Rockets trying to figure Lancers out ahead of season opener
Marshall McCormick has put on his best poker face. His hand will be shown come Friday night.
Entering his first season as General McLane’s boss — and third campaign with the team overall — McCormick made sure his football team’s looks were modest in his team’s scrimmage against Grove City on Saturday.
“On the offensive side of the ball, they ran two plays,” Slippery Rock coach Larry Wendereusz said ahead of his team season opener with the Lancers. “They ran toss and they ran a zone read. We just really don’t know what we’re going to see out of them offensively.
“Really, it’s the same thing defensively. They lined up very vanilla and did the same thing every time.”
McCormick, who played at Freeport and attended Slippery Rock University, admitted he held back against the defending District 10 3A-champion Eagles. His team will now face another formidable foe in the runner-up Rockets.
“We’ve had that kept in the back of our minds,” McCormick said. “It’s nice to get a gauge for where we’re at. We were very happy with the scrimmage.”
The Lancers trot out three returning senior starters on the offensive line in Wilson Spires, Dillon Mayer, Talon Frick. Junior linebacker Magnus Lloyd turned heads this past weekend and figures to be an important part of the defense.
With what little he saw on film, though, Wendereusz considers General McLane a “faceless opponent,” a phrase he picked up on while working with former Seneca Valley coach Don Holl.
“We have no idea how they’re going to line up,” Wendereusz said. “We have no idea what plays they’re going to run. We’ve just got to do our job better than they do theirs.”
Making sure that the big guys up front won’t need to play all 48 minutes was a focus for the Rockets during camp. In the team’s scrimmage against Freeport, junior Austin McFarland impressed while he filled in at guard for senior Brody Galcik, who was held out of competition as a precautionary measure. James Perez is getting noticeably better, as well, Wendereusz said.
Seniors Brett Galcik and Maddox Allen will be the ones to tote the football for the offense. Sophomore Aiden Corace will be available if either needs a spell.
“When you put that in the backfield, it is so nice to see the two of them back there with the skills that complement each other very well,” their coach said.
The unit’s counterpart will see senior Dylan Sheeder, who lined up behind center for the Lancers a year ago, throwing for 420 yards and running for 322 more. With leading rusher John Amon lost to graduation, Sheeder will transition to running back. Taking his place at quarterback will be Chance Adamski, who interestingly played offensive guard in 2021.
“We’re going to take what the defense gives us,” McCormick said. “I have no problem running the ball, I have no problem throwing the ball. We’re going to take what’s open and use our strengths.”
He’s well aware of the firepower that Slippery Rock possesses, with third-year starters William Mokel and John Sabo connecting through the air.
“They have athletes,” McCormick said. “We kind of have an idea of what they’re trying to do. They’re looking to throw the ball a little bit against us. We’re going to be ready for that.”
Hosting the Rockets will give him a good idea of what his team really looks like.
“I’m familiar with those southern schools in District 10 — Grove City, Slippery Rock, Sharon, Hickory, all of those guys,” McCormick said. “When I first moved up here, they always said, ‘Well, you’ve got to go through the south.’
“It’s a great test for us Week 1 and we’re excited to come out and see where we stand early on.”
For Wendereusz’ crew, it’s a chance to get better, be more physical, and stuff the run.
“We’ve got to improve,” Wendereusz said. “Our guys know that. They know the expectations and where we’ve got to go to be a good football team.”
That road will start at 7 p.m. in Edinboro on Friday.
