Northeastern

By Ryan Dixon

For GameTimePA.com

For Northeastern and head coach Jon Scepanski, last year couldn’t have started off in a more heartbreaking manner.

The Bobcats dropped their first three games by a total of seven points.

“We didn’t know how to win. We didn’t know how to finish a game,” Scepanski said. “This year, the expectations are higher.

“Last year, we started a handful of players that were experiencing high school football for the first time. We took our bumps and bruises. The benefit is that we basically have the same guys back this year.”

The Bobcats jump to YAIAA Division I this year.

“You can look at it two ways. You can be intimidated or you can face it. That’s where we are and we’re going to play football here. You cant get away from it,” Scepanski said. “We’ve got to stay competitive and win the games we have a chance to win.”

Offense

Quarterback >> Marcus Josey returns under center. The junior threw for 1,309 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 309 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Running back >> Chris Whack rushed for 394 yards and scored two touchdowns. Kody Reeser totaled 174 yards and scored a touchdown.

“Last year, we got in a position that we struggled to run the ball, and that’s a pet peeve of mine. That’s our number one goal, to run the football,” Scepanski said.

Receivers >> David Ankney caught 15 passes for 297 yards and scored four touchdowns. Scepanski said Jordan Zirkle is a “new addition that has done good things.”

Offensive line >> The line, along with the skill position players, will have to learn a new offense this season as the Bobcats switch from a two-back pistol set to a spread Wing-T look. They’ll try to score more than last year’s 162 points.

“When I was at West Chester, we ran a version of the spread Wing-T, and it was something that when I got here, I wanted to progress into. We started to adapt to it at the end of last season,” Scepanski said.

Defense

Defensive line >> Peyton Wolgamuth returns after he recorded 31 tackles last year.

Linebackers >> Gary Gobernick and Reeser will anchor the middle of the defense. Gobernick collected 20 tackles, while Reeser led the team with 96. The Bobcats will transition to a 3-5 and 3-4 scheme for defense this year.

Secondary >> Houston Hoffman finished with 37 tackles last year. Zack Williams and John Maher also return for the Bobcats.

Special teams

Ethan Qualters handled the bulk of the Bobcats’ kicking duties last season, but he graduated in June. Ankney registered five kickoffs last year. Last season as a freshman, Michael Cooper racked up 304 yards on 21 kickoff returns.

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Save the date >> The Bobcats make their YAIAA Division I debut Sept. 19 at home against Central York.

Bottom line >> The Bobcats return quite a bit on both sides of the ball, and the experience should help with the transition to Division I.