Bradford Owls
Coach (season, record): Jeff Puglio (4th season, 17-13)
2011 overall record: 3-7
2011 region record (place): 3-3 (fourth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 9 playoffs.
Top players lost: David Reinhardt, Zach Vleminckx, Dan Kline, Danny Rinfrette, Zach Britton, Dylan Lamberson
Top returning players: Matt Yurkiewicz, Nunzio Cavallero, Pat Asinger, Josh Corignani, Kyle Langdon
Assistant coaches: Jeff Pascarella, John Siffrinn, Andy Reid, Tom Reid, Davis Redington
Outlook: Bradford went through some growing pains in 2011 with three wins and a young team. The Owls gutted out a few region wins and gained valuable experience for this fall. Bradford moved to a new region and won’t have to deal with powerhouses like Cathedral Prep and Strong Vincent. The Owls, who are now in Region 5, could be a team to keep an eye on in a region without a clear favorite. Corry and Grove City moved down to Class AA, leaving the door open for every team in the region.
Bradford will have some holes to fill with the graduation of David Reinhardt, Zach Vleminckx, Dan Kline, Danny Rinfrette, Zach Britton and Dylan Lamberson. Reinhardt was an all-region first-team selection as an offensive lineman and linebacker last fall, while Kline was a first-team defensive lineman and second-team offensive lineman. Britton and Rinfrette were Bradford’s top rushers last fall. Britton had 750 yards on 115 carries, including five touchdowns, while Rinfrette carried the ball 98 times for 510 yards and five TDs. Rinfrette also caught six passes for 54 yards. The biggest impact might be felt on defense. Reinhardt led the Owls with 104 tackles, while Vleminckx and Kline had 53 and 47 tackles, respectively. Lamberson, who also graduated, led Bradford with three sacks.
Bradford recently opened a new sports and fitness center for its students and that could translate to more motivation in the weight room. Matt Yurkiewicz, a vocal leader on and off the field, could be key for the Owls this season. The senior threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 454 yards with two touchdowns last fall. Yurkiewicz was also second on the team with 66 tackles. Nunzio Cavallero, Pat Asinger, Josh Corignani, Kyle Langdon and Ty Riley are also back this fall. Asinger was voted to the all-region first team as a punter, while Riley was a second-team kicker. Cavallero was one of the top defensive backs in the region last fall with five interceptions and returned five kickoffs for 125 yards. Bradford’s biggest stretch will come at the end of September. After opening the home schedule against rival Olean (N.Y.) and Oil City, the Owls take on Warren, Slippery Rock and DuBois in consecutive weeks. Bradford returns to District 9 for the playoffs each season and will need to overcome Clearfield or Punxsutawney in the District 9 points rankings to get into the postseason.
Schedule
August
31 Olean (N.Y.) 7
September
7 Oil City* 7
14 Warren* 7
21 at Slippery Rock* 7
28 DuBois* 7
October
5 at Franklin* 7
12 at General McLane 7
19 at Meadville* 7
26 St. Marys 7
November
2 Bye
*Region 5 games
Tuesday: Cambridge Springs
– Tom Reisenweber