Centre County Gazette Football Preview, Aug. 24, 2017

2017 PREVIEW

Centre County High Schools, Penn State, Eagles & Steelers Team Coverage

A supplement to

August 24, 2017

Page 2

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

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August 24, 2017

GAZETTE THE CENTRE COUNTY

403 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801 Phone: (814) 238-5051 Fax: (814) 238-3415 www.CentreCountyGazette.com PUBLISHER Rob Schmidt EDITOR Mark Brackenbury MANAGING EDITOR G. Kerry Webster

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview SALES MANAGER Amy Ansari BUSINESS MANAGER Aimee Aiello ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Bill Donley, Vicki Gillette AD COORDINATOR KateLynn Luzier STAFF WRITER Sean Yoder GRAPHIC DESIGN KateLynn Luzier, Beth Wood INTERNS Tommy Butler, Pyper Petersen

CONTACT US: To submit news: editor@centrecountygazette.com Advertising: sales@centrecountygazette.com The Gazette is a weekly newspaper serving Centre County and is published

by Indiana Printing and Publishing Company. Reproduction of any portion of any issue is not permitted without written permission. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement for any reason.

CONTENTS: High School Previews 4 .... Bald Eagle Area 6 .... Bellefonte 8 .... Penns Valley 10 .... Philipsburg-Osceola 12 .... State College 16 .... St. Joseph’s

PSU Features 18 .... Saquon Barkley 19 .... Jason Cabinda 20 .... Cornerback position 22 .... Big Ten Schedule

Pro Previews 23 .... Pittsburgh Steelers 24 .... Philadelphia Eagles 25 .... NFL schedule

Page 3

Football season is here Welcome to the 2017 Centre County Gazette Fall Football issue.

We are set to begin another year in which the six Centre County high school football teams, along with a certain college team, will each be trying to eclipse their accomplishments from 2016. It will not be easy to do.

Last year, the State College Little Lions brought home another Mid Penn championship, their second in a row, after another season filled with pressure games and big wins against some of the best teams in the state. It all ended deep into the PIAA, 6-A Tournament with a loss to uberfast Williamsport in at Selinsgrove High School. There were losses to graduation of some big contributors, but SC looks like it’s ready to come back and do it all again.

In Bellefonte, the Raiders returned to the playoffs after a toolong absence in 2016, and there is a definite feeling that they can’t wait to get the new season under way and take the next steps in

their rebuilding process.

The Philipsburg-Osceola Mountaineers will have a new facility this year to go along with a new optimism about what is to come. P-O won its first game in three years on the last day of the season in 2016, and Mountie fans are hoping that better numbers and more confidence will transfer into successes on the field. We are about to find out.

In Wingate, BEA has a year under its belt of 2nd-year head coach Jesse Nagle’s spread offense, and Penns Valley will be retooling and replacing some longtime starters. And St. Joseph’s Academy will continue on as one of the smallest football-playing schools in the state.

Across College Avenue, word is that there is no limit to what the Penn State Nittany Lions can accomplish in 2017. Of course, at this point it’s all speculation, and the only thing for sure is that their schedule is full of good teams that will be more than ready to play when they meet the Lions.

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Page 4

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

Nagle confident in second season at BEA

By PAT ROTHDUETSCH sports@centrecountygazette.com

WINGATE — Things went exactly as planned for the Bald Eagle Area football team during the first two weeks of the 2016 season.

After that, not so much.

The Bald Eagles scored more than 100 points and came through with two blowout wins over St. Joseph’s Academy and Philipsburg-Osceola to begin head coach Jesse Nagle’s first season at the school.

But Penns Valley threw cold water on things with a 41-18 victory in Week 3, and from there it was a struggle each week for the Eagles.

There was only one more win — a grinding 3-0 affair over Chestnut Ridge — and difficult losses that included a 35-0 setback against archrival Bellefonte.

Now, coming back for his second year, Nagle has a clearer view of what his

players will have to do to improve on that 3-7 record. Just don’t expect him to take his foot off the gas.

“The goal is to keep after it,” Nagle said about his spread offense. “Put the pressure on teams. You saw some of our athletes last year, and we have two or three more out this year so we feel that we have seven or eight athletes that can win us games. We want to find ways to get them the ball.

“The biggest thing was that last year, you think you know what you have, but you don’t know. Now with all these guys coming back, we know what they can do.”

There is a list of players lost through graduation who will have to be replaced, most notably starting quarterback Tyler Kresovich.

Kresovich completed 73 passes in 2016 for 839 yards and seven touchdowns and ran the ball 79 times for another 276 yards and four

touchdowns. Running backs Hunter Hockenberry (232 yards, four TDs) and Austin Young (255 yards, 1 TD) also graduated along with receivers Jake Gates and Andrew Cohen.

“We lost players, there’s no doubt,” Nagle said, “but we were pushing in younger players throughout the year. So we feel that we are very experienced, but we’re still young in age. Up front, where we got hit the most, we have a lot of young guys pushing in who are doing a very nice job.”

Returning from last year will be junior quarterback Jordan Jones who got some experience behind Kresovich and threw for 162 yard and a touchdown.

Running backs Andrew Dubbs (241 yds) and Blake Roberts (242 yds) return along with leading receiver Gage McClenahan. McClenahan caught 28 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman in 2016.

Also returning in a very

deep receiving corps will be Derek Henry, Kael Gardner, Mathew Reese and Riley Bechdel.

On defense, Young and Cohen led the team in tackles last season, but Bechdel, Roberts, MeClenahan, Henry and Gardner made major contributions.

McClenahan (4) and Roberts (2) led the team in interceptions.

“Last year we had to bring a lot of pressure because we were not fantastic up front,” Nagle said, “and not experienced enough in our defense. This year, we won’t have to do that as much.

We are going to be very fast across our whole defense, so we can pick and choose our spots instead of forcing the issue.

“Last year, we thought teams would put together 10-12 play drives if we sat back, and we had to force it too many times. We’re hoping we don’t have to do that this year.”

BEA opens its season at Troy on Aug. 25, and then

Bald Eagle Area High School Head coach

Jesse Nagle 2016 Overall Results: 3-7 2016 Conference Record: 1-6

Conference

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

Page 5

Submitted photo

THE BALD EAGLE AREA varsity football team returns 13 letter winners to the 2017 squad. Pictured in front, from left, are Kyle Gates, Derek Henry, Gage McClenahan, Nicholas Turner, Austin Markle, Bradley Crestani and Andrew Dubbs. Row 2: Kael Gardner, Rilee Bechdel, Kurt Hall, Dylan Bisel, Blake Roberts and Mathew Reese. will return home for the Mountain League opener with Philipsburg-Osceola on Sept. 1.

Following that, there will be trips to Penns Valley, Chestnut Ridge and Tyrone

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Nagle said. “The kids put in a lot of time and effort. The biggest thing from last year to this year is that we will get over that hump when something goes wrong, we react with a positive and not nega-

tive. Last year when adversity hit late in games — and we were in four other games and it could have been seven wins. I’m hoping we get over that hump and take that next step and make some noise.”

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

Bellefonte has big shoes to fill in 2017

By PAT ROTHDUETSCH sports@centrecountygazette.com

BELLEFONTE — If anyone had any doubts that the Bellefonte Raider football team was on a new trajectory in 2016, those doubts were dispelled after the Raiders’ transcendent victory at Tyrone in Week 5.

Bellefonte, for so long almost easy prey for the Golden Eagles, made two huge defensive plays in the second half that set the stage for a dramatic 14-13 victory.

The win gave the Raiders a 3-2 record at that point in a season where every win was important and where a 5-5 record sent them back to the District 6 playoffs after a long absence.

Bellefonte eventually lost the D-6 first-round game at Clearfield, but just being there — and the season as a whole — gave notice that the Raiders were back in the conversation.

Now, head coach Shannon Manning, his coaches, and his team are plotting the next steps in their steady reemergence.

It does not look like it will be easy. Gone from the 2016 team are quarterback Chase Gardner, quarterback/running back Tyler Kreger, blocking back Eli Libscomb, receiver Jaiden Boone, all-state tight end Tanner Helmes and linebacker Gaven Dannecker.

