LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University football team will be looking for big things in 2009 as the Bald Eagles prepare to kick off the new season on Thursday night at home against No. 20 West Chester University.
With the new season comes high expectations as The Haven has no where to go, but up after the program’s first winless season since 1951. Last year, LHU went 0–11 overall and 0-7 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play.
LHU head coach John Klacik, who enters his fifth year has to feel good about the experience on both sides of the ball returning. The Bald Eagles return 19 starters, including 10 on the offensive side of the ball. Lock Haven also returns 26 letter winners from a year ago, so the experience will be there for the Bald Eagles and Klacik come kickoff.
Heading into the new season Klacik is very pleased with the team’s progress following a very successful training camp.
“I feel the best about our team going into a season this year; better than any other year on what we’re doing and where we are injury wise,” Klacik said. “We’ve had a good camp and really tried to simplify packages on both sides of the ball, which helped the younger guys. Also the returners were able to retain a lot of what we’ve been doing.”
Offense:
On the offensive side of the ball LHU returns 10 starters, including the Bald Eagles top rusher and passer. In ’08 LHU averaged 147.5 yards-per-game and will look for a much improved offensive threat this year.
Quarterbacks:
According to Klacik the quarterback battle thru camp was a good one with redshirt-freshman Jarret Kratzer (Reedsville, Pa./Indian Valley) looking to be the No. 1 when LHU takes the field in the season-opener.
At 6-foot-5-inches, Kratzer brings size and strength to the QB spot.
Sophomore Jarryd Burkett (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) saw plenty of action as a true-freshman in 2008 and is right in the mix to see some snaps from the opening play of this season. Last year he started nine games and was 89-for-183 for 595 years and he recorded three touchdown passes.
Also in the mix under center is senior Josh Watters (Olyphant, Pa./Bishop O’Hara).
Running Backs:
Returning to lead the way running the ball will be junior Ibrahim Smith (New Bloomfield, Pa./West Perry), who led the team in rushing a year ago.
Smith, a speedy back rushed for 329 years and three scores last season. The versatile Smith could line up anywhere on the offensive side of the ball as seen in ’08 finale, where he started at quarterback and rushed for 94 yards and one TD.
Also in the mix at running back will be redshirt-freshman Jeremiah Dunchack (Northern Cambria, Pa./Northern Cambria) and true-freshman Ian Smith (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro). Smith could also see time at wide receiver, as both him and Dunchack look to make big impacts on the Bald Eagle offense.
Wide Receivers:
The Bald Eagles look to field a very solid and deep core of receivers. Leading the way will be Nick Keefer (Perryopolis, Pa./Belle Vernon), Micah Coleman (Evelid, Ohio/Evelid) and Mark Ames (Philadelphia/Roxborough).
Five other players will make huge impacts for The Haven at wide out. Helping to make up LHU’s very deep receiver core is Steve Truiett (Felton, Pa./Red Lion), Jay Hartman (Lewistown, Pa./Indian Valley), Eddie Celkos (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional), Devin Sims (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) and Donny Burns (Port Matilda, Pa./Bald Eagle).
Tight Ends:
Leading the way at the tight end will be returners Ryan Poorman (Howard, Pa./Bellefonte) and Phil Hostellar (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove).
Adding depth to TE spot will be redshirt-sophomore Ty Traister (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountian), who moved over from the defensive side of the ball.
Offensive Line:
Lock Haven returns eight guys on the O-line, giving The Haven a mature and experience group, where they need it most.
Redshirt-freshman Kurt Ledebur (Titusville, Pa./Titusville) has made the move from defense, adjusted well and will play center.
Returning at left guard is two-time All-PSAC selection Ryan Gibble (Millville, Pa./Central Columbia). The senior looks to cap off his career with some dominating performances in ’09. At right guard will be Von Ferber (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes).
At left tackle will be John Engroff (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) and on the right side will be Dan Ogden (Danville, Pa./Danville).
Adding depth to the O-line will be Gary Moyo (Blacksburg, Pa./Blacksburg), TJ McDonald (Carbondale, Pa./Carbondale) and Joel Coon-Ribble (Corning, Pa./Syracuse University).
Defense:
The Haven’s defensive unit returns nine starters including four of its five top tacklers from a year ago.
Defensive Line:
Lock Haven will field a solid rotation in the middle of the D-line. Leading the way will be Josh Moran (Narvon, Pa./Pequa Valley), Chad Collier (Rochester, N.Y./Mansfield University), Skyler Wool (Waterville, Pa./Jersey Shore) and Omenshah Davis (Pleasantville, N.J./Egg Harbor Township).
Leading the way at defensive end will be Raymond Brooks (Williamsport, Pa./N.C. State), Josh Smith (Pittsburgh/Schenely), Bill Limpert (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Uchenna Ahaghotu (Silver Spring, Md./Springbrook). All four ends are athletic and give Klacik a ton of depth at the position.
Linebackers:
The Bald Eagles return a number of talented athletes at the linebacker spot.
Leading the way is junior Wes Plummer (Altoona, Pa./Altoona), who led LHU in tackles last year with 64, including 31 solo stops.
Joining Plummer is Luke Ellison (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville), Ben Snyder (Ichasburg, Pa./West Perry), Austin Knighton (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock), Kyle Lucas (Bellefonte, Pa./Bellefonte) and Desean Lawson (Washington, D.C./Coolidge).
Freshman James Goins (Mount Carmel, Pa./Mount) is also in the mix of Lock Haven’s very deep linebacker core.
Secondary:
The secondary is another experienced spot on the field for Lock Haven.
Leading the way is Dean Tortorice (Delmont, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Shane Barie (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) at safety. Barie was second on the team in total tackles last year with 61 and Tortorice made 57 stops.
Ryan Faddish (North Huntington, Pa./Serra Catholic) adds depth at safety.
Aaron Pryer (Philadelphia/Roman Catholic) is LHU’s top returner at corner.
Adding depth at corner is Andre Morrison (Johnstown, Pa./Johnstown), who looks to help make major contributions at corner.
Kenny Monroe (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) along with freshmen Guy Clark (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin East) and Tyree Pompey (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) will all look to make an impact in the secondary.
Special Teams:
Lock Haven’s kicking game is completely revamped, but has a lot of potential. Noah Heimer (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) will take over as place kicker and has been solid thus far for LHU.
Paul Causey (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) and Doug Denequolo (Pequannock, N.J./Pequannock Township) will man the punting duties.
Both Heimer and Causey will work the kickoff duties as Lock Haven will also have two new snappers.
Pryer and Smith will man the kickoff return duties, while Keefer will be the No. 1 on punt returns.
Last year Keefer was sensational on special teams. He wrapped up 509 yards and made 12 tackles.
Season Outlook:
With the Bald Eagles experience and depth all over the field, Klacik is extremely excited about the upcoming year.
Klacik credits his senior class for providing leadership and is looking forward to kickoff.
Klacik’s biggest goal is that he wants his team to be in every game and never wants his opponents to dictate the outcome of the game.
Lock Haven kicks off the 2009 season at home on Thursday (August 27) night at 6 p.m. against No. 20 WCU at Hubert Jack Stadium.
Lock Haven is off the weekend of September 5 before two straight road games. LHU faces off against four teams ranked among the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) NCAA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll on the season.
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