COLONIAL LEAGUE TEAM-BY-TEAM CAPSULES [The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.]

Aug. 31--BANGOR

-- Coach: Frank Scagliotta (fifth year at Bangor, 13-29; 154-111-2 overall).

-- Last year: 3-7.

-- Impact players: Sr. RB/QB/FS Scott LaValva; Sr. FB/MLB Ryan Fraunfelter; Sr. FB/LB Rob Brands; Sr. QB Drew Nicholas; Sr. OG-DE Dan Falcone; Sr. WR/DE Steve Altorfer; Jr. OT Ryan Pysher; Jr. OT Andrew Romeo; Sr. OG Zack LaBar; Sr. C Anthony Pasquino; Sr. DT Anthony Policelli; Sr. DT Norman Matthews; So. NG Vinny Picario; Jr. NG Ryan Telepo; Sr. DT Asher Meckes; So. RB/LB Josh Pensyl; So. RB/LB Tim Vicario.

-- Biggest question: Can the Slaters improve a defense that allowed 27.5 points per game last year?

-- Outlook: When you think Bangor, you think LaValva, who rushed for 1,574 yards last year and passed for nearly 900 more. He holds virtually every Slater offensive record. But if the Slaters are going to flip their 2009 record, they're going to need more offensive balance, and Scagliotta is encouraged by the development of QB Nicholas. Look for Fraunfelter, the team's leading tackler the past two years, to anchor an improved defense. Pysher (6-2, 255) and Romeo (6-3, 285) provide bulk up front. It's no wonder Scagliotta is as upbeat as he has been in his Bangor tenure.

CATASAUQUA

-- Coach: Tom Falzone (second year).

-- Last year: 8-5 (7-3 CL). Beat Palisades 21-14 in D11 2A quarterfinals, lost to Northern Lehigh 20-17 in D11 2A semis.

-- Impact players: Sr. RB/DB Alex Brown; Sr. RB/WR/DE Nate Falko; Sr. WR/DB Kyle Nyce; Sr. OL/DL Dylan Haklar; Sr. OL/DL Jeff Gallagher; Sr. OL/LB Nick Cernobyl; Sr. TE/DE Joe Thieme; Sr. OL/DL Kyle Mudge; Sr. OL/DL Derek Brown; Jr. WR/DB Sa'Quon Burton; Jr. QB/DB Jake Bloszinsky; Jr. RB/LB Luke Garner; Jr. WR/DB Deontae Hill; So RB/DL Tony Harris.

-- Biggest question: Who will emerge as team leaders and go-to players in the absence of last year's big-play seniors?

-- Outlook: Although it ended with losses to Northern Lehigh and Northampton, Catty staged a return to respectability in Falzone's first season. Last year's QB Brandon Lesko, who rushed for 1,029 yards and passed for 1,349 more, will be hard to replace. But the many injuries the Roughies experienced last year may have been a blessing in disguise because they gave returning players a jump on experience. If Bloszinsky develops, Catty should remain in league's upper half.

NORTHERN LEHIGH

-- Coach: Joe Tout (fifth year, 28-17).

-- Last year: 10-3 (8-2 CL). Advanced to D11 2A title game with wins over Salisbury and Catasauqua before losing to North Schuylkill 33-26.

-- Impact players: Sr. TB Cody Remaley; Sr. FB/LB Matt Gill; Sr. QB/FL/DB Jake Kern; Sr. TE Mike Buresh; Jr. QB/CB Dylan Hoffman; Jr. FL Trevor Yashur; So. WR Caleb Johnson; Sr. OT Carl Sahlberg; Jr. LB Kirk Bender; Jr. CB David Getz; Sr. DL Andrew Staskowski.

-- Biggest question: Can the offensive and defensive lines come together?

-- Outlook: Thanks to Remaley, a Patriot League recruit who rushed for more than 2,100 yards last season, the Bulldogs are a popular choice to win the league and advance deep in districts. But Tout believes he has the speed to spread the ball around on offense and get weapons such as Gill, Kern and Johnson more involved. If inexperienced lines progress as expected, there's no reason why Northern Lehigh can't be among the league's elite.

NORTHWESTERN

-- Coach: Tom Linette (first year).

-- Last year: 8-4 (7-3 CL). Beat Scranton Prep 16-7, lost to Bethlehem Catholic 13-0 in Eastern Conference playoffs.