“Those kinds of players you just don’t replace,” Manning said. “You don’t replace Tyler Kreger, Eli Lipscomp, Gaven Danneker, Tanner Helmes. You don’t even try to replace them. There are certain things that happened last year that you can’t replace. However, there are other avenues where we will have different strengths this year.

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doesn’t happen that way.

But what we can do is look at the next man up and how we can utilize the people we do have right now. That’s part of the evolution of one team to the other.”

Some of those next men up include leading rusher Dexter Gallishaw. In his junior year, Gallishaw ran for 766 yards and eight touchdowns on 128 carries. Sophomore C.J. Funk (133 yds) returns in the backfield with Gallishaw, and senior Nick Palosky will vie for the starting quarterback spot.

Caleb Fortney, who had 603 receiving yards and five touchdowns last year and led the team in all-purpose yards with 737, will be back outside along with Dylan Dietrich, Funk, and Gallishaw.

“We are going to build on what we did last year offensively,” Manning said.

“We stayed pretty primitive for the most part, but we are going to push the offense a little more forward and develop the passing game more.

“One of the biggest needs

Bellefonte Area High School Head coach

Shanon Manning 2016 Overall Results: 5-6 2016 Conference Record: 5-2

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we saw was in the area of consistency. We felt that if we pushed the off-season program harder than we’ve ever pushed it, if we required more out of the kids and upped the expectations in the nine months going into the season, that would be a huge carryover. Every year we’ve added more. We demand a lot of the kids.”

Look for the same kinds of structure and effort from the defense and special teams, with some tweaking due to some new personnel.

Also, look for the same maximum effort each week that the Raiders demonstrated last season.

“You can’t go into a Jersey Shore game and be looking down the road at all. We can’t do it. It never comes up. It has truly been how can we find a way to beg, borrow, steal, scrape and win this week. Once we get the win, we will put the pieces back together again and start all over. It sounds like a cliche, but it’s almost like 10 individual seasons.”

The schedule for the

2017 Schedule Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27

at Jersey Shore HUNTINGDON at Philipsburg-Osceola CENTRAL MOUNTAIN TYRONE CLEARFIELD PENNS VALLEY AREA at Central at Chestnut Ridge at Bald Eagle Area

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August 24, 2017

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

Page 7

HEATHER WEIKEL/For the Gazette

THE BELLEFONTE varsity football team returns 17 letter winners to the gridiron in 2017. Pictured in front, from left, are Nick Palosky, Dylan Deitrich, Garret Kutches, Dexter Gallishaw, Jacob Frey and Dylan Houser. Row 2: Colton Burd, Cade Fortney, Steve Kutches, CJ Funk, Ryan Smith and Andrew Davidson. Row 3: Luke Lambert, Chris Persiko, Zach Sproul, Zach Matsko and Nick Catalano.

Raiders will be difficult again and will jump right in with a big away game at Jersey Shore on Aug. 25. Down the road will be the usual Mountain League tests against Penns Valley, Huntingdon, Tyrone, Central, P-O, Clearfield

and Chestnut Ridge. The season ends with cross-town, arch-rival BEA on Oct. 27.

“I really like this group,” Manning said. “I like the leadership that’s come. I like the work ethic. I’ve never had num-

bers like this in the off-season, participation numbers. This is a really good group, and this was set into motion last year with that senior class. It raised the bar of what they expect out of one another.”

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

Experience fills out Rams roster

By G. KERRY WEBSTER editor@centrecountygazette.com

SPRING MILLS — Penns Valley head coach Martin Tobias isn’t complaining that his team lost 18 seniors from last year’s squad to graduation. He isn’t complaining that nearly half his roster is made up of sophomores. He’s certainly not complaining that 14 letter winners are returning from last year’s team.

In fact, he’s not complaining at all.

Tobias has a hefty bit of experience returning to a team that posted a 2-5 conference record in 2016, and an overall record of 3-7.

For the past two weeks, the coach entering his 22nd year at the helm of the Rams and his staff have been meshing the experience with the youth in training camp, and, he said he’s been impressed with the results.

“We have a great group of

kids and they outright love to play the game of football,” Tobias told Centre County Gazette. “Sure, I’d love to be able to tell you we have all these guys returning and everybody knows what they’re doing out there on every play. But, I can’t. There is still lots to be determined about this football team, and we’re just starting to figure things out.”

Tobias said the Rams have been focusing on fundamentals so far this preseason.

“That’s the most important part of the game,” Tobias said. “We’re teaching the kids how to take the right angles and how to tackle. They are learning where they need to be in certain situations, and it’s starting to click with them. They are buying in to what we’re coaching.”

The preseason was important for the coaching staff to evaluate the players, and on Aug. 19, the Rams were

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scheduled to play Mount Union in its 2017 exhibition game. Tobias said it will be during this game when many of the decisions will be made as to who plays where.

“We’re going to find the best 11 guys we have and put them out there. That’s our job as coaches,” said Tobias, who will be assisted by coaches Tom Shearer, Rob Irwin, Kurt Troxell, Matt Myers, Troy Kauffman and Dave Yoder. “There is a lot of competition in practice and that’s a good thing. The players are pushing each other.

They want to fill those top spots, and we want them to fight to get there. They’re making one another better.”

There are some positions, however, Tobias said are pretty well secured.

Justin Sands is the Rams’ senior signal caller. Standing at 6-foot, 4-inches tall and weighing in at around 215 pounds, Sands will command respect on the field simply for his size. But, Tobias said not to under estimate

the big man’s mobility.

“He’s a very strong kid and an all-around great player,” Tobias said of Sands, who also plays linebacker when Penns Valley is without the ball. “He loves the game of football and that goes with him everywhere — from the time he wakes up until the time he goes to sleep, he’s thinking football.”

Sophomore Aaron Tobias (6-2, 185) will backup Sands.

A trio of running backs will have primary roles in the backfield for Penns Valley in 2017, and all three offer contrasting styles.

Senior Matthew Caldana (5-9, 240) will bring a punishing, physical running presence, while junior Ryan Ripka (5-10, 140) brings quickness and “a little bit of shiftiness,” Tobias said.

“Trent (Heckman, a 5-foot, 10-inch, 215 pound senior) has a little bit of both in him,” said Tobias. “These three will see the bulk of the carries this year, and they’ll

Penns Valley High School Head coach

Martin Tobias 2016 Overall Results: 3-7 2016 Conference Record: 2-5

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August 24, 2017 get them in a variety of ways.”

Ripka’s older brother, senior letter winner Blaine (6-2, 195) plays at the wide receiver position, as well as a defensive back.

Some experience returns to the offensive line, which will be anchored by senior tackle Matthew Tobias (6-4, 260). Fellow seniors Thomas Kauffman (6-2, 275), Jacob Hockenberry (6-2, 315) and James Shanda (6-0, 210) will also see time on the line.

Aside from returning letter winner senior Nic Kubalak, the receiving corps is still to be determined. Tobias said Kubalak was amongst the team leaders in receiving stats in 2016, and expects him to use his sticky hands and smart route running skills to eclipse those numbers.

“We’re still going through the process of weeding out our receivers,” said Tobias.

“One thing for sure, this team has a lot of athletes and we’re fortunate to have some of the best of them as receivers. We’re going to know a lot more about these guys after that scrimmage (with Mount Union).”

The tight end position will be taken by senior letter winner Jacob Duffield (6-6, 270). “(Duffield) is a big kid and is a great blocker,” said Tobias. “He’s also a big target out there for (Sands), so he’ll be running some routes too.

He’s a great kid, and, a great football player.”

Tobias wouldn’t commit to naming a style of offense the Rams would employ in 2017; however, he did say they want to spread out the offense and move the ball around.

“We’re going to take what the defense gives us,” he said. “We’re going to have to play intelligent football when we have the football.

If we makes the proper reads and then execute, we’ll get the success we’re looking for.”

When Penns Valley is on the opposite side of the ball, Tobias said fans should expect to see a “punishing,” 4-4 set defense.

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

Page 9

G. KERRY WEBSTER/The Gazette

THE PENNS VALLEY Rams return 14 letter winners to the field in 2017. Pictured in front, from left, are Matthew Caldana, Tristan Klinefelter, Ryan Ripka, Cole Breon, Isaac Spotts and Trent Heckman. Row 2: Blaine Ripka, Nic Kubalak, Jacob Hockenberry, Matthew Tobias, Justin Sands, Thomas Kaufmann and Sean McGowan. Jacob Duffield is absent from the photo.

