Football 2004 Schedule Poses Challenge For Resurgence

By KURT KNAPEK [email protected]
Thursday, September 02, 2004 Page: 13

WILKES-BARRE – Minutes after the 2003 season ended with a loss to Lakeland in
the District 2 Class 2A semifinals, GAR coach Tony Khalife had high praise for
his team.

The Grenadiers finished the season 8-3 after a 1-9 campaign in 2002.
“The kids turned this program around,” Khalife said after the 53-6 loss to
the Chiefs. “They should be proud of what they accomplished.”

Now comes the next step, likely a difficult one – maintaining consistency.

With the graduation loss of all-around standout Sam Jefferson among others
– and an improved schedule that includes the likes of Dallas and Tunkhannock –
the Grenadiers have a few question marks entering the season.

“We have a difficult schedule ... it’s a challenging schedule,” Khalife
said. “It’s a schedule that can make us better as a program. We have a lot of
young kids that will be tested for the first time and they have to be able to
step up and make plays.

“Hopefully we can accomplish good things and get back to the playoffs.”

QUARTERBACK: Mike Parcinski will take over for Jefferson at quarterback.
Parcinski, more of a drop-pass passer than the scrambling Jefferson, took only
a few varsity snaps last season.

“Sam taught me a lot of things,” Parcinski said. “I looked up to him as a
mentor. He showed me a lot of stuff – like running the option, throwing the
ball.”

RUNNING BACKS: Justin Kennedy returns and will be the starting tailback.
Kennedy rushed for 786 yards and 9 TDs last season and also caught five passes
for 99 yards and 3 TDs.

“He’ll be a big focus,” Khalife said. “The running back has always been a
big focus of the offense and will continue to be. We do have other athletes on
the field that we’ll have to spread it around a little more.”

Jeremy Womack also returns in the backfield. He rushed for 144 yards and a
pair of TDs last season. Khalife said he also has high hopes for sophomore
Gabe Blades.

Joe Stefansky, who rushed for 188 yards and 2 TDs last season, returns at
wing back.

OFFENSIVE LINE: The line will be anchored by returning starters Mike Thomas
at tackle and Maivaun Houssein. Willie Jones will start at the other guard
spot and Josh Wasielewski the other tackle. Mike Hearst and Sean Carr will
battle for the center position.



Corey Brenner returns as the starting tight end.

“The communication is going to be a key for our success,” Khalife said of
the offensive line. “It’s going to be a challenge, but with the experience we
have back we hope it will carry us through.”

RECEIVERS: Will Whitaker and Amir Bay will be the starting receivers.
Neither caught a pass last year, but Khalife expects them to be a big part of
the offense.

“We have a lot of threats offensively that we can spread the ball around
and not just run one guy all of the time,” Khalife said.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Wasielewski and Thomas will be the tackle while Houssein
and Hearst will be the ends. Jones will see plenty of action at end and Henry
Noss will back up the tackles.

LINEBACKERS: Daquan McLean and Corey Brenner will start at inside
linebacker with Dave Ankner scheduled to be in the mix. Randy Kreitzer and Tim
Myers will start outside. Kyle Jones will see lots of playing time and may
start if Myers starts at safety.

SECONDARY: Kennedy and Stefansky give the Grenadiers two speedy defensive
backs. Chris DalSanto, Lance Todd or Whitaker will start at safety if Myers
doesn’t.

“We have good team defensive, we just have to get better as a unit,”
Khalife said. “We have to use our team speed to our advantage. We have to able
to make big plays on defense instead of always relying on our offense.”

SPECIAL TEAMS: Stephen Morio will be the kicker, while either Allen
Michaels or Brenner will punt.

OUTLOOK: GAR will be tested right out of the gates with games against
Tunkhannock and Dallas. The young Grenadiers will likely have to pull an upset
or two to get back into the playoffs, but should finish over .500.

cutline:

FOR TIMES LEADER/AIMEE DILGER

GAR is hoping to qualify for the District 2 Class 2A playoffs for the
second consecutive season. To do so, the Grenadiers will need big performances
from, sitting, Justin Kennedy; middle row from left, Maivaun Houssein and Mike
Thomas; and standing, Joe Stefansky and Corey Brenner.