40 Teams in 40 Days – Day 13 – North Penn (1)

Written by: David Mika on Saturday, August 3rd, 2013. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

North Penn (1)

Conference: Suburban One League, Continental Conference

Class: AAAA

Nickname: Knights

Coach: Dick Beck

2012 Record: 6-4

Returning Players – Offense: OG/OT Frank Tranzilli; QB Austin Shearer; RB Kris Atkins; Sr. RB Nick Wright; RB Luke Berry

Returning Players – Defense: Sr. DT Jesse Cook; Sr. LB Nick Wright; CB Kris Atkins; S Zach Brandis

Special Teams: “We graduated our kicker/punter and we have a competition at those positions. Doing the kick and punt duties are guys like Kris Atkins, Marquise Watson and Mike Liddy.”

Top Newcomers: OG Alex Eppinger; OT Andrew Thomas; TE Connor Gill; WR Brandon Quinn; CB Mike Liddy

Coaches comments:

How’s your offensive line?

“The only returning starter on the offensive line is Frank Tranzilli. He will play offensive guard and tackle. Alex Eppinger will start at guard. Andrew Thomas will start at offensive tackle. Jarred Siddal and Ryan Nowicki will battle for the starting center spot. Nick Argento could play the other tackle.”

Do you have your quarterback back?

“Yes, his name is Austin Shearer. He was a part-time starter last year. He started half the games for us last year. He’s more of a pocket passer.”

How’s your running game look?

“The three guys that will get the majority of the carries are Kris Atkins, Nick Wright and Luke Berry. They all got some playing time last year. Luke is more of a battering ram fullback. Nick is a hybrid between a fullback and halfback. He’s a north-south runner and he has very good hands. Kris is more of a pure running back and is a nice receiver out of the back field.”

How do your receivers look?

“We have a transfer in. His name is Connor Gill. He’s going to play a lot of tight end. Brandon Quinn will get some playing time at receiver. Michae Liddy, Zach Brandis and Lewis Dickinson will get some playing time.”

How’s your defensive line?

“Jesse Cook is a returning defensive tackle. He is the only returning starter on the line. Nick Muth, Alex Eppinger and Frank Tranzilli will play the other spots.”

How about your linebackers?

“Nick Wright is a returning starter from last year. The rest of the guys are newcomers. They are Connor Gill, Mike Burns and Isaih Swint and they will see some playing time this year.”

How’s your secondary?

“Kris Akins is back and will be a three-year starter. He plays corner. He is a good tackler and he is good in the zone defense. He brings a lot of experience and is a good cover guy.”

“Zach Brandis started the last three games last year and will start at one of the safety positions. Lewis Dickinson will start at the other safety position. Mike Liddy will be a first year starter.”

What are your strengths on both sides of the ball?

“The running game will be our strength on offense. We are returning three players. Our line averages about 250-260 pounds from tackle to tackle. The secondary is our strength on defense and is led by Kris Akins.”

What are your keys on both sides of the ball this year?

“On offense we can’t turn the ball over and the O-line needs to mesh early. We are inexperienced up front and we need to play well as an offensive line. I think defensively we need to find out our front four. Who they are and develop them as the season goes on.”

2013 Schedule

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