Speedy outlook for King’s attack

WILKES-BARRE – Want to know what’s on the mind of Rich Mannello this season?

Speed, speed and more speed.

According to the Monarchs’ head coach, it was a decision he’d made early last season, enacting it through summer recruiting and player position changes, most notably moving defensive back Bob Cirko to wide receiver for the start of summer workouts.

The Bishop Hoban grad did play wideout in King’s 2006 regular-season finale, grabbing two catches for 85 yards.

“Going into camp we’re going to establish what kind of shape we’re in,” said Mannello on Tuesday at MAC football media day. “This could be the fastest perimeter group we’ve ever had. We’ve got to get the ball in the playmakers’ hands and try to lean on that group a little and see what we can get out of them.”

King’s, which finished 6-5 (6-3 MAC) last season, tied last year’s Middle Atlantic Conference runner-up Delaware Valley for third place in the MAC preseason poll. Mannello contends the Monarchs won’t be totally abandoning their tried and true game plan of relying on the running game, instead working in more of a balanced offense.

“You can slow the game down if you need to early on if you’re struggling,” said Mannello. “We may not want to take that route. (Cirko) is here to give us that option. We want to be able to open things up. To be honest with you, I’m tired of blocking those safeties down there in the box. If all goes to plan, they’re going to have to cover some people on the perimeter – which has only been done on and off here recently.”

King’s will also get a boost on defense with the return of senior linebacker Tore Alaimo.

After fracturing the glenoid bone of his shoulder last year in a preseason scrimmage – an injury described as one usually occurring only in car accidents – Alaimo was forced to sit out all of 2006. Before the injury, Alaimo was a two-time first-team MAC selection and an All-Region performer. The linebacker also holds the solo tackle records at King’s for both single-season (69) and single-game (15).

“I’m definitely excited to be back,” Alaimo said. “A year off puts everything in perspective for you and I’m definitely starting to think about life after football.”

The Pittston Area alum said he has fully recovered from his shoulder injury and feels no aftereffects from the injury.

“I tell everyone that I’m better than 100 percent now,” Alaimo said. “Although, coming into this camp, I feel like a freshman all over again. It’s going to be another learning experience for me.”

With King’s replacing 11 starters from last season, both Alaimo and Cirko are welcome veterans on the Monarch squad.

Also returning will be senior quarterback Jeff Searfass for his second season as a starter. Tailback John Ortiz must be replaced, but Jeff Field (605 yards, 8 TDs) and Jeramia Jones (120 yards) seem to be the likely replacements.

King’s kicks off the season with three non-conference opponents, beginning with St. John Fisher on Sept. 1. The Monarchs follow with Ithaca in Week 2 and Hampden-Sydney College Week 3.

“We went out and scheduled three of the toughest teams we could find,” Mannello said. “We’re going to know right away what level we’re at.”

King’s also met St. John Fisher in its 2006 season opener, a game that Fisher won 30-0. The Cardinals also won the previous two meetings, with the closest game coming in 2004 -- a 28-21 margin.

Ithaca was a regular opponent from 1958-62, defeating King’s in all five games. King’s has never played Hampden-Sydney College.

“People have said, ‘Why don’t you play someone not as tough?’” Mannello said. “They don’t exist anymore – they’re all good. The great thing that comes out of (playing good opponents) is on Sunday morning when you break down the film, you know exactly where your weaknesses are.”