Making a mark
LOCK HAVEN — Five former Butler County high school football players figure to make a major impact on their respective PSAC teams this season.
Butler graduate Tim Vernick returns as a starting middle linebacker for Slippery Rock and is a team captain as a junior this year.
Seneca Valley graduate Corbin Kessler was a second team All-PSAC West linebacker for Mercyhurst in 2018 and now anchors that defense as a senior.
Karns City graduate Maverick Kelsea returns for his junior season as a fullback at Clarion and may play a more diversified role in that offense.
Seneca Valley graduate Eric Hudanick enters his junior season as a third-year starting tackle for California.
Seneca Valley graduate Cody Boozel returns to conference champion West Chester for his junior year as the Golden Rams' starting tight end after catching a touchdown pass in last year's PSAC championship game.
“Tim Vernick has turned into quite a story,” SRU coach Shawn Lutz said. “We recruited him mainly because his older brother Bob was here. We weren't even sure he'd get on the field.
“Never under-estimate a Vernick. That kid plays with so much heart and he's very intelligent in the middle of our defense.”
Vernick led The Rock with 92 tackles last season. He had 13 tackles for loss.
Kessler was second in tackles for Mercyhurst last year with 72. He had 6.5 tackles for loss to go with six passes defense and five pass break-ups.
“He's an intelligent player, a great worker and he's all over the field,” Lakers coach Marty Schaetzle said of Kessler. “He's gotten even stronger and faster than he was last year.
“We're expecting a huge year from him.”
Kessler was a member of the Mercyhurst baseball team last spring as well.
“He didn't play a whole lot there, but he worked just as hard,” Schaetzle said. “The baseball team respects him as a teammate and for that work ethic.”
Kelsea has yet to carry the ball for Clarion despite playing fullback. He has caught six passes over the past two years, including one for a touchdown in 2018.
“He's primarily been a blocking back for us and Maverick is very effective in that role,” Clarion coach Chris Weibel said. “He's been like a second tight end on the field.
“If he can stay healthy, and with the experience he's gained at this level, I can see him having a more expanded role in our offense.”
The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Hudanick started every game at right tackle for California last season. He started 10 games as a freshman.
“We kinda threw him to the wolves as a true freshman and Eric learned a lot that year,” California coach Gary Dunn said. “Now he's reaping the benefits of that experience.
“His footwork is tremendous. Now he's an anchor for us at right tackle.”
Boozel tore his ACL two years ago. He returned to West Chester's lineup last year and improved as the season went on.
“He played here as a true freshman before he got hurt,” West Chester coach Bill Zwaan said. “This is his second year since that injury and he keeps getting stronger.
“Cody will definitely play a bigger role in our passing game this year. I can see him having a big season that way.”
Boozel had 14 catches for 210 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. He caught a 23-yard touchdown pass on fourth down in the PSAC title game.
