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* 2004 GAME SUMMARIES *

TIGERS MEET PENN HILLS IN SEASON OPENER

by Don Vandergrift

Coach Jim Rankin’s Tigers will open the 2004 season on Friday night at Newman Stadium against the Penn Hills Indians.  NA is coming off a subpar 3-7 season last year while Penn Hills posted a 9-3 mark, including a 19-13 loss to Upper St. Clair in the Quad A semifinals.  The Tigers are hoping to build on a 35-0 win over Norwin in the season finale on their way to reclaiming their position as one of the top teams in western Pennsylvania.  Penn Hills will be a tough test in the opening game.

Coach Neil Gordon lost four-year starter Anthony Morelli at quarterback but returns a massive offensive line and two good running backs.  The line is built around four-year starter J.R. Robinson (6-1, 285), the starting right guard.  Joining Robinson on the right side will be 6-2, 350 pound senior James Coyle.  The left guard will be senior David Fitzhenry (6-3, 250), who Gordon says could be a Division I recruit.  Also starting on the offensive line are two lineman who started on defense last year --- senior Steve Ibrahim (6-1, 230) at center and sophomore Karl Brueck (6-1, 265) at left tackle.  In the backfield, senior Ed Collington (5-11, 205) returns after gaining 959 yards on 109 attempts last season.  Also returning is senior Ken Lewis (6-0, 180) who picked up 884 yards on 158 attempts.  The best overall athlete on the squad is wide receiver David Harvey (6-1, 175) who caught 35 passes for 656 yards last season.  Harvey posted a time of 4.37 in the 40 and could cause problems for the NA secondary.  The question mark on offense is at quarterback.  Senior Bryan Moore (5-9, 160), who started at Central Catholic his sophomore year, has the inside track ahead of junior Chad Parker (6-4, 180).

Defensively, the size on the offensive line will be the size on the defensive side of the ball as the five starters will share defensive line duties.  At linebacker, the Indians count on junior linebackers Archie Donald (6-2, 200) and Chris Wade.  In the defensive secondary, Harvey anchors an experienced group of quick defensive backs.

Tiger Coach Jim Rankin will count on a core of returning starters to lead the Tigers back to prominence.  On offense, NA returns senior Andrew McMillen (6-1, 230) who gained 1013 yards in 134 carries good for 7 touchdowns last season.  At quarterback, senior Andrew Krewatch (6-5, 220) is back after being thrust into the starting role early last season.  Krewatch will count on experience to improve on his 28 for 88 last season good for two TDs but seven interceptions.  Krewatch also picked up 217 yards on the ground.   Junior Billy Knight returns as the top outside receiver for NA. Senior Craig Howarth (6-2, 190) will step in at running back for the Tigers.  On the offensive line, Coach Rankin will have senior tackle Wade Wolowiec (6-0, 240) leads an experienced group.  Senior R.J. Parks (6-1, 215) takes over at center, while seniors Joe Apel (5-11, 220) and Bill Borlak (6-2, 210) return to add experience.  On special teams, Krewatch returns as the top punter while junior Russ Hoburg (6-4, 180)will be the place kicker.

On defense, Rankin hopes to restore the Tigers to their position as one of the top defensive teams in the area.  Wolowiec was selected  on the all-conference first team at nose guard.  Also, returning is Apel at defensive end while Parks, Howarth and Borlak will join McMillen at linebacker.  In the secondary, Knight will be joined by junior Josh Landreneau (6-0, 180). 

The game will be one of the top contests in western Pennsylvania in the first week of the season.  As might be expected, the media will be out in full force.  The North Allegheny Sports Network will broadcast the game LIVE on the internet with Don Vandergrift and Bob Caldwell handling the broadcast duties.  The game will also be replayed on NATV next week.  The game will be telecast on a delayed basis by Comcast/WBGN as the High School Game of the Week.  The MSA Sports Network will broadcast the game live on the radio with Paul Paterra and Jason Coleman calling the game.  If you cannot make it to the game, you still have plenty of opportunities to listen or watch!

It promises to be a good matchup for both teams in the non-section opener.  Both starting halfbacks, Collington and McMahon have been banged up a little in scrimmages although both may play.  Coach Gordon has utilized a running attack over the years and should go back to the ground game with his huge offensive line after the graduation of Morelli.  For the Tigers and Coach Rankin, it’s a year to rebound.  Look for some changes in the game plan as NA may well go back to the Delaware Winged-T, an offense that Rankin had success with in previous years.  Game time is set for 7:30 pm.  See you there!

Click here to view last season’s final statistics!

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