TRAC

St. Francis de Sales Knights

FROM LEFT: Front Row: Tyler Bauknight, Marc Dewey, BJ Mielcarek, Zach Vigneau, Sam Burns, Michael Wagner, Shelton Evans, Tyler Knitz, Trinidad Wyatt, Pat Wentz, Ben Jurek, Nick High. 2nd Row: Jack Reese, Anthony Taylor, Max Pfeiffer, Joe Gospodarek, Peter Yeager, Marc Elfering, Kevin Olszewski, Kevin Greenoe, Kevin Kronbach, Marvin Austin, Tyler Womack, Andy Irwin. 3rd Row: Michael Dickrede, Mark Phillips, Mitchell Prater, Andrew Rutkowski, Shane Oneail, David Isabell, David Nees, Shawn Wandersee, Sam Corbin, Steven Welling, Dalton Robles. 4th Row: Merit Godbey, Luke Ketterman, Mike Minor, John Fudacz, Zach Uram, Kelife Butts, Jonathan Fankhauser, Jack Kulka, Trent Barteck, Cameron Downs, Marvin Gardner. 5th Row: Drew Stark, Noah Goodrich, Drew Dymarkowski, Zach Churilla, Nicholas Lankard, Christopher Gill, Jacob Lang, Tyler Thebes, Curtis Smith, Keaton Isaacson, Raymond Uzoigwe, Aarion Sneed. 6th Row: Matt Cark, Matt McNeeley, Paul Zavell, Patrick Schneider, Alex David, Maurice Harris, Steven David, Andrew Bonfiglio, Chartyise Fagan, Cameron Ethridge, Keontae Johnson, Nate Houle. 7th Row: Ted Gardner, Mason Hartley, Jake Simon, Nick Drees, Collin OÕBrien, Ramale Frazier, Dijon Walker, Dontay Ellison, Daryl McCoy, Lamar Carswell. Back Row: Manager Teddy Berning, Manager Frankie Berning, Manager Nick Dombi, Eric Berg, Coach Perkins, Coach Rich Uram, Coach Marty Patrilla, Coach Chris Hedden, Coach Andy Stanford, Coach Brandon Hedges, Coach Derrick Arbogast, Coach Rob Materni, Coach Peris Edwards.

Coach: Chris Hedden, first year

Last season: 3-7, 2-5 TRAC

Returning letter winners: 2

Returning starters: Offense 2, defense 1

Schemes: Pro-set/4-3

Top players: Seniors Sam Burns, 6-3, 305, OL-DL; Kevin Greenoe, 6-2, 215, DL; Michael Wagner, 6-0, 185, RB; Antonio Wyatt, 5-10, 240, OL-DL. Juniors John Fudaz, 5-11, 205, LB; Zach Uram, 5-11, 210, DB; Tyler Knitz, 6-1, 290, OL; David Nees, 6-0, 175, QB.

Outlook: The Knights' traditionally strong program has fallen off the pace in recent years, including back-to-back losing seasons (4-6 and 3-7) the last two years under now departed head coach Mike Blochowski.

That came after a memorable 11-2 mark in 2009, when longtime coach Dick Cromwell closed his storied career with a run to the D-II regional final. Regaining that form will be the job of Hedden, who was a University of Toledo assistant for eight seasons under Tom Amstutz, and one year at Akron. Hedden has his work cut out for him with just two players back who played enough to earn letters a year ago. He will try to build around his offensive and defensive lines, but points to inexperience, a lack of depth, and unproven personnel at the skill spots on offense as possible trouble areas. The Knights were picked to place sixth in the TRAC.

"The goal of the St. Francis football program is to play the game with respect," Hedden said, "and to try to play as hard as we can every week. If we can do that, the wins will take care of themselves."

2012 ST. FRANCIS SCHEDULE

Aug. 24-Southview at UT

Aug. 31-Parma Padua at UT

Sep. 7-at Birmingham (Mich.) Brother Rice

Sep. 14-at Whitmer

Sep. 21-Clay at UT

Sep. 28-at Findlay

Oct. 5-Fremont Ross at UT

Oct. 12-Lima Senior at UT

Oct. 19-Central Catholic at UT

Oct. 26-at St. John's