2021 Team Preview: Northern York Polar Bears

Written by: David Mika on Monday, August 23rd, 2021. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

 

Head Football Coach: Bill Miller 20th year as a head coach (6th at Northern) (14 at Dover) (30th overall)

Varsity Assistants:
Brad Livingston
Scott Link
Pat Hicks
Marty Green
Robbie Bleiler
Jason Stacknick
Dave Borrell
Greg Bowman
Donnie Bell
Aaron McClintock
Dom Salomone

Jr. High Head Coach:
Chuck Thomas

Jr. High Assistants:
Kyle Goss

2020 Season: 5 – 4 *loss in DIII first round to ELCO

District: 3

Class: AAAA

League: Mid-Penn Conference, Colonial Division

Key Losses to Graduation:
Jordan Heisey 12th (QB/DB)
Hunter Fitterling 12th (OL/LB)
Hunter Hertzog 12th (OL/DL)
Nick Fekete 12th (OL/DL)
Zach Mowchan 12th (RB/LB)
Bay Blaschak 12th (OL/DL)
Blake Cruz. 12th (RB/WR/LB)
Tyler Weary 12th (WR/DB)
Joe Kostelac 12th (TE/LB)
Zach Beam 12th (WR/DB)
Josh Ford 12th (OL/DL)

Key Returners:
Aydan Digrugilliers 12th (WR/DB)
Sean Sarley 12th (RB/LB)
AJ Vail 12th (OL/DL)
Fred Hunter 12th (OL/DL)
Trenton Peach 12th (WR/LB)
Talon Belluscio 11th (RB/LB)
Timmy Bonin 11th (QB/DB)
Mason Yohn 11th (WR/DB/P/K)

2020 Returning Player Stats:

Aydan Digrugilliers caught four passes for 56 yards. On defense, he had 19 total tackles and one interception.

Sean Sarley had 28 total tackles.

AJ Vail had 29 total tackles and 4 TFL.

Fred Hunter had 17 total tackles and 1 TFL.

Trenton Peach caught 23 passes for 251 yards. On defense, he had 29 total tackles and one sack.

Talon Belluscio rushed for 248 yards on 52 carries and five touchdowns.

Timmy Bonin completed 2 of 2 passes for 19 yards.

Mason Yohn caught four passes for 54 yards. On defense, he had 21 total tackles and one interception. 

Strengths for 2021: A small in number, but motivated senior class is a hopeful sign. Many underclassmen will be getting plenty of experience this year as well. Team-leading wide receiver Trenton Peach returns as well. Also returning is junior kicker/punter Mason Yohn who had a very successful sophomore year kicking in 2020 gathering All-State notice as both a kicker and punter.

Weaknesses for 2021: Continued development of the offensive line which returns only 2 regulars in AJ Vail and Fred Hunter is a concern. The development of a stable running game behind the main tailback is a focus this year as well. Continued development at the QB position is a primary focus.

Coaches Outlook: There exist many question marks among the small, but motivated senior class. We are hoping that this class will develop the kind of leadership quality that they have enjoyed in their junior years. Returning to district play (but early exit) should be a source of motivation for this group to continue the winning tradition of the past and revisited the last 6 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 the main concern. 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 2021.

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