Dudukovich compared to the rest

[Opinionguy]

Yes Ryan Ford. Excellent runner, hailing from the Mine 42 Area. I kept thinking I was missing a guy 92-93 and he is it.

People forget that Dan Felix actually broke the FH single season rushing record in 1997, only to be broken a year later by Justin Beyer (who still holds it). Dan did it that year in what most considered a complete rebuilding year after the talent loaded 1996 squad with Jono Petrunak, Brain Endler, and company left town. He broke the record that year with a rebuilt line, sophomore skill position players (including QB Poldiak Sophomore year). He was really a good runner who is often overlooked.

Beyer then of course had his outstanding season in his only full season of varsity action. In my mind, what sets these guys apart is that they really only had one year rushing the football, unlike recent Ranger Rushers. I'd really would have liked to see what these guys could have done if they would have toted the pigskin for two or more years in the backfield. The competition in the FH backfield in the 90's was super competitive.

[knightrider]

Yes Ryan Ford. Excellent runner, hailing from the Mine 42 Area. I kept thinking I was missing a guy 92-93 and he is it.

People forget that Dan Felix actually broke the FH single season rushing record in 1997, only to be broken a year later by Justin Beyer (who still holds it). Dan did it that year in what most considered a complete rebuilding year after the talent loaded 1996 squad with Jono Petrunak, Brain Endler, and company left town. He broke the record that year with a rebuilt line, sophomore skill position players (including QB Poldiak Sophomore year). He was really a good runner who is often overlooked.

Beyer then of course had his outstanding season in his only full season of varsity action. In my mind, what sets these guys apart is that they really only had one year rushing the football, unlike recent Ranger Rushers. I'd really would have liked to see what these guys could have done if they would have toted the pigskin for two or more years in the backfield. The competition in the FH backfield in the 90's was super competitive.

I have been around many great FH teams, but I agree the 96 squad was the best. They were loaded and barring injury could have easy won the state title. The 94 and 99 teams were excellent too! Any opinions on this

[Opinionguy]

I have been around many great FH teams, but I agree the 96 squad was the best. They were loaded and barring injury could have easy won the state title. The 94 and 99 teams were excellent too! Any opinions on this

The debate will never end...you could make a case for several Ranger teams. 96 was loaded, too bad Matty Danel went down at the point on a freak play.

[youngbuck]

I always thought that Felix was the best running back to come out of FH.

[FHWRESTLING]

Yes, Felix graduated in 1998 and Ford in 1994.

[youngbuck]

Yes Ryan Ford. Excellent runner, hailing from the Mine 42 Area. I kept thinking I was missing a guy 92-93 and he is it.

People forget that Dan Felix actually broke the FH single season rushing record in 1997, only to be broken a year later by Justin Beyer (who still holds it). Dan did it that year in what most considered a complete rebuilding year after the talent loaded 1996 squad with Jono Petrunak, Brain Endler, and company left town. He broke the record that year with a rebuilt line, sophomore skill position players (including QB Poldiak Sophomore year). He was really a good runner who is often overlooked.

Beyer then of course had his outstanding season in his only full season of varsity action. In my mind, what sets these guys apart is that they really only had one year rushing the football, unlike recent Ranger Rushers. I'd really would have liked to see what these guys could have done if they would have toted the pigskin for two or more years in the backfield. The competition in the FH backfield in the 90's was super competitive.

What is the Record?

[Manfred]

Would you be asking about regular season, or season total, including all playoffs? I do not know, but someone might.

[lakersfan24]

Dudukovich passed Beyer and Mehall both in the Huntingdon game from what I've heard. He should become the first ever 2,000 yard rusher, and has to be close to or past the career rushing yards mark. Congrats to the Rangers. I was skeptical as anyone of Nick's abilities, but after this season I'll retract that. The FH run game has been more consistent for the past 3 seasons than I've ever seen it. In the last 3 years, FH has had a runningback go for over 1,800 yards each season (2 Dudukovich, 1 Mehall). That has certainly never been done at FH considering Beyer is the only other 1,800 yard rusher. Hard to believe it's only been 3 years since people marked 2007 "The Downfall of Don Bailey and the FH Football Program". 3 straight 10+ wins seasons dispelled that pretty quickly...

As far as Dudukovich goes, he has to be top 5 IMO.

[recycling bin]

I know this is off topic but how exactly was the 96 team loaded? You had Endler and Petrunak maybe Danel and...
1. The line was ok other than Petrunak but i struggle to remember any other really good ones. Defensively they were getting blown off the ball against Tyrone into the linebackers.
2. Jay Gdula was a good route runner with sure hands but he wasn't gonna run away from anyone.
3. Papinchak was a nice back but small. Would he have kept up if he got a team that was pounding them? Felix was more of a runner than a true fullback.
4. The top teams in the LH (other than FH) were Westmont, CC, Bedford, and McCort. All had 1st year starters at QB while we returned a veteran. We should have been favored to win every game.

I'm as avid a FH fan as anyone. I haven't missed a game in 20 years. While I really liked the 96 team there were just too many question marks to just crown them the best ever, with or without Danel. I have no problem putting them in my top 10, maybe even 5 but 91,93,95,03, and 05 to me all had less ?'s along the line and secondary skill players. In the end they were a solid football team but I wouldn't say loaded. I guess we'll never know because Danel got hurt but still I don't think people realize how hard the teams are from other areas and how hard it is to reach the finals. They were good but I would never say they could've easily won the state championship.

[El-Moldo]

Actually the only bad team in '96 was Vo-Tech. Somerset was just beginning it's slide downward. CR with Jeff Bair was pretty good. Bedford was tough as always. Ligonier with Wharton was good. CH was still pretty tough. FH faced Westmont in the District 6 championship game. I believe United was undefeated until FH beat them at our field in the District semi-finals. CC and PC were both playing AAA then. Richland wasn't real good. You are completely wrong about the staring QB's that were mentioned. Chris Locher was a veteran senior QB in '96 having started the year before as a junior. BM had Rashan Puryear as a returnimg starter in '96. FH beat him 14-13 as a senior the night Danel got hurt. BM had only one offensive score that night, with the other TD coming on a kickoff return for a TD by Razhon Dickey. The extra point was missed. FH held BM with 0 points in the second half, while using a true 9th grade QB. In '95, FH beat Puryear 35-21 at FH, but did not make the playoffs because ONLY 6 teams made the playoffs in those days. The top 2 teams had a first round bye. That '96 team was something special.