Rockets expect surprise package
SLIPPERY ROCK — Larry Wendereusz isn't sure what to expect Friday night.
From his Slippery Rock High football team, or his opponent.
When the Rockets open the season at home against General McLane at 7 p.m., they may see a different Lancers team than what they have played in the past.
General McLane attempted only 35 passes in 10 games last season. The worst-kept secret in the stadium was that the Lancers were going to run the football.
A lot.
This season, that could change, as Wendereusz saw on film in the Lancers' scrimmage.
“They were running most of their stuff out of a shotgun,” Wendereusz said. “They're still running the same things, just out of the gun. They're going to put the ball in the air more than they have in the past.”
That's because General McLane has a wealth of talent returning on the offensive side of the ball, led by quarterback Matthew Leehan and running back Ben Howe-Jones.
Leehan only threw for 156 yards and one touchdown last season. The junior may be given more latitude to throw this season.
If not, the Lancers can always go back to giving the ball to Howe-Jones, who rushed for 1,187 yards on just 115 carries and scored 12 touchdowns.
Wendereusz said his team had an up-and-down scrimmage against Mohawk Saturday.
“I thought there were moments when we did what we were supposed to do,” Wendereusz said. “There were also things we need to do better. We have some young kids playing and we're hoping to work on those things this week and keep plugging.
“We have to be able to get better every week,” Wendereusz added. “We have to get a little better each day.”
Slippery Rock beat General McLane 27-14 in the opener last season. The Lancers went on to win seven of their next eight games before losing to Oil City in the first round of the playoffs.
7 p.m., FridayThe Gremlins are coming off a 4-6 season, their first losing campaign since 2010 and only their second in the past 24 years . ... Brockway was 9-3 a season ago. ... Both teams have second-year head coaches in Joe Sherwin (KC) and Tom Weaver (Brockway).Brockway leads the all-time series between the teams 20-16, including a 27-24 season-opening victory at KC last year. ... These teams met in the District 9 playoffs six times from 2000-09, with Karns City winning four times.Anthony Kamenski returns as a third-year starting quarterback for Karns City. He threw for more than 700 yards in 2018. ... Brockway has to replace graduated quarterback Peter Downer, who threw for 1,266 yards, 16 TDs and only three interceptions a year ago. The Rovers do return Jon Wood, who had 16 catches for 318 yards and 5 TDs last year and Conner Ford (12 catches-164 yards). Both had two interceptions last season as well.
7 p.m., FridayKane is coming off a humbling season, going just 2-7. ... The Wolves are going back to basics on offense with a renewed emphasis on running the football out of the spread. ... Jake Alcorn returns to the backfield to try to re-energize the Kane running game. ... Teddy Race will also see some carries. ... Moniteau will have a new quarterback this season after the graduation loss of Chance Nagy. Brady Thompson will likely be the starter come Friday night. ... The Warriors have a slew of running backs, led by Nick Martino, who is a bruiser at 6-2, 220 and served as the blocking back last season. ... Moniteau beat Kane 14-13 in the season opener last year.
7 p.m., FridayUnion/ACV went 4-7 last season, including a loss to Smethport in the District 9 Class A quarterfinals. ... QB Luke Bowser returns for the Falcon Knights after throwing for 792 yards, 7 TDs and 11 Ints in 2018.Coudersport won the District 9 Class A title last year as the No. 6 seed, defeating Redbank Valley, Clarion-Limestone and Smethport in the playoffs. ... The team returns junior QB Hayden Keck, who passed for 709 yards and 8 TDs last year while rushing for 565 yards and 13 more scores.
12:30 p.m., SaturdayWestern Beaver started a freshman at quarterback last season in Thad Gray, who threw for 648 yards and four touchdowns. He's back under center this season for first-year head coach Derek Moye.Moye starred at Penn State and had NFL stints with New Orleans, Miami, Tennessee and Pittsburgh.Gray's brother, Noah, led the team in receptions (25) and yards last season (300).Summit Academy also has a first-year coach in Joe Marak, whose uncle, Jim, started the football program at the school in 1998.Marak, a 2009 Butler graduate, will rely heavily on quarterback Camer Warrington-Curry, who will be a threat both running and passing.