-- Impact players: Sr. OT/DT Tony Wargo; Sr. C/DT Shelby Storm; Sr. OT/DT Alec Eidelman; Jr. OG Doug Saks; Jr. RB/OLB Payton Bachman RB/OLB; Jr. QB Ben Snyder; Sr. WR Josh Werley; Jr. B/LB Ty Cunningham.

-- Biggest question: How quickly will the Tigers' skilled-position players mature?

-- Outlook: After 28 years as an assistant on Bob Mitchell's staff, Linette moves over to the top spot and said the team is adjusting well to the changes even though he misses having his good friend around. The Tigers figure to be solid up front led by the 6-3, 315-pound Wargo, a three-year starter who may be one of the area's best offensive linemen. But Snyder has just one varsity completion, and the playmakers on offense are unproven.

NOTRE DAME

-- Coach: Chuck Muller (second year).

-- Last year: 0-10.

-- Impact players: Jr. WR/DB P.J. Santos; Jr. RB/LB Victor Embardino; Sr. WR R.J. Snyder.

-- Biggest question: How will the Crusaders punch back after taking a punch?

-- Outlook: The program has gone 28 games without a win, last being successful in Week 2 of the 2007 season when it beat Southern Lehigh. Muller sees improvement in terms of strength, size and athleticism, but is unsure whether it will translate to wins. He has a four-way battle at QB where transfers Greg Paulson (Easton) and Vince Villani (Freedom) are competing against sophomore Dennis Atiyeh and Blake Hoerres. If that position gets clearer, look for ND to be more competitive.

PALISADES

-- Coach: Jim Brady (first year).

-- Last year: 6-5, (6-4 CL). Lost to Catasauqua 21-11 in D11 2A quarterfinals.

-- Impact players: Sr. QB/DB Josh Parris; Sr. OL/DL Skylar Carr; Sr. WR/RB/DB Tony Stannell; Jr. RB/MLB Justin Marsh; Jr. RB/OLB Tim Kepp; Jr. WR/DB Garrett Emmons; Jr. OT/DT Jake Thompson; Jr. WR/DB Dan Yashinski; Jr. NG Tim Squares; So. C John Anton; So. OT/DE Jake Lynch; So. TD/DE Alex Odle; So. WR/DB Kyle Jesiolowski; Fr. QB/DB Jesse Snyder; Fr. RB/DL J.D. Donnelly.

-- Biggest question: Can the younger players take the place of the departed seniors?

-- Outlook: Brady, a Bethlehem Catholic graduate who had been the defensive coordinator at Wilson, replaces Brian Gilbert with the Pirates. Brady says the transition is going well and the kids are learning fast. But with Parris and Carr the only returning starters, it might be difficult for Palisades to post a seventh consecutive winning season.

PALMERTON

-- Coach: Paul McArdle (seventh year, 31-34).

-- Last year: 1-9.

-- Impact players: Sr. DB Chris Marcin; Jr. TB Travis Wolfe; Sr. TB Alex Vignone; Sr. WR/DB Travis Labyack; Sr. QB Zach Freed; Sr. LB Levi Serfass; Jr. LB Alex Cook; Sr. DL Jarred Harry; Jr. DL Kane Kralik.

-- Biggest question: Can the Bombers be mentally tough enough to overcome adversity?

-- Outlook: Palmerton was short on seniors and short on wins last season after back-to-back 9-3 seasons. McArdle is optimistic about a turnaround, believing the key will be having more experience and depth, and finding a way to win the close games that eluded the Bombers a year ago. Marcin is a potential playmaker for an offense that averaged just 11.8 points per game last season.

PEN ARGYL

-- Coach: Paul Reduzzi (fourth year, 12-20; 87-68 in 15 seasons overall).

-- Last year: 4-7 (4-6 CL). Lost to North Schuylkill 22-8 in D11 2A quarterfinals.

-- Impact players: Sr. QB Nathan Hood; Jr. RB/DB Dylan Evans; Sr. TE/LB Tyler Horn; Jr. WR/DB Conor Gum; Jr. WR/DE Zach Miller; Sr. WR Joe Wagner; Jr. C/DL Kirby Mutton; Jr. G J.T. Krincek; Jr. T Zach Savercool; So. DE Scott Beltz; Jr. LB J.D. Rabenold; So. DB Mike Racciato.

-- Biggest question: Will all the close games the Green Knights have played in over the past two seasons give them an edge in the close ones this year?

