2020 Team Previews: Minersville Area Battlin’ Miners (11)

Written by: David Mika on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

🏈 EASTERN PA FOOTBALL ON ROKFIN: If you enjoy Eastern PA Football’s ongoing coverage of football in Pennsylvania, please consider subscribing to my Rokfin channel here. Subscribers get full access to all of my player rankings, previews, stats, recruiting news and more – as well as full access to other Rokfin channels like Tom Lemming’s Prep Football Report, NFL Draft Scout and College Football Today.

Head Coach: Justin Frantz

Assistant Coaches:
Jeff Polinsky
Scott Schwalm
Scott Yagielniskie
Gino Yourey
Chad Marquardt
Matt Hirsch
Steve Smulley
Dan Hopkins
Mike Litwak
Brett Polinsky
Jeff Tobin
Dave King
Dylan Reber

Team Name: Minersville Area Battlin’ Miners

2019 Record: 5-5

Key Starters Lost:
Scott Schwalm QB/DB
Noah Woodford RB/DB
Carter Melochick WR
Blaine Fritz DL
Ethan Bulino OL/DL
Jayden Eubanks DE
Tallin Chupick OL/LB
Mike Cuttitta DL

Offensive Starters Returning: (6)
Sr. WR Gabe Davis, 6-2, 185
Sr. C Dyllan Smith, 5-9, 220
Sr. WR Ryan Andrucheck, 5-9, 165
Jr. WR Jared Graeff, 5-10, 175
Jr. Ath John Adams, 5-10, 175
Soph. WR Brock Polinsky, 5-10, 170

Defensive Starters Returning: (7)
Sr. DB Gabe Davis, 6-2, 185
Sr. DL Dyllan Smith, 5-9, 220
Jr. DB Jared Graeff, 5-10, 175
Jr. DB John Adams, 5-10, 175
Jr. DE Jason Petrozino, 5-11, 200
Jr. DE Luke Tobin, 5-10, 200
Soph. DB Brock Polinsky, 5-10, 170

Special Team Starters Returning: (2)
Sr. P Jimmy Chicora, 6-0, 190
Jr. K John Adams, 5-10, 175

Key Newcomers:
Sr. OL/DL Taylor McGovern, 5-8 180
Sr. WR/LB Tony Bradshaw, 6-1, 180
Sr. TE/DL Avery Rumberger, 6-2, 190
Jr. RB/LB Dakota Fitzpatrick, 5-8, 170
Jr. WR/DL Tristan Miller, 6-1, 195
Jr. OL/LB Mike Rizzardi, 5-11, 205
Soph. OL/DL Ronnie Beach, 5-9, 200
Soph. OL/LB James Dube, 5-10, 185
Soph. RB/DB Aaron Laudeman, 5-9, 165
Soph. WR/DB Ray Snyder, 5-8, 150
Fr. RB/LB Luke Stevenosky, 5-8, 170
Fr. RB/LB Connor Schwalm, 5-10, 175
Fr. WR/DB Lorenzo Yourey, 6-1, 165
Fr. OL/DL Marques Barnhardt, 5-10, 190
Fr. OL/DL Cade Schultz 5-10, 190
Fr. OL/DL Juan Perez, 5-9, 180
Fr. OL/LB Kash Tobin, 5-7, 165
Fr. WR/DB Blake Wesler, 5-6, 150

Key Stats: Return All State WRs Gabe Davis and Jared Graeff. John Adams moves from RB/WR last year to QB this year. Has to take over for Minersville’s most successful QB, Scottie Schwalm.

2020 Offensive Outlook: John Adams takes over the offense from all-everything QB Scottie Schwalm (set all Minersville QB records). Adams has a different skill set so the offensive will be changing to a more zone-run oriented attack. The team will look to move to a no-huddle up-tempo style to use the athletic ability throughout the roster. A small, but athletic, offensive line will be the key to the season. If they can move and protect the QB, the Miners should be able to put up a lot of yards and points. As always, the main key is to keep everyone healthy. With speed up and down the roster, Minersville should be able to move the ball with some success. The impressive freshmen class will have to step up early and adapt to varsity football in order to help this team succeed.

2020 Defensive Outlook: A new defensive scheme this year should let the Miners put more of their athletes on the field. They must be able to stop the run this season in order to have a successful year. Returning 3 DB starters will help and also a defensive line that have all played a lot of football. The biggest question mark this season is who will line up in the linebacker roles. If the Miners can find two solid backers, they can have a nice season on the defensive side of the ball.

2020 Special Teams Outlook: Our punter and kicker both return after having very good seasons last year. Our special teams were strong and we must continue that this year. A more attacking-style special teams system has been put in place, so the young team must adapt quickly.