Knights hope to surprise people in '04

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All-conference performers Nate Byham and Jake Hasson lead the defense.	Patrick Kahle will step in at quarterback for the Knights.

By Penny Weichel

A lot of people might not be expecting too much out of the Franklin High School football team in 2004.

Dave Smith took a big sigh when he was asked the question: Is being a head coach harder than he expected?

"Right now," admitted Franklin's first-year coach. "I'm a little overwhelmed with everything I've got to handle.

" It's not like college where you've got equipment managers and you've got trainers and all that stuff. Paper work and secretaries. You've got to handle it all by yourself."

Smith is two years removed from a stellar four-year career at Edinboro where he was a four-year All-PSAC West defender.

The 1998 FHS graduate was an assitant coach at his alma mater last year under head coach Tiger LaVerde, who now serves as his offensive coordinator.

But to have the LaVerde brothers -- Matt has also returned to the FHS staff after spending a season as an assistant coach at Washington & Jefferson -- along with veteran defensive coordinator Fred Blackhurst -- Smith's old high school coach -- plus Bill Schwabenbauer, Ray Benvenuti and Bill Keely at his side has been a blessing.

"I've surrounded myself with a pretty good coaching staff...I wanted to make sure I had guys who were going to take care of things for me," Smith said.

Smith said it was always a goal to teach and coach -- but admitted he didn't expect to become a head coach so soon.

"I knew if I had to do this it was going to be tough, but I wanted to make sure I surrounded myself with the right people. I think I've done that to help me through this first year.

"And as I go hopefully I'll get more experience and get the hang of this thing."

But through all the first-year trials and tribulations, Smith is enjoying himself.

"I enjoy the kids. I'm from Franklin, I played football at Franklin and there's nothing better than to see Franklin do well."

But if you listen to first-year head coach Dave Smith, a lot of people might be wrong.

"We lost a lot of guys. We lost 18 guys and we lost Richy Cerro, Garrett Brewster and Josh Battin, so a lot of people, I don't think, are expecting us to do very well," Smith said.

"But I think if we can come together as 11 instead of having individuals on this team, we're going to surprise some people...We've got a lot of talent on this team -- if we can get them to play together, which I think is going on."

The senior-laden Knights surprised a lot of people last year, rebounding from a 5-4 record in 2002 to gain a share of the Northwest Athletic Conference title with Strong Vincent, reach the District 10 Class AAA finals and finish with a 9-2 mark.

Cerro ended his career as Franklin's all-time total offense leader and passer, Brewster made first team Class AAA all-state at tackle and Battin was the heart-and-soul of the vastly improved defense.

But while only a handful of starters return from that team, Smith inherited 12 lettermen to lay the foundation for this year's squad.

Among the returnees are senior defensive end Jake Hasson, one of Franklin's six first-team all-conference picks in 2003, along with junior outside linebacker Nate Byham, a second-team pick.

Also back are senior safety Patrick Kahle, who will take over for Cerro at quarterback, junior running back Sean Saunders and senior wideout Joe Uhler.

The defense, which made a dramatic improvement from 2002, lowering its yards per game average from 306 to 234, figures to be the backbone of this year's team.

Hasson, a Division II college prospect, led in defensive points (211), sacks (8) and tackles for loss (12.5). He also made 72 tackles, recovered four fumbles and blocked a kick.

In fact, Kahle (81), another small college prospect, and Byham (75) and Hasson were Nos. 2-3-4 in tackles behind Battin.

Hasson will team with veteran Andrew Riddle at end this year, while Byham will be joined by Travis Eakin, Alex Wested and Saunders at linebacker, probably the strength of the team, especially on the inside where Byham and Eakin hold forth.

Byham could develop into a Division I prospect by the time he finishes his high school career. "Nate is a great natural athlete, so we're expecting big things out of him," Smith said.

And Eakin will be the Knights' run-stuffer. "He likes to stick his nose in there," Smith said.

Seniors John Tippel, the hardest worker on the team -- he didn't miss a single weight-training session all year -- and Cory Ballard are understudies at linebacker along with sophomores Jared Latchaw and Sean Caffrey.

First-year player Bill Klinger and Uhler will play cornerback, joining Kahle in the secondary. Jason Grill, Nick Wested and Josh Kahle will back them.

No starters are set yet at tackle where Cody Myers, Mike Murkens, freshman Matt Cirell and sophomore Gene Anderton are battling for jobs. Sam Schwabenbauer could help there, too.

"We're really looking for someone to step up there," Smith said. "That's going to be the key this year -- the interior linemen."

The line is also the biggest question mark on offense where graduation took its toll.

The all-new line has Myers at right tackle, Eakin at right guard, Anthony Casanola at center, Murkens at left guard and Schwabenbauer at left tackle. Riddle, a former running back, will play both guard positions, and Cirell and Anderton will see time at tackle.

Riddle wasn't going to play football this season, but came out again two weeks ago. "He sacrificed for the team...and he's really helping us out, playing guard and defensive end," Smith said.

Smith said Casanola has made the most gains during the off-season. "He's made himself better," he said. "He's the leader of the offensive line." Casanola also will spell Hasson or Riddle at end on defense and be the team's long-snapper.

With former head coach Tiger LaVerde returning to the coaching staff as offensive coordinator, the Knights will continue to be creative on offense, even with Cerro gone.

Kahle saw limited action behind Cerro last year, completing eight of 14 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown and an interception. "Patrick may not be as fast as Richy, per se, but he's still quick on his feet," Smith said.

The Knights have pretty good overall speed this season. Saunders, who will return at fullback, and Alex Wested, last year's starting jayvee tailback, have some speed as do the receivers -- Uhler, Byham and Hasson. Sophomore running back Cody Cummings, out with a shoulder injury right now, may be a 4.4 guy.

"I don't know if our speed is as good as last year, but it's pretty close," Smith said.

Saunders was the team's No. 2 rusher behind Cerro in 2003 with 499 yards in 113 carries. Uhler is the top returning receiver with 10 catches for 201 yards. Klinger and Adam Moseley, a junior who just moved in from Oklahoma, also will play wide receiver. Hasson and Byham will be share tight end, and Hasson will see action at split end, too. Ballard will spell Saunders at fullback.

Klinger, a soccer player when he was younger, will kick extra points and field goals.

"We were looking for a kicker in the spring. We had guys after track practice kicking and he was kicking 40-yard field goals, so he does all right," Smith said.

Grill and Riddle will do the punting, and Schwabenbauer and Riddle will handle the kickoffs. Kahle will be the holder on place kicks.

Smith expects special teams to be another strength this season. "We're going to focus on special teams because you dominate on special teams. That's big," he said.

Smith expects Strong Vincent, which has everyone back from last year's District 10 championship team, to be the team to beat in the new Region 5 that Franklin will be competing in this season. He noted that General McLane and Titusville also have good teams coming back.

Smith said he likes the new format -- all nine District 10 Class AAA schools are in one league with the top four making the playoffs. "So if we win four or five games we're in the playoffs...you don't have to worry about Mercer County teams and all that stuff," he said.