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 The Lock Haven University football
program will open up their 2005 campaign at Cheyney
University on Saturday August 27 at 1 p.m. On the
defensive side of the ball, the Bald Eagles will feature
a four-man front. Head coach
John Klacik
stressed the importance of multiple looks on defense,
underlining the need for a rotation to keep the players
fresh and change the pace of the game.
Defensive Line
The
position on the field that will see the most faces in
the rotation is the defensive front. Defensive line
coach
Chris Sprague and Klacik feel that this
position had a “great summer” and since there is not
much size, Sprague will look to utilize the strengths of
many players in his rotation.
Junior
Brad Sones
(Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia) returns
after a break-out 2004 season. He will anchor the line
at defensive end and look to improve on last year’s
team-leading seven tackles for a loss.
“Brad had an
unbelievable spring and summer,” said Klacik. “We will
look for him to make a huge impact for us this year.”
At the other end,
John Smeltzer (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) will use his
leadership as the lone senior on the front four. A pair
of Shaffers will see plenty of time as backups. Though
not related, Ryan Shaffer (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Area)
and Brock Shaffer (Mayport, Pa./Redbank Valley)
both had good camps and will help the Eagle ends. Ryan,
a junior, brings experience to the position, while
freshman Brock “goes 100 mph all the time.” After a
brief stint at tight end last season, sophomore
Mike
Chatburn (Towanda, Pa./Towanda) will switch sides of
the ball and see time on the defensive line.
Junior
Ryan
Bickel (Morrisdale, Pa./West Branch) will get the
start at defensive tackle after an impressive camp. He
will be lining up next to junior-college transfer
Jeffery P. Eaton (Reading, Pa./Lackawanna J.C.).
“Eaton has the
potential to be a big-time player for Lock Haven,” said
Klacik. “His strength and quickness will help his
transition to the Division II level.”
Incoming freshman
Ali Malone (Springfield, Va./Hayfield) will
rotate in the middle of the D-line. Malone and
Eddie
Cieslinski (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) both impressed
the coaching staff with their hard-working summer.
Linebackers
The
linebacking corps will see some new faces after the loss
of 100 total tackles from departing seniors Brian
Lumpkin and Charles Cannon. First year
linebackers coach
Anthony Naples
feels that this
year’s squad plays hard and runs fast. Though they may
lack some size, their speed from sideline to sideline is
a definite strength.
 Three juniors will
roam the middle of the field for the Bald Eagles as
Mike Slatcoff (Sandy Lake, Pa./Cochranton)
will be in the middle,
Derek Harsch
(Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro Area) to his right and
Jonathan Nalewak (Shamokin, Pa./Shamokin) on
the left. Harsch is the top returning tackler amongst
the linebackers with 62 in his sophomore campaign.
Nalewak made 56 stops last year, and the coaching staff
will be counting on him to make big plays for the
defense. Slatcoff will get the start at the middle
linebacker spot and look to improve upon his 24-tackle
sophomore season.
Junior
Sean M.
Sanderson (Enola, Pa./East Pennsboro) moves to
linebacker after spending the first half of his
collegiate career at wide receiver. Local product
Tom Meyers (Mill Hall, Pa./Central
Mountain) and
Richard D. Kressley
III (Danielsville, Pa./Northampton) will also
add depth to the position.
Defensive Backs
An
abundance of experience is the key in the secondary as
the Bald Eagles return three starters from last year’s
squad. Defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach
Terry Szucs will use different coverages in the
backfield and a rotation of seven different players to
produce multiple looks.
 2004 leading tackler
and strong safety David Show (Mill Run,
Pa./Connellsville) returns for his sophomore
season. He added two interceptions to his team-high 79
tackles last year. At the free safety position,
classmate Corey Gildea
(Hollidaysburg,
Pa./Hollidaysburg) returns to the starting lineup
after competing for time in camp. Senior
Matt Shealy
(New Bethlehem, Pa./Redbank Valley) will see
plenty of time at both safety positions as well as some
nickel back.
The final returning
starter, speedy junior
Mike Nesby (Rankin,
Pa./Woodland Hills) brings six career interceptions
and nine career pass breakups to his side of the field.
The other corner position will be split between freshmen
Sam Jefferson (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./GAR Memorial)
and Raymond Roy (Philadelphia/George Washington).
After a great spring,
Louis Allen Kohl (New
Holland, Pa./Pequea Valley)
will also add depth to the corners.
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