2017 Team Preview – Northern Polar Bears (3)

Written by: David Mika on Thursday, August 24th, 2017. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Football Coach:          Bill Miller 16^th year as a head coach                   (2^nd at Northern) (14 at Dover) (27^th overall)

Varsity Assistants:         Brad Livingston, Scott Link, Brian Robison, Pat Hicks, Marty Green, Robbie Bleiler, Jason Stacknick

Jr. High Head Coach:         Chuck Thomas

Jr. High Assistants:         AJ McKay, Craig Hertzog, Hank Sanders

Record in 2016: 7 – 4 District Qualifier (1^st round)

2017 Schedule:

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 4-4, 4-3

Key Losses to Graduation:         

Curtis Robison 12^th (QB/LB)

Kyle Goss 12^th (OL/DL)

Austin Wenger 12^th (OL/LB)

Joey Razzano 12^th (WR/DB)

Dylan Baxter 12^th (WR/DB)

John Kearney 12^th (WR/DB)

Jared Sutch 12^th (TE/LB)

Aiden Alves 12^th (K)

 

Key Returners:

Nick Lerew 12^th (OL/LB)

Kyle Swartz 10^th (RB/LB)

Blake Sanchez 12^th (OL/DL)

Jake Coover 12^th (RB/LB)

Steve Yurchison 12^th (WR/LB)

AJ Lodovici 12^th (TE/LB)

Zarrick Jordan 12^th (RB/DL)

Spencer Breski 11^th (OL/DL)

Wyatt Lewis 12^th (RB/DL)

Joe Samsel 11^th (OL/LB)

 

 Strengths for 2017: Several returning offensive lineman, linebackers,and backfield personnel highlight a bright spot for a team that lost 20 seniors from 2016. Returning starters Nick Lerew, Blake Sanchez, Joe Samsel, AJ Lodovici, and Spencer Breski head an experienced offensive line. Kyle Swartz returns following an excellent freshman campaign as tailback and Jake Coover returns as another running back with experience. Lerew, Lodovici, Coover, and Steve Yurchison return as linebackers on the defensive side along with Wyatt Lewis and Zarrick Jordan as defensive linemen.

 

Weaknesses for 2017: Several questions need to be answered in the quarterback position as the team suffers the graduation of 3-year starter Curtis Robison. There is also a need for receiver and defensive backfield personnel to fill the gaps from graduation in those areas as well. Graduation of 20 seniors from last year’s very successful squad will create some large shoes to fill.

 

Coaches Outlook: There exist many question marks among the senior class. We are hoping that this class will develop the kind of leadership quality that they have enjoyed in their junior years. Coming off our second consecutive district appearance in a long time should be a source of motivation for this group to continue the winning tradition of the past and revisited the last 2 seasons.

We are trying to find ways to motivate players to put more dedication into the program. Continuing to develop a strong running game is always main concern. Through a change in our summer workouts and attending a team camp at Lebanon Valley, we hope to develop positive team unity. The emergence of several underclassmen is seen as a positive. We will continue to try to develop model citizens as well as good football players through the use of stricter team policies and practices. Overall, the coaches are excited about this group of returning players in addition to the younger players, and are looking forward to 2017.

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