MAHANOY CITY — Dave Holman walked along the track at Alumni Field following an afternoon practice.
Surveying his players, he was asked if everyone is staying healthy.
“Yeah ... thank God,” the Golden Bears head coach said.
Small schools admitting the importance of staying healthy is nothing new. But for Mahanoy Area, it could mean a shot at a district title.
Riddled by injuries a season ago, the Golden Bears still qualified for the District 11 Class A playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Imagine what they could do at full strength this year.
“Your main focus is Week 1 and getting through camp and your scrimmages healthy,” Holman said. “You can have high expectations, but a lot of teams don’t live up to those. We’re trying to take it one game at a time, stay focused, stay healthy and try to focus on Week 1.”
Week 1 sees Mahanoy travel to Lehighton, where the Indians were picked to finish second in the Anthracite Football League. The Bears, meanwhile, were chosen eighth in both the coaches and media preseason polls, a bit surprising considering who they have returning.
Senior running back Lenny Dulsky was 7 yards shy of 1,000 last season and scored nine touchdowns. Fellow backfield mate Mike Wronski could’ve reached similar numbers had he not been hampered by injuries, but he’ll get another shot this year in his senior campaign.
Mahanoy Area lost senior Jason Richmond for the season early last year, throwing another wrench into Holman’s plans.
Quarterback Mason Ryan also caught the injury bug a year ago and still rushed for 706 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Matt Yedsena returns, too, and is being moved from his wide receiver post last season to a backfield slot this year.
Essentially, the majority of the group that helped Mahanoy Area compile 2,319 yards rushing (211 per game) and 25 touchdowns last season will be back.
“We have most of our skills (position players) back that were very productive last year,” Holman said. “We’re hoping that they perform even better.”
Ryan, however, will have one less target to aim for this season after Mason Evitts (300 yards receiving in 2014, 334 rushing) transferred to Marian.
Ryan will also have fairly new protection in front of him. The Golden Bears graduated four offensive lineman, but return their anchor up front in center Nolan Fegley.
“He takes charge a lot,”
Wronski said of his center. “Nolan Fegley takes charge. He’s a great role model.”
Fegley, a 6-foot, 195-pound senior, has had some great role models himself. He’s watched current Lehigh University lineman Tyler Cavenas his sophomore year and was a big part of last year’s line with then-seniors Bailey Forte and Henry Blume.
“I embrace (leadership) 100 percent,” Fegley said. “I love it. I’m close with all the guys on the line, so I’m not really too worried.”
Joining Fegley on the line will likely be junior Billy Lipshaw (5-11, 260), senior Chris Caravella (5-11, 225), and sophomore Michael Hayes (6-1, 220). In camp, the right tackle spot was up for grabs between junior John Molina (5-11, 240) and sophomore Nathan Macleary (6-1, 225).
“It’s a great group of kids that are going to be on the line that I foresee stepping into the roles of the guys we lost to graduation,” Holman said. “Right now, it’s just figuring out who it’s going to be. The quicker we can gel, the better we’ll be.”
Defensively, linebackers Wronski and Fegley both eclipsed 100 tackles last year. Add an experienced secondary with Yedsena and Ryan, and the Bears’ back seven should be solid. Dulsky will likely move up from linebacker to the line to help solidify the front.
Yedsena shined in the defensive backfield in 2014 with five interceptions.
Should that dreaded injury bug strike Mahanoy Area again, there are a plethora of options. The Bears had 55 players on the preseason roster.
“Obviously that will change, but that’s a good sign for the program,” Holman said. “With a good number of kids out, it’s hard to get everybody reps, but the kids are learning as they go.”
As for getting picked No. 8 in the preseason polls? Holman said he’ll take it, adding that it keeps his players’ heads from getting too big.
“They’re fun, they’re exciting to look at. But come October, November, I don’t think they really play into anything,” he said. “Regardless of where we were, first or last, it doesn’t really matter. Our preparation’s the same.”
