The HERALD Sharon, PA published Tuesday, August 27,1996
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Football  '96



WEST MIDDLESEX

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West Middlesex seeks to improve




With an eye to the future, the 1996 West Middlesex High School football team is seeking improvement from a year ago, according to third-year head coach Ed Pikna.

``I think we have a tremendous group to build on,'' Pikna (5-13) said regarding his 39-player roster, 19 of whom are sophomores. ``This is, as far as numbers, one of the biggest teams we've had in my nine years (including six as an assistant).''

Although Pikna readily pointed out the club's relative inexperience, he is hoping the future is now, so to speak, emphasizing, ``We're looking for good things this year.''

Pikna is hoping to run an option-style offense and a 4-4 defensive scheme in which, `` ... we're looking to move around, make things happen, attack on defense.''

Although he does have a core of returning lettermen, he makes no pretense he covets his sophomore class.

``The sophomores are gonna have to step up. We expect them to do a lot of playing. This team is definitely gonna get us back on track. I can see this team getting us back to where we were two years ago when we finished 5-4, which was only the fourth winning season in school history.

``We have a lot of gutsy football players,'' Pikna continued. ``There's not a lot of (physical) size, but they're quick. This season should be a great building block. I'm looking for great things in the next couple years.''

Leading the option-oriented offense will be sophomore quarterback Walt Novosel, while his classmate, Ron Goodman will see action in the backfield, if not under center, then at running back, Pikna said.

``We expect to throw the ball this year,'' Pikna explained. ``We'll run a multiple offense, with a lot of different formations. We'll run our basic series, then mix in a little, different formations, motion ... ''

The nucleus of returning veterans from last year's squad (0-9) is led by senior fullback-linebacker Ryan Parrish, a 3-year letterman and one of several projected 2-way starters. Other seniors include Brian Smith, John Hether, Ray Spangler, B.J. Bowser, Chad Smith and Bob Knapp, and juniors Jon Misinay, Brian Kimmel, Jeff Hether and Jason Repko (6-0, 175).

In addition to Novosel and Goodman, Pikna's other projected starting sophomores include center Shane Eckerd, tight end Mike Partridge and defensive back Mark Means. Senior halfback-outside linebacker Scott Robich is expected to be a first-time starter, Pikna said, while a pair of 2-way junior linemen, Josh Gerlach and Dave Edney, also are projected as potential first-time starters.

``We're looking for the rest of the sophomores to step in and play quite a bit,'' Pikna reiterated. ``If they don't start the game, they'll be on the field quite a bit, for a good piece of the game.

``We're very surprised, very pleased with the way our first-year and sophomore football players are stepping up,'' Pikna said. ``And some of our seniors this year who've been very coachable in the past will contribute quite a bit.'' West Middlesex scrimmaged Lakeview in the preseason, even though the teams will meet at mid-season. Senior starting wide receiver Chris Hogg broke an ankle during the first week of camp and the prognosis for his recovery was 4-6 weeks, Pikna said.

Assisting Pikna are: Todd Casalandra, Tom Wilson, Angelo Kostas, John Suvoy, Chris Suvoy, Chris Kostas, Chris Ruffo, Ryan Bell and Joe Miller.

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Updated August 29, 1996