South Western

Mustangs

South Western's Bret Hertzog (39) looks for open space in 2013. (File -- GameTimePA.com)

By Mike Rubin

South Western went 3-7 in 2013, but the Mustangs might have been better than their record indicated.

Mustangs star running back and career rushing record-holder Dillon Thomas missed five games because of a leg injury. And in all, 18 players were hurt, three with season-ending injuries.

After a season-opening win against Gettysburg, the Mustangs dropped back-to-back games by three points apiece and then suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss to New Oxford.

But head coach Damian Poalucci has put last season behind him and sees the potential for 2014.

“Everything needed to be fixed,” Poalucci said. “The teamwork, group work, we had to fix it all. This group pushed themselves in the spring.”

Offense

Quarterback >> Junior Brock Geiman brings back the most experience. He appeared in 10 games and was 7-for-13 for 156 yards and a touchdown. Ryan Krebs is also fighting for the starting spot. The senior has a strong arm and good feet.

Running back >> Thomas has graduated, but his injury last season gave others some experience. Junior Robby Harbison and senior Jonas Walter both started at times last year. Junior Tyler Fulmore was a guard in 2013 and is making the transition to the backfield.

Receivers >> The Mustangs return three starters: junior Noah Staub, senior Hunter Palmer and senior Brady Thayer. Staub (6-foot-3) finished 2013 with 14 receptions for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Palmer finished last year with seven receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Thayer had 10 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

Offensive line >> The line returns three starters from last year’s team. Senior Matt Helwig returns as one of the team’s emotional leaders and will start at tackle. Junior Skylar Bowman and senior Tyler Jachelski both return at guard.

Defense

Defensive line >> Helwig returns to the line at tackle with fellow senior Gus Landis. Junior Corbin Byers will see time at defensive end. Sophomore Seth Janney will be asked to play a big role this year.

Linebackers >> Bowman is making the switch from defensive line to linebacker. Jachelski started seven games for the Mustangs and will return as part of the linebacking corps. Junior Mike Farace also will be in the mix after coming back from a shoulder injury.

Secondary >> Palmer returns at defensive back, and Thayer is looking to earn a starting spot at cornerback after playing some safety last year. Junior Jeff Green has great hands and body control. Junior Zach Hughes is back and will see time at safety.

Special teams

The Mustangs are turning to former South Western soccer player Andrew Slater for their kickoff duties, extra points and potentially punting. Poalucci also said Geiman is an option at punter.

• • •

Save the date >> Sept. 19 at New Oxford, the Mustangs will look for some revenge after last season’s overtime heartbreaker.

Bottom Line >> South Western has a team full of athletes and speed. New senior leadership has this year’s team believing it can have a special season. An experienced offensive line should help ease the transition for the Mustangs’ less experienced quarterbacks and running backs.

Number	Name	Position	Grade
1	Noah Staub	SE, S	Jr.
2	Trever Bankert	SE, CB	Sr.
3	Hunter Palmer (C)	SE, CB	Sr.
4	Tyler Fulmore	RB, LB	Jr.
5	Austin Snider	FB, CB	So.
6	Telan Moore	HB, CB	So.
7	Miles Francis	HB, OLB	Jr.
9	DeSean Crump	HB, CB	So.
10	Jake Warrington	QB, CB	So.
11	Brock Geiman	QB, CB, K	Jr.
12	Brady Thayer	SE, CB	Sr.
13	Corbin Byers	TE, DE	Jr.
14	Nate VanCampen	QB, S	So.
15	Andrew Feeser	SE, CB	Sr.
16	Caleb Stuller	SE, OLB	So.
17	Matt Smolko	TE, OLB	Jr.
18	Jonas Walter	FB, LB	Sr.
19	Ryan Krebs	QB, S	Sr.
22	Andrew Slater	K, P	Sr.
24	Brock Cookerly	SE, CB	Sr.
25	Jeff Green	HB, CB	Jr.
28	Andrew Hartlaub	HB, S	So.
33	Zack Hughes	HB, S	Jr.
35	Jacob Muir	HB, S	So.
38	Hunter Reinecke	SE, CB	So.
39	Bret Hertzog	HB, OLB	Sr.
40	Josh Martin	FB, LB	Sr.
41	Carson Perry	HB, LB	So.
42	Dru Wolford	HB, S	Jr.
44	Robby Harbison	FB, OLB	Jr.
51	Skylar Bowman (C)	G, LB	Jr.
52	Austin Reusing	C, DT	So.
53	Mitch Muir	G, DE	Sr.
54	Mike Farace	G, LB	Jr.
55	Justin Eline	G, DE	So.
56	Tyler Jachelski	G, LB	Sr.
57	Greg Smutek	T, DE	Jr.
58	Scotty Morgan	G, DE	So.
59	Colby Teal	C, LB	So.
60	Luke Baugher	G, DE	Sr.
64	Jesse Myers (C)	C, DT	Sr.
66	Sipling Andrew	G, DT	So.
67	Evan Raubenstine	G, LB	So.
68	TJ Sneeringer	G, DE	Sr.
69	Gustave Landis	T, DT	Sr.
70	Josh Zeroth	T, DT	Jr.
71	Jordan Lentz	T, DT	So.
72	Collin Curley	T, DE	So.
73	Bubba Carbaugh	T, DT	So.
74	Marcus Jones	T, DT	Sr.
75	Scotty Dickmyer	C, DT	Jr.
76	Tommy Aumen	T, DT	So.
77	Matt Helwig (C)	T, DT	Sr.
79	Clayton Shirk	T, DT	Jr.
80	Chris Steckel	TE, DE	Jr.
82	Chris Ginevra	TE, OLB	Jr.
83	Darius Rowlette	SE, CB	Sr.
84	Tyler Bynaker	SE, OLB	So.
85	Seth Janney	TE, DE	So.
88	Noah Langenfeld	SE, OLB	So.
89	Quan Marshall	TE, LB	So.

