Offensive Preview:
At the quarterback position Brad Wilkins is gone due to graduation and the Red Rovers are going to have a battle going on. Edward Roeder is one of the guys battling for the starting spot.
“He has limited experience with the varsity. He played quarterback on the JV team his sophomore year. He was the backup last year.
Trey Durrah is the other guy battling for the starting spot and he’s going to be a junior.
“He was the quarterback on the JV team last year.”
Both kids are similar in style and both won’t hesitate to run the ball. They both have speed.
“It’s a matter of them getting experience in the passing game. I don’t rule out playing two quarterback.”
One of the top running backs in Eastern PA returns for his senior year. Shane Simpson returns for his fourth-year on the varsity. The Red Rovers are going to get him the ball in many different ways. He has game breaking ability.
“We want to get him in the open field and make plays. You may see him lineup in the backfield at time or in slot. He will get a lot of touches this year.”
The Red Rovers can run with speed with Shane and can run with power with Nolan Kilpatrick this year. Nolan has been working hard this offseason at Iron Core Athlete and has gotten bigger.
“He’s going to be our physical runner and runs between the tackles very well. He’s very good at finding the hole in limited space. He’s that type of kid that can move the pile.”
Dalvyn Reynolds is another guy to watch this fall.
“Dalvyn filled in for Shane quite a bit in the early part of the playoffs last year. He has good size and is fast.”
A couple of kids coming off the JV team will see some action this year. Brandon Haskins will be one of those kids getting some carries.
“The running game is going to be our strength this year. We have a lot of experience and guys who will make plays.”
On the offensive line the Red Rovers return four players with a lot of experience. Forrest Myers is starting his fourth-year at tackle. Mike Fleming returns for his second-year at tackle.
“Both of those kids have Division 1-AA schools looking at them.”
Craig Stahlecker and Mike Catalano both return at offensive guard.
“Catalano is a first team All-League player coming back.”
Easton has depth on the line with guys that have experience. Nick Tone and Ryan Green have the experience coming back. Luke Daub is another player.
The only spot that is open on the offensive line is the center position.
“The way we do it is pick our five best lineman.”
Right now they have tried four or five kids out this summer. They may not know who’s going to play center until after one or both scrimmages.
“We could move Fleming there. But, right now everything has been done with out pads. We will know more when we play our scrimmages.”
Kyle Walsh is a returning wide receiver / tight end. Kyle is a very good athlete and is a division one Lacrosse prospect. He’s a big lanky kid.
“He’s a kid that can go deep or run underneath for us at tight end.”
Altarik Key is another guy to watch at tight end. Daniel Pasch didn’t play last year but he could see some time at tight end and Rich Tattoli is one to watch.
“Daniel is more of a blocking tight end.”
Alec Bina will play at wide receiver and either one of the quarterbacks could play some receiver to this year.
Shane Simpson will play out there at times.
Greg Albertson played corner and special teams last year. He will get some playing time. Corey Deemer is a 6-foot-2 wide out.
“We have a lot of depth at tight end and receiver.”
Defensive Preview:
Nick Tone is the only returning starter on the defensive line. He’s quick inside and is strong.
“Nick really had a good second half of the season last year. He played both ways in the beginning and we moved him one way and his play picked up. He really had some good games.”
Mike Fleming and Mike Catalano all saw spot action last year.
David Simmons will be at defensive end.
“We have some experience coming back.”
At linebacker the Red Rovers have two guys coming back. They are inside linebacker Altarik Key and outside linebacker Nolan Kilpatrick.
“Nolan is our leader and Altarki has good experience inside. There’s a group of five or six guys that are competing for playing time. No one has stood out yet.”
Those other spots will be open until they see these guys play with pads in some scrimmages. One guy with some experience at linebacker is Corey Deemer.
“We could move him there. He has experience outside. He filled in for Nolan last year in a couple of games.”
The strength of the defense will be the secondary with three guys returning, two safeties and a corner back.
Shane Simpson returns for his second year at cornerback. The two safeties are Alec Bina and Edward Roeder.
Greg Albertson had a lot of time back there in the secondary. Trey Durrah can also step into the secondary.
“Roeder is our leader in the secondary. This is his second year and he’s the kid that can step up against the run. He’s a good tackler and is always around the ball.”
Special Teams Preview:
Devon Lovaasen returns at punter. This is his second year.
“He has been working hard this offseason and has improved his height on the ball when he punts it.”
Alec Bina, Shane Simpson and Greg Albertson are the kick and punt returners.
Nick Tone is the long snapper and Luke Daub is a good snapper too.
Head Coach: Steve Shiffert
2013 record: 11-3
Key players lost: Cam Casciole ILB, Justin Weldon DT, Brad Wilkins QB, Nick Rasso DE, John Spadoni C, Kyle Bambary RB and Joey Ford CB
Offensive returning starters:
Shane Simpson Sr 5’10´ 175 RB/WR 2nd year at corner
Mike Fleming Sr 6’3” 270 OT
Forrest Myers Sr 6’1” 290 OT
Craig Stahlecker Jr 6’1” 195 OG
Mike Catalano Sr 5’10” 220 OG
Kyle Walsh Sr 6’2” 190 TE/WR
Devon Lovaasen Sr 5’11” 180 Punter
Defensive returning starters:
Shane Simpson Sr 5’10” 175 CB
Nick Tone Sr 6’1” 210 DT
Altarik Key SR 5’11” 190 ILB
Nolan Kilpatrick Sr 5’10” 210 OLB
Alec Bina Sr 5’7” 185 S
Edward Roeder Sr 6’ 175 S
Non returning starters with considerable experience:
Nick Tone OG
Nolan Kilpatrick RB
Dalvyn Reynolds Sr 5’10” RB
Greg Albertson Jr 5’7” 135 CB
Mike Catalano DT
Corey Deemer Jr 6’2” 190 OLB
Other letterwinners:
Conor Tuturice Jr 6’ 190 OLB
Luke Daub Jr 5’10” 195 OG
Jaquan Duffus Jr 5’9” 165 RB
Ryan Green Jr 5’10” 195 OL/DL
Davis Simmons Jr 6’1” 195 DE
Richard Tattoli Jr 5’10” 180 TE
Areas of concern:
Replacing DL, QB, PK
Establishing a passing game
Defensive Front
Strengths:
Running game
Offensive line
Defensive secondary and OLB have good experience
