Annville-Cleona

By Chris Fidler

cfidler@GameTimePA.com

@cfidsports on Twitter

ANNVILLE >> Yardage is simply a by-product.

Creating a cloud of dust is a must for the 2014 Annville-Cleona football team.

The Little Dutchmen plan on utilizing an old-school approach to make another run at the District Three playoffs.

That’s not a problem for coach Terry Lehman, who enters his 28th season leading the red and white. He loves to run the ball and boasts one of the top defenses in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

“Our defense is going to dictate the game,” said Lehman. “Our defensive front is probably the best since I’ve been here — and that’s a long time. And on offense, we’re going to take the ball and shove it down their throats.”

Last year, A-C overcame a dreadful 0-5 start to earn the final postseason spot in the Class AA field. The Jekyl-and-Hyde season featured everything from a helmet-swinging police investigation to victories in four of the final five games.

“This year is exactly what the second half of the season was last year,” explained Lehman. “We couldn’t do anything about the first half — miscues, losing on the last play of the game, bizarre things happening — we couldn’t do a thing about that.”

A-C outscored Section Three foes Garden Spot, Columbia, Pequea Valley and Donegal by a combined margin of 130-52 in its four season-extending wins. Lehman’s hoping that second-half surge carries over into the season opener Aug. 29 against Biglerville.

“The kids refocused and made districts,” said Lehman. “They went out and had fun and played football. That’s what we’re doing this year.”

Runner-up Littlestown ended the Dutchmen’s campaign with a 27-10 setback in the first round of districts.

Several key pieces — including nine seniors — return for Lehman, who projects to be the league’s longest tenured football coach following the retirement of Manheim Central’s Mike Williams at the end of 2014.

On the field, three-year starter John Groh serves as a pillar of strength on both of sides of the ball. The senior is one of four Lebanon Catholic student-athletes participating in a co-op program between the Dutchmen and football-less Beavers.

Groh (6-2, 225 pounds) dominated games from his defensive end spot and morphed into an all-county tight end as the year progressed.

“We had nothing to lose. Everyone just got tired of being 0-5,” said Groh. “They turned it on at the end of the year and everyone came to play. You could just feel the energy come off of everybody. You didn’t have that the first five games.”

Groh is not alone in the trenches, either. Lucas Bush, Adam Bennett, Trace Seiple and Josh Hartman are all experienced at moving piles and dropping ball carriers.

“We finished off last season doing exceptional,” said Hartman. “We finished with a lot of steam, and we’re hoping to continue that this season. We have a lot of optimism and confidence. That’s basically what it comes down to.”

On offense, quarterback Mitch Rodkey departs after spending the past two seasons as a lethal two-way threat. Rodkey racked up more than 3,000 total yards and 35 touchdowns prior to his graduation last May.

Junior Adam Fox (6-0, 180) assumes Rodkey’s leadership role under center. Despite a lack of in-game experience, Fox possesses an athletic pedigree that has garnered him District Three medals in swimming (freestyle) and track & field (javelin).

“We’ll be fine at quarterback,” Lehman said. “He’s backed up for two years and learned the system. He’s an athletic kid, and he’s a strong kid.”

The red and white have plenty of backfield options to rely on, depending on down and distance. Senior tailback Noah Connor figures to share the workload with the junior tandem of Will Langan and bruiser Bush (5-11, 230). Connor, who started as a sophomore, missed the 2013 season with a knee injury suffered playing volleyball.

“He broke something in his leg. He had a year’s worth of surgeries and pins and everything else,” Lehman said. “He didn’t miss a practice last year — crutches, wheelchair — football, basketball, baseball. He’s a neat kid.”

At receiver, the underclass trio of Alec Barr, Luke Frattaroli and Cameron Hoch should provide a relief valve on the outside.

“(Defenses) are not going to let John (Groh) off the line,” Lehman said. “They’re going to double him and bang him the whole game because he’s probably our best receiver and they know that.”

Barr and Hoch — along with Drew Speraw and Victor Hoffer — starred for Lebanon Valley’s VFW Teener Baseball state championship team in August. Frattaroli is part of the Lebanon Catholic co-op.

“Those three guys — speed wise — are as good as anybody we have,” said Lehman. “We’re going to have a lot of fun with that.”

A-C also owns another weapon in kicker Matt Light, an all-county and all-league soccer standout.

“Any offensive series that ends with kick is a good series,” joked Lehman. “It it’s a punt — that means we didn’t turn it over. Or it’s an extra point.”

The Dutchmen also added alum Matt Gingrich to the coaching staff. Gingrich, who coached for Cocalico last year, will serve as offensive coordinator and line coach. Gingrich replaces Rob Wildasin, who is entering his first year as head coach at Cedar Crest.

The rest of Lehman’s staff includes Mike Miller, Frank Hetrick, Cody Dodson, John Brewer, Shaun Webb, Greg Herr and Timmy Long.