2000 Trojans highly touted, highly rated

By Ed Farrell
Herald Assistant Sports Editor

Often, when a high school football program enjoys an 11-win season, it's an indication the cupboard is bare for the following campaign; not so regarding Greenville High.

A 23-senior roster and perhaps the most physically-imposing group in Greenville's great grid history greeted veteran mentor Bob Stone when camp opened in mid-August. Included are numerous starters returing from a Trojans' team that captured Northwest Conference and District 10 titles.

None of which impresses Stone, 183-44-6 entering his 23rd campaign as the Trojans' taskmaster and Mercer County's second-winningest mentor.

"I think if you look ahead, you've got a problem,'' said Stone, still recalling a painful PIAA AAA playoff-opening setback to Perry Traditional Academy. "Our first game is at (Quad-A) McDowell and that's going to be a major test for us and that, right now, is our only concern. I'll feel great if we can look good against (McDowell); I won't feel so good if we don't look good against them,'' he, chuckling, mused, before reverting to a more serious tone when adding, "We look at it as a challenge and it's nice to have a challenge -- you grow by those. We'll see whether we can meet the challenge, or not.''

Although having graduated some key linemen, the Trojans' tradition -- during the decade of the '90s the school emerged as the dominant D-10 Class AAA force with four crowns -- appears primed to continue.

Quarterback Sammy Young (57 of 119, 825 yards, 7 TDs, 7 interceptions), tailback Erik Adams (1,517 yards, 6.1 yards/carry, 28 TDs), and wide-out Gio Vendemia (40 catches, 619 yards, 15.5 yards/catch, 6 TDs) return from an offense that overwhelmingly outgained (314.8-189.5) and outscored (33.3-9.7 ppg.) '99 opponents. And 10 linemen ranging from 230-315 pounds dot the roster. Should offensive coordinator Brian Herrick opt for a two-tight set, he can strap on bookends Mike Maluk and Eric Spurlock, a pair of 6-foot-1, 240-plus-pound juniors.

Again, the characteristically conservative Stone observed, "Size is, I think, often overestimated. The bottom line is this: I don't care how big, how small, how weak, how strong, how handsome, how ugly ... if you get the job done, that's what counts and that's what we're working on right now -- getting the job done. That's what we're going to have to see. We've made some progress to a certain degree, but we've still got a ways to go yet.''

The defense, another Trojan tradition under coodinator Gary Hull's guidance, will be anchored by the tandem of noseguards Nick Taylor and Andy Young, who, respectively, lend quickness and mass to the position. Linebacker Andy Oswald, Wes Baird, Brandon Murphy and Brian Riley should serve as stalwarts, as could Mike Stephens, a wrestling/track and field standout and a rare combination of strength and speed.

"They have pretty good work habits and that's always a strongsuit -- if you have very good work habits, you'll improve as the season goes on and, of course, that's always our goal; you have to show weekly improvement," Stone said, assessing his squad. "Weaknesses? We still have some big shoes to fill. We lost three kids from last year who were 3-year starters for us and that's not always easy, to find someone who can jump right in and pick up where they left off. So I guess, right now, filling those holes is our major problem. ... We have some capable people there, but I think it's a matter of bringing them up to speed and then getting some game experience.

As for the Northwest Conference, Stone declined to predict.

"Without rating anybody, we have a couple new coaches (Meadville, Warren) in the conference this year, which is gonna make things interesting," he said. "To prepare for us, all they have to do is dig out their films from 20 years ago,'' he said with a laugh.

In addition to Hull and Herrick, Stone will be assisted by Kirk Smith, Gary Zane, Mark Hayes, Mark Karpinski, Terry Cooper and Rick Zilla.