Northern York

By Brett Keener

For GameTimePA.com

Northern York carried a unique distinction last season. While it’s nice to be one of a kind, the Polar Bears would prefer to avoid a repeat of this scenario.

Northern went 3-7 but actually outscored its opponents, a statistical quirk made possible by the fact that the Polar Bears lost five games by seven points or fewer. Second-year head coach Garrett Mowery said the answer to winning the close ones is simple: run the ball.

“We had an opportunity at Shippensburg to win the game,” Mowery said. “We had two cracks from the 1 1/2 yard line and couldn’t score. There were a lot of situations in third and short, fourth and short, where we couldn’t get one or two yards on the ground when we needed to. We’ve really emphasized the running game in the offseason.”

Offense

Quarterback >> The Polar Bears have a camp battle going to determine their starting signal caller, with junior Justin Markle (who had 71 passing attempts last season) and sophomore Curtis Robison each taking snaps. They were in a dead heat throughout offseason activities and camps.

Running back >> Senior tailback Sam Geiser, a second-team Mid-Penn Colonial Division all-star, returns after gaining more than 600 yards last season. Juniors Robert Shelly (moving in from slot receiver/tight end) and Mike Kearney could also get carries.

Receivers >> The Polar Bears have plenty of bodies available at the wideout slots, with big junior Isaiah Horning and Kearney figuring to see plenty of snaps. A number of other players are also vying for spots in the rotation.

Offensive line >> Northern has returning bookends in tackles Tyler Craig and Austin Miller. Senior Hayden Miller returns at guard, while the other interior spots are less settled, with a sizable group of underclassmen in the running.

Defense

Defensive line >> A number of players have seen varsity snaps, although not necessarily as starters. Hayden Miller is the lone returning starter, but Owen Blaschak, Austin Miller, and Craig give the Polar Bears more options up front.

Linebackers >> Shelly, a starter last season at defensive end, makes the move to middle linebacker in the Polar Bears’ new 4-3 alignment. Described by Mowery as a “throwback,” he’ll need to provide stability to a group expected to be composed of new starters.

Secondary >> Another group that will be picking up experience as it goes. Juniors Ray Avila and Andrew Swaisgood will man the corners, while Kearney, Robison and Jake Cromer should see time at the safety spots in the new-look secondary.

Special teams

Mowery said Northern has a weapon in sophomore kicker Aidan Alves, a returning starter. Kearney and Geiser will likely be handling return duties.

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Save the date >> No current Northern player has beaten backyard rival Mechanicsburg — the teams’ matchup last season was one of those aforementioned close losses — and the Polar Bears would love to snap their three-game series losing streak when they travel to Frederick Field on Sept. 12.

Bottom line >> Northern has only 10 seniors on this year’s roster, but the Polar Bears proved last year — when they had just two returning starters — that they could overcome inexperience and be competitive.

A big group of sophomore and junior starters will have to learn to how win the close ones if Northern is to return to its winning ways.