-- Outlook: The Green Knights improved by one win last year, but expect a big jump this season with an experienced, seasoned team. Playmakers abound. Hood passed for 1,442 yards last season, 2,798 yards in his career. Evans had more than 1,500 all-purpose yards last season and has 22 career TDs, plus he picked off eight passes on defense. Miller had 10 sacks and recovered four fumbles last year. Reduzzi said team goals include competing for league and district titles, and there's no reason to think those are unattainable.

SALISBURY

-- Coach: Rob Sawicki (third year, 4-17).

-- Last year: 4-7 (4-6 CL). Lost to Northern Lehigh 21-6 in D11 2A quarterfinals.

-- Impact players: Sr. QB/FS Justin Todora; Sr. WR/DB Ryan Kelly; Sr. TE/LB Dan Allen; Sr. OL/DL Zach Ziegler; Sr. K/P Chad Heidecker.

-- Biggest question: With some talented skill-position players to build around, can the offensive and defensive lines come together?

-- Outlook: The Falcons' four-win upgrade last year was impressive, especially their late win over Southern Lehigh and respectable showing at Northern Lehigh in the playoffs. The 6-2, 185-pound Todora, who passed for 1,248 yards, has a chance to be one of the league's top QBs but will need help with top receivers Jake Kovach and Tony David gone. Sawicki said the team had a good offseason. Now can the Falcons take the next step and win the close ones that got away in 2009?

SAUCON VALLEY

-- Coach: Matt Evancho (fourth year, 16-17).

-- Last year: 3-7.

-- Impact players: Sr. RB/LB Brandon Shuck; Sr. RB/LB Ian Gimbar; Sr. TE/DE James Okken; Sr. Andrew Remaly QB/DB; Sr. OL/DL Jon Pearson; Sr. WR/DB Chris Voag; Sr. OL/DE Sean Redding.

Biggest question: Can Saucon replace four starters on the offensive line and three starters on the defensive front?

-- Outlook: The Panthers, who went from a playoff team in 2008 to a season-long scuffle in 2009, have some talented skill-position players and size back, but will need the lines to solidify to have a chance to improve on last year. About nine or 10 starters return, and many more nonstarters got experience last year. Evancho said this group just needs consistency and the focus to show every night to compete.

SOUTHERN LEHIGH

-- Coach: John Toman (fifth year, 18-24).

-- Last year: 7-4 (7-3 CL). Lost to CCHS 42-7 in D11 3A semis.

-- Impact players: Sr. WR Jeff Smillie; Sr. FB Luke Gotzon; Sr. HB Matt Gotzon; Sr. TE Sam Terlingo; Sr. C/DE Dan Ortwein; Sr. OG-DT David Givler; Sr. DT Tyler Knittle; Sr. LB Ray Durkin; Sr. CB Nick Kirsch; Sr. SS Keaton Eisenhauer; Sr. DB Lee Evans.

-- Biggest question: Can they replace last year's talented QB, Corey Sroka?

-- Outlook: The Spartans seem to have a lot of pieces in place with Smillie, the league's top receiver in 2009 with 55 catches for 684 yards, returning along with the Gotzons and Terlingo. The QB position will go to either senior D.J. Williams or junior Ty Edmond. Once that is settled, the Spartans appear to have enough experience on defense with Givler, Knittle and Ortwein to at least match last year's league mark and make an improved showing in districts.

WILSON

-- Coach: Bret Comp (13th year, 99-42).

-- Last year: 11-1, (10-0 Colonial League champion). Lost to CCHS 49-21 in D11 3A title game.

-- Impact players: Sr. WR/DB Kowan Scott; Sr. RB/DB A.J. Parker; Sr. WR/DB Roth Healey; Sr. DE/TB Nils Larson; Sr. QB/DB Chris Cooper; Sr. TE/LB Anthony Muretta.

-- Biggest question: Who will replace Tyler Smith at quarterback and continue the Warriors' tradition of excellence at the position?

-- Outlook: Bret Comp said the first week of practice may have been one of his most enjoyable since he's been at Wilson. That's because he's invigorated by the challenge of maintaining the league's most successful program even as it seems to be rebuilding mode after the graduation of Smith. The offense will be fun again. Scott, coming off a 1,058-yard receiving season that included 12 TDs, is one of the area's most exciting players. The offense just needs a trigger man, Comp said. The addition of ex-Liberty coach Tim Moncman to the defensive staff has been a big plus. Maybe the 23-game league winning streak will end, but the Warriors still will be a force.

Compiled by Keith Groller

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