2015 Team Preview – Loyalsock Township (4) – Small School Team # 6

Head Coach: Justin Van Fleet

Assistant Coaches: OC Andy Brown; DC Matt Palmatier; DB, WR Dustin Brouse; OL, DL, JV Joe Difrancesco; ILB, OL Duane Van Fleet; LB, RB Zac Hanner; QB, JV Denny Stopper; OL, DL Don Kinney

Team Name: Loyalsock Township Lancers

2014 Record: 9-4

2015 Team Schedule

Key loses: Kyle Datres, Fletcher Quigley, Kaden Stensland, Aaron Weaver

Offensive Starters Returning: (9) Sr. OG Dan Harrison, 6-3, 315; Sr. OT Justin Wood, 6’4, 305; Jr. OG Crae McCracken, 6-3, 260; Sr. OL Braden Ray, 6-0, 225; Sr. FB Nate Rainey, 5-10, 230; Jr. C Patrick Swink, 5-11, 175; Sr. WR Nate Krizan 6-0, 175; Jr. TB Marty Clark, 5-10, 190; Jr. SS Gee Davis, 6-0, 180

Defensive Starters Returning: (9) Jr. CB Marcus Williams 5’10, 175; Sr. DT Dan Harrison, 6-3, 315; Sr. DT Justin Wood, 6’4, 305; Jr. LB/DE Crae McCracken, 6-3, 260; Sr. DE Braden Ray, 6-0, 225; Sr. LB Nate Rainey, 5-10, 230; Jr. CB Marty Clark, 5-10, 190; Sr. CB Kardale Taylor, 5’10, 170; So. FS Cole Cavanaugh 6’0, 175

Key Newcomers: Sr. WR/QB Christian Diggs, 6-4 210; Jr. WR Kevin Anderson, 6-4 185; So. RB/OLB Hunter Webb, 6’1 185; Fr. QB/DB Connor Watkins, 6’1 175; Fr. WR/SS/K Derek Gee, 5-10 185

D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects: Sr. OG, DT Dan Harrison, 6-3, 315; Sr. OT, DT Justin Wood, 6’4, 305; Jr. OG, LB/DE Crae McCracken, 6-3, 260; Jr. TB, CB Marty Clark, 5-10, 190; Jr. SS Gee Davis, 6-0, 180; Sr. WR/QB Christian Diggs, 6-4 210; Jr. WR Kevin Anderson, 6-4 185

Twitter: @lancercoachv

2015 Outlook: 

Offense: Offensively we bring a lot back from a team that was highly successful averaging over 30 ppg and ver 400 ypg. Our offensive line and running game is a major strength entering the season as we return much of our line as well as backfield. Justin Wood, Dan Harrison, and Crae McCracken should all be all state candidates on the offensive side of the ball as well as our tailback Marty Clark.

Our passing game has become a strength through offseason work. Marcus Williams is slated to be under center at the start of the year. Marcus has stepped up to the challenge of following Kyle Datres who has been a remarkable player for us the past four seasons. We have had tremendous competition at every position entering camp.

We are looking forward to relying on that depth in order to repeat our offensive performance. We enter camp looking to improve and provide opportunity for that depth to continue in competition.

Defense: We are looking to continue to build on our late season success on the defensive side of the ball as we return the majority of the defense. Our run defense is hoped to be very strong as the development of our front 7 continues through offseason conditioning and training.

All members of our front have multiple years of starting experience with the exception being a battle for our Will Linebacker position between many individuals.

Our defensive backfield loses two stalwarts in Fletcher Quigley and Kyle Datres. Luckily we were able to gain a tremendous amount of depth and starting opportunities through rotation and therefore return starting experience in multiple positions.

Special Team: We have a key loss in our special teams with he graduation of our kicker Austin Champion. Our long snapper and holder are both back in Braden Ray and Nate Krizan. Multiple individuals including Derek Gee are competing for the starting kicking job.

In our return game we should be able to replenish the great athletes who have been lost to graduation.