Anthracite football team-by-team capsule previews

http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/mc-anthracite-football-capsules-tab-20120825,0,2033929.story FROM THE MORNING CALL JIM THORPE •Coach: Mark Rosenberger, 15th year (100-53) •Last year: 1-9 overall, 1-7 Anthracite Football League •Impact players: Jr. QB Patrick Duvigneaud; Jr. WR-P-K Khaaliq Lynch; Sr. OL-DL Jedidiah Scorzelli; T-DT Tyler Crandall; TE-OLB Michael Malatak. http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-dish2-2009dec02,0,1346296.story •Biggest question: Will all of the freshmen and sophomores forced into significant roles in 2011 mature into quality varsity players in 2012? The AFL coaches don't think so, predicting the Olympians to finish last this season. •Outlook: The Olympians, who return five starters on offense and 10 on defense, were outscored last season 472-186 with just three returning starters from a 2010 playoff team. They gave up at least 50 points five times. This year's club is athletic, but still very young after playing half a dozen freshmen and another six sophomores last season. "It was a disappointing year," Rosenberger said. "But there were a lot of positives. It was an overall learning experience for all of us. We're still a young team this year, but young with experience. MARIAN CATHOLIC •Coach: Stan Dakosty, 36th year •Last year: 5-5 overall, 4-4 AFL •Impact players: Sr. QB-DE Corey Quick; Sr. RB-DB Dylan Quirk; Sr. WR-DB John Julian; Sr. OL-DL J.P. O'Connor; Jr. TE-LB Luke Damian; Sr. WR-DB Eric Swankoski. •Biggest question: Can an offensive line with one returning part-time starter come together to complement an experienced group of skill players? •Outlook: Senior J.P. O'Connor started five games last season on the offensive line. No one else has any starting experience. Fellow seniors Corey Quick and Ryan Karnish are back at quarterback. They split the position 60-40 last season. Senior Dylan Quirk ran for about 700 yards in a disappointing 5-5 season in 2011. "Our nemesis was turnovers," Dakosty said. "In three of our losses, we turned the ball over six times, five times and five times." Other skill players returning include junior Anthony Agosti, senior Derich Holman, senior Michael Cataldo and senior Damian Richards. The Colts are picked third in the preseason coaches' poll, behind three-time defending champion North Schuylkill and Shenandoah Valley. PANTHER VALLEY •Coach: Lon Hazlet, 2nd year (1-9) •Last year: 1-9 overall, 1-7 AFL •Impact players: Sr. RB-LB Richie Smith; Jr. OL-DL Mark Williams; Sr. OL-LB Noah Frey; Sr. QB Anthony German; Sr. QB Matt Levitt. •Biggest question: Can Hazlet pull off a turnaround like he did in previous stops at Karns City, DuBois and Pittston Area? The AFL coaches don't think so. Panther Valley was picked seventh in the preseason coaches' poll. •Outlook: The Panthers lost their last six games of 2011, giving up at least 39 points in four of them. They return seven defensive starters and six offensive starters, led by Smith, but Hazlet promised a camp with almost all positions up for grabs. "I told every kid in January that nobody wins a position in a T-shirt and shorts," Hazlet said. "Coming off a 1-9 season, we have a number of guys returning but nobody has a spot." TAMAQUA •Coach: Sam Bonner, 6th year (28-27) •Last year: 6-6 overall, 5-3 AFL •Impact players: Sr. ATH Dalton Nunemacher; Sr. RB Jake Love; Jr. ATH Tyler Hope; Sr. FB-LB Nolan Zeigler; Sr. NG Nick Hollenbach; So. QB Brett Kosciolek. •Biggest question: Can the Blue Raiders find a replacement for Jarred Muffley's 1,340 rushing yards? Love could be the guy if he stays healthy, something he didn't do last season. •Outlook: Bonner has seven returning defensive starters and six back on offense, led by Love, Hope and Zeigler, who also had 100 tackles at linebacker in 2011. They should be in the mix of what is expected to be a balanced league now that three-time defending champion North Schuylkill has taken back-to-back heavy hits to graduation. "You can't count [North Schuylkill] out," Bonner said. "They haven't lost a league game in like three-and-a-half years. But as dominant as they were, the league [this year] is up for grabs. You can't look by anybody." The Blue Raiders received one first-place vote and were fourth in the preseason coaches' poll. Tom Housenick