Struthers Football 2013
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BTrevLots of positives... for a change.
In Kuntz's 2nd year at the helm, the Cats will try to build off of a 6-4 season. Struthers was a win away from the playoffs last year, and just .06 behind Poland for the 8 seed in Region 11. I think the Cats are out of that region this year, and will be dropping down to Division 4. By comparison... if Struthers was in division four last year, they would have been playing at home in week 11, even with a 6-4 record.
8 starters returning on offense. 7 Seniors.
QB- Muntean #12 SR - All NEO Inland Honorable Mention last year... Has started 13 games... all 10 last year. Threw for 1100+ yards, completed 66% of his passes (by far the best in the AAC), and threw 12 TDs. I don't think he threw any interceptions in the last five games of the season.
FB- Pollifrone #21 SR - Has started 19 games at fullback the last 2 years, 9 in 2012. Stewart ran for over 200 yards 4 different times last year. Pollifrone was the lead blocker in 3 of them.
WR- Holness #10 SR - Nearly 6'5... he was the 2nd leading receiver last year. Very physical blocker. Has some D1 college potential.
LT- D. Pape #51 SR - Versatile... has started 12 games at OT... all 10 at LT last year and 2 at RT in 2011.
LG- M. Pape #58 SR - Versatile... has started 20 games at G... 10 at LG in 2012 and 10 at RG in 2011.
C- Dudley #57 SR - Started all 10 games at center in 2012.
RG- Clyde #64 SR - Started 6-7 games at RG in 2012.
TE- Suchora #45 JR - Started all 10 games at TE last year. Great blocking TE... former guard.
My guess is, Donadio can be penciled in at WR across from Holness. I think Witkowski (JR) will be the featured TB, with Pollifrone spelling him in power situations... Explanation below.
I have no idea who the RT will be.
Mike Pape broke his foot throwing in the first track meet. I don't know how much, if any, of an impact it will have come football season, but it's worth mentioning.
The defense has some holes to fill, returning just 5 starters... really, 7 of the positions are all but set though.
MIKE- Koup #17 SR - All NEO Inland Honorable Mention in 2012... 6'2/230+... has started around 15 games... 9 last year. Leading tackler last year. Lives in the weight room. D1 calibur recruit... he told me Penn State has him on their radar.
DE- Suchora #45 JR - Also plays TE... started 10 games at 5 technique defensive end last year.
NT- King #24 JR - Undersized, but quick and athletic. Started 10 games at nose tackle in 2012.
FS- Donadio #20 SR - Started all 10 games at FS last year. He also returned some punts and handled the punting chores.
CB- Moore #3 SR - Started 8 games at CB last year.
Serrano (SR) started the first 2 games at CB last year, but he was quickly benched due to blown coverages. He did have a pick 6 in the opener though. Yemma (JR) was being groomed to take over the other DE position last year, and got a lot of PT. Pollifrone has played a lot at Will LB, but mostly played offense in 2012 with Fandozzi and Stewart splitting the reps at WILL. I think Pollifrone, and maybe someone like George, can split PT there this year. Strong safety, Sam LB, and the 3 technique defensive tackle are all up for grabs.
Kuntz doesn't like having multiple starters on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see how he divides up the playing time to keep guys fresh and get the younger guys experience. He did a great job of this a year ago.
There's a few major question marks this offseason...
1. How will the offense perform without the brute force of Stewart carrying the load, and without the athleticism, speed, and big play ability from Kimbrough?
I'm confident that the 1-2 Lightning and Thunder punch of Witkowski and Pollifrone can pick up where Stewart left off. Whoever gets the featured TB gig will be capable, but I have to believe that it's Witkowski's job to lose. Moving Pollifrone to a different position on offense would mean replacing the best lead blocker on the team with someone with no Varsity experience, or someone that is already established on defense like Koup or Yemma. I think Pollifrone could thrive in a tweener FB/TB role, like Turnbull played in Poland last year. They found a way to get the ball in Turnbull's hands, and got Ayello some valuable experience while still keeping Turnbull at FB most of the time. Now Poland is set up nicely, with Ayello at FB and Gould/Ramirez at TB. Anyway... Kuntz did tease moving Pollifrone from FB to TB this year, so I don't know. Struthers fullbacks have successfully made the adjustment to tailback in the past, Livesay in 2002 and Valiquette in 2006 and 2007 come to mind. I'll be in favor of whatever Kuntz decides to do.
