Butler County players bolstering PAC rosters

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

August 26, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM College

Mike Sklarsky and the Washington & Jefferson College football team are following the same developmental trail.

Both were good last year, not great. Both figure to be great this year.

Sklarsky, a Seneca Valley graduate, is a junior linebacker for the Presidents and one of 42 lettermen and 13 starters returning from last season's 9-2 squad.

"He's such a valuable member of our defense," second-year W&J coach Mike Sirianni said. "He was a solid player last year and he's ready for a breakout season.

"Mike could become an All-American player for us. He could do it as early as this year," he added.

Sklarsky had 67 tackles - including 31 solos - and three quarterback sacks in 2003.

"When he's where he is supposed to be, Mike makes plays," Sirianni said. "Early last year he was caught out of position at times, but once he settled in, he was magnificent.

"Now he's at the point where he can just react and get to the ball rather than think about things," he added.

W&J hopes to get additional help at the quarterback position from Slippery Rock High School graduate Luke McCaffrey, who transferred from Slippery Rock University.

McCaffrey is a sophomore in terms of eligibility. He completed 38 of 108 passes for 446 yards, two TDs and six interceptions at The Rock in 2003.

"We play the best players and Luke will compete with our other young quarterbacks," Sirianni said. "It's an open competition as far as I'm concerned."

Chris Edwards, a junior, threw for 1,546 yards and 13 TDs last year before a shoulder injury ended his season after the seventh game. Brent Marsteller threw for 960 yards and 11 TDs.

"We may wind up rotating two quarterbacks in, but it won't be three," Sirianni said. "One of these guys will find himself out of the picture. If it's Luke, he may be moved to another position."

At Waynesburg, coach Jeff Hand is looking for a fullback and could move Freeport graduate and tailback Dennis Gearhart to that position.

Gearhart rushed for 428 yards, including successive 100-yard games, before an injury curtailed his freshman season.

"Dennis is an extremely talented football player," Hand said. "We're deep at tailback, but he could become the fullback we're looking for. He's an aggressive runner who can also block well.

"He was an outstanding nose guard defensively and could wind up on that side of the ball. We have plenty of options with him," he added.

Waynesburg was 9-2 a year ago, 5-0 in winning the PAC, and received its first NCAA Division III playoff berth.

Westminster coach Jerry Schmitt is receiving some offensive line help from an unexpected source this fall.

Nick Fisher, a 1999 Mars graduate who signed with the University of Maryland before his senior year, didn't stay with the Terrapins after his freshman season. He hasn't played football since.

"Nick wanted to return to football this year with Duquesne, but he's past the age limit for that level," Schmitt said. "I'm good friends with (Duquesne coach) Greg Gattuso and he recommended he come in our direction."

Fisher, who stands 6-7 and weighs 350 pounds, is only a sophomore in eligibility.

"He's very intelligent and very mature," Schmitt said. "I'm just happy he's coming to our school. We're not going to push things with him.

"With his size and ability, I know he's going to help us somewhere."

Westminster was 5-5 last season and will be playing a full Division III schedule for the first time.

Thiel coach Jack Leipheimer has eight Butler County players on his roster - six of whom may start - as the Tomcats try to bounce back from a 3-7 season.

Senior defensive tackle Chris Minton, a Seneca Valley graduate, had 48 tackles last season, including 16 for loss. Fellow SV graduate Kellen Manning, who is a sophomore, and Knoch graduate and senior Jeremy Cypher could start at defensive end.

"Chris is a tremendous competitor on and off the field," Leipheimer said. "He overcame cancer as a sophomore in high school and is one of the cornerstones of our defense.

"Jeremy has been a linebacker his whole career. He's battled injuries and changing positions before your senior year is tough, but he's stayed positive," the coach added.

Freshman tailback Steve Minton - Chris's brother - is competing for a starting spot in the backfield. Ricky Gable, a sophomore guard from Mars, might start at right guard.

Gable started nine games at right guard last year after two-time all-conference performer Dave Hendricks was injured.

Karns City graduate Jeff Wagner, a sophomore, might start at middle linebacker for the Tomcats.

"We've gotten plenty of talent out of Butler County in my four years at Thiel," Leipheimer said. "We want to establish ourselves in that area. They play some good football down there."