2020 Team Preview: Wallenpaupack Buckhorns (2)

Written by: David Mika on Monday, August 17th, 2020. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

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Team: Wallenpaupack Buckhorns HS

2019 record: 3-7

Head Coach: Mark Watson

Assistant Coaches: Jay Haupt, John Myers, Rich Palazzi, Justin Hayney, Lenny Spoor, Tim Tirjan, Zach Blau, Jeff Wentzell, Lou Palazzi, Aaron Lenz,

Key Starters Lost: Brandon King C/NT, JT Tirjan DB, Matt Horak DB, Zyler Blau OL, Josh Cruz OLB/TE, Anthony Dalessio WR

Offensive Starters Returning: (7)
Alex Gardsy – Sr. QB (5’8, 170)
Seamus Smith – Sr. FB (6’1, 210)
Shadrak Agyei – Junior TB (5’10, 170)
Jeremy King – Junior T (6’2, 300)
Jeff Williams – Junior T (6’2, 300)
Liam Smith – Sr. G (6’1, 230)
Hunter Vargo – Sr. WR (5’10, 170)

Defensive Starters Returning: (7)
Mabret Levant – Junior DB (5’10, 185)
TJ Schmalzle – Junior DB (5’9, 175)
Lenny Ruggieri – Sr. LB (5’7, 180)
Seamus Smith – Sr. LB (6’1 210)
Mike Fitzgerald – Soph. DL (6’1, 270)
Nick Parrella – Sr. DL (5’8, 200)
Tommy Dowd – Sr. OLB (6’, 175)

Special Team Starters Returning: (2)
Roman Levant – Soph. K (5’9”, 160)
Mabret Levant – Junior P (5’10”, 185)

Key Newcomers:
Chris Quigley – Junior DB (6’0”, 155)
Justin Stella – Junior WR (5’7”, 145)
Sam Filip – Soph. OL/DL (5’10”, 335)
Charles Hamm – Soph. OL/DL (5’10, 250)
Frank Magistro – Senior LB (5’8”, 185)
Tyler Kapschull – Junior WR (5’9”, 135)

Key Stats:

Offense:
SR – QB Alex Gardsy (747 yds passing 4 TD, 368 yds rushing 4 TD)
SR – FB Seamus Smith (137 yds rushing, 1 TD)
JR – TB Shadrak Agyei (807 yds rushing 3 TD, 13 catches)

Defense:

SR – DT Nick Parrella (41 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 FR)
SR – OLB Tommy Dowd (46 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 FR)
SR – LB Lenny Ruggieri (33 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 FR)
SR – LB Seamus Smith (65 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 FR)
JR – C Mabret Levant (32 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR)
JR – C TJ Schmalzle (56 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 INT, 3 FR)

2020 Outlook:

Offense: We started 7 underclassmen so we will need to build on that experience from last year. Our backfield is all back and we have some big boys on the line of scrimmage which should be very beneficial. In the passing game, we need to be more efficient. In the running game, we need to do a better job in our knowledge of our schemes, leading to less mental mistakes.

Defense: We started 7 underclassmen so we will need to build on that experience from last year. It seemed like every time there was a big play, we could watch film and see a breakdown in assignment. So, a better knowledge of our system and the assignments associated with each call. With a year under their belt this group should perform much better but depth will be an issue at some key positions.

Special Team: Our special teams should be a strength with our kicker and punter both back following a very good season.

SO – K Roman Levant (XP 13-14, FG 6-9 (including a 42 yd FG))
JR – P Mabret Levant (37-1129, 30.5 avg)

D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects:

Roman Levant – Soph. K