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



GREENVILLE

Team SCHEDULE // ROSTER // PREVIEW STORY

Greenville success carved in Stone

When discussing the Greenville High School football program, there are two constants: head coach Bob Stone and success.

Stone is entering his 19th year at the helm following 16 years as an assistant. During his tenure, his Trojan teams have amassed an aggregate 140-39-7 mark, dominated the Northwest Conference and become a fixture in the District 10 playoffs, winning the '93 Class AAA crown.

In an age when major college and professional coaches suffer from burn-out or are fired long before they even reach that stage, Stone remains a fixture, with no foreseeable end in sight. On a humid Saturday in August, he could be found overseeing his own club's preseason scrimmage with Wilmington, then later taking in the Meadville-Conneaut Lake scrimmage.

``I guess it's a matter of fact: Most coaches start anticipating the season about January. After you've packed the equipment away and have gotten everything taken care of from the previous season, you start to look forward to next year,'' Stone summarized, continuing,

``I guess if that (lasting competitive nature) wasn't there, I still wouldn't be here ... either that, or I have no social life, whatsoever,'' he quipped.

So like a comfortable sweater, Stone and the Trojans, a perfect fit if ever there was one, are primed for making a run at their annual goal: A D-10 playoff berth. Twenty-two seniors return from an 8-2 club that bowed to eventual PIAA Class AAA runner-up Sharon in the D-10 title tilt. Add junior tailback Joe Korcinsky _ a returning 1,000-yard rusher _ and that ambition could become a reality come November.

``These are very coachable kids, and I think that's a big plus,'' Stone said.

Directing offensive coordinator Brian Herrick's senior-laden attack will be quarterback Andy Mason, one of several returning starters. Mason threw for 433 yards and 7 touchdowns in '95. Included in the offensive interior will be center Nick Klenovich; guards Scott Kaltenbaugh, Ryan Nicklin and Ben Miller; tackles Brent Hoffman, Rory McFadden and Jason Goss and tight ends Josh Pearce and Doug Straw. John Isacco will be the wingback; Pat Turpack and Chuck Milford will alternate at fullback, and Kirk Shimshock will spell Korcinsky. Junior Marc Carter also may see playing time at tight end.

The Trojans' standard 5-2 slant, orchestrated by veteran defensive coordinator Gary Hull, will utilize Straw, Kaltenbaugh and McFadden as tackles; Pearce, Milford, senior Ryan Reigleman and junior Nevada Walker as ends/standup linebackers, and Miller at noseguard. Turpack, Nicklin and possibly Klenovich will be the inside 'backers, with senior Jarrett Fisher and Isacco as the respective free and strong safety, and senior Nathan Williams and Korcinsky at the corners.

Ever the perfectionist, Stone said, ``We have to build some depth at certain positions.''

Characteristically, with tongue in cheek, Stone termed the early preseason `` ... so-so. Things are never going as well as you'd like; but on the other hand, they're probably never as bad as they could be. The attitude appears to be good, overall, but we still have our ups and downs, though I guess that's not uncommon during two-a-days. We've had some good practices and some bad. But, overall, this is a very good, hard-working group.'' Greenville's ground game also is a Stone staple, though he noted, ``We prefer to run, but we're also working very hard on being able to throw if the need arises or if the opportunity presents itself.''

Typically, the Trojans' taskmaster refused to be drawn into any preseason forecasts.

``I'll give my standard answer,'' he concluded with a chuckle. ``I think it'll be a balanced (Northwest) conference. At this point, we're having enough difficulties taking care of our own situation without having to evaluate other peoples' situations. ... we'll have our work cut out for us.''

The NWC will include Erie-based Strong Vincent and East this season.

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Updated August 29, 1996