Golden Eagles, who reached the NCAADivision IIsemifinals, dropping a 19-18 decision to Northern Colorado.

Bill Bzorek went to Slippery Rock University and was a freshman on The Rock team that reached the playoffs in 1999.

Ron and Greg Bzorek were members of the Edinboro team that reached postseason play in 2004.

"My dream is for Josh to get a chance to be part of the playoffs this year,"said his father, Joe Bzorek Sr. "But you never know what's going to happen with that stuff.

"Bill was on the 2000 SRUteam that lost to Bloomsburg and dropped from first in the region to totally out. That was just awful. And I thought Slippery Rock was going to go last year."

Like his sons, Joe Sr. knows football. He coached the Knoch junior high team this year, his 35th season of coaching in the Knights system.

He and his wife, Ledia, haven't missed many of their sons' games over the years.

"We're thankful for the experiences we've had,"the elder Bzorek said. "There's no sadness that it's coming to a conclusion.

"We'll probably pick out a PSAC game of the week next yea and go to it. From Clarion to Slippery Rock to Edinboro — it's been quite a ride at all those places. It's been incredible."

Each Bzorek brother seemingly has been better than the one preceding him. Greg was a second-team Associated Press Little All-American as a senior at Edinboro in 2005.

Josh was a Consensus Draft Services Division IIPreseason All-American this year. Greg started 44 of his 45 games at Edinboro. Josh has started 38 games in his collegiate career, having a string of 22 consecutive starts come to an end last year. He missed two games with an ankle injury.

"It's hard to believe this is it,"Josh Bzorek said. "We've been playing football for a long time."

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Bzorek will not pursue any opportunity in the professional ranks.

The Fighting Scots, who are 7-2, dropping home games of 35-31 to California (Pa.) and 24-21 to Mercyhurst, close the regular season against sub-.500 foes Clarion and Millersville.

"The part of my career that's been missing is a national playoff bid,"Josh Bzorek said. "I think we can get there."

Even if he doesn't, Josh has been part of an offensive line blocking for one of the most prolific offenses in the PSAC. Edinboro leads the conference in time of possession, holding the ball an average of 33 minutes, 23 seconds per game.

The Scots have allowed only 12 sacks all year and average 31.3 points and 424.3 yards of offense per game.

"We're not real deep up front this year,"Browning admitted. "Josh has been a real anchor there."

The same could be said of any Bzorek. All five have played for PSAC West championship teams.

"No question, they all learned from each other," their father said. "When they'd be home, they'd talk about pass blocking. When we look back on what they've accomplished — it's amazing."