“On defense, we’re emphasizing playing tough as a team, getting to the ball and finishing the play,” said Tobias. “We have the guys to create turnovers and limit big plays. We want to force teams to go 3-and-out and get the ball back. We don’t want our defense on the field all night Friday nights.”

Six guys are competing for positions on the defensive line. Duffield is a returning starter at the position.

Sands and Caldana will lead the linebackers; Tristan Klinefelter (5-6, 150) and Kubalak return as letter winners in the secondary.

Tobias said kids are still fighting for the roles of punter and kicker, as well as kick and punt returner.

“That competition (for starting positions) is just what we need,” Tobias said.

“These kids know they are just one play away from being on the field, and everybody wants to be out there.”

Tobias pointed to athleticism and experience as the team’s strengths entering the season.

“Every junior and senior on the team played some last year, and that’s important,” he said. “We also have great leadership, and that’s exactly what we need with so many underclassmen.”

Unfortunately, all those

sophomores also create a weakness — depth.

“With just 36 kids on the roster, we’re just one injury away from having to put someone else in,” said Tobias. “I realize that’s a prob-

lem for all teams, but we’re very thin. We have to build depth.”

He also said the team needs to believe in success.

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

P-O looks to begin new chapter

By PAT ROTHDUETSCH sports@centrecountygazette.com

PHILIPSBURG — It took virtually the entire 2016 season, but the PhilipsburgOsceola Mounties finally broke their three-year long losing streak with a win over St. Joesph’s Academy in the final game of the year.

The win came in the team’s first game on its new facility at P-O High School that will be fully operational, if plans go as anticipated, sometime during the 2017 season.

To head coach Mike Mann and his players, that day marked not only the inauguration of a new stadium, but hopefully a turning of the page into a new, more competitive chapter of Mountie football.

But first things first.

Mann and everyone involved know that things do not change overnight. P-O did win its first game since

2013, but along the way there were nine losses, some of them by very one-sided scores.

“Last year with these guys, my first year, we put in a long year,” Mann said.

“Got one win at the end. Last year we went back to basics.

After the four years of up and down, we went back to basic and ran some things they could do well and understand.

“This year they worked hard in the off season. All summer I had 20-25 guys voluntary workouts. Brought in some new guys coaching and a new offense, and the kids bought into everything.

The kids want to win. They got a little taste of it last year at the end so they’re putting in a little more effort.”

Philipsburg still does have to replace some important players who graduated in 2016. Mann mentioned specifically Levi Hughes, Brad Dunkle, Scott Rebo,

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and Noah Jefferies, but there are also linemen on both offense and defense who are gone.

That said, the numbers have improved, and Mann said team is at last year’s numbers without including any ninth graders.

“We are low on linemen,” Mann said about the graduation losses, “but we have a lot of young kids who are stepping up right now, and I’m looking forward to finding out how well they do.

I’ve got some guys who will replace them (last year’s seniors), but some of those guys are hard to replace. We have a lot of young guys who have played since freshman year and are now in 11th grade, and they’re coming on. So we’ll see what happens.”

The first order of business for P-O will be its offense.

The Mounties did score 28 points against West Branch and 34 against SJCA, but they were shut out twice and didn’t score more than 15 points in any other game.

By his own admission, Mann stuck with a basic offense, but he is looking for a significant upgrade in 2017.

“We are doing a new offense,” he said. “These guys have had three or four different offenses in three years, but I think going to basics last year taught them more about football itself, which I think they lacked because of all the switching. This year you can see a little bit of a turnaround with where they are. They grasp the new offense that we have better because of the basic offense we had last year.”

Another area of concern was giving up big plays and falling behind early in games. Too many times in 2016 P-O was fighting to come back from big deficits by the end of the second quarter.

“Better defense,” Mann said. “I’m looking for better defense to keep the scores close is what I want to see. I want to see good football.

“I think we will be more

Philipsburg-Osceola High School Head coach

Mike Mann 2016 Overall Results: 1-9 2016 Conference Record: 0-8

Conference

Mountain League Aug. 25 Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3

2016 Schedule

at West Branch at Bald Eagle BELLEFONTE at Tyrone CHESTNUT RIDGE at Penns Valley Area CENTRAL at Huntingdon CLEARFIELD at Curwensville at St. Joseph’s Academy

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August 24, 2017

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

balanced. Last year, we sputtered on offense. Defense, we would be good for a while, then it would bend and that was it. They would hang their heads and it would go from bad to worse.

“This year, I think they are more into it. I’m looking for more cohesiveness and staying together the whole game.”

There will be 16 lettermen returning for the Mounties in 2017. Starting quarterback Dan Slogosky will be a junior and in the starting role for the second time. He completed 86 of 169 passes last season for just under 1000 yards and six touchdowns.

Both of the team’s top running backs return as well. Brandon Anderson and Matt Johnson combined for 188 carries, 577 yards, and six touchdowns in 2016.

Both players were standouts on defense as well, and both will be seniors this season.

Johnson was also the team’s leading receiver with 23 catches for 343 yards and a touchdown, and rising junior TJ Thompson was third with 12 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

Slogosky, Anderson, Johnson, and Thompson together put up an average of 236 yards per game in 2016.

Defensively, all of the Mounties’ leading tacklers return except for Hughes and Dunkel. Thompson and Landon McDonald led in interceptions

Page 11

PAT ROTHDEUTSCH/For the Gazette

THE PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA varsity football team returns 16 letter winners in 2017. Pictured in front, from left, are Kyle Taylor, Kegan Soltis, Matt Johnson, Bubba Slogosky, Tanner Arnold, Dylan Yastro and Derek Dixon. Row 2: Jordan Smith, Brandon Kephart, Nick Keith, Landon McDonald, TJ Thompson, Brandon Anderson, Luke Swortwood, Jim Bryan and Josh Bryan. with two each.

The schedule, as usual, will be a challenge. The Mounties open at West Branch (8-25) and then in quick succession take on BEA (9/1), Bellefonte (9/8), Tyrone (9/15), Chestnut Ridge (9/22), and Penns Valley. Curwensville is new on the schedule this year on

#

Oct. 27, with Central, Huntingdon, and Clearfield also on the Mountain League slate.

“This is a good group of kids,” Mann said. “They’ve worked hard, bought into everything we did the last two years, and they’re excited. We’ll see what happens.”

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Page 12

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

Little Lions looking to improve on 2016

By TOMMY BUTLER sports@centrecountygazette.com

STATE COLLEGE – Last year, the State College Little Lions ended their season with a 10-2 record, winning the Mid Penn Commonwealth Championship and the Regional Championship for regions 6, 8, 9, and 10.

In 2017, despite graduating 18 players, the Little Lions have their eyes set on even greater success, specifically the state championship.

Head Coach Matt Lintal is heading into his fourth season at the helm of the team, and has been with the team for seven years. The team has had great success since he took the job with a 25-13 record.

During State College Area

High School’s media day, “excited” was Lintal’s word of choice as he talked about the team’s work in the preseason and the upcoming year.

“It’s been a great offseason, kids have really stepped up,” said Lintal. “I feel like this is the most productive summer we have ever had in my tenure. We’re ahead of the game in terms of install. We’ve had some great leadership with our senior class. The senior class is not a big one, but it’s a talented group with some great leaders so we’re really excited about the coming year.”

Among the 18 players that graduated last season were multiple key starters on both sides of the ball. Even so, Lintal knows that the future

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of the program continues to shine brightly.

“We have some young playmakers coming through the program that we’re extremely excited about,” said Lintal. “Obviously, any time you have some inexperienced guys there’s a learning curve so we’re trying to get them schooled up as quickly as we can.”

“We are returning some tremendous playmakers as well, Tristen Lyons as a running back, Cohen Russell as our slot receiver, Brandon Clark as a wide receiver as well, those are guys that are instrumental in our success last year and will be major factors this coming year.”

Arguably the loss of quarterback Tyler Snyder, but Coach Lintal has been impressed by two players vying for the position over the summer.

“Tommy Friberg and Brady Dorner are two experienced guys coming back that have done a tremendous job this summer,” said Lintal.

