The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999

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  • Hickory
    1999 season preview

    Large senior class being counted on to lead Hickory Hornets turnaround

    By Jeff Greenburg
    Herald Sports Editor

    Phil Annarella doesn't suffer through losing seasons very often. His 125-66-3 career mark in 19 years as a head coach would certainly attest to that.

    It is that success in previous stops at Warren Harding, Warren Western Reserve and Youngstown Rayen, the second-year Hickory mentor is hoping will translate into victories for his Hornets program, who haven't enjoyed a winning season since 1995 when they posted a 7-3 mark.

    In fact, the back-to-back-to-back losing seasons is the longest such stretch for the program since a string of six consecutive losing seasons from 1981-86. That, Annarella believes, hasn't put any extra outside pressures on himself or his squad.

    "I think probably the biggest pressures always come from yourself," Annarella said. "I know that after 30 years (of coaching) I don't feel any more pressure from outside sources today than I did earlier."

    Hickory finished 4-5 a year ago, 3-3 in Mercer County Athletic Conference AAA-AA play, but the Hornets really weren't all that far off from a winning season. An overtime loss in the season opener to Punxsutawney could have gone Hickory's way. It didn't, but it is games such as those that Annarella hopes will this season.

    "Yes, we want to do better this year and I think the kids have a little bit different mind-set this year, at least I'm hoping they do," Annarella said. "I felt a little better after our scrimmage with Kennedy in that I sensed a little different mentality; more of what I wanted and what our staff expects. So I think that's probably the number one thing. Now we've got to see if that continues and carries over into the season.

    "You've got to get the kids to fall into place and believe in what you're doing and develop the type of mentality you want your football team to have. I think we're getting there, but you never know. I think we're heading in that direction. We'll find out as the season progresses."

    It is that season that begins Friday at perennial Trumbull Athletic Conference power Champion, although the Flashes are down in numbers this season.

    While the Hornets, who feature a 55-man squad from grades 10-12, return 11 starters, five on offense and six on defense, and 16 lettermen in all, they still have some big holes to fill.

    First and foremost might be at the tailback position, where speedster Torrance Gash carried the load for the second half of the season in 1998 after missing four games due to an injury. In only five games, Gash tallied team highs of 605 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Gash's per game average of 121 yards was sixth-best among Mercer County backs and he was a threat to score anytime he touched the ball.

    In Gash's place, however, then-sophomore Marcus Horvath shined, tallying touchdowns in each of the first three games and finishing with 376 yards in eight games, most coming in the first three weeks, including back-to-back 100-yard efforts. At 5-foot-6, 150 pounds, Horvath nearly mirrors the size of Gash.

    Another big area where the Hornets will be forced to do some rebuilding is on the offensive and defensive lines, where they lost some bodies and size. Among them were two-way starters Matt Holiga (5-9, 247) and Jeff Porter (6-1, 273), and offensive lineman Nick Van Sickles (6-4, 330).

    Unfortunately for the Hornets, one of the projected two-way starters expected to replace those graduates on the line this season, 5-11, 294-pound sophomore Adam Gassner, is expected to be out approximately six weeks with a broken ankle.

    "That really hurts, especially when that's a thin spot to begin with," Annarella said. "We're not nearly as big as we were last year, losing Porter, Van Sickles and Holiga. And that's where we're struggling a little bit right now, finding the right mix or the best combination to get on the line. Hopefully, again, some younger kids are going to step up and get it done."

    Leading those younger kids, Annarella hopes, will be a 19-man strong senior class.

    "I'm seeing really good leadership from the guys," he said. "It's to their credit that they recognize now what we expect discipline-wise and everything else-wise from the program. And they're responding to it. They're taking on a positive leadership role, and I'm saying that as a group they're doing that. They're good kids and a lot are returning starters, so that bodes well for Hickory. Can we translate that onto the football field is what we've got to answer."

    Hickory also features 14 juniors and 22 sophomores. In addition, the Hornets also have 18 freshman, bringing the total number of high school gridders to 73, one of the biggest in years at the Hermitage-based school.

    "We've got decent numbers, but numbers don't always win football games either," Annarella said. "You only play with 11."

    Among that 11 should be two-year letterwinners Bryan Blair (OG/ILB), Neil Comiskey (C/DT), Steve Isaac (OT/DE), Darien Ondich (WR/DB) and Tim Tarkanick (RB/ILB).

    Among the other letterwinners returning are senior Derek Perkins and sophomore Ross Trimmer, who split time at the quarterback position a year ago, although Perkins garnered the majority of minutes. In nine games, Perkins was 24 of 67 for 244 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.

    Annarella's first season in the MCAC was certainly a learning experience for him, but not all that surprising considering where he's been.

    "There's no dogs around here," Annarella said. "Even some of the teams maybe down a little bit in numbers or have struggled for a couple seasons, they're always going to strap it up and play you tough on game night. There's no pansies, there's no walkovers. If you're not ready to play on Friday night over here -- and it's the same as it was over in eastern Ohio -- you're going to get beat. You better have your kids prepared to play."

    Assisting Annarella this year are: Ed Ashcroft (offensive coordinator, backs, outside linebackers), Jon Elliot (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks, defensive backs), Jim Bell (defensive coordinator, offensive tackles, linebackers), John Allen (special teams coordinator, split ends, inside linebackers), Greg Barnhart (centers, guards, defensive tackles). Doug Barnhart (tight ends, defensive ends), Joe Bender (kickers), Dan Black (offensive and defensive lines), Doug Levis (Z-backs, defensive backs), Mike Nardone (offensive backs, outside linebackers), and middle school coaches Ray Olsen, Tim Jones, Mark Palumbo and Reid Canady.


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