LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Head football coach John Klacik has announced his 2008 recruiting class which includes ten signees.

The class of ten includes seven offensive players and three defensive players.

Klacik and his staff signed a pair of Quarterbacks as Jarryd Burkett and Shawn Faulk announced they would be wearing Crimson and White.

Burkett hails from Altoona, Pa. when he played for Altoona Area High School. Burkett was a captain on this years’ Mountain Lion squad as he tossed 11 touchdowns, ran for an additional four TD’s and threw for 1,390 yards.

After a stellar senior campaign, Burkett was named to the All-Altoona Mirror Team and the All-Blair County Team for his on the field accomplishments.

While not on the turf, Burkett also plays basketball and was named a team captain.

Coached by Phil Riccio, Jarryd is the son of Randy and Sheryl Burkett of Altoona.

On the other hand, Faulk hails from the quarterback breeding grounds of Joe Montana and Dan Marino as he played his high school days in the legendary WPIAL at Hempfield High School.

Faulk was a two year letterman, an All-Conference quarterback and also is an honors student.

The pair of QB’s joins Ilio DiPaolo (Orchard Park, N.Y./St. Francis) in a group of slingers that was plagued by injury a season ago.

LHU also added some additional depth to an already solid backfield as one halfback and a pair of fullbacks joined the LHU family.

Craig Chopko, Austin Knighton and Matt Rizzo join an LHU backfield which is the keystone of Coach Klacik’s offensive scheme.

At the halfback position, Knighton joins a pair of backs and adds depth to a position which already includes Ibrahim Smith (New Bloomfield, Pa./West Perry) and Reggie Mencer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona), who was redshirted a season ago.

Knighton is a local product who spent his playing days at Loyalsock High School.

Knighton was named the Williamsport Sun Gazette Player of the Year for his on the field work during the 2008 season.

His 2019 yards and 31 touchdowns were also enough to earn him a Second Team All-State selection.

Knighton, son of Ken and Sharon Knighton, was coached by Dick Delany and also participates in basketball and track and field.

Joining Gerald Thompson at the fullback position are a pair of stellar athletes in Craig Chopko and Matt Rizzo.

Chopko comes to The Haven after an extremely successful high school career at Lakeland High.

Chopko has a laundry list of awards as he was a dual asset to the Lakeland squad as he played both Fullback and Linebacker during his high school days.

With over 3,000 career rushing yards and 44 career touchdowns, Chopko comes to LHU fresh off of being named to the All-Region and All-Conference teams at fullback.

Chopko was also a First and Second team All-State selection at linebacker as he recorded an impressive 350 career tackles at Lakeland.

While not only a strong football player, Chopko also is impressive in the classroom as he is an honor roll student.

Coached by Dan Case, Craig is the son of Gerald and Maria Chopko.

The other fullback added to the depth charts is Matt Rizzo.

Hailing from Marion Catholic High, Rizzo bulled through opposing defenses to the tune of 1,472 yards and 15 touchdowns during his senior campaign.

Rizzo was an All-County selection in 2006 and 2007 and was also the Time News Player of the Year during his senior season.

Rizzo also has dual capabilities as he is also well established as a linebacker. During his senior campaign he recorded 137 tackles which was good enough to earn him the nod for Defensive Player of the Year in the Pottsville Republican newspaper.

While not on the turf, Rizzo plays basketball, is a shot putter on the track and field squad and is also a member of the Spanish Club and is on the honor roll.

The son of John Rizzo and Janice Hale, Rizzo was coached by Stan Darosty,

Another position that was also plagued by injury will get some much needed help as Keith McGrory joins the LHU team as an offensive guard. McGrory is another local product as he hails from State College High.

A two time player of the game during his senior campaign, McGrory is the son of Terry McGrory and was coached by Al Wolski.

With the departure of Corey Cicilioni (Lake Ariel, Pa./North Pocono), Hickory High’s Thomas Takash will be lookoed upon to fill the void left by the departing senior.

Takash was a Second Team All-District honoree and was a three year letterman during his time at Hickory.

While not playing football, Takash excels in the classroom as he is a member of the Honor Society.

The son of the Randall and Christine Paxton, Takash was coached in high school by Frank Antvano.

On the defensive side of the ball LHU adds depth to the defensive line as Nick Bellanco, Bill Limpert and Cameron Turner join the Bald Eagle team.

Bellanco comes to The Haven hot off a great senior season as he was peppered with awards for his on the field accomplishments.

Bellanco was named to the Times Leader/Citizens Voice All-Conference team, WNEP Super 16 Dream Team and was a Second Team All-State selection.

Bellanco also was a member of the East-West All Star team as he recorded 81 total tackles, four sacks and four recovered fumbles.

The 260 pounder is the son of Nick Bellanco Sr. and Michelle Bellanco.

Another newcomer to the D-line is Bill Limpert.

Limpert hails from Export, Pa. and was a member of the 2005 State Championship team at WPIAL power Franklin Regional High.

Fresh off his senior campaign, Limpert comes to LHU out of his 2007 MVP Selection and his selection to the Foothills Classic squad.

Limpert is also a member of the Wrestling and Track and Field teams at Franklin Regional.

While not on the field, Limpert plays a large community role as he is a member of Kids Helping Kids, the local food bank and was named the Student of the Month.

The final member of the 2008 recruiting class is Defensive End Cameron Turner.

Turner played both ways at Karns City High as he was also a tight end and was also awarded many post season honors.

Limpert was a First Team All-Conference selection at tight end as well as at his defensive end post. While being one of the best in his conference, Limpert was also one of the best in the state as he was a First Team All-State selection at defensive end.

While not playing football, Limpert is also an All-Conference basketball player and an MVP baseball player.

The son of Tom and Lori Turner, Cameron was coached by Ed Conto.

Lock Haven looks ahead to next season with high expectations as they kick off the 2008 campaign on Thursday, August 28 at 7:30 p.m. as they play host to Glenville State.

List of Recruits

Nick Bellanco - 6-2 260 DL Exeter, Pa./Wyoming Area

Jarryd Burkett - 6-2 195 QB Altoona, Pa./Altoona

Craig Chopko - 5-11 230 FB Mayfield, Pa./Lakeland

Shawn Faulk - 6-2 195 QB Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield

Austin Knighton - 5-11 198 HB Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock

Bill Limpert - 6-2 230 DE Export, Pa./Franklin Regional

Keith McGrory - 6-3 275 OG State College, Pa./State College

Matt Rizzo - 5-10 235 FB/LB Ashland, Pa./Marion Catholic

Thomas Takash - 6-5 235 TE Hermitage, Pa./Hickory High

Cameron Turner - 6-2 240 TE/DE Chicora, Pa./Karns City