“We’re really excited about

that competition and the competition at every position. Obviously, you’re never 100 percent comfortable when you lose your starting quarterback, but we feel really comfortable considering it is August and with how those guys have progressed so far.”

As for the defense, inside linebackers Pete Haffner and Josh Ruffner graduated at the end of last year.

They were both key players on the 2016 squad, and their absence will leave a big hole that the Little Lions will have to fill.

There are also three spots on the defensive line that have been vacated by graduations. Coach Lintal is confident that the players stepping up in practice will be ready to go by the start of the season.

There have already been multiple returning Little Lions that have stepped up into a leadership role during the summer. Coach Lintal spoke on a couple of those State High, Page 14

State College Area High School Head coach

Matt Lintal 2016 Overall Results: 10-2 2016 Conference Record: 5-1

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

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THE STATE COLLEGE Little Lions return 19 letter winners to the field in 2017. Pictured, in front from left, are Jereme Thompson, Keaton Ellis, Tristen Lyons, Cohen Russell, Ian Barr and Paul Olivett. Row 2: Adam Van Horn, Titus Thompson, Jackson Heasley, Noah Thies, Michael Manyak and Thomas Bucha. Row 3: Robert Nachtman, Cole Urbas, Jeremy Bullock, Brandon Clark, Collin DeBoef, Patrick Groves, Tommy Friberg.

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State High, from page 12 players and how the team is coming together.

“We feel really excited, we have a lot of guys returning, Jackson Heasley who was one of the leaders in the Mid-Penn conference in sacks last year, Ian Barr is a tremendous linebacker for us, Paul Olivett is an AllConference safety, so we have some experience coming back,” said Lintal. “We also have Keaton Ellis, who does alright at corner so we are pretty excited about what we have coming back and a couple of other new faces that you see out there that we are also equally excited about as well.”

Ellis, a junior in 2017, recently received a scholarship offer to play football at Penn State when he graduates. The young wide receiver and defensive back is the first State High player since 2010 to be offered a scholarship from Penn State.

When asked what it meant to him to be a leader

August 24, 2017 on this team and to carry on the tradition of excellence that past State High football players held, Ellis talked about how important it is.

“It’s huge, the culture and the history here is awesome and we’re trying to learn from those guys and do what they do,” said Ellis. “We’re trying to build off what they did, learn from them, and we have a lot of guys coming back to practices and I try to talk to them, pick their brain, learn from them and things like that.”

Across the board, the Little Lions are determined to win the Regional Championship, the Mid-Penn Championship, and now the State Championship in 2017. Some of the players had other notable goals as well.

“Our Defensive Coordinator, Coach Mike Snyder, rewards us with a steak dinner if we get a defensive touchdown,” said senior outside linebacker Ian Barr. “So that’s definitely a goal.”

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

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Be sure to pick up The Centre County Gazette for Gazette Gameday every week during football season. It’s your weekly comprehensive guide to Penn State football — featuring rosters, statistics, schedules and standings.

Page 16

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

Fetzer steps in as coach at St. Joseph’s

By G. KERRY WEBSTER editor@centrecountygazette.com

BOALSBURG — The St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy Wolves will have a familiar face as leader of the pack this season as Murray Fetzer, an assistant coach last season, takes over for former coach Steve Guthoff.

“I’m honored that they asked me to lead the program,” said Fetzer. “Certainly, there are challenges with building a football team with a small roster, but we spent the summer holding camps and different events to grow interest in St. Joe’s football.

It worked, to an extent, and we’re happy to have enough guys, who really love the game, playing for us this season.”

Fetzer was the co-offensive coordinator for the Tyrone Golden Eagles from 1990 to 1992. In 2000, he became an offensive coordinator at Moshannon Valley

before going back to Tyrone for another season. He returned to the Black Knights in 2006 and coached there until 2011.

Numbers were a challenge all last season for the Wolves, which finished the campaign out with a 3-5 record. This season is no different as just 18 players are listed on the roster. Fetzer also believes there are two more student-athletes that may join the team by the first game.

The team lost 11 players from last season, and unfortunately, only one of those was due to graduation.

Fetzer said several of the students moved away, while others enrolled in other educational programs or were injured.

“That wasn’t a really strong start for us,” Fetzer told Centre County Gazette.

“But, we ended up getting a pretty good turnout for our mini-camps and were able

Fetzer described to build a core him as “gutsy” and team. It’s a great “all out” and that bunch of guys.” he “holds nothing Murray and asback.” Robinson sistant coaches plays linebacker on Dontey Brown and defense.

Fran Gray have “This kid is just been using the an all-around good “core” approach to football player. “buddy up” playThat is the best ers.

“We’ve paired MURRAY FETZER way to describe him,” said Fetzer. up older guys with “He has great decision-makyounger guys in the same poing abilities and that’s what sition to kind of show them you want in a quarterback. how important working toHe can also make people gether is,” said Fetzer. “It miss with his mobility. He’ll also gives them a friend and be fun to watch this year.” someone to talk to during Robinson will take the these long preseason pracsnaps from letter winner tice days. The young guys get Theo Spychalski, who will a lot of confidence through return to the center position. this, and the older guys do a Spychalski also plays tackle good job taking them under on defense. their wings. It’s really pulled “(Theo) leads by examus closer together and that ple,” said Fetzer. “He’s very will show when we take to intelligent on the field and the field.” in the classroom and he has Seven letter winners rea knack for understanding turn to St. Joseph’s in 2017, game physics. He’s definitely including Josh Fenner, a very valuable cog in our ofJared Stormer, Zac Sechler, fense.”

Brendan Robinson, Theo The ground duties will Spychalski, Nate Gray and fall on letter winners Jared Blake Murray.

Stormer and Zac Sechler.

Robinson will bear the Sechler, who will run weight of the offense as the from the tailback positeam’s starting quarterback.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy Head coach

Murray Fetzer 2016 Overall Results: 3-5

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017 tion, is a solid team leader.

Fetzer said he’s the guy who will keep the team focused during pressured situations on the field. He’ll also be a key defensive player for the Wolves as well.

“He’s a great athlete that loves physical contact,” said Fetzer of Sechler. “He’s very good at keeping that middle space clean and open. Just a great player.”

Stormer is a fullback on offense and a defensive end on the other side of the ball.

“This kid is like (Sechler).

He absolutely loves physical contact and you can tell when he’s out there that he wants to leave a mark,” said Fetzer. “And, he does. He’s a big kid who looks for contact, and when he hits you, you definitely are going to feel it.”

Murray will be Robinson’s go-to guy on the pass routes, and according to Fetzer, he plays like a stick of dynamite.

“He just wants to get in there and mix it up, all the time,” Fetzer said of Murray, who will also play in the

linebacker and cornerback positions. “When you light his wick, you better lookout because he’s going to go off.”

Gray returns as an offensive guard and the team’s nose tackle on defense.

“This guy has the size, physique and intelligence to play at the next level,” said Fetzer. “He’s like a caged lion that does all the little things right. He’s a master technician.”

The Wolves will rely on the returning letter winners and upperclassmen and their leadership to guide the small team. Fetzer said the team has enough personal determination to be successful, and believes his players aren’t settling for “just doing a few things right” each game.

“We want to go out there and compete in every single game,” said Fetzer. “Yes, winning is a big part of the game, and we want to win, but I tell these kids to make Friday nights a highlight of their life, and not the highlight of their life. We not

The Big Ten Champs

Page 17

Submitted photo

THE ST. JOSEPH Catholic Academy Wolves return seven letter winners to the squad in 2017. Pictured, from left, are Jared Stormer, Zac Sechler, Brendan Robinson, Theo Spychalski, Nate Gray and Blake Murray. Not pictured is Josh Fenner. only want to make them better players, but also make them better students, sons, brothers and contributors to the community, and future fathers, grandfathers and coaches, like ourselves.”

Fortunately for Wolves fans, the travel to the home games this season won’t be quite so long. An agreement with State College Area High School will allow St. Joseph’s

to play three of its four scheduled home games, including the Aug. 25 home opener with Bucktail. Other home games at Memorial Field include Oct. 14 versus Columbia-Montour VT; and Nov. 3 against Bishop Carroll. The team will play Perkiomen on Sept. 8 at Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona, where St. Joseph’s held its home games last season.

