LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University football team has stressed that “Today matters most,” under the direction of third-year head coach John Klacik.

Klacik, who feels that motto along with tremendous leadership, unselfishness and the belief in one another among this team are what could help the Bald Eagles elevate their game to the next level in 2007.

LHU is coming off back-to-back 2-9 seasons, but if you look up and down the current Haven line up, they certainly have the talent to improve on that mark this year.

One very important strength that this year’s team will bring to the field is speed, as this team is much faster in all areas of the field and in every position.

This year’s squad also has much more depth, which will be a key asset to their success.

Klacik has also been very impressed with the team’s ability to play together saying the team is coming off a very strong preseason camp, which was filled with solid practices.

Klacik feels that this ability and willingness to play as a team and for each other is something that will carry the Bald Eagles far.

“They care about each and want each other to get better,” Klacik said. “They have been a fun group to be around because they work so hard and do everything we ask.”

This is certainly a positive and Klacik puts a lot that credit on the shoulders of his senior class who he has seen strong leadership from.This is a young team, but he feels the process for success was started two years ago and credits the upper-class leadership for believing.

“These guys believe in the program and the process that it takes,” Klacik said.

A lot of that senior leadership will come from the Bald Eagles four captains all of whom are playing their finals season in crimson and white. They include defensive end Jeff Eaton (Reading, Pa./Reading Central), tight end Corey Cicilioni (Lake Ariel, Pa./North Pocono) and linebackers Adam Andrasko (Hawk Run, Pa./West Branch) and Corey Gildea (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg).

This leadership has provided the team the belief that they can take their game to the next level and they are focused on doing just that this season.

Plenty of fresh faces will dot the Bald Eagles line up, but they also return plenty of talented and skilled players in key positions.

One very important piece to the Haven’s success returns in the form of sophomore quarterback Ilio DiPaolo (Orchard Park, N.Y./St. Francis) who took the majority of snaps in 2006.

DiPaolo recorded seven starts completing 141 of 275 pass attempts for 1,406 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. He also passed for over 120 yards in six games including 276 with a season-best three touchdowns in last season’s finale.

After one season DiPaolo, who has good pocket presence understands the offense better and looks like a guy who has been out there before according to Klacik who calls DiPaolo a great leader under center.

The Bald Eagles offense should show a strong balance this season as the passing game should be complemented well by what looks to be a dynamic-run game led by a number of strong candidates.

Several young players have the all the makings of special futures with LHU including freshmen Ibrahim Smith (New Bloomfield, Pa./West Perry) and Reggie Mencer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona).

Also looking strong through preseason was redshirt-freshman Steve Loomis (Oxford, N.Y./Oxford Academy) who makes the transition from mats to gridiron. Loomis, who wrestled for the Bald Eagles last year returns to football and has looked very impressive in the backfield for the Haven.

Last year Klacik says the Haven’s offense was a bit too one dimensional because of their struggles to run the ball, but running the ball doesn’t look to be an issue so far.

The run game can really help take the pressure off DiPaolo and LHU’s talented offensive line while opening things up for the passing game.

A big question mark however lies in who will help balance the run by catching the ball as DiPaolo’s three favorite targets from a year ago are gone from their wide receive positions.

One answer is certain, as whoever will be at the receiver position will have one thing in common and that is speed.

A host of players will see time at wide out including a number of freshmen. The speed, size and depth of the receiver group gives the Bald Eagles endless options when they have the ball.

The group will be led by senior Chris Hawkins (Glenside, Pa./Cheltenham), who makes the transition from running back to wide receiver this season showing this tremendous athletic ability. The speedy Hawkins led the team in rushing last season and was fourth on the team in receiving. He pulled in 14 catches, for two touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards.

“They have all shown they can catch the ball and take a hit,” said Klacik, who is excited about his receiving core.

Another key spot for LHU is the offensive line that returns plenty of experience as a number of guys saw action in 2006 as true-freshman.

Leading the way will be senior-center Dan Bradley (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley), who Klacik says is playing as good as he ever has.

Another big contributor on the o-line could come in the form of Mansfield University transfer Chris Williams (Rochester, N.Y./Mansfield Univ.)

Defensively the Bald Eagles should be strong as they return plenty of talent and depth including their leading tackler from a year and ago and tremendous leadership.

Gildea, the teams leading tackler from last season with 70 tackles (22 solo, 48 assists) looks to pick up right were he left off.

Klacik, who calls Gildea tough and solid, says the senior linebacker is always where is supposed to be looking to make the big play.

The defense also returns tremendous leadership with the presence of Eaton who returns after missing last season. In 2005 Eaton recorded 37 tackles (20 solo, 17 assists) with ten going for a loss and four sacks. He was a 2005 Second Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic (PSAC) selection.

Also returning and looking to make their mark on defense will be seniors Mike Chatburn (Towanda, Pa./Towanda) and Shawn Crebs (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg) along with Andrasko who is making the move to defense in ‘07.

The secondary should also be strong as the Haven returns plenty of talent in that department including senior Mike Nesby (Pittsburgh/Rankin).

In his third season Klacik has the Bald Eagle program right on track and feels that this team could be the one to take the next step because of their belief in one another and willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes to make the person next to them and the team better.

This edition of Bald Eagle football could be the most talented team to date and with that comes one of their toughest schedules ever, which includes just four home games and two contests against NCAA Division I-AA opponents.

One of those I-AA opponents just happens to be Youngstown State University were Klacik began his coaching career. He is looking forward to taking his alma mater into Youngstown because he feels that for the first time in his tenure the Bald Eagles are ready to go play in that kind atmosphere.

The 2007 Bald Eagle’s season certainly has the makings of a special one and it kicks of this Saturday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. as the Haven travels south to Lexington, Va. for a match up with the D-IAA Virginia Military Institution (VMI).

The game can be heard live on HavenSports Radio at HavenSports.com.