Marion Center looking to defend Heritage title

After sitting atop the Heritage Conference last year with an 8-2 record, Marion Center coach Dave Malicky is hoping some new faces will keep his squad in contention this season.

'We lost a lot of kids,' Malicky said. 'It'll be a challenge for us.'

Marion Center's five returning starters this season are Luke Sitosky, Jason Ratay, Jacob Kallal, Chris Davidson and John Lydic.

'I feel they will be able to do the job,' said Malicky, whose squad opens its season at home Saturday against conference rival United. 'United is always a good test early on for us. We have to be ready to play.'

Senior Mike Hill will head the offense after seeing limited playing time last year.

'He managed to throw a couple (of) touchdowns passes and learn the ability to lead the team in the little time he played,' Malicky said. 'He's a good kid.'

Malicky looks for Hill to connect with his senior wide receivers Frank Alexander, Brian Haldin and Steve Lingenfelter. Junior Kevin Griffith and sophomore Kevin Hauser also will be primary targets.

'We're hoping to be able to find the kids who will do the job,' Malicky said. 'They (receivers) have shown real promise in practice.'

In the backfield, senior running back Luke Sitosky will be back after rushing for 1,000 yards last year and setting the school single-season scoring record. Along with Sitosky, junior Jason Ratay and senior Mitch Receski will split time in the backfield.

'We have three nice rushers coming back,' Malicky said. 'We're looking to get them the ball a lot.'

Defensively, Malicky is looking to offensive linemen Litosky and Ratay and defensive lineman Jon Neese and Receski to pick up where the team left off last year. Marion Center's defense limited opponents to just 124 points last year, setting a new school record for fewest points allowed in a season. With the help of its outside linebackers - junior Chris Davidson and senior Jacob Kallal - Malicky hopes his stingy defense will reprise its familiar role.

'We're young, and we have to show a lot of pursuit,' Malicky said. 'We need to make the tackles.'

After losing in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs last season to Bellwood-Antis 48-0, Marion Center is hoping its five returning starters can provide the foundation for a successful season.

'We'll have to take each game at a time,' Malicky said. 'Just like last season.'

This is Malicky's fourth year at Marion Center and 18th overall, after getting his start at St. Francis College as an assistant.

'We're looking forward to it (season),' Malicky said. 'We will show up every week and play hard.'