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

Coaches, teammates talk Saquon Barkley

By MIKE POORMAN StateCollege.com

UNIVERSITY PARK — Saquon Barkley is a favorite.

For the Heisman.

And of fans, his coaches and his teammates.

Why not? The junior Penn State running back has rushed for 2,572 yards in just two seasons. And if he replicates his 1,496 yards from the 2016 campaign, he’ll eclipse Evan Royster’s alltime career record of 3,932 yards. And then some.

No. 26 also has a 5.7-yard career rushing average, 30 career TDs and 48 receptions.

He can run 40 yards in 4.29 seconds, bench press 445 pounds, squat press 650 pounds and broad jump 10feet, 10-inches.

To say nothing of leaping over Terrapins, Buffalo and Illini in a single bound. As well as that winning smile.

For all those reasons — and many more, often times having nothing to do with football — people love to say-say great things about Saquon. That includes his coaches, football administrators and teammates.

During Penn State’s media day two weeks ago, we asked a half-dozen of them to tell us Their Favorite Saquon Story. The responses follow:

n CHARLES HUFF, running backs coach and special teams coordinator: When we recruited Saquon and we did the home visit — we usually have the opportunity to go twice — I went first by myself. We were in the recruiting process; he had committed but he hadn’t signed yet.

I introduced myself to his parents (Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson) and we were getting to know each other.

His dad said, “Coach, I’m going to tell you. You don’t know Saquon. He’s a good player and if he doesn’t play as a freshman, he’s going to be mad every day.”

I told his dad, “If he’s the best player and does what he needs to do, he’ll play.”

His dad said, “No, Coach, I don’t think you understand. If he doesn’t play, he’s going to be mad. I hope you’re ready for him to play.”

It was funny, because although his dad knew how good Saquon was, he really had no clue that we really would play whoever was best.

Of course, that turned out to be Saquon. Now, I always joke with his dad — “See, we played the best player.” n ANDRE ROBINSON, fellow running back and close friend: I’ll give you a football one and one that’s about what a decent guy he is. I’ll give you two.

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The football one is that he went down against Temple (in 2016) and I came in and played a good bit. I scored my first touchdown and he was more excited for me than I was even excited for myself. It just shows how much of a friend and a teammate he is.

Personally, outside of football, he came home (to Mechanicsburg) with me over Easter break. We came home Friday night after practice. We were home Saturday and Sunday. I took him everywhere, to the mall and all over. A couple of people recognized me here and there, which is pretty cool.

But everywhere we went, he was like a movie star. Everyone was stopping us and asking for pictures, asking for autographs. That was pretty cool, to see how big of a star he was in Harrisburg.

In my backyard. It was crazy. n RICKY RAHNE, tight ends coach and passing game coordinator: This isn’t a particular story, but I will tell you what is so great about that kid: He’s just humble. For a kid who might be one of the most talented players to come through college football in awhile, he still has questions about his ability.

He has questions on whether he’s doing this right or that right.

He’s been so blessed and worked so hard. It’s great to see that attitude. When you have other kids who always think they have the answers,

TIM WEIGHT/For the Gazette

SAQUON BARKLEY talks with reporters during Penn State’s annual Media Day event.

I’m glad Saquon is not that kid. n JEMAL GRIFFIN, chief of staff, Penn State football: There was an out-of-state event where the two of us had to travel together for basically two-and-a-half days — just him and I. When you are with someone and you are in and out of airports and you’re waiting on your plane together and you’re eating in restaurants together, you spend a whole lot of time together.

I learned that not only is Saquon a great player, he’s a tremendous person. I’m sure everyone you talk to says the same thing. When you spend that much time together and get to talk about things you generally don’t have time to, you really get to know him.

It was a great experience for me to get to know him. And I think he enjoyed it as well.

Barkley, Page 20

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August 24, 2017

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Page 19

Jason Cabinda: The leader PSU needs

By TOMMY BUTLER

armchairallamericans.com

UNIVERSITY PARK — Linebacker U. Penn State is known for its ability to churn out NFL-ready linebackers. The tradition has gone back to the late 1960s with players like College Football Hall of Famer Dennis Onkotz came through.

Since then big names like Jack Ham, Lavar Arrington, Sean Lee, Paul Posluszny, NaVorro Bowman and Michael Mauti, among others, have added their names to the list.

In 2017, Nittany Lions fans are incredibly happy to welcome Jason Cabinda back onto the field as he heads towards adding his name to those ranks.

Cabinda decided to stay in Happy Valley for his seJASON CABINDA nior year, the decision made easy by his intention to earn his finance degree and the last year of eligibility for the team.

And this year, he’s going to be one

of the most important players on the field.

STATS

In 2016, Cabinda put up 81 total tackles, four for loss, one sack and three passes defended. That doesn’t sound as impressive as his sophomore year until you realize that he played four fewer games.

If Cabinda had stayed healthy all year he would have been on track for 126 tackles, six for loss, and five passes defended. Not only does that beat his sophomore season by 28 tackles, but that would lead the team. His 126 would pass Marcus Allen’s real life 22 tackle lead by another 16.

Heading into 2017, Cabinda has been placed on the preseason watch lists for multiple awards. These include the Bronko Nagurski award for the best defensive college football player in the nation and the Dick Butkus award for the best collegiate linebacker.

A healthy, and even fitter Cabinda will put on an absolute tear this year. I feel sorry for the players that will have to experience his crunching tackles.

LEADERSHIP

Cabinda will be heavily relied on in

2017, not only for his playing ability but for his leadership.

Heading into the season, Cabinda is only joined by his projected backup Brandon Smith as senior linebackers.

Smith is also the only other linebacker on the squad to have more than 50 tackles. Sophomore Cam Brown earned 33.

This year presents a less-experienced linebacker core, as well as defense as a whole with some huge pressure on their backs.

That’s not to say that they can’t handle the responsibility of their positions, but Cabinda’s leadership will be a big part of the team’s success.

Penn State fans should feel comfortable with this too, Cabinda has proven himself a good leader dating back to his first year as a starter in 2015.

His interview with the Big Ten Network during the Blue and White game shows his intentions for the coming season.

The love he has for this team added to his abilities to make players around him better will result in a great year for the Nittany Lions.

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The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

Barkley, from page 18

quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator: My favorite Saquon story?

That one where he gave the medal to the girl at the track meet. (As a high school senior at the 2015 Colonial League Track & Field Championships, Barkley gave the gold medal he received for winning the 100 meters to a sophomore hurdler from another school. She had originally won her race, but after a timing failure in the finals the field had to run the race again — and she finished eighth.)

I think that is completely representative of who he is as a person.

For as much as fanfare as he gets — all of it earned — he is incredibly humble and incredibly respectful.

He is a great teammate, a phenomenal leader and is picking it up it every way throughout the course of this camp.

When I heard he did that with the medal, it wasn’t surprising in the least. That’s who he is.

n TRACE McSORLEY, quarterback: The first thing that comes to my mind is the moment when I knew this dude was special.

It was his freshman year in camp. He was in and we ran a power off to one side of the line. Saquon got blocked up inside, so he bounced it outside. The corner came in and Saquon just made one cut, and the corner fell to his feet and he went for 70.

That was early on in camp. But at that point, to see him do that as a freshman — realizing the initial run is not there and nothing else seemed to be, either — and still come out and make a play like that was something else.

To see him make a quick cut and have the guy fall on his face, and have him take it the distance — that was the first “wow moment” that this guy can be special. n JOE MOORHEAD,

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PENN STATE Nittany Lion cornerback Grant Haley poses during a recent media event on campus.

Who will step up at the cornerback position?

By TOMMY BUTLER armchairallamericans.com

UNIVERSITY PARK — The secondary is a key part of any football team, the last line of defense. With how accurate quarterbacks are these days, and how talented receivers are, every team’s secondary has to match.

In an incredibly competitive conference like the Big Ten, Penn State’s secondary is under more pressure than many in the NCAA. With top cornerback John Reid injured to the point of working on an internship in Oregon, the pressure has been cranked up another level.

Let’s take a look at what could be one of the biggest questions for the Nittany Lions heading into the college football season.

JOHN REID

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August 24, 2017

In 2016, Reid was Penn State’s No. 1 cornerback, starting all fourteen games.