Date	Opponent	Time
8/29	Gettysburg	7 p.m.
9/5	@ Cedar Cliff	7 p.m.
9/12	@ Carlisle	7 p.m.
9/19	New Oxford	7:30 p.m.
9/26	@ Central York	7 p.m.
10/3	Red Lion	7:30 p.m.
10/10	@ Dallastown	7 p.m.
10/17	William Penn	7:30 p.m.
10/24	@ Northeastern	7 p.m.
10/31	Spring Grove	7:30 p.m.

Select any year to see the results

3-7

2013
6-5

2012
9-3

2011
4-6

2010
10-2

2009

Select any year to see the results.

2013

W/L	Team	Score
W	Gettysburg	40-22
L	Cedar Cliff	27-30
L	Central Dauphin	14-17
L	New Oxford	17-24
W	Susquehannock	28-14
L	Dallastown	21-34
L	Central York	0-42
L	Red Lion	13-20
W	William Penn	42-33
L	Spring Grove	15-31

2012

W/L	Team	Score
W	Gettysburg	41-6
L	Cedar Cliff	21-69
L	Central Dauphin	7-63
W	New Oxford	52-0
W	Susquehannock	41-6
L	Dallastown	7-31
L	Central York	13-54
W	Red Lion	28-5
W	William Penn	28-21
W	Spring Grove	19-17
District 3 Class AAAA first round
L	Governor Mifflin	20-49

2011

W/L	Team	Score
W	Gettysburg	41-0
L	Cedar Cliff	7-34
W	Lower Dauphin	34-28
W	Susquehannock	40-0
L	West York	14-49
W	Dallastown	29-21
W	Central York	26-20
W	Red Lion	21-14
W	William Penn	46-13
W	Spring Grove	54-21
District 3 Class AAAA first round
W	Manheim Township	42-35
District 3 Class AAAA quarterfinal
L	Cumberland Valley	21-42

2010

W/L	Team	Score
W	Gettysburg	40-7
L	Cedar Cliff	14-37
W	Lower Dauphin	26-14
W	Susquehannock	33-7
L	West York	19-34
L	Dallastown	7-21
W	Central York	20-14 (OT)
L	Red Lion	10-28
L	William Penn	26-48
L	Spring Grove	14-31

2009

W/L	Team	Score
W	Gettysburg	21-7
W	Hollidaysburg	34-14
W	Bermudian Springs	34-3
W	Dover	61-38
W	Dallastown	24-10
W	Spring Grove	21-0
W	Red Lion	41-0
L	Central York	12-13
W	William Penn	28-0
W	New Oxford	42-13
District 3 Class AAAA first round
W	Cedar Cliff	41-34
District 3 Class AAAA quarterfinal
L	Penn Manor	12-34

2013 Stats

total

Pts for	Pts Against	Turnover Ratio
217	267	-4

Rushing

Rush	Yards	TD
423	1868	14

Passing

Completions	Attempts	Yards	TD
81	187	1445	16

YAIAA Div. I
Class AAAA
Coach: Damian Poalucci (9-12)