2007 Outlook

A pair of veteran seniors with all-star credentials and a strong junior class head the Knights' hopes for the 2007 season.

Two-way lineman Matt Cirell and wide receiver-turned-

Cirell

tailback/safety Robert Tantlinger have been starters since their sophomore seasons and made the All-Region 5 team a year ago. Cirell (6-2, 300), in fact, is getting Division I and Division I-AA looks.

"He's been destroying are jayvees. We've had to call off the dogs...because he's been hurting half of our team," fourth-year head coach Dave Smith says. "Matt's very physical, a very strong kid for his age. He's got the potential -- I don't know if he is yet -- but he's got the potential depending on where he plays -- as a center maybe -- (to) play in a bigger program."

WR Tyler Bittner, a Region 5 all-star selection as a sophomore, heads the talented junior class, which welcomes the return of 6-2, 230-pound fullback Ethan Hunt, who missed all of last season with an knee injury sustained in summer school gym.

OFFENSE

Asked if the Knights will throw the ball a lot (as they've done the last several year), Smith says the Knights will use the talent that they have to the best of their capabilities. "Yeah, we'll probably try to throw the ball as much as we can, but if we have the running backs, we might try to run the football, too."

Quarterback --Julian Wested. His brother, Nick, now at Slippery Rock, started for the Knights the last two years, breaking several passing records. "Julian is trying to step in and do a good job and he's very confident," Smith says. "He's picking the offense right up and learning about how to make plays and I think he's going to be a good one, too." Julian passed for 64 yards -- including a 35-yarder to Tantlinger on a halfback option to set up a TD against Oil City -- in limited playing time. He passed for 251 yards in a jayvee game against Warren.

Backfield -- Robert Tantlinger at tailback and Ethan Hunt at fullback with juniors Brandon Perrine and Sean Cogswell getting playing time there as well. Smith says there's not much of a drop-off from Tantlinger to Perrine, a 145-pounder who is the Knights' top returning rusher with 71 yards on seven carries. Tantlinger, of course, can also catch the ball coming out of the backfield. He led the Knights in receiving last year with 27 catches for 302 yards. Perrine also will be counted on, too, because Tantlinger plays on the defense.

Smith also noted that the play of the running backs has significantly increased since Rich Hancox rejoined the coaching staff into last season.

Receiving -- Bittner at split end and junior Steven Spieker at

Bittner

tight end. Bittner was second on the team in receiving in 2006 with 19 catches for 250 yards. Junior Thomas Hearst, a transfer from Oil City where he saw some varsity playing time, will see some action at WR along with senior Matt Basham and maybe sophomore Travis Adams. Junior Bob Fazzolare rotates in with the first team. Senior Ben Donaldson is the backup tight end. "Right now our receiving corps is a little thin," Smith says. "We need someone to step up there opposite of Tyler Bittner."

OL -- Cirell at left tackle and junior Ryan Malachina at left guard. Senior Shown Johns has been moved to center for the time being. Senior Ben Ruth is at right guard, and junior Cody Waagner, a converted tight end, might play there, too. Senior Jarred Frawley is the right tackle. "Those guys are solid up front, very strong," Smith says. Juniors Ben Ace and Dan Uber are the top backups.

DEFENSE

DL -- Cirell at tackle (59 tackles, 3 sacks) and senior Jarred

Frawley

Frawley at end (54 tackles, 6 tackles for loss) are the only linemen who saw significant playing time last season. Ruth and Waagner probably will man the other end, and junior Matt Rankin could see some time there. Johns looks like he's be at the other tackle. "That's where we're thin right now, defensive tackle-wise" Smith says. Uber and Ace are candidates. Uber had back surgery this summer and is expected to rotate in with the first team once he gets back.

Outside linebackers -- Perrine, Donaldson, Basham and Spieker.

Inside linebackers -- "We're pretty solid at inside linebacker," Smith says. Malanchina can play 6- or 7-backer. Hunt is a solid 6 backer who Smith says can stop the run pretty well. Sophomore Steven Myers -- the only freshman on last year's varsity -- will be the backup at 7-backer. Smith says he's probably the best tackler on the team, and will be the player he puts in when he needs to spell someone.

Secondary -- Tantlinger will start at safety for the third straight year. He has 141 career tackles, including 80 to go with three INTs last season. Cogswell, Hearst, Fazzolare, Bittner, Adams, junior Andrew McFeaters and senior Barrett Evans are all working out in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

That's been a focus this year. "I've tried to dedicate more time in practice to getting it done" Smith says.

Junior Brian Greenlee, a soccer team player, made his football debut against Meadville last season, and kicked a 25-yard field goal. He also booted 12 extra points in 2006 (when the Knights went only two-for-16 in two-point conversions.) Greenlee also will handle punting and kickoffs. Malachina is a very good punter, too.