Homer-Center steered by seasoned QB
HOMER CITY -- As his father, Jerry, is poised to break the 200-win mark this season after 30 years at Laurel Valley, Homer Center Wildcats coach Greg Page comes into his second season with high hopes and expectations of his own.
Feeling that the hoopla about father-son coaching matchups may have died down with a full year under his belt, Greg Page still doesn't mind living in his father's shadow. Yet, with the personnel he brings to this upcoming season, a repeat trip to the playoffs should be in order. He had a full off-season with the players, worked them hard in the weight room and attended a passing camp to hone mechanics.
"We have a three-year starter at quarterback, Garrett Sisak, and depth in the backfield with tailbacks Tim Kinter, Ryan Mlakar and Jeremy Smith," Page noted. "Senior Justin Fess is the fullback; Eric Peroli and Ryan Bernat are what we call our swing back position."
Admitting temptation to go to more fashionable spread offenses from his I-formation base, Page knows a good thing when he sees it and chooses to stick with what his team is built for.
"We're predominantly a run-type offense," Page explained. "Garrett is a versatile and mobile quarterback; he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last year. And we designed some running plays and other wrinkles that should keep defenses honest."
One other dimension to his offense that he thought needed attention was his line play. "We were more focused on developing the offensive line this off-season," he said. "There are a lot of guys that we can use interchangeably because they all know the system better."
Also, during the past months away from the playing field, Page had time to reflect on last season as a whole and was able to put his first District 6 playoff run into perspective: "We got off to a fast start last year with three straight wins and then faltered a little mid-season. We went into the playoffs because we played well against some really good teams, so I think that that experience will help us and come in to play this season."
He thinks the mistakes that were made may have been in philosophy. Ball control is what he is stressing this year.
"We're committed to using the running game to establish other things for our offense, not the other way around," he pointed out.
Another aspect of last season that he has focused on addressing is the defense. In close games, big plays dashed the team's chances of winning.
To combat that, Page is going to a five-man front. Not wanting to reveal any more details, he did say the Wildcats want to be more flexible defensively.
"We're still looking at some different things from there, but the main thing is that we're determined to come off the ball better and play more aggressively," he said.
Experience may also help out in correcting the errors that give up game-sealing big plays. Outside linebacker Richie Petricig and defensive linemen Nick Raymond, Josh Miller, and Robert Shaffer, with Kinter in the secondary, are the seniors returning to patch up defensive holes.
Page is also comfortable with his coaching experience. "I'm very pleased that all of our staff is intact from last year," he said. "Rob Nymick, Mike and Tony Arone, Matt Rodkey, and Gene Raymond are all experienced, dedicated and bring to the table great ideas.
"And, with all of the kids coming up and working together under (junior high) coach Mark Pangonis, we feel that we're really starting to build a program here under one system. It makes for a seamless transition from one year to the next."
Page knows that football success is something you build on that takes years to cultivate at the high school level. Perhaps, that is the most important lesson his father has taught.
While not entertaining the idea of a sophomore jinx, Page comes into his second year perhaps at a disadvantage, for he feels the pressures of community expectations. Everyone knows that the team he has coming into this season is stacked with a deadly combination of size and speed.
"We know that expectations are high," he acknowledged. "I would like to think that each year they will be. Everybody wants to see a winner."
Intent on grooming his younger players and getting them game experience, looking to the older and more experienced ones for leadership, and continuously teaching his system and building his program, Page has a good chance of delivering what everybody wants--a winner.
Homer-Center Wildcats 2008
SENIORS--Ryan Bernat, SB/DB, 6-0, 161; Justin Fess, FB/LB, 5-9, 192; Tim Kinter, TB/DB, 5-8, 180; Josh Miller, OL/DL, 5-8, 163; Eric Peroli, SB/LB, 5-9, 154; Rich Petricig, E/LB, 5-9, 153; Nick Raymond, OL/DL, 5-11, 208; Robert Shaffer, OL/DL, 5-9, 235; Jake Shannon, OL/DL, 6-0, 204; Garrett Sisak, QB/DB, 6-1, 173; Nathan Tedjeske, OL/DL, 6-2, 222; Mike Walker, E/DE, 6-2, 183; Matt Wilden, E/DE, 6-4, 242.
JUNIORS--Eric Cusimano, OL/LB, 6-3, 228; Zack Galasso, E/DB, 5-11, 145; Jordan Gaskill, OL/DL, 5-9, 223; Ryan Henry, OL/DL, 5-11, 258; Cory Koren, FB/LB, 5-9, 159; Derek Miller, E/LB, 5-9, 151; Ryan Mlakar, TB/DB, 5-10, 151; Lewis Smith, E/DB, 5-8, 142; Ben Sorbin, OL/DL, 5-7, 149; Rob Townley, E/LB, 5-9, 171.
SOPHOMORES--Adam Andrascik, SB/DB, 5-7, 143; Kyle Fabin, E/DE, 6-2, 144; Zak Harvey, QB/DB, 6-1, 148; Dan Holt, FB/LB, 5-6, 142; Garrett Langham, E/DB, 5-8, 133; Stephen Nymick, QB/DB, 6-1, 138; Luke Schmidt, OL/LB, 5-11, 161; Chris Shaffer, OL/DL, 5-11, 238; Jeremy Smith, TB/DB, 5-10, 137; 5-9, 185; Joe Smith, T/DE, 5-10, 179; Kevin Sombronski, WR/LB, 5-11, 160; Ryan Zack, OL/DL, 5-9, 196.
