Devils Take to the Gridiron

TRIBORO BANNER WRITER

It's a new fall season and the focus at Old Forge is all about football.

Last season was special. Old Forge went unbeaten in the regular season, with the Blue Devils earning the Lackawanna Football Conference Division III title for the second time.

"I took everything out of the locker room. We took every sign down and anything that resembled or was a part of last year's undefeated season," Old Forge football coach Mike Schuback said. "It is history and that is the way it is. There is nothing you can do about it. We were fortunate to get to that point."

Schuback said this is a brand-new team and he wants to see this team establish its own identity. He said the seniors have really looked to set the tone in preseason practices. This will be a year for the seniors to have a chance to shine and keep the winning ways going for Old Forge.

"Our kids are responding well," Schuback said. "We have a lot of kids returning and the 10th graders run the same stuff we did. We just have to get out if it (camp) healthy. But for the most part, I think we are doing all right."

Schuback said the young team will have a lot of depth. An influx of young players is evolving and providing Old Forge with able players at virtually every position.

Last year, Old Forge didn't know what type of receivers it had on the team. As the year went on, the receivers developed and became strength for the Blue Devils.

Senior Kenny Paulish will play tight end and will give Old Forge another strong option down field. Paulish has played well in early scrimmages at a new position.

The starting wide receivers are senior Conner Fultz and junior Dave Argust. Austin Karwaski will be counted on to make plays for Old Forge from the passing game. Schuback said the running-back spot will see an array of players taking handoffs, such as Michael Tagliaferri and Louis Febbo. He has also been encouraged by the running of some young players such as sophomore Brian Tomasetti and junior Joe Ciuccio.

"At running back, it is running back by committee. We have two seniors who have really played well," Schuback said. "We have a bunch of underclassmen who have filled in and we are really happy with."

Schuback said he has three quarterbacks who bring versatility to the position and allow the offense to be more diverse. He will use senior Mike Mancuso, who played quarterback and receiver last year. He also said junior Dave Chromey and junior Colin Carey have played well.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker has been a strong spot for the Blue Devils the past few seasons and this year will be no different. Old Forge will use senior Brandon Souryavong, who is one of the team's top returning players along with Tagliaferri, who is also one of the top linebackers in the league. Alex Enciso and Anthony Trotta will also be a part of a strong linebacker core.

On the defensive line, Schuback said he has more linemen than ever before. He said he is still looking for the right rotation of players as he tries to find the right mix between size and speed. He said depth will be the strength and that will help the defensive backfield.

Old Forge has won the Division III title the last two seasons. Schuback said there is no clear favorite this year. The Blue Devils will open the season on the road with a tough game at Lake-Lehman and will open at home the following Friday night with GAR.

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