2020 Team Previews: Lackawanna Trail Lions (2)

Written by: David Mika on Thursday, August 27th, 2020. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

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Head Coach: Steve Jervis

Assistant Coaches: Jim Becchetti, Chad Gibbs, Matt Landsiedel, Jeff Stage, Colin Golden, Vince Kalinoski, Steve Jervis, Sr., Tim Ronchi, Ben Simmons, Jeff Edwards

Team Name: Lackawanna Trail Lions

2019 Record: 10-4

Key Starters Lost: Nico Berrios QB/FS, Mark Dunckle OG/DE, Richard Rodenbach C/NG, Josh Brown RB/ILB, Jeffrey Resto RB/OLB, Miguel Ella WR/DB

Offensive Starters Returning: (6) Sr. FB Ray Melnikoff 5’11 220 Sr. RG Ty Vokes 5’10 200, Jr. RT R.J. Schirg 6’2 255, Jr. RB Kody Cresswell 6’0 170, Jr. WR Johnny Halter 6’0 165, So. WR Evan Litwin 6’0 155

Defensive Starters Returning: (6) Sr. ILB Ray Melnikoff 5’11 220, Jr. DT R.J. Schirg 6’2 255, Jr. DE Miles Edwards 6’1 180, Jr. OLB Kody Cresswell 6’0 170, Jr. DB Owen Lisk 6’3 170, So. DB Evan Litwin 6’0 155

Special Team Starters Returning: (4) Sr. K Ray Melnikoff 5’11 220, Jr. K/P Cole Choplosky 6’1 220, Jr. KR Tyler Rozanski 5’11 175, Jr P Johnny Halter 6’0 165

Key Newcomers: So. FB/ILB Jonah Houser 5’10 190, So. OG Austin Fortney 5’9 160, Fr. OL/DL Kolbee Soltis 5’8 220, Fr. TE/DE/K Tenzen Lewis 6’0 180, Fr. QB/OLB Stephen Jervis 5’10 160, Fr. RB/DB Lukas Gumble 5’6 150, Fr. RB/LB Hunter Patterson 6’0 150

Key Stats: We are coming off back to back District 2 ‘A” championships. We are now moving up to AA. Our roster has grown and we will need that depth as we move forward.

2020 Offensive Outlook: Sr FB Ray Melnikoff returns as a four year starter and 2x All State selection. RBs Kody Cresswell and Tyler Rozanski will provide speed to offset Ray’s powerful running style. We will need to replace the left side of our offensive line. Jr. Owen Lisk will take over the reigns from Nico Berrios at QB. Senior Rg Ty Vokes and junior R.J. Schirg return on the right side. Both Jr Johnny Halter and So Evan Litwin return at WR.

2020 Defensive Outlook: We will have to replace All-State DL Mark Dunckle who has moved on to play at Bucknell. Jr. R.J Schirg will anchor the DL along with Jr. Miles Edwards. Sr Ray Melnikoff and Jr Kody Cresswell return at LBer. Jr. Owen Lisk and Jr. Johnny Halter will take over at FS and So Evan Litwin and Jr Tyler Rozanski and Jr. Josh Oliver will man the corner positions. We will be looking to Sr Ty Vokes, Sr Kyle Austin, Jr. Cole Choplosky and Fr Kolbee Soltis to strengthen the DL. Jr. Dalten Klinges will step in at one OLB position and Sr Johann Ella and So Jonah Houser will battle for the other ILB position filling in for Josh Brown who graduated

2020 Special Teams Outlook: We return two quality punters in Cole Choplosky and Johnny Halter as well as two quality kickers in Ray Melnikoff and Cole Choplosky. Fr. Tenzen Lewis will provide depth. Tyler Rozanski returns as a return guy with quality experience