Biglerville

By Teddy Feinberg

GameTimePA.com

Two years ago Biglerville had a standout showing — a 9-3 overall record, 7-2 mark in Division III and a 28-26 playoff win against Trinity for good measure.

Last season was an entirely different story. The majority of the 2012 team graduated, a massive rebuilding project ensued and a 1-9 season followed suit.

Can last year’s experience lead to an improved team in the upcoming year? Head coach Alex Ramos certainly hopes so with 2014 on the horizon.

Offense

Quarterback >> Ramos said this position is solidified after senior Mason Unger and junior Ben Hurda received snaps last season as first-year varsity players. Ramos said he hopes the quarterback play will be comparable to 2012, when Tanner Cool was under center for the Canners.

“I think we’ll see them take a step forward,” Ramos said of his two signal callers. “Things are starting to slow down for them now, and you can see it.”

Running back >> The Canners hope a pile of players can help fuel their ground attack. Ramos was reluctant to talk about specific playmakers, although he did say Scott Cooper is a proven player in the Biglerville offense.

Receivers >> Again, the Canners are hoping for strength in numbers at the position. Gage McAuliffe, Nick Bell, Jorden Trostel and Nate Newberry are all expected to contribute.

Offensive line >> Ramos said without hesitation that this unit will be the No. 1 key to the 2014 season — paramount to opening holes in the run game and providing pass protection. At bookend tackles are fine athletes — Nate Mentzer and Victor Lopez. Senior Juan Martinez lines up at center, while guards Brandon Stoner, Dalton Cox and Zach Hutzell provide depth.

Defense

Defensive line >> Mentzer and Lopez will be the team’s cornerstones on the defensive front.

Linebackers >> Ramos likes the team’s speed at linebacker.

Secondary >> Cooper will be the team’s backbone in the defensive backfield as well.

Special teams

Trostel returns as a senior and is one of the area’s top kickers.

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Save the date >> Regardless of records, the Canners’ contest against Bermudian Springs is always a big annual matchup. The rivals square off this year in their respective regular-season finales on Oct. 31.

Bottom line >> Last year was a trying one for the Canners, who came crashing down to earth after a wildly successful 2012.

Leading up to and throughout this year’s training camp, Ramos kept a low profile and didn’t divulge much about his team. He said he’d rather let the Canners’ play do the talking once the ball is officially kicked off on the new season.

“We want to redeem ourselves,” Ramos said. “And it’s no secret, our players know it and our coaching staff knows it, too. We were embarrassed last year. We’re working hard to get back to where we were two years ago and to even exceed that. We don’t want to make a big deal out of anything; we just want to go into the year and earn what we get.”