Passing combo off to Clarion
BUTLER TWP — Jordan Cratty and Canan Roskovski created a solid passing combination last fall for the Butler High School football team.
Now they're looking to stay connected.
Quarterback Cratty and receiver Roskovski are both headed to Clarion University. They will be walk-ons with the Golden Eagle football team and will be college roommates.
Both players figure to be red-shirted.
“Jordan is one of my best friends,” Roskovski said. “We developed a great chemistry on the football field. Maybe in a few years, we'll be doing that again.”
Cratty visited Clarion and talked with the coaches there initially. He liked what he saw and passed his thoughts along to Roskovski.
“I told him it looked like a good program and the coaches were great,” Cratty said.”He decided to look into it and I'm glad he did.”
Butler didn't throw the ball much last season. When it did, Roskovski was usually on the receiving end.
Cratty completed 35 of 88 passes for 521 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Roskovski caught 21 passes for 357 yards and two scores.
“Jordan's leadership skills are tremendous,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said. “He's an athletic kid who can do a lot of things.
“Our offense probably wasn't fair to Canan. We didn't throw much and when we did, he was the go-to guy. He attracted a lot of attention from defenders.”
Roskovski still averaged 17 yards per reception. He also averaged 13.3 yards on three punt returns and 30.2 yards on seven kickoff returns.
“They haven't talked to me about returning kicks, but I'd be more than happy to contribute in that area, too,” Roskovski said.
“Canan's got speed and knows how to get open,” Conti said.Clarion is coming off a 4-7 season and is 11-22 over the past three seasons. The Golden Eagles were 8-3 in 2009, narrowly missing a Division II playoff berth.Cratty and Roskovski plan to hit the weight room hard over the next year.“I know I have to get stronger to play at that level,” Cratty said. “They recruited me as a quarterback, but they also talked to me about playing safety.“I'd be open to any position change if they asked, but right now, I'm one of the quarterbacks they're developing.”Clarion is bringing in a number of high school quarterbacks. At least two will likely be asked to make a position change.Cratty plans to major in accounting. Roskovski will major in biology.“I'll spend the summer lifting weights, running routes and catching footballs,” Roskovski said. “After my red-shirt year, I'm looking forward to the chance to earn playing time.“Clarion runs more of a spread and their package will take pressure off me in terms of the defense. I drew double coverage during most of my time at Butler.”Cratty and Roskovski were primarily recruited by assistant coach Chris Weibel, a former record-setting Clarion quarterback and an East Brady product.“Both are great kids with solid backgrounds,” Conti said. “I can see both being successful there down the road.”
