By Phil Haddad
The Boyertown football team is looking to improve on last year’s 6-6 last season. Coach Scisly has 20 seniors and 20 juniors on this year’s team and they are returning some key position players that he feels can make their run at a league title and possibly District 1-AAAA playoffs.
The Bears lost a running back 1594 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns from Ryan Schwager and Logan Herb who have graduated. They do have senior Tom Froehlich who had 267 yards rushing and average seven yards a carry. Also returning is junior running back Jon Neiman who had 370 yards rushing and averaged 6.7 yards a carry. Neiman also scored four touchdowns.
A big returning is senior quarterback Dylan Pasik (6′4″) who is in his second year at the helm at quarterback. In his first year Pasik was 49-104 for 563 yards. Pasik also threw five touchdowns and four interceptions in the 2009 campaign.
“The kids are working hard, and we had a good scrimmage against Upper Merion,” said Scisly. “We just want to get better every day, and we are working hard to do that.”
A lot of experienced players are returning in 2010. The coaching staff is going to count on them for the senior and veteran leadership. They started off well and the seniors are really taking charge according to Scisly. “They are leading by example,” said Scisly. “They are a very good group of senior leaders and they are setting a good example. They did that in the off-season because they have worked very hard to get to this point.”
Having a senior and experienced team will be a big help coming into Scisly’s third year as coach at Boyertown High. He knows that you don’t build a program in a year, but it takes time, several years. Scisly has seen that the players have put in a lot of hard work to get to this point, and he’s hoping that the players will see that work pay off. The senior class is the first class that he’s worked with for three years. Scisly has really seen this group dedicate themselves to understand what it takes to be a successful football team.
The team has high expectations for this year and Scisly feels that they are reachable goals as well. “We always have high expectations,” said Scisly. “We aren’t going to lower our expectations. Our expectations are to compete for a league title and to play in the district playoffs. We are still working to get to that point. Once we do, we expect to stay there.
“We aren’t going to set goals that we feel that we can’t reach. That’s our team goal.”
Returning on the offensive line is Jake Semple, Tyler Boggs, Tyler Bogert, Chris Muller, Zach Paskel or Mark Weisser. The line is an experienced group with some size and strength up front. Chris Muller is 6′6″ and 285 along with Jake Semple who is 6′2″ and 300. Tyler Bogart is 5′10″ and 240. Scisly is looking for them to open up some big holes for the running backs.
Returning in the backfield is Jon Neiman and Tom Froehlich. Also playing in the backfield is Jared Von Dohren. Playing at wide receiver is Brook David or David Siepietowski, Tyler Shaw, Jake McKee, Zach Heffner will see time at tight end for the Bears.
Returning a quarterback who has a year of experience is a huge plus especially when Pasik, then a junior, took over the reigns at quarterback after playing at St. Pius X. “Dylan knows the offense this year, and last year he was still learning,” said Scisly. “He has a lot more poise and he knows what he’s doing. Dylan understands the offense that’s going to be a huge plus this year.”
On the defensive line this year are Chris Muller, Travis Mitchell, and Dalton Schaeffer. Playing at linebackers are Tyler Shaw, Zach Heffner, Jeff Ellwanger, Sean Fulmer, Troy Heuer. Playing in the secondary are Brook David, David Siepietowski, Tyler Mauger, Jon Neiman, or Jared Von Dohren.
Scisly sees for this year having eight returning players on defense is a strength for the Bears. He thinks that he has a very experienced group on defense, along with having a lot of size and speed. “Our kids have worked really hard in the off-season,” said Scisly. “They are bigger and stronger and they tested really well in our speed training program. I think that the off-season condition and strength training is going to pay off.”
Some may feel that this is a key year for Scisly being in his third season, but Scisly feels that there is always pressure on a high school coach no matter what sport it is. “We are doing everything in our power as coaches and players to have the best team that we can,” said Scisly. “It’s a joint venture with the coaches, players, parents and administration all working together. Hopefully the results will be very good.”
Coach Scisly knows that until someone beats Pottsgrove, they are the team to beat in the PAC-10 which will not be an easy task. Pottsgrove is returning close to everyone from last years District 1-AAA championship team including Miaka Polamalu, Terell Chestnut, and Kavon Greene. Scisly sees some different teams being up towards the top of the league.
“We are as good as any team in this league,” said Scisly. “We have to show it on the field.”
The Bears will once again open up the season against Willam Allen High School (Allentown School District) on Friday September third at Boyertown Memorial Stadium. The Bears won last year against William Allen last year 41-15. Allen has a new football coach who is looking to improve the Canaries football program.
“They run a spread offense, and they are a quick, fast team,” said Scisly. “It’s a good opener and we need to be ready. We can’t under estimate them.”
Trying to keep the team focused and not over look William Allen isn’t always an easy task. “Anyone can win on any given day,” said Scisly. “Our guys lost two games that we shouldn’t have lost last year because we under estimated teams. It’s the first game and we know that they will be fired up for the first game.”
Phil Haddad is a free lance writer and all comments can be submitted below.