NAZARETH FOOTBALL

FROM THE MORNING CALL

Nazareth Blue Eagles

Coach: Rob Melosky

2010 record: 9-3 overall, 7-2 LVC

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

Base offense/base defense: Spread/4-3 and 4-4

Team captains: Undecided

Who’s new: Former Central Catholic and West Virginia quarterback Dan Kendra has joined the staff as the quarterbacks coach

Three tidbits on the Blue Eagles

1. It’s a three-player race at running back. The Blue Eagles lack one player capable of matching the production of graduated running back Chuck Dibilio. The LVC’s 2010 offensive MVP ran for 2,050 yards, averaged 9.1 yards per carry and scored 32 total touchdowns a season ago.

Nazareth still has to line someone up in its backfield alongside quarterback Dan Harding, with three players currently competing for time at running back. Senior Kani Camacho has the most experience, having spelled Dibilio. Shabbar Bokhari and freshman Jordan Gray are pushing Camacho.

“It’s nice that there’s some competition there this year, where last year there really wasn’t,” Melosky said. “Chuck had the spot, it was his, and he made his impact felt.”

Bridgeforth 2. Harding has control of the offense. The senior started last year as an unknown and wound up as a top-three quarterback in the LVC. He threw for 1,750 yards while completing 64.2 percent of his passes and posting a 20-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

With Dibilio and three of his top four receivers gone, Harding will be the focal point of Nazareth’s spread offense. Adam Bridgeforth (pictured to left; 24 catches, 6 TDs in 2010) figures to be one of his top targets.

“This year we have a lot more experience,” Harding said. “It’s just easier; the game slows down for you. It’s nice to have good players around you like we have and the coaching staff we have.”

3. The defense could be improved. Nazareth tied for third in the LVC last year on the strength of its offense. Its defense finished just ninth in the 12-team league in points allowed, surrendering 25.1 points per league game.

Three experienced defensive linemen – junior Aaron Bradley, senior Nick Tuerk and senior David Wilke – return. Linebacker Dan Shepherd, defensive backs Adam and Andrew Bridgeforth, and safety Kyle East also have significant varsity time, so the potential for improvement exists.

“We feel good about them,” Melosky said.

First thoughts

With Dibilio gone, Nazareth probably won’t score at the 39.4 points-per-game clip it did last year. Don’t expect the Blue Eagles to fall apart, though. They are in their fourth year in Melosky’s system and have enough skill to compete for a District 2-4-11 Class 4A playoff berth again.

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

Friday, Sept. 2—PLEASANT VALLEY

Friday, Sept. 9—EASTON

Friday, Sept. 16—at Liberty

Friday, Sept. 23—ALLEN

Saturday, Oct. 1—at Central Catholic

Saturday, Oct. 8—at Bethlehem Catholic

Friday, Oct. 14—FREEDOM

Friday, Oct. 21—at Parkland

Friday, Oct. 28—WHITEHALL

Saturday, Nov. 5—NORTHAMPTON

http://blogs.mcall.com/varsity/2011/08/lvc-training-camp-postcard-nazareth.html