Red Raider Football Team Rarin' To Go
Season Opener Friday At Brockway
By Mike Bauer Endeavor Sports Writer

RETURNING LETTERMEN- (seated, left to right) Mike Malizia, Stephen McFall, Cameron Clingan, Joey Songer, Taylor Songer, Darrick Mason, Corey Smith. Standing, from left, are Nick Malize, Marcus Mullens, Jordan Crane, Abram Zoschg, John Malizia, Shawn Ellenberger, Chad Schatz, Cody Andrus, Missing from photo and also lettering were, Cliff Aikens, Matt Burke, Connor McCurly, Sean McManigle, and Daniel Slottje

Cameron County carries some confidence into Friday night's varsity football opener at Brockway (7:00). The Red Raiders are poised to improve on last year's 3-6 mark and could even make a run at the PIAA District 9 playoffs.

Second-year head coach Tony Defilippi feels more at home this year and expects big things from a squad that includes 20 returning lettermen.

"Last year I was hired in March, so I didn't even get to know all the kids' names until September," said the St. Marys resident. "Our starting lineup changed a lot. Getting to know the players and getting them into the right positions has made things easier."

Defilippi and assistants have about 38 boys on the roster from grades 10 through 12 and most of them will pick right up where they left off during the rebuilding 2005 season.

BRAIN TRUST- The Red Raiders will be under the direction of, from left, Steve Zoschg (running backs/ D line), Brian Lovett (receivers/linebackers), Tony Difilippi (head coach) and John Barnhart (defensive coordinator/quarterbacks).

"With a couple exceptions we are starting the same kids as we did last year as sophomores," the coach said. "We have decent size, worked hard in the weight room, and have gotten a little stronger. We've improved in overall team speed and are deep at the skill positions, but a little thin on the offensive line."

The new coach switched the offense to a Wing-T and shifted the Raider defense to a 3-5 formation last year.

"The kids have accepted the changes and are working hard to get it right," Defilippi said. "I think we'll be more consistent this year."

Leadership seems to be a shared responsibility, the coach said: "This is a tight-knit group. There are a lot of different guys who have stepped up. Kids like John Malizia, Nick Malize, Chad Schatz and Cody Andrus have led us in our strength and agility drills. These guys aren't afraid to work; they want to get better."

The true test will come on the field this Friday night and beyond. There are some strong teams in the Allegheny Mountain League this season, including Coudersport and Curwensville. The Raiders play those teams, back to back, on Sept. 15 (home opener) and Sept. 22.

"I want to see how these kids respond to some adversity and how they react when they get a little tired," Defilippi noted. "For instance, will they get upset when they find out that they might not be in the starting lineup? I want to see how much these guys have matured over the course of the year."

He's assisted this year by former head coach Brian Lovett (wide receivers/linebackers), Steve Zoschg (running backs/ defensive line) and John Barnhart (defensive coordinator/ quarterbacks).

Junior quarterback Jordan Crane should benefit from a year of experience and some intensive training during a quarterback camp this summer. Defilippi has several options at running back, which should present challenges for enemy defenses.

Dan Slottje is back to handling punting and placekicking duties.

Here's a rundown of this year's Red Raiders:

Returning starters: Cody Andrus, 6-1, 240, sr., T/T; Cameron Clingan, 5-11, 180, jr., RB/LB; Jordan Crane 6-1, 165, jr., QB/DB; Shawn Ellenberger 6-2, 270, jr., T/T; Nick Malize, 5-10, 200, sr., RB/ LB; John Malizia, 6-0, 205, sr., RB/LB; Mike Malizia, 6-2, 205, soph. TE/NG; Darrick Mason, 6-0, 180, jr., RB/LB; Sean McManigle, 5-8, 160, jr., SE/DB; Marcus Mullens, 5-10, 180, jr., G/LB; Chad Schatz, 6- 0, 235, sr., T/DE; Taylor Songer, 5-10, 150, jr., RB/LB; Abram Zoschg, 6-0, 180, jr., RB/DB; Dan Slottje, 5-9, 160, sr., K/P.

Also returning after lettering in 2005 are: Stephen McFall, 5- 8, 180, sr., RB/LB; Joey Songer, 5-11, 200, sr., TE/DE; Corey Smith, 5-11, 155, sr., SE/ DB; Matt Burke, 6-0, 215, jr., G/DE; Cliff Akins, 5-8, 180, sr., DE; Connor McCurly, 5-10, 210, jr., G/DE.

Joining Crane in the quarterback mix are Louis Costanzo (jr., 5-10, 190) and Jarek Holjencin (soph., 6-0, 150).

Others in the picture at running back are Cash Grimone (sr., 6-2, 185), Patrick Catalano (sr., 6-2, 195), Charlie Holjencin (jr., 5-10, 165), Andrew Kesterholt (soph., 6-1, 185) and Randy Schatz (soph., 5-9, 140).

Depth at the end position will come from Mike Fragale (jr., 5- 11, 160), Jordan Garrigan (soph., 5-11, 210), Jason Sestina (sr., 6-5, 185), Dan Sullivan (soph., 6-1, 180) and Mike Baker (soph., 6-0 160).

Rounding out this year's team are: Donovan McCurly (soph., 5-10, 180), Ryan Neyman (soph., 5-10, 200), Trey Locklear (sr., 5-9, 245), Drew Pennington (soph., 6-0, 210) and Tom Jack (jr., 6-0, 240).

Red Raider Schedule:

Sept. 1, at Brockway (7:00);

Sept. 8, at Smethport (7:00);

Sept. 15, Coudersport (7:00); Sept. 22, at Curwensville (7:00);

Sept. 29, Otto-Eldred, (7:00); Oct. 7, at Port Allegany (1:30);

Oct. 13, at Elk C.C. (7:00);

Oct. 20, Sheffield (7:00); Oct. 27, Johnsonburg (7:00).