Holness and Donadio can both burn, but neither has the elusiveness of Kimbrough. Holness had the dropsies last year, and Donadio doesn't have much Varsity experience at WR. They both have a lot of potential though.
I think the offense can be just as productive in 2013, if not more so. Muntean will be one of the best quarterbacks in NE Ohio. The offensive line should be the strength of the team again. The offense is battle tested and loaded with Senior leadership across the board.
2. How will the defense fill all of the holes?
Other than Yemma for Seiffert at Bandit/DE and Serrano for Wess at CB, the other spots being vacated are blank. Maybe Pollifrone/George for Fandozzi at Will LB. Maybe Holness for Baron at 3 technique DT. There will be opportunities for Juniors and Sophomores to step up and earn some PT right away... especially on the DL and at both OLB positions. Lariccia will definitely be missed.
I'm not sure what the schedule will look like. I think it's the same as last year, just with the home and away games switched. I don't know if they'll play Beaver Local again in week 7, since BL got out of the AAC.
Let's get it started... Go Cats!! -
BigDean1
Thanks for the info. It looks like Struthers could have a good year. Week one is at Campbell on THURSDAY 8/29. Based on the information you have listed, I as a Campbell fan prefer to see the Red Devils playing the 'Cats in week one instead of later in the year.BTrev;1443101 wrote:Lots of positives... for a change.
In Kuntz's 2nd year at the helm, the Cats will try to build off of a 6-4 season. Struthers was a win away from the playoffs last year, and just .06 behind Poland for the 8 seed in Region 11. I think the Cats are out of that region this year, and will be dropping down to Division 4. By comparison... if Struthers was in division four last year, they would have been playing at home in week 11, even with a 6-4 record.
8 starters returning on offense. 7 Seniors.
QB- Muntean #12 SR - All NEO Inland Honorable Mention last year... Has started 13 games... all 10 last year. Threw for 1100+ yards, completed 66% of his passes (by far the best in the AAC), and threw 12 TDs. I don't think he threw any interceptions in the last five games of the season.
FB- Pollifrone #21 SR - Has started 19 games at fullback the last 2 years, 9 in 2012. Stewart ran for over 200 yards 4 different times last year. Pollifrone was the lead blocker in 3 of them.
WR- Holness #10 SR - Nearly 6'5... he was the 2nd leading receiver last year. Very physical blocker. Has some D1 college potential.
LT- D. Pape #51 SR - Versatile... has started 12 games at OT... all 10 at LT last year and 2 at RT in 2011.
LG- M. Pape #58 SR - Versatile... has started 20 games at G... 10 at LG in 2012 and 10 at RG in 2011.
C- Dudley #57 SR - Started all 10 games at center in 2012.
RG- Clyde #64 SR - Started 6-7 games at RG in 2012.
TE- Suchora #45 JR - Started all 10 games at TE last year. Great blocking TE... former guard.
My guess is, Donadio can be penciled in at WR across from Holness. I think Witkowski (JR) will be the featured TB, with Pollifrone spelling him in power situations... Explanation below.
I have no idea who the RT will be.
Mike Pape broke his foot throwing in the first track meet. I don't know how much, if any, of an impact it will have come football season, but it's worth mentioning.
The defense has some holes to fill, returning just 5 starters... really, 7 of the positions are all but set though.
MIKE- Koup #17 SR - All NEO Inland Honorable Mention in 2012... 6'2/230+... has started around 15 games... 9 last year. Leading tackler last year. Lives in the weight room. D1 calibur recruit... he told me Penn State has him on their radar.
DE- Suchora #45 JR - Also plays TE... started 10 games at 5 technique defensive end last year.
NT- King #24 JR - Undersized, but quick and athletic. Started 10 games at nose tackle in 2012.
FS- Donadio #20 SR - Started all 10 games at FS last year. He also returned some punts and handled the punting chores.