Reid led the team in pass defense with ten passes defended and nine broken up.

He also recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass, earned half a sack and made 36 tackles.

Reid wasn’t only important on defense, he also acted as the starting punt returner, fielding 22 punts for

166 yards. His longest went for 59 yards.

STEPPING UP

Needless to say, filling in for a player like Reid is difficult for any team. Luckily, Penn State has three returning cornerbacks, one very promising true freshman and nine other cornerbacks on the roster. Though likely out for the season, Reid’s leadership will be a big factor in helping the players that step up.

Likely, only a few will see playing time in 2017, so let’s look at the most likely candidates.

GRANT HALEY

As long as you didn’t live under a rock in 2016, you know about Grant Haley.

Haley was instrumental in two of the biggest plays of the year, returning Marcus Allen’s blocked field goal against Ohio State and stopping Wisconsin during the Big Ten Championship game.

Haley also had a great year in the other ten games he appeared in, even surpassing Reid in tackles by three. Now acting as the No. 1 cornerback for 2017, Haley won’t have a tough time with the increase in reps.

Cornerback, Page 23

August 24, 2017

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

Page 21

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Page 22

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

2017 Big Ten Composite Schedule

AUG. 31

Ohio State at Indiana Buffalo at Minnesota

SEPT. 1

Michigan at Purdue Notre Dame at Michigan State UNLV at Ohio State Rutgers at Nebraska

Washington at Rutgers Utah State at Wisconsin

SEPT. 29

SEPT. 2

SEPT. 30

Akron at Penn State Ball State at Illinois Wyoming at Iowa Fla. vs. Michigan (at Arlington, Texas) Bowling Green at Michigan State Arkansas State at Nebraska Nevada at Northwestern Louisville vs. Purdue (at Indianapolis)

SEPT. 8

Ohio at Purdue

SEPT. 9

Pittsburgh at Penn State Western Kentucky at Illinois Indiana at Virginia Iowa at Iowa State Cincinnati at Michigan Western Michigan at Michigan State Minnesota at Oregon State Nebraska at Oregon Northwestern at Duke Oklahoma at Ohio State Eastern Michigan at Rutgers Fla. Atlantic at Wisconsin

SEPT. 15

Illinois at South Fla.

SEPT. 16

Georgia State at Penn State Fla. International at Indiana North Texas at Iowa Air Force at Michigan Middle Tenn. State at Minnesota Northern Illinois at Nebraska Bowling Green State at Northwestern Army West Point at Ohio State Purdue at Missouri Morgan State at Rutgers Wisconsin at BYU

SEPT. 23

Penn State at Iowa Georgia Southern at Indiana

Nebraska at Illinois Indiana at Penn State Iowa at Michigan State Maryland at Minnesota Northwestern at Wisconsin Ohio State at Rutgers

OCT. 7

Penn State at Northwestern Illinois at Iowa Maryland at Ohio State Michigan State at Michigan Minnesota at Purdue Wisconsin at Nebraska

OCT. 14

Michigan at Indiana Michigan State at Minnesota Northwestern at Maryland Ohio State at Nebraska Purdue at Wisconsin Rutgers at Illinois

OCT. 21

Michigan at Penn State Illinois at Minnesota Indiana at Michigan State Iowa at Northwestern Maryland at Wisconsin Purdue at Rutgers

OCT. 28

Penn State at Ohio State Indiana at Maryland Michigan State at Northwestern Minnesota at Iowa Nebraska at Purdue Rutgers at Michigan Wisconsin at Illinois

NOV. 4

Penn State at Michigan State Illinois at Purdue Maryland at Rutgers Minnesota at Michigan Northwestern at Nebraska

Ohio State at Iowa Wisconsin at Indiana

NOV. 11

Rutgers at Penn State Indiana at Illinois Iowa at Wisconsin Michigan at Maryland Michigan State at Ohio State Nebraska at Minnesota Purdue at Northwestern

NOV. 18

Nebraska at Penn State Illinois at Ohio State Maryland at Michigan State Michigan at Wisconsin Minnesota at Northwestern Purdue at Iowa Rutgers at Indiana

NOV. 24

Iowa at Nebraska

NOV. 25

Penn State at Maryland Indiana at Purdue Michigan State at Rutgers Northwestern at Illinois Ohio State at Michigan Wisconsin at Minnesota

DEC. 2

Big Ten Championship Game (at Indianapolis)

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August 24, 2017

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

Page 23

Steelers have one big hurdle to clear

By TOMMY BUTLER sports@centrecountygazette.com

PITTSBURGH — Every year, the Steelers have very high hopes, they’ve only had three non-winning seasons and four seasons ending without playoffs since Ben Roethlisberger became the starting quarterback.

They’ve seen two Super Bowl victories and three AFC Championships since 2004.

With a team still very much in the early Super Bowl 52 conversation, they have one big problem to overcome: recent playoff performances.

Since their last Conference Championship in 2010, the Steelers have made it to the AFC Championship only once. Every playoff appearance since, they’ve started as a Wild Card team, in 2012 and 2013 they didn’t make the playoffs at all.

2016 marked the first AFC Championship game appearance, when they lost to the Patriots who would go on to win the Super Bowl.

This season, the Steelers are as promising as ever.

Roethlisberger decided to come back after considering

retirement, they have the arguably the best running back and the best wide receiver in the game in Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Rookie running back James Conner is expected to shine in shortyardage situations as well.

There are problems that need noting long before the playoffs arrive. Roethlisberger has been more injury prone of late than usual, missing bits of the last two seasons. With him under center, the team is elite, without him they have to rely on mediocre backup Landry Jones or unproven rookie Joshua Dobbs.

The defense is no longer the legendary Steel Curtain, but ranked as the tenth best defense in points allowed isn’t something to forget.

Rookie TJ Watt will likely see a lot of action in 2017 and will hopefully help solidify the run game.

At the end of the day, the Steelers need to take advantage of the talent they have soon. They offense, especially Roethlisberger, is quickly ageing. The defense is still young, but key players like Ryan Shazier are starting to approach their full potential.

Pittsburgh Steelers Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 16 Nov. 26 Dec. 4 Dec. 10 Dec. 17 Dec. 25 Dec. 31

2017 Schedule

at Cleveland Browns 1 p.m.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 1 p.m. at Chicago Bears 1 p.m. at Baltimore Ravens 1 P.M. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1 p.m. at Kansas City Chiefs 4:25 p.m.

CINCINNATI BENGALS 1 p.m. at Detroit Lions 8:30 p.m.

BYE at Indianapolis Colts 1 p.m.

TENNESSEE TITANS 8:25 p.m.

GREEN BAY PACKERS 8:30 p.m. at Cincinnati Bengals 8:30 p.m.

BALTIMORE RAVENS 8:30 p.m.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 4:25 p.m. at Houston Texans 4:30 p.m.

CLEVELAND BROWNS 1 p.m.

AP photo

PITTSBURGH STEELERS wide receiver Canaan Severin (13) is tackled by New York Giants free safety Andrew Adams (33) during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. 39 year old James Harrison is certainly the outlier on the defense as he continues to play like he’s 25.

With the talent on the roster and a lack of injuries, the team should earn double-digit wins and make the playoffs without too much trouble. The problem comes

with how they make it. A Wild Card spot has been a problem in the past.

As for a possible AFC Championship, they’ll likely face off against a team like the Patriots, who have been projected with a perfect record by some. The Super Bowl will be a stretch.

Cornerback, from page 20

interception and two passes defended.

He’ll likely see action in every game in 2017.

CHRISTIAN CAMPBELL

Another senior, Christian Campbell will be given an opportunity to start consistently for the first time in his college career.

Campbell only had few opportunities in his first two years at Penn State, but in 2016 he appeared in 13 games.

Campbell racked up 31 tackles, an interception, a team second seven passes defended and six pass breakups, and a fumble recovery.

AMANI ORUWARIYE

Amani Oruwariye, as well as boasting arguably the hardest name to pronounce on the team, also brings experience to the cornerback role.

Heading into his junior season, Oruwariye will be the No. 3 cornerback in 2017.

He saw action in 11 games in 2016, totaling 23 tackles, an

LAMONT WADE

True freshman Lamont Wade enrolled at Penn State rated as a four-star recruit and we can’t wait to see him in Blue and White.