Bears at a glance
Head coach: Dave Holman (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Matt Gianelli, Mike Heater, Greg Merchlinsky, Pete Sanfillipo
Last year: 5-6, 4-5 Anthracite Football League, District 11 Class A semifinalist
Coach’s record: 15-18 (.455)
Mascot: Golden Bears
Stadium: Alumni Stadium
District/Classification: 11 A
Eastern Conference Classification: Class A South
Starters returning: 6 offense, 8 defense
KEY RETURNEES (5): Mike Wronski (sr., RB-LB), Nolan Fegley (sr., OL-LB), Mason Ryan (sr., QB-DB), Matt Yedsena (sr., WR-DB), Lenny Dulsky (sr., RB-LB)
KEY NEWCOMERS (7): Billy Lipshaw (jr., OL-DL), Matt Lewandowski (soph., QB-DB), Chris Caravella (sr., OL-DL), Michael Hayes (soph., OL-LB), John Molina (jr., OL-DL), Nathan Macleary (soph., OL-DL), Liam Manselll (jr., RB-LB)
SEASON OUTLOOK: Should be among the top-tier teams in the Anthracite League if they stay healthy. The Bears were riddled by the injury bug last year and still qualified for the District 11 Class A semifinals. Many of those starters are back this season and have their sights set on a return to districts. Don’t be surprised if Mahanoy makes more noise there this year.
Joseph Bradley 12 5-9 155 K
Chris Caravella 12 5-11 225 OL-DL
Lenny Dulsky 12 6-2 220 RB-LB
Aydan Erbe 12 5-10 145 WR-DB
Nolan Fegley 12 6-0 195 OL-LB
Brad Hornung 12 6-2 245 OL-DL
Mason Ryan 12 6-0 175 QB-DB
Marcus Styka 12 6-2 200 TE-LB
Andre Wilson 12 5-9 155 WR-DB
Mike Wronski 12 5-11 200 RB-LB
Matt Yedsena 12 6-1 180 QB-DB
Jordan Kunkel 11 5-9 130 WR-DB
Mark Lawrence 11 5-10 190 OL-DL
Zachary Leshko 11 5-10 160 RB-DB
Billy Lipshaw 11 5-11 260 OL-DL
Kyle Loughlin 11 5-7 130 RB-DB
Liam Mansell 11 6-0 165 RB-LB
John Molina 11 5-11 240 OL-DL
Tyler Nalesnick 11 6-0 240 OL-DL
John Henry Schroeder 11 5-9 135 WR-DB
Logan Van Horn 11 5-8 140 K
Ryan Wuttke 11 6-1 280 OL-DL
Nolan Yanchuck 11 5-10 130 RB-DB
Christian Alvarez 10 5-10 150 WR-DB
Brendan Bennett 10 5-9 145 WR-DB
Nick Cavenas 10 5-9 145 RB-DB
Hunter Coleman 10 6-2 275 OL-DL
Eric Dreamer 10 5-11 200 OL-DL
Jacob Friel 10 5-9 170 RB-DB
Michael Hayes 10 6-1 220 OL-LB
Justin Letcavage 10 6-0 165 WR-DB
Matt Lewandowski 10 6-2 170 QB-DB
Nathan Macleary 10 6-1 225 OL-DL
Matthew Price 10 5-10 150 WR-DB
John Weikrykas 10 5-11 215 OL-DL
Brady Andrewsky 9 5-4 135 OL-DL
Michael Aunsbach 9 5-10 180 OL-DL
Hunter Bloss 9 6-2 190 TE-DL
Tyler Clewell 9 5-5 155 FB-LB
Cade Cunningham 9 6-0 235 OL-DL
Colin Fegley 9 6-0 165 QB-DB
Deandre Fernandez 9 5-6 115 WR-DB
Jacob Hartranft 9 5-10 130 WR-DB
Cameron Jones 9 5-9 130 FB-LB
Chris Kondash 9 5-6 140 RB-DL
Seth Maley 9 5-6 120 RB-LB
Chase Mazalusky 9 5-10 195 OL-DL
Jon Shala 9 5-7 195 OL-DL
Dakota Sheip 9 5-10 285 OL-DL
Nico Streisel 9 5-6 125 WR-DB
M.J. Terry 9 6-0 145 RB-DB
Jesse Walker 9 6-0 125 WR-DB
Anthony Walters 9 5-1 145 WR-DB
2014 results
Anthracite Football League
5-6 overall, 4-5 AFL
Lehighton L, 12-47
Schuylkill Haven W, 38-21
Panther Valley W, 19-12
Minersville W, 21-20
North Schuylkill L, 7-49
Blue Mountain L, 6-35
Jim Thorpe L, 22-29
Marian L, 14-21
Col-Mon Vo-Tech W, 28-0
Shen. Valley W, 28-7
District 11 A Semifinals
Pius X L, 7-26