CB- Moore #3 SR - Started 8 games at CB last year.
Serrano (SR) started the first 2 games at CB last year, but he was quickly benched due to blown coverages. He did have a pick 6 in the opener though. Yemma (JR) was being groomed to take over the other DE position last year, and got a lot of PT. Pollifrone has played a lot at Will LB, but mostly played offense in 2012 with Fandozzi and Stewart splitting the reps at WILL. I think Pollifrone, and maybe someone like George, can split PT there this year. Strong safety, Sam LB, and the 3 technique defensive tackle are all up for grabs.
Kuntz doesn't like having multiple starters on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see how he divides up the playing time to keep guys fresh and get the younger guys experience. He did a great job of this a year ago.
There's a few major question marks this offseason...
1. How will the offense perform without the brute force of Stewart carrying the load, and without the athleticism, speed, and big play ability from Kimbrough?
I'm confident that the 1-2 Lightning and Thunder punch of Witkowski and Pollifrone can pick up where Stewart left off. Whoever gets the featured TB gig will be capable, but I have to believe that it's Witkowski's job to lose. Moving Pollifrone to a different position on offense would mean replacing the best lead blocker on the team with someone with no Varsity experience, or someone that is already established on defense like Koup or Yemma. I think Pollifrone could thrive in a tweener FB/TB role, like Turnbull played in Poland last year. They found a way to get the ball in Turnbull's hands, and got Ayello some valuable experience while still keeping Turnbull at FB most of the time. Now Poland is set up nicely, with Ayello at FB and Gould/Ramirez at TB. Anyway... Kuntz did tease moving Pollifrone from FB to TB this year, so I don't know. Struthers fullbacks have successfully made the adjustment to tailback in the past, Livesay in 2002 and Valiquette in 2006 and 2007 come to mind. I'll be in favor of whatever Kuntz decides to do.
Holness and Donadio can both burn, but neither has the elusiveness of Kimbrough. Holness had the dropsies last year, and Donadio doesn't have much Varsity experience at WR. They both have a lot of potential though.
I think the offense can be just as productive in 2013, if not more so. Muntean will be one of the best quarterbacks in NE Ohio. The offensive line should be the strength of the team again. The offense is battle tested and loaded with Senior leadership across the board.
2. How will the defense fill all of the holes?
Other than Yemma for Seiffert at Bandit/DE and Serrano for Wess at CB, the other spots being vacated are blank. Maybe Pollifrone/George for Fandozzi at Will LB. Maybe Holness for Baron at 3 technique DT. There will be opportunities for Juniors and Sophomores to step up and earn some PT right away... especially on the DL and at both OLB positions. Lariccia will definitely be missed.
I'm not sure what the schedule will look like. I think it's the same as last year, just with the home and away games switched. I don't know if they'll play Beaver Local again in week 7, since BL got out of the AAC.
Let's get it started... Go Cats!! -
Spread All Day
RT is going to be sinkovich, started a few games at guard.
Pollifrone should see the bulk of the carries with Yemma at FB. T least what I've heard. -
BTrev
I thought Sinkovich would be in the mix at RT... I just wasn't sure, because he played guard. He started the games that Clyde missed with injury. That would mean 5 Seniors up front, and all 6 linemen started last year... I'm counting TE as part of the OL, since Suchora won't be a receiving threat.Spread All Day;1443453 wrote:RT is going to be sinkovich, started a few games at guard.
Pollifrone should see the bulk of the carries with Yemma at FB. T least what I've heard.
Pollifrone at TB and Yemma at FB would work. Yemma split reps at FB in the Canfield game (Pollifrone was injured) and Stewart ran for 248 and 4 TDs.
That would make Timmy Mackey (SOPH) the JV QB this year, and presuming that Yemma stays at FB/DE in 2014, Muntean's apparent successor. I know that's a long long way away, but it doesn't hurt to know that there's another QB with star potential in waiting. -
Spread All Day
Mackie will be very good in a few years no doubt. Mooney was all over him. His family has loyalty though.
Interested to see who steps up as the best Wr. Obvious choice is holness, but he's really shaky. -
BTrevStruthers wil be in D4 the next couple of years.