His standout performances at Clairton High School got him an invite to the Under Armour All-America Game.

Before choosing Penn State, Wade was the No. 5 cornerback available and got offers from huge college names, such as Alabama, Auburn and Ohio State.

Wade is a freak athlete and could see action on offense and special teams as well as shoring up the cornerback position.

With this group of student-athletes ready to step up, Penn State’s chances are looking good in 2017.

Page 24

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017

The sun could shine on ‘Wentzylvania’

By TOMMY BUTLER sports@centrecountygazette.com

PHILADELPHIA – Heading into his second season in the NFL, Carson Wentz is the talk of Philadelphia. After a respectable first season, and an improved team around him, Eagles fans have a lot to be excited about.

As well as a young quarterback on the rise, the Eagles have put in work dur-

ing the offseason, providing weapons for the signal caller.

Coming off a year where the Eagles only managed the 22nd best offense in the league, we should see a big improvement.

The additions of Alshon Jeffery from Chicago and Torrey Smith from San Francisco will provide a boost to the passing game. In turn, a strong passing game takes pressure off of the running

MATT ROURKE/AP photo

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES’ Malcolm Jenkins raises his fist during the national anthem before the team’s NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Philadelphia.

AP photo

EAGLES SIGNAL CALLER Carson Wentz is prepared for his second NFL season. With a new receiver in Alshon Jeffries on the roster, Eagles fans are excited to see what the Eagles can deliver through the air in 2017.

Philadelphia Eagles Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 12 Oct. 23 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19 Nov. 26 Dec. 3 Dec. 10 Dec. 17 Dec. 25 Dec. 31

2017 Schedule

at Redskins 1 p.m. at Chiefs 1 p.m.

GIANTS 1 p.m. at Chargers 4:05 p.m.

CARDINALS 1 p.m. at Panthers 8:25 p.m.

REDSKINS 8:30 P.M. 49ERS 1 p.m.

BRONCOS 1 p.m.

BYE at Cowboys 8:30 p.m.

BEARS 1 p.m. at Seahawks 8:30 p.m. at Rams 4:25 p.m. at Giants 1 p.m.

RAIDERS 8:30 p.m.

COWBOYS 1 p.m.

game, possibly resulting in more production on the ground as well.

For a team that hung around the middle of the league in both categories and ended up with a 7-9 record, improvement in both areas should result in at least a winning season if not more.

In 2016, the defense kept the team in games when the offense couldn’t. Only allowing an average of 20.7 points per game again in 2017 will be important. With some improvements here as well, we might see fewer points on the opponent’s board.

Timmy Jernigan, who played for the Ravens in 2016, will be a key player on the defensive side this season. A year ago, Jernigan notched 31 total tackles, five sacks and an interception.

The 24 year old still has room

to improve, and with a history of staying healthy, will be a big contributor.

The biggest weakness the Eagles will have to overcome is their secondary.

They don’t have that definitive shutdown guy yet. It’s a young team, with only two cornerbacks with more than three years of experience.

Ronald Darby will be one of the biggest keys to success this year.

The Eagles have potential to improve in 2017, though looking at the tough schedule and the improvements the teams in their division have made, fans shouldn’t expect a Super Bowl appearance. Overall, this Philadelphia team looks like a 9-7 team if certain players pan out.

Look for a Wild Card spot, clinching their division could be a long shot.

Penns Valley, from page 9

“The mind is a powerful tool,” said the Penns Valley Area High School history teacher.

The Rams open the season at home with a nonconference matchup with Punxsutawney. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

He said the Rams haven’t had a lot of experience winning the past several seasons, and getting them thinking about success will be important as the season rolls on.

August 24, 2017

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

Page 25

2017 NFL Week-by-Week Schedule WEEK 1

MONDAY, SEPT. 25

MONDAY, OCT. 16

Chiefs at Patriots, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 4

WEEK 7

Bears at Packers, 8:25 p.m.

Chiefs at Raiders, 8:25 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 7 SUNDAY, SEPT. 10

NY Jets at Bills, 1 p.m.

Falcons at Bears, 1 p.m.

Ravens at Bengals, 1 p.m.

Steelers at Browns, 1 p.m.

Cardinals at Lions, 1 p.m.

Jaguars at Texans, 1 p.m.

Buccaneers at Dolphins, 1 p.m.

Raiders at Titans, 1 p.m.

Eagles at Redskins, 1 p.m.

Colts at LA Rams, 4:05 p.m.

Seahawks at Packers, 4:25 p.m.

Panthers at 49ers, 4:25 p.m.

NY Giants at Cowboys, 8:30 p.m.

Cowboys at Cardinals, 8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

Colts at Titans, 8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 19

SUNDAY, OCT. 1

SUNDAY, OCT. 19

WEEK 2

MONDAY, OCT. 2

MONDAY, OCT. 23

Texans at Bengals, 8:25 p.m.

WEEK 5

WEEK 8

MONDAY, SEPT 11

Saints at Vikings, 7: 10 p.m.

LA Chargers at Broncos, 10:20 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 14 SUNDAY, SEPT. 17

Browns at Ravens, 1 p.m.

Bills at Panthers, 1 p.m.

Cardinals at Colts, 1 p.m.

Titans at Jaguars, 1 p.m.

Eagles at Chiefs, 1 p.m.

Patriots at Saints, 1 p.m.

Vikings at Steelers, 1 p.m.

Bears at Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Dolphins at LA Chargers, 4:05 p.m.

NY Jets at Raiders, 4:05 p.m.

Cowboys at Broncos, 4:25 p.m.

Redskins at LA Rams, 4:25 p.m.

49ers at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.

Packers at Falcons, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 18

Lions at NY Giants, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 3

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21

LA Rams at 49ers, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 24

Ravens at Jaguars, 9:30 a.m.

Broncos at Bills, 1 p.m.

Saints at Panthers, 1 p.m.

Steelers at Bears, 1 p.m.

Falcons at Lions, 1 p.m.

Browns at Colts, 1 p.m.

Buccaneers at Vikings, 1 p.m.

Texans at Patriots, 1 p.m.

Dolphins at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

NY Giants at Eagles, 1 p.m.

Seahawks at Titans, 4:05 p.m.

Bengals at Packers, 4:25 p.m.

Chiefs at LA Chargers, 4:25 p.m.

Raiders at Redskins, 8:30 p.m.

Saints at Dolphins, 9:30 a.m.

Bills at Falcons, 1 p.m.

Steelers at Ravens, 1 p.m.

Bengals at Browns, 1 p.m.

LA Rams at Cowboys, 1 p.m.

Titans at Texans, 1 p.m.

Lions at Vikings, 1 p.m.

Panthers at Patriots, 1 p.m.

Jaguars at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

49ers at Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.

Eagles at LA Chargers, 4:05 p.m.

NY Giants at Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m.

Raiders at Broncos, 4:25 p.m.

Colts at Seahawks, 8:30 p.m.

Redskins at Chiefs, 8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

Patriots at Buccaneers, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 8

Bills at Bengals, 1 p.m.

NY Jets at Browns, 1 p.m.

Panthers at Lions, 1 p.m.

49ers at Colts, 1 p.m.

Titans at Dolphins, 1 p.m.

LA Chargers at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Cardinals at Eagles, 1 p.m.

Jaguars at Steelers, 1 p.m.

Seahawks at LA Rams, 4:05 p.m.

Ravens at Raiders, 4:05 p.m.

Packers at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.

Chiefs at Texans, 8:30 p.m.

BYE: Falcons, Broncos, Saints, Redskins

MONDAY, OCT. 9

Vikings at Bears, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 6

THURSDAY, OCT. 12 Eagles at Panthers, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 15

Dolphins at Falcons, 1 p.m.

Bears at Ravens, 1 p.m.

Browns at Texans, 1 p.m.

Packers at Vikings, 1 p.m.

Lions at Saints, 1 p.m.

Patriots at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

49ers at Redskins, 1 p.m.

Buccaneers at Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.

LA Rams at Jaguars, 4:05 p.m.

Steelers at Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.

LA Chargers at Raiders, 4:25 p.m.

NY Giants at Broncos, 8:30 p.m.

BYE: Bills, Bengals, Cowboys, Seahawks

Buccaneers at Bills, 1 p.m.

