Offensive Preview:
Northwestern Lehigh returns senior quarterback Frank Dangello who passed for 1,306 yards and 17 touchdowns. This will be his third year starting at quarterback.
“He first started as a sophomore and threw for 1,100 yards as a sophomore. He has really grown as a quarterback and a leader on our team. He’s good at throwing the ball on the run and he owns almost every passing record in our school.”
Going into his senior year look for Frank to be a threat passing and running the ball.
“Most of what we did is moving him around. We are excited at what he can do with running the ball his senior season. He’s a threat throwing and running. Everything we do is off a play action or a roll or sprint out. He’s a very accurate passer. He has worked really hard on his long ball and look for us to do more of that this year.”
Going into the 2014 season, The Tigers will have balance with a good running and passing attack. They have receivers that will stretch the field and keep defenses off balance.
“This year our defense is going to load the box and that’s fine. We have some weapons outside that we haven’t had before. We feel we will be really balanced this year.”
At running back they return Harry Hall who rushed for 1,571 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.
“Last year going into the season we new he was going to be in the mix at running back. But he got better and better each week. When he runs he hits the hole harder than anyone I have ever seen. As the season went on he got better and better at running the ball. He learned to be patient and still hit the hole hard. Last year he was a slasher type runner and fought for tough yards. This year he’s bigger and stronger and faster. He’s our main guy who’s going to get the bulk of the carries.”
Junior fullback Dyaln Snyder returns. He will be a three-year starter.
“He’s not your prototypical fullback. He’s 5-foot-7, 150-pounds and has really good hands. He was in the slot his freshman year. He’s a kid that just consistently makes plays. It could be a block or a run. To change the pace we’re going to put him at tailback sometimes to give Harry a break or someone else.”
Joe Colucci will come in at fullback.
“He did a good job last year when he was in for us.”
Cameron Richardson will get some carries at tailback. He rushed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns last year.
“He’s our starting H-Back. We do a lot of speed motion and rocket tosses and hand offs to try and get him the ball different ways. He’s going to have five to 10 carries a game.”
Sophomore Tyler Foster will be in the mix and will get some reps.
“Last year as a freshman, he was getting carries but he had a hip injury that took him out for the season. He has looked good in camp so far and we’re excited to see what he’s going to bring this year. He opened our eyes last year as a freshman.”
If the Tigers are going to have a good running game they need a good offensive line. They return three starters from last year’s team.
Senior George Hadda is a returning offensive tackle.
“He’s one of our captains. He has been in and out as a starter the past three years. He will be an anchor on our line. He brings a lot of experience to the line.”
Senior Jason Pechacek moved to center this year. He started some games last year and is a two-year starter.
“We had a really good center graduate last year and we are looking for Jason to fill his shoes. We ask our center to pull sometimes in our sprint out. He’s a very athletic kid and is doing a nice job in camp so far.”
Junior Chet Karpyn is returning and will play guard this year.
“He’s a very solid lineman. He started as a freshman on defense. He’s very strong and athletic. He played well down the stretch last year and we want him to pickup where he left off.”
Chris Trumbauerwill be the other tackle.
“He played mainly defense and started two years. He played a little bit of offense last year. He will be a two-way starter. He’s a big kid and very strong.”
Our other guard will be Matt Shields.
“He’s new on the varsity level but has a ton of talent, is very athletic and can run. He can block and got a lot stronger.”
A couple of other guys that will backup the starters are Carter Mell and Brandon Schrader at guard. Jacob Schnur and Tyler Schappell are the backup tackles.
The Tigers moved Taylor Breininger from running back to wide receiver this year.
“I think he’s going to give us something we haven’t had at receiver maybe ever and that is a deep threat. He runs really good routes and has great hands. I think with him and Cam we will keep defenses off balance.”
Cameron Richardson caught 34 passes for 625 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He’s going to be a three-year starter.
“He set the school record last year for catches in a season. He will mainly play slot and will move outside a few times. He’s very fast and has a knack for making plays. We like to move him around and get him the ball different ways. He’s our playmaker.”