2013 Schedule
8/30 - @Campbell (D5)
9/6 - Lakeview (D4)
9/13 - Field (D4)
9/20 - @ Brookfield (D6)
9/27 - Hubbard (D3)
10/4 - @ Poland (D3)
10/11 - Beaver Local (D3)
10/18 @ Canfield (D3)
10/25 - Niles (D3)
11/1 - @ Howland (D3)
Exactly the same as last year, just the home and away games are switched. I'm not sure if the opener is on the 29th (a Thursday) or the 30th (a Friday). Last year, it was on a Thursday. JJ/Joe Eitel has it listed on the 30th, so that's what I went with.
99 days... -
BigDean1
BTrev, on the Campbell City Schools website the opener is listed as being on Thursday August 29th.
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BTrev
The 29th is probably right then.BigDean1;1447618 wrote:BTrev, on the Campbell City Schools website the opener is listed as being on Thursday August 29th.
97 days... -
Ohio
Still don't know what they are going to do offensively, should be a few kinks to work to their advantage with the loss of kimbrough and stew. Meko and Donnadio will prolly be 1-2 for the receivers. Good thing is polifrone can catch the ball out of the backfield -
steubbigred
Just wanted to give you a bigSpread All Day;1443453 wrote:RT is going to be sinkovich, started a few games at guard.
Pollifrone should see the bulk of the carries with Yemma at FB. T least what I've heard.
LMAO!! Karma is a __________ -
BTrev
What on Earth are you talking about?steubbigred;1457712 wrote:Just wanted to give you a big LMAO!! Karma is a __________ -
Spread All Day
Not sure what hes talking about, can the mods please block all IP addresses from below columbiana county???
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Spread All Day
I guess the hubbard posters across the valley forget that beating the wildcats gave them at home last year!
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BigDean1
Not so sure about the 29th. Joe Eitel posted schedules and has it as the 30th, which is Friday. Who knows?BTrev;1448023 wrote:The 29th is probably right then.
97 days... -
Spread All Day
It says the 29th all throughout the Struthers locker room and its the 29th among the players too.. idkBigDean1;1466197 wrote:Not so sure about the 29th. Joe Eitel posted schedules and has it as the 30th, which is Friday. Who knows? -
Spread All Day
definitely thursday
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reddevil90
Hope it gets my valley game of the week. It deserves it. Hope the game don't get snuffed again this year. -
Spread All Day
Does it this season? I don't think it'll warrant that much attention from local media.
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BigDean1
It doesn't make any difference to me. I'll be there watching it live and in person. Unless one is among an elite group of fans who remember the Struthers-Campbell rivalry as it once was, it's just another game.Spread All Day;1468245 wrote:Does it this season? I don't think it'll warrant that much attention from local media. -
Spread All Day
It'll never just be another game. The kids (i hope) still regard this one and Poland as their biggest of the year. Maybe Poland a little more this season but The school up the hill is still very important to The Wildcats
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BigDean1
Spread, I believe you may be misunderstanding me. Back in the day the rivalry involved the communities in a big, big way. The student bodies were totally into it. These days, it's just the players and a choice few fans who remember the rivalry as it once was. It's not the same. It's nowhere near what it once was.Spread All Day;1469129 wrote:It'll never just be another game. The kids (i hope) still regard this one and Poland as their biggest of the year. Maybe Poland a little more this season but The school up the hill is still very important to The Wildcats -
Spread All Day
^ I can respect that.
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reddevil90
BigDean1;1469548 wrote:Spread, I believe you may be misunderstanding me. Back in the day the rivalry involved the communities in a big, big way. The student bodies were totally into it. These days, it's just the players and a choice few fans who remember the rivalry as it once was. It's not the same. It's nowhere near what it once was.
All you have to do is watch the struthers and campbell game from 89 and 90 i posted.... -
BigDean1
I believe the rivalry was at its peak during the glory days of the Steel Valley Conference, although the days of the Mahoning Valley Conference were a close second.
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Spread All Day
The towns arent the same anymore. The passion isnt there with most of the kids.