BY JOBY FAWCETT
Times-Shamrock Writer

On offense

Susquehanna has evolved past a team that is defined solely by the veer offense.

There are still some elements of the triple-option system that Dick Bagnall perfected, but Kyle Cook has put his stamp on the offense and the production put the Sabers in the District 2 Class A championship game.

This season, there will be several new faces, especially at quarterback, a position that is heavily relied upon to spark the team. Kyle Donovan and Kyle Bayle are both battling to replace Austin White, who was a two-time Lackawanna Football Conference Division III all-star.

There are some experienced weapons available in the backfield. Nolan Hausser was an integral part of the Sabers’ success last season with his 489 yards rushing and five total touchdowns. Wesley Richardson was an undersized, but scrappy starting defensive end last season, and is expected to be the team’s fullback.

Evan Haley, Brock Blodgett, Doug Higgins and Shaun Anderson did not see much time last season, but give the Sabers depth at wide receiver. Noah Jennings and Eric Peters will be competing at tight end.

Susquehanna’s strength will be up front as three starters return. Tackle Cameron Mallery, guard Evan Aldrich and center Zach Conrad all helped the team rush for 181.6 yards per game.

Michael Hilkert and Joel Bayle are looking to step in at the other tackle spot, and Chris Graf and Logan Conrad should contribute time at guard.

“We need our backs to perform, our wide receivers to do their job catching the ball and our linemen need to keep blocking,” Aldrich said.

On defense

During the last two seasons, the Sabers have developed into a defense that can be stingy at times, especially on a Saturday afternoon at William Emminger Memorial Field.

Zach Conrad earned LFC Division III first-team honors last season at linebacker after collecting 69 solo tackles and 37 assists. Jarred Mills is also one of the top linebackers returning in the division. He had more than 100 tackles in seven starts in 2014.

Much like on offense, the defensive line should be a strength. If anything else, there is plenty of experience.

Three starters are returning, but they will have a tall task in trying to replace two division all-stars in Christian Miller and Michael Vaccaro.
Aldrich and Mallery will give the Sabers size and Richardson is wiry at end. Hilkert, Bayle and C.J. Swanson are at tackle and Donovan, Jennings and Peters are penciled in at end.

“We have a very good defensive coordinator and our team is doing the best it can to stay tough on defense,” Aldrich said.

In the secondary, Hausser is back at corner with Blodgett, Haley and Cook. The safeties are expected to be Bayle, Anderson and Dylan Monks.