They have a battle at tight end between two kids. They are Andrew Sorenson and Dylan Lobach. Dylan has the slight edge so far in camp.
“They are similar players. We should know more with another week of camp.”
Sophomore Trevor Cunningham will be in the mix.
Defensive Preview:
The Tigers return two guys from the defensive line. They both are defensive tackles and both are three-year starters. They are Chet Karpyn and Chris Trumbauer.
“We have some depth there and we feel those two guys can dominate. We’re excited about stopping the run with these two guys.”
The two end spots are a battle between three guys. George Haddad is one of those guys.
“He was starting toward the end of the season last year.”
Matt Shields and Jason Paycheck are the other two guys battling for the end position.
Andrew Sorenson could be in the mix as a pass rushing defensive end.
“We have experience and depth on the line and we can rotate guys in and keep people fresh.”
At linebacker the Tigers return three players from last year’s team. Taylor Breininger and Joseph Colucci are both two-year starters at outside linebacker.
“Taylor was a playmaker for us last year. He accounted for 11 turnovers last year whether it was causing a fumble or intercepting a pass. He had at least three defensive touchdowns last year. He makes us go defensively. If you need a play, Taylor is there to make one. He’s just that type of player.”
Harry Hall returns at middle backer and Teagen Golden will be the fourth guy and start at middle linebacker.
“Those four guys started there the last three our four games last year. Dylan Lobach is another kid that will get time at middle backer. Tyler Foster will be the first guy in at outside linebacker.”
Cameron Richardson and Dylan Snyder are back in the secondary. Dylan started last year at safety and Cameron is a cover corner.
“Dylan is the guy that we rely on making all the calls backs there. Cam has become more vocal back there and one of our leaders.”
Frank Dangello played some corner last year and will come in and start at the other corner spot.
Trevor Cunningham, Ryan Hippensteel and Brett Schillinger are guys that will add depth in the secondary.
“Brett is more of a safety and Ryan can play both. Trevor will be the first corner to come in.”
Special Teams Preview:
Cameron Richardson and Taylor Breininger will start the season as the punt returners. Dylan Snyder will be in the mix.
“We had trouble catching the ball last year and these two guys will be the returners.”
Harry Hall, Cameron and Taylor will be the three returning kicks.
Brandon Miller is the returning kicker and punter.
Frank Dangello returns as the long snapper.
2013 Record: 9-3 (7-3 conference)
HOME FIELD: Tiger Stadium
HEAD COACH: Josh Snyder 3rd year (9-3 record in 2013, 12-10 overall)
OFFENSE:
(Returning 8 of 11 starters)
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Cameron Richardson SR. ATHLETE
Harry Hall JR. RB
Frank Dangello SR. QB
Taylor Breininger SR. WR
Dyaln Snyder JR. FB
George Hadda SR. OT
Jason Pechacek SR C
Chet Karpyn JR. OG
DEFENSE:
(Returning 7 of 11 starters)
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Chet Karpyn jr.DT
Harry Hall jr. MLB
Taylor Breininger sr. OLB
Chris Trumbauer sr. DT
Cameron Richardson sr. CB
Dylan Snyder so. S
Joseph Colucci jr. OLB
TEAM STRENGTH:
-Returning 16 out of 22 starters on both sides of the ball. Offensive skill positions contain good speed and agility. Offensive and defensive linemen have gotten bigger and stronger over the offseason and should gel nicely together in 2014.
TEAM OUTLOOK
-The tigers will look to improve on their 9-3, 2a eastern conference championship season in 2014. They return a strong nucleus of players that helped turn a 3-7 team into a 9-3 team. They have a strong stable of skill players and are looking for a group of leaders to step up in the lineman positions.
STATS:
Cameron Richardson: 1st team all state db in 2013. 310 yds rushing 3 tds, 34 rec 625 7 tds.
Frank Dangello: 1,306 yards passing and 17 touchdowns
Harry Hall: 1,571 yds rushing 16 tds
