LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team is set to kick off its 2008 season at home on Thursday (Aug. 28) night against Glenville State College.

Kickoff Thursday night will be what LHU head coach John Klacik and his Bald Eagles hope is a good start to the 2008 campaign.

Thursday also marks the first athletic contest at Hubert Jack Stadium this season, which will be special because of the newly added Artificial Field Turf.

It’s not only Jack Stadium that has a fresh and new look this fall as the Bald Eagles will also feature a new dynamic.

Klacik is optimistic about his team chances this season, as it looks to improve on a 1-10 overall record from a year ago. LHU was 1-5 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division in ’07.

2008 marks Klacik’s fourth season at the helm of The Haven program and is looking for big things from his team this year.

There is no question that the Bald Eagles have come a long way in his tenure and this year shouldn’t be any different, as they look for continued improvement.

Lock Haven has some tremendous talent returning and adds a roster bolstered by youth, which should hopefully will spell out success in big ways for The Haven.

Klacik feels that heading into 2008 the team’s biggest strengths are its experience, confidence and depth, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

According to Klacik, 2008 marked one of the best preseason’s he had been apart of here and credited the returners for setting the tone.

Defense:

One of thing that Klacik is most excited about in 2008 is the depth of his defensive unit.

The Bald Eagles return eight starters on defense and will be led by their extremely athletic linebacking crew.

Linebackers:

After missing last season Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) returns to help lead the defense. During his freshman year he played in 11 games, making 42 tackles.

Also returning is senior Shawn Crebs (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) who is the second leading returning tackler from last season. Crebs made 64 tackles a year ago including 35 solo.

Adding depth to the linebacker position will be Wes Plummer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona), Darryl Robinson (Pittsburgh/McKeesport), Steve Loomis (Oxford, N.Y./Oxford Academy) and freshman Austin Knighton (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock).

D-Line:

The defensive line will also be solid, led by Chad Collier (Rochester, N.Y./Wilson), Von Ferber (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes), Nick Gounaris (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury) Kevin Stellar (Lebanon, Pa./Stevens Tech) and Dustin Harsch (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro).

Defensive Backs:

Leading the way at the cornerback spot will be senior DeMarr Dowell (Buffalo, N.Y./Erie Community College), who makes the switch from the offensive side this season. Klacik is excited about having Dowell on defense, saying he’ll make the team better with the move.

Aaron Pryer (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic) will also play corner, looking to make a major impact on the field.

At the safety spot will be Dean Tortorice (Delmont, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Shane Barie (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional). Both are returning starters and Barie is the team’s leading returning tackler. He was second on the team a year ago with 75 stops (41 UT & 34 AT).

Tortorice made 44 tackles in ’07.

The offense should be strong this season as the Bald Eagles return two of their most potent weapons in their attack in the froms of junior quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Orchard Park, N.Y./St. Francis) and sophomore running back Ibrahim Smith (New Bloomfield/West Perry).

Quarterbacks:

Leading way will be DiPaolo, who has started ball games for The Haven in each of the last two seasons. Last season he passed for 723 yards and three touchdowns. He was 86 of 172 and threw nine picks. He also rushed for 217 yards and one touchdown. Quick and athletic, DiPaolo is a two-way threat, able to pass and run which adds a valuable option to LHU’s offense.

Klacik was pleased with DiPaolo’s camp and looks for him to a leader this year.

True-freshman Jarryd Burkett (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) will also be in the mix right off the bat.

Backfield:

Leading the way out of the backfield will be Smith, who enjoyed a very respectable rookie season. He led the team in rushing with 520 yards and six touchdowns. Smith’s speed and athleticism along with his versatility make him one of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league.

The backfield looks solid for LHU as it also have options with Reggie Mencer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) and Dwight Carroll (Philadelphia/Calhoun County S.C.).

Carroll rushed for 314 yards a year ago.

Playing fullback will be Brain Tomasovitch (Throop, Pa./Mid Valley), who Klacik calls one of the most consistent players on the roster.

Tight Ends:

Leading the way at tight end will be Phil Hostetler (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) and rookie Tom Takash (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory).

Wide Receivers:

The wide receiving corps will be strong again this year as Lock Haven returns some solid veterans.

Leading the way will be Brett DeGroat (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown), Jason Eby (Ulster, Pa./Athens), Devin Sims (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) and freshman Jimmy Hart (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional).

Offensive Line:

The O-Line looks solid and will be led by Josh Kiner (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Daulphin), Ryan Gibble (Millville, Pa./Central Columbia), Chris Williams (Rochester, N.Y./Mansfield Univ.), Gary Moyo (Blacksburg, Va./State College).

The Bald Eagles kick off the 2008 season Thursday night at home.

Klacik noted that his team will be excited to open the 2008 campaign at home on a brand new field.

He is also very excited about the season and feels his football team is well prepared to get it done this year.

Klacik has been very pleased with the team’s effort thus far and says that this is the most confident his team has been heading into a fresh season. He’s looking forward to the hard work paying off on the field.

“I always tell the guys we’re going to get as our work’s deserved. Our guys have prepared the right and put themselves in position to do go good things,” Klacik said.“If we get every guy to have their career year we’ll have a chance to have a good football team and that’s all I ask of them.”

For full Week One notes, click on the link listed below.