Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Cella hopes to break 21-game winless streak
Ryan Evans
Fred ADAMS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER
Deric Grohowski
Jake Myers
Al Leiby
Edwin Agosto
Lou Cella knew he was stepping into a tough situation last year as Nanticoke Area’s coach.
So even when the Trojans went winless, he believes progress was made in reviving a once-proud program.
“Everything has gone as expected,” Cella said. “All we wanted to do last year was cleanse the program. It was a senior-laden team and knew there were a plethora of issues.
“I knew there were some severe issues. I knew when I took over this would be a four- to eight-year process just to get competitive. I expect in 2011 we’ll be competitive with everybody in Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2A.”
Cella hasn’t been at practice through double sessions. The 31-year-old suffered a heart attack Aug. 4 and has been ordered by his doctors to stay away from football until his health improves.
In the meantime, his brother Mario and the rest of the coaching staff have run the show and provided the head coach with updates.
“It’s not been hard at because my assistants were with me last year,” Cella said. “My brother is there and he’s pretty much in charge and he’s been with me 28 years. He knows how things are to be done and my assistant coaches are wonderful.”
ON OFFENSE
Except for the occasional big play, Nanticoke had trouble moving the ball with any consistency last year.
That might be a problem again as seven new starters are in the lineup.
The line is the most experienced group with tackles Andrew Agustini and Jake Myers and center Al Lieby back. Rich Badowski and Corey Burke will be the guards.
Across the board, the line is one of the smallest in the WVC with an average weight of 180 pounds. The Trojans are hoping their triple option offense will help mask the decisive size disadvantage.
Senior Deric Grohowski is back as the quarterback, but sophomore Zak Matuleski could also figure into the picture.
The running backs – senior Ryan Evans and sophomores Ken Humphrey and Tom Vitale – are very inexperienced. Evans had three carries last year to lead the group.
Junior Edwin Agosto brings some experience to the slotback position, but sophomores Brian Maslowski and Derek Wolfe are newcomers.
John Decker and Kyle Kotz will be the receiver. Neither had a reception last season, but considering Nanticoke completed just eight passes in 10 games that’s not surprising.
Cella, though, is optimistic the offense will perform better and has challenged it to do so.
“We expect to be better even though we have six sophomores on offense,” Cella said. “How much better will be up to them.”
ON DEFENSE
Nanticoke surrendered 385 points last season, down from 412 in 2007 but still the most in the WVC. The total was the third most in District 2, just behind Holy Cross (454) and Western Wayne (479) of the Lackawanna Conference.
The defense will be even younger than the offense, with seven sophomore expected to contribute. The Trojans hope any shortcomings can be alleviated by hustle and desire.
“We want a defense that will sprint to the ball and tackle,” Cella said.
Evans and Myers return as linebackers, but then there’s a long list of candidates to fill the positions in the 3-5 alignment. Agustini, Badowski, Grohowski, Humphrey, Kotz and Maslowski are the frontrunners.
Vying for time in the three-man front are Lieby, Andy Freeman, Chad Hashagen, Chris Gravish and Pedro Bracero. Like on the other side of the ball, the unit lacks size.
Matuleski is penciled in as the safety, with Agosto, Vitale and Wolfe filling the two corner positions.
OUTLOOK
Breaking a 21-game losing streak – longest in District 2 – would be nice. But the main goal is developing the core of sophomores and preventing those players from being discouraged in what will be another rough year.