EMMAUS FOOTBALL

FROM THE MORNING CALL

Emmaus Green Hornets

Coach: Joe Bottiglieri

2010 record: 8-4 overall, 5-4 LVC (Eastern Conference Class 4A champions)

Players in program: 60 as of Thursday’s morning practice

Base offense/base defense: Multiple pro/3-4

Team captains: Undecided

Who’s new: Former Bethlehem Catholic coach Mike Palos (wide receivers), Mike Sculley (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks) and Stan Luckenbill (inside linebacker) are among the new coaches on Emmaus’ staff, which lost several coaches to Bethlehem Catholic when former Green Hornets defensive coordinator Joe Henrich became the head man with the Golden Hawks

Three tidbits on the Green Hornets

Joe Bottiglieri 1. A junior will emerge as the starting quarterback for the first time since 2007. Andrew Kerson and Gabe Shankweiler are competing for the starting slot. Bottiglieri (left) said the two were neck-and-neck until a couple of days ago, with Kerson opening a slight edge.

Saturday’s scrimmage at Coatesville could tip the competition in favor of either player. Bottiglieri said a decision would be made on a starter no later than the completion of Emmaus’ second scrimmage, scheduled for Aug. 26 against Father Judge.

“It’s really too close to call right now,” Bottiglieri said.

Matt Johnson was the last junior to start at quarterback for Emmaus.

2. The offense is looking at an overhaul. The Green Hornets graduated 10 of their offensive starters from a year ago, most notably running back Joe Williams (1,243 yards, 8.6 yards per carry, 18 TDs). Tackle Cody Laubach (6-4, 297 pounds) is the one returning offensive starter for Emmaus.

Junior wide receiver Andrew Brown, who started every game on defense as a sophomore, and senior tight end Tyler Harris are two players Emmaus will look to as it rebuilds its offense.

“You always want to look at the kids who are here,” Bottiglieri said. “The other kids that are stepping in now, they’re learning. They’re getting a little bit better each day, and that’s all we can ask of them to do.”

3. The defense is adjusting to a new scheme. With Henrich departing, Bottiglieri has taken over the defensive-coordinator duties. The Green Hornets are moving from the 4-2-5 scheme they played last year to a 3-4, with inside linebacker Josh MacLeod and outside linebacker/defensive end Harris two of their key players.

Emmaus excelled at generating turnovers last year, finishing plus-22 in their 12 games. Brown had four of the Green Hornets’ 21 interceptions a year ago, but he is the lone returning starter in the secondary.

First thoughts

Count Emmaus as another mystery team in the LVC. With all the Green Hornets lost on offense, it’s hard to see them finishing in the league’s top third. Of course, they’ve had a habit of exceeding expectations in recent years.

Regular-season schedule (All games 7 p.m. unless noted; home in CAPS)

Friday, Sept. 2—at Germantown

Friday, Sept. 9—WHITEHALL

Friday, Sept. 16—at Parkland

Friday, Sept. 23—FREEDOM

Saturday, Oct. 1—at Bethlehem Catholic

Friday, Oct. 7—LIBERTY

Friday, Oct. 14—at Easton

Friday, Oct. 21—ALLEN

Friday, Oct. 28—at Dieruff

Friday, Nov. 4—CENTRAL CATHOLIC

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