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2003 GAME SUMMARIES

TIGERS HOST RINGGOLD TOMORROW NIGHT TO OPEN SEASON

by Don Vandergrift

Coach Jim Rankin’s Tigers (6-5) will entertain the Ringgold Rams (0-11) tomorrow night at Newman Stadium to open the 2003 season.  The Tigers are coming off a season that saw them start slowly but make a determined run midway through the season.  A five-game winning streak propelled NA to second place in the Quad North and a first round playoff win against Canon-McMillan.  North Hills ended the 2002 campaign as they downed NA in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

Ringgold is coming off a nightmare season that saw them go winless, giving up 408 points while scoring only 55.  Head coach Jeff Matty took over the team just weeks before the opening of the 2002 season.  Not only did he inherit an inexperienced squad, the schedule featured seven playoff teams.  Needless to say, the Rams went winless last season.  The Tigers started Ringgold in that direction with a 34-0 victory in the opener.

Things are looking up for the Rams this season as they return six starters on offense and six more on defense.  Coach Matty is counting on senior linebacker Darnell Hawkins (6-4, 219) to lead his defense.  Two other seniors are expected to stand out on the defensive side of the ball --- defensive back Sean Dungee (5-8. 165), the fastest player on the team and tackle Blaine Zentek (6-3, 250).  On offense, the quarterback chores are expected to be in the hands of junior Adam Zewe (6-0, 185), who had some offensive experience last season.  Top running backs include both Dungee and Hawkins, who will go both ways.  On the offensive line, senior center Luke Slagle (5-11, 250) and Zentek are the most experienced linemen returning for the Rams.

Coach Matty has had success in the past at South Fayette High School and will build a better product at Ringgold.  He has a tough job ahead of him this year, however, playing in the Quad West, along with Upper St. Clair and McKeesport.

The Tigers return ten starters from last year’s squad.  On defense, senior Michigan recruit Chris Rogers (6-3, 245) leads the way from his defensive end position.  Also returning are junior nose guard Wade Wolowiec (6-3 230), senior defensive end Dan Bartos (5-9, 180), along with senior Josh Zunic (6-2, 200) and junior Andrew McMillen (6-0, 240) at linebacker.  Zunic was by far the leading tackler for NA last with 111 tackles, 76 solo.  Wolowiec, who was named second team all-Quad North last year, was second only to Rogers in sacks (6) and tackles for losses (9).  Rogers led the team with eight sacks and thirteen tackles resulting in 37 lost yards.  Junior Craig Howarth (6-0, 185), third on the team in tackles, returns at free safety.  Other Tigers who will see significant action on defense are juniors Joe Apel (5-10, 200) and R.J. Parks (6-0, 200) at defensive end.  Senior David Pegher (6-2, 215) will play defensive tackle.  In the secondary, look for junior Tim Hreha (6-0, 165) at strong safety, and senior Jason Strimmel (6-2, 185) and sophomore Josh Landreneau (6-1, 165) at the corners.

Offensively, the Tigers took a big hit before the regular season even started.  Senior quarterback Dan Williams ((6-2, 185) was injured in the first scrimmage against Erie McDowell and probably will not return for a number of weeks.  Williams saw some varsity action last year as the backup to Matt Butler and also returned kickoffs.  In his place will be junior Andrew Krewatch (6-3, 210), who played in both scrimmages and impressed the coaches with his size and strength.  The running back positions will be shared by a quartet of tough runners.  Leading the way will be senior Dan Bartos (5-9, 180) and junior Andrew McMillen (6-0, 240).  In limited varsity action last season, Bartos gained 101 yards on 28 carries while McMillen pounded out 117 yards on 27 rushes.  Also expected to see a lot of playing time are senior Josh Zunic (6-2, 200) and junior Tim Hreha (6-0, 165).  Senior Jason Strimmel (6-2, 185) saw some time at wide receiver last season and will be joined by flanker Craig Howarth (6-0, 185).  Rogers will be a tight end where he caught fourteen passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns last year.  Tom Dunn (6-0, 195) will also play at tight end.

On the offensive line, the Tigers will be rebuilding after losing Rich Polley, Bob Kohl, and Sean Sullivan to graduation.  Returning to anchor the line are senior tackle Dave Pegher (6-2, 215) and senior guard Randy Burns (6-0, 220).  New additions are senior J.T. Mylan (5-10, 255) at center, senior Zach Herbert (6-0, 235) at guard, and junior Joe Apel (5-10, 200) at guard.

The special teams seem to be in good shape for the upcoming season.  Rogers returns as the starting punter where he averaged 39.0 yards per kick on thirty attempts.  The place kicking will be done by senior Lee House (5-11, 140), a recruit from the NA tennis team where he played at #2 singles.  House has kicked well in practice and in the scrimmages. 

8/28/03

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org