Panthers at Bears, 1 p.m.

Titans at Browns, 1 p.m.

Saints at Packers, 1 p.m.

Jaguars at Colts, 1 p.m.

Cardinals at LA Rams, 1 p.m.

NY Jets at Dolphins, 1 p.m.

Ravens at Vikings, 1 p.m.

Bengals at Steelers, 1 p.m.

Cowboys at 49ers, 4:05 p.m.

Broncos at LA Chargers, 4:25 p.m.

Seahawks at NY Giants, 4:25 p.m.

Falcons at Patriots, 8:30 p.m.

BYE: Lions, Texans Redskins at Eagles, 8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 25

Dolphins at Ravens, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 29

Vikings at Browns, 9:30 a.m.

Raiders at Bills, 1 p.m.

Colts at Bengals, 1 p.m.

LA Chargers at Patriots, 1 p.m.

Bears at Saints, 1 p.m.

Falcons at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

49ers at Eagles, 1 p.m.

Panthers at Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Texans at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.

Cowboys at Redskins, 4:25 p.m.

Steelers at Lions, 8:30 p.m.

BYE: Packers, Titans, LA Rams, NY Giants, Cardinals, Jaguars

MONDAY, OCT. 30

Broncos at Chiefs, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 9

THURSDAY, NOV. 2

Bills at NY Jets, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 5

Falcons at Panthers, 1 p.m.

Colts at Texans, 1 p.m.

Bengals at Jaguars, 1 p.m.

Buccaneers at Saints, 1 p.m.

LA Rams at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Broncos at Eagles, 1 p.m.

Ravens at Titans, 1 p.m.

Cardinals at 49ers, 4:05 p.m.

Redskins at Seahawks, 4:05 pm.

Chiefs at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.

Raiders at Dolphins, 8:30 p.m.

BYE: Bears, Browns, Vikings, Patriots, Steelers, LA Chargers NFL schedule, Page 26

Page 26

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

NFL schedule, from page 25

MONDAY, NOV. 6

Lions at Packers, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 10

THURSDAY, NOV. 9

Seahawks at Cardinals, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 12

Saints at Bills, 1 p.m.

Packers at Bears, 1 p.m.

Browns at Lions, 1 p.m.

Steelers at Colts, 1 p.m.

LA Chargers at Jaguars, 1 p.m.

NY Jets at Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Bengals at Titans, 1 p.m.

Vikings at Redskins, 1 p.m.

Texans at LA Rams, 4:05 p.m.

Cowboys at Falcons, 4:25 p.m.

NY Giants at 49ers, 4:25 p.m.

Patriots at Broncos, 8:30 p.m.

BYE: Chiefs, Raiders, Eagles, Ravens

MONDAY, NOV. 13

Dolphins at Panthers, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 11

THURSDAY, NOV. 16

Titans at Steelers, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOV. 19

MONDAY, NOV. 27

Texans at Ravens, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 13

THURSDAY, NOV. 30

Redskins at Cowboys, 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 3

Vikings at Falcons, 1 p.m.

Lions at Ravens, 1 p.m.

Patriots at Bills, 1 p.m.

49ers at Bears, 1 p.m.

Buccaneers at Packers, 1 p.m.

Colts at Jaguars, 1 p.m.

Broncos at Dolphins, 1 p.m.

Panthers at Saints, 1 p.m.

Chiefs at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

Texans at Titans, 1 p.m.

Browns at LA Chargers, 4:05 p.m.

LA Rams at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.

NY Giants at Raiders, 4:25 p.m.

Eagles at Seahawks, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 4

Steelers at Bengals, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 14

SUNDAY, NOV. 26

Buccaneers at Falcons, 1 p.m.

Browns at Bengals, 1 p.m.

Titans at Colts, 1 p.m.

Bills at Chiefs, 1 p.m.

Dolphins at Patriots, 1 p.m.

Panthers at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

Bears at Eagles, 1 p.m.

Saints at LA Rams, 4:05 p.m.

Seahawks at 49ers, 4:05 p.m.

Jaguars at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.

Broncos at Raiders, 4:25 p.m.

Packers at Steelers, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 16

SATURDAY, DEC. 23

Colts at Ravens, 4:30 p.m.

Vikings at Packers, 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 24

Buccaneers at Panthers, 1 p.m.

Browns at Bears, 1 p.m.

Lions at Bengals, 1 p.m.

Dolphins at Chiefs, 1 p.m.

Bills at Patriots, 1 p.m.

Falcons at Saints, 1 p.m.

LA Chargers at NY Jets, 1 p.m.

LA Rams at Titans, 1 p.m.

Broncos at Redskins, 1 p.m.

Jaguars at 49ers, 4:05 p.m.

NY Giants at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.

Seahawks at Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.

MONDAY, DEC. 25

WEEK 17

MONDAY, DEC. 11

Vikings at Lions, 12:30 p.m.

LA Chargers at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m.

NY Giants at Redskins, 8:30 p.m.

Falcons at Buccaneers, 8:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 10

Saints at Falcons, 8:25 p.m.

MONDAY, NOV. 20

THURSDAY, NOV. 23

MONDAY, DEC. 18

Steelers at Texans, 4:30 p.m.

Raiders at Eagles, 8:30 p.m.

Colts at Bills, 1 p.m.

Vikings at Panthers, 1 p.m.

Bears at Bengals, 1 p.m.

Packers at Browns, 1 p.m.

49ers at Texans, 1 p.m.

Seahawks at Jaguars, 1 p.m.

Raiders at Chiefs, 1 p.m.

Lions at Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Titans at Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.

NY Jets at Broncos, 4:05 p.m.

Redskins at LA Chargers, 4:05 p.m.

Eagles at LA Rams, 4:25 p.m.

Cowboys at NY Giants, 4:25 p.m.

Ravens at Steelers, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 12

Patriots at Steelers, 4:25 p.m Titans at 49ers, 4:25 p.m.

Cowboys at Raiders, 8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, DEC. 7

Lions at Bears, 1 p.m.

Ravens at Packers, 1 p.m.

Jaguars at Browns, 1 p.m.

Cardinals at Texans, 1 p.m.

LA Rams at Vikings, 1 p.m.

Redskins at Saints, 1 p.m.

Chiefs at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Bills at LA Chargers, 4:05 p.m.

Bengals at Broncos, 4:25 p.m.

Patriots at Raiders, 4:25 p.m.

Eagles at Cowboys, 8:30 p.m.

BYE: Colts, Dolphins, NY Jets, 49ers, Buccaneers, Panthers Falcons at Seahawks, 8:30 p.m.

August 24, 2017

SUNDAY, DEC. 31

Patriots at Dolphins, 8:30 p.m.

Panthers at Falcons, 1 p.m.

Bengals at Ravens, 1 p.m.

Packers at Lions, 1 p.m.

Texans at Colts, 1 p.m.

Bills at Dolphins, 1 p.m.

Bears at Vikings, 1 p.m.

NY Jets at Patriots, 1 p.m.

Redskins at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Cowboys at Eagles, 1 p.m.

Browns at Steelers, 1 p.m.

Saints at Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Jaguars at Titans, 1 p.m.

Chiefs at Broncos, 4:25 p.m.

Raiders at LA Chargers, 4:25 p.m.

49ers at LA Rams, 4:25 p.m.

Cardinals at Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.

WEEK 15

POSTSEASON

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 Broncos at Colts, 8:25 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 Bears at Lions, 4:30 p.m.

LA Chargers at Chiefs, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY, DEC. 17

Dolphins at Bills, 1 p.m.

Packers at Panthers, 1 p.m.

Ravens at Browns, 1 p.m.

Texans at Jaguars, 1 p.m.

Bengals at Vikings, 1 p.m.

NY Jets at Saints, 1 p.m.

Eagles at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Cardinals at Redskins, 1 p.m.

LA Rams at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.

AFC and NFC wild-card games Saturday, Jan. 6 and Sunday, Jan. 7 AFC and NFC divisional playoffs Saturday, Jan. 13 and Sunday Jan. 14 AFC and NFC championship games Sunday, Jan. 21

SUPER BOWL LLII

Sunday, Feb. 5, at Minneapolis

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August 24, 2017

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

Page 27

Page 28

The Centre County Gazette — Football Preview

August 24, 2017