D2 Playoff Profile: Berwick

District 2 Playoff Profile
Berwick Bulldogs (9-1)
Head Coach: George Curry (422-94-5)

2012 Schedule
Nov. 10 – Dallas@Berwick, 1 p.m.
Nov. 2 – Berwick 49 Hazleton 7
Oct. 26 – Berwick 34 Coughlin 7
Oct. 19 – Berwick 23 Pittston 20
Oct. 12 – Berwick 54 Williamsport 14
Oct. 5 – Berwick 49 Tunkhannock 0
Sept. 28 – Berwick 17 Selinsgrove 7
Sept. 21 – Wyoming Valley West 33 Berwick 15
Sept. 14 – Berwick 50 Dallas 14
Sept. 7 – Berwick 41 Pottsville 0
Aug. 31 – Berwick 48 Crestwood 21

2012 Statistical Leaders
Passing: C.J. Curry – 1377 yards, 51.4%, 14 TDs
Rushing: Matt Cashman – 1190 yards, 6.3 ypc, 20 TDs
Receiving: Jake Pecorelli – 557 yards, 23.2 ypr, 6 TDs
Tackles: Travis Potter – 82 tackles
Quarterback Sacks: Andrew Groome & Jordan Stout – 5 sacks
Interceptions: Jake Pecorelli – 5 INTs

2012 Team Stats
Points Score Per Game: 38.0 (380)
Points Allowed Per Game: 12.3 (123)
Opponents’ Winning Percentage: 42.0% (42-58)

District 2 Class AAA Playoff History
2009
First Round: Abington Heights 53 Berwick 19

2008
Championship: Berwick 3 Abington Heights 0
First Round: Berwick 12 Coughlin 0

2007
Championship: West Scranton28 Berwick 24
First Round: Berwick 42 Dallas 20

2004
Championship: Berwick 19 Pottsville 12
First Round: Berwick 35 Honesdale 14

2003
First Round: Wyoming Area 19 Berwick 13

2001
Championship: Berwick 34 Blue Mountain 17
First Round: Berwick 15 Dallas 14

2000
Championship: Berwick 35 Pittston 7
First Round: Berwick 42 West Scranton 14

1999
First Round: Valley View 24 Berwick 21

1998
Championship: Berwick 14 Valley View 7
First Round: Berwick 42 Dallas 13

1997
Championship: Berwick 28 Wyoming Area 14
First Round: Berwick 48 Lehighton 0

1996
Championship: Berwick 25 Wyoming Area 7
First Round: Berwick 54 Valley View 0

1995
Championship: Berwick 49 Valley View 13
First Round: Berwick 41 Honesdale 0

1994
Championship: Berwick 36 North Pocono 7
First Round: Berwick 49 Honesdale 0

When George Curry was hired to coach the Berwick Bulldogs once again this past June, many were hoping for a return to glory. For those who are not familiar with Berwick, it’s not only the home of the Wise Snacks’ plant and the site of the Susquehanna nuclear power plant, but it’s also a place where many of the residents have fond memories of years gone by of high school football accolades.

Where to begin – the Bulldogs won 3 National Championships (1995, 1992, 1983), 6 PIAA State Titles (1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1988) and held a 41-game win streak between 1994 to 1997.

Coach Curry began his tenure at Berwick in 1971 after completing a four-year stint at Lake-Lehman. The Bulldogs had just one winning season (1968: 6-4) in their previous four years prior to Curry’s arrival. From 1971-2005, Berwick only suffered through one losing campaign (1974: 2-9). The Dawgs rolled up 12 straight seasons of 10 or more victories (1987-1998) and did not drop four contests in a single year from 1981 to 2001.

Fast forward to 2012 – Curry is back coaching in Berwick following a six-year hiatus. After coasting through a regular season with only one blemish, the Dawgs are the top seed in District 2 and have a showdown with Dallas (7-3) on Saturday at Crispin Field. With a win, Berwick would secure their 30th 10-win season (first since 2008) and would advance to the District 2 Championship game for the 11th time in school history.

The Opponent
Dallas Mountaineers (7-3)
Head Coach: Bob Zaruta

2012 Schedule
Nov. 10 – Dallas@Berwick, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3 – Dallas 51 Lake-Lehman 6
Oct. 26 – Dallas 60 Tunkhannock 0
Oct. 20 – Dallas 35 Crestwood 12
Oct. 12 – Dallas 33 Hazleton 0
Oct. 6 – Dallas 35 Pittston 0
Sept. 28 – Dallas 31 Williamsport 7
Sept. 22 – Dallas 17 Coughlin 7
Sept. 14 – Berwick 50 Dallas 14
Sept. 8 – Abington Heights 28 Dallas 7
Sept. 1 – Wyoming Valley West 28 Dallas 14

2012 Statistical Leaders
Passing: Ryan Zapoticky – 2,737 yards, 56.0%, 16 TDs
Rushing: Kris Roccograndi – 852 yards, 5.9 ypc, 12 TDs
Receiving: Jason Simonovich – 496 yards, 23.6 ypr, 8 TDs

2012 Team Stats
Points Scored Per Game: 29.7 (297)
Points Allowed Per Game: 13.8 (138)
Opponents’ Winning Percentage: 49.0% (49-51)

District 2 Class AAA Playoff History Since 2006
2011
Championship: Valley View 18 Dallas 12
First Round: Dallas 39 Scranton Prep 6

2010
First Round: West Scranton 49 Dallas 27

2009
Championship: Abington Heights 35 Dallas 6
First Round: Dallas 21 North Pocono 14

2007
First Round: Berwick 42 Dallas 20

2006
First Round: West Scranton 32 Dallas 20

Since beginning the season with a 0-3 record, Coach Bob Zaruta’s group has won seven games in a row outscoring their opponents by a combined 262-32 margin.

The Mountaineers quarterback Ryan Zapoticky has thrown for 4,353 yards and 39 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Winner to play against either Abington Heights/Valley View in the District 2 Championship next weekend (site/time TBA)

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