Well, Media Day is in the books. Nothing like interviewing 24 coaches in 4 1/2 hours. My head is so full of cliches it’s about to split. But I’ll just try to do this entry one word at a time, because I don’t want to overlook so many quality words and phrases.
Anyway, the last session involved the eight teams in Section One. Last year, Wilson ran away with the whole thing and wound up making a deep run into the state playoffs. But the Bulldogs have lost, in coach Doug Dahms’ estimation, “Every single player from that team.”
Hempfield coach Bob Forgrave wasn’t buying it. “I’m sure Wilson will cry about all the players they’ve lost,” he said with a chuckle. “But Wilson is Wilson. They’re a good program and they’ll just reload.”
Still, the buzz around the room is that there’s a good chance for parity in the league’s toughest section this year. Wilson is still Wilson, but Manheim Township, Penn Manor and Hempfield should all have tough teams this year. McCaskey and Cedar Crest both have new coaches looking to turn their programs around. And since just about every Class AAAA team in the district makes the playoffs, it’s safe to say Section One will have its share of qualifiers.
I was very impressed with McCaskey’s new leader, David Given. The Arizona transplant is intent on turning the Tornado into a running team, which could be interesting. He’s also a huge fan of the option, calling it “the best offensive play ever conceived.” So it’s a safe bet we’ll be seeing the Tornado running that play a few times this year. Given knows he’s got his work cut out for him — the Tornado did go 0-10 last year — but he seems determined to get the job done.
Keep checking back with LancSports.com and The Huddle for training camp updates next week. The first up on my travel agenda is McCaskey. I’ll be there on Monday to get some video footage of Given’s first official practice at the McCaskey helm. From there, I’ll be jetting around to as many camps as I can visit.
It’s almost football season, baby. The most wonderful time of the year.
