Re: Never too early...

[Opinionguy]

The Rangers definitely have some large shoes to fill heading into this offseason. The OG wasn't particularly worried for this year, although the Rangers did lose some key players from 09, heading into this year we had adequate backups that obviously stepped in this year and did the job.

Here is a position by position break down with a rating from 1-10:

QB: 1 Returning Starter - Justin Gdula - Senior. Justin returns after a solid 10 season. However, his top targets graduate. However the Rangers return enough skill guys for an solid passing attack as long as the line can provide him time.
Back-ups here is a worry though. Tyler Shema (So.) is a great talent- and may provide with something in the future that the Rangers have never had- an option style QB who can really run- however he likely won't be varsity ready as a sophomore. Jared Shope would be an option as well if needed, but this would really hurt FH's WR position. Hopefully we don't have to cross this bridge.
Position Strength- 8.5

Running backs: 1 Returning starter. The Rangers are in OK shape here. Of course, your stud next year is Unger. The real question is what the Rangers will do at Full Back. Anthony Unger (Sr. TB)- great talent, has the ability to stick it between the tackles and take it to the house on every play. Shawn Dell (Jr. TB/WB) should fill in Unger's role in 2010, which is the counter guy and breather guy. Dell is a sub. 4.7 guy and has the big play capability as well. Zack Pinkas (Jr. TB/FB) more physical style of a runner, and not afraid of contact. However, he is going to beef up if he is going to land the starting FB job. This would likely best benefit FH so John Levi Ohler could stay on the line where he will really be needed. However, if Pinkas can't handle FB, or if somehow FH develops enough lineman for next season Ohler would be the guy to lead the way for Unger. Typical FH fullback material...tough, great attitude, moves good enough to carry the trap
Position Strength- 8.5

Wide Receivers- 0 Returning Starters. FH loses a lot here, however they do have some guys that should be able to step up. The biggest question mark will be if the Rangers have the deep threat that can get behind defenses to keep the safeties honest. Jared Shope (Jr.) will likely be FH's top target heading into 2011. He will be solid. Bobby Clifford (Sr.), D.J. Berkey (Sr.), Doltyn Snedden (Jr.) will battle for the other WR spot. The OG's wild card here will be Tyler Shema. This kid has good speed, and is really an athlete. It will be interesting to see if Coach Bailey tries him out at WR early in the scrimmages, or keeps him solely at QB working toward the future.
Position Strength- 5.5

Offensive Lineman- Returning starters 2. The Rangers return John Ohler and Jon Sanders but lose the rest of the big guns who have anchored the line for the last two years. It's going to take its toll, especially with losing Meier at FB who would really pick up guys and prevent negative plays. So...this is the year the Ranger faithful should start getting nervous about what lies ahead. For some reason, these next couple classes are really thin at lineman, and it doesn't pick up for a while, unless Don can recruit some big kids walking down the halls of Sidman. The G&G do have some guys who are capable...names like Pavlic, Brydon, and Hughes come to mind. But these kids have a lot of maturing to do and hard work ahead of them if they are going to reach their potential.
Position Strength- 4

Defensive Lineman- 1 full time returning starter. Some tune here as above, so I won't repeat. The only good news is you don't need as many here with the Rangers recent traditional 5-2 set. We only need 3. I'm thinking we can find three with Ohler being at nose...Sanders at a tackle, and someone else mentioned above stepping or rotating at the other wide tackle.
Position Strength - 6.5

Linebacker - 0 full time returning starters. A lot of Options here with guys that can fill in. Unger played End, but should be able to handle inside next year. Pinkas is probably your blitzing inside linebacker next year because of his lack of size, with maybe Dell moving up to End. The other DE will be up for grabs...
Position Strength - 8

Defensive Backs- Returning Starters 3. The Rangers are real solid here with Berkey (3 yr starter Sr.), Shope, and Dell all returning. Snedden also played later in the season. Possible sophomore impact here with Jared Krug at Safety and Tyler Shema at the other corner position.
Position Strength – 8

Like any team (well not any team because not many can do it) winning back to back district titles is going to leave some questions after graduation. What is concerning this year is the confidence in the front runners for the new positions. These guys have very little varsity experience. The potential is there, but for now that is all it is…potential.
If the season were to start tomorrow we’d probably be looking at a 7-3 team. However, Pinkas and Dell are real solid players and we know Gdula and Unger are going to get better. Looking ahead, Johnstown in league play will be the one most Ranger Faithful will be circling. However, look for much tougher games out of PC , McCort, and Richland (their sophomore class is LOADED) next year.

OG’s early prediction: 8-2. But this team could really be anywhere from 6-4 to 10-0 depending on how things pan out. This team will get better as the season goes on with some of these players gaining experience as the season rolls along, which means look for FH to make another run at Mansion in 2011.

[baseballguy1983]

OG, I enjoyed your dissertation of next years FH squad. There are a few flaws, I heard Tyler shema was transferring down to (of course) McCort. But don't quote me on it. Next years FH team would most certaintly get inialated by this years team. And I agree with you about richlands soph. class being absolutely loaded. If McCort would've moved some of their freshman up, I think they would have had a much better shot at gaining better experience. (hell, they might have actually won mc a few more games)

[El-Moldo]

If the present LHAC schedule doesn't change, FH should open the season with Richland next season. Then, when all these Richland sophomores are seniors in 2012, FH will not play them in the regular season.

[lakersfan24]

It'll be a shame if Shima transfers. He's a great hockey player which is probably why this came up.

Opinionguy, you're missing Brydon on the line. Got time as a Freshman and Sophomore, and will be one of their best lineman coming into his junior year if he matures.

[Manfred]

Key words: "if he matures". Not to put him down, but he really needs something or someone to help him along that road to maturity. For the past couple years, if he hasn't had a couple minor injuries, his head has been ....not where it needs to be. One week he quits, the next he's back. Same for wrestling. I don't know. " What we have here is a failure to communicate. Some people you just can't reach. "

[Opinionguy]

It'll be a shame if Shima transfers. He's a great hockey player which is probably why this came up.

Opinionguy, you're missing Brydon on the line. Got time as a Freshman and Sophomore, and will be one of their best lineman coming into his junior year if he matures.

Regarding Tyler S., I'd be very surprised to see a transfer happen. In fact, this has been a rumor for a couple years now. The kid had an excellent Freshman season at QB and is in line to be the next QB at FH after Gdula. Again, how much are you really going to gain by transferring to McCort for Hockey? I mean seriously, if you're going to leave for hockey you can do a lot better than McCort. Doesn't Kiski Prep have a great hockey team? I just find these rumors hard to believe. He is a great kid, great talent, and will do good things in the G&G.

Brydon did see time, and he is on the list as having to be one of the guys. I'm with Manfred, that makes me nervous. However, sometimes when you are needed...people grow up quickly. The OG has heard many people say "Football straightened me out and taught me a lot about life", well...here's hoping...because we sure are going to need him next year. He has a lot of potential for sure...

[Eaglealum]

Depends on what those 10 kids can do...I remember years L-town would return like 19 starters and 27 letterman and stink worse than the year before, . Look for quantity of quality not just numbers.

[baseballguy1983]

C. Valley returning 10 on offense and 10 on defense including a new a new ball coach, what do you think?

Yeah, and the Pirates are going to win the World Series.