Sporting a new head coach for the third time in four seasons, Halifax’s hungry Wildcats hope first-year skipper Matt Maniskas is able to coax plenty of victories from a youngster-heavy group lacking front-line chops. That’s a difficult task, but the Tri-Valley League history books are filled with success stories featuring similar plot lines. Below is their Countdown to Camp preview.
School Name: Halifax Wildcats
Coach: Matt Maniskas
Last Year: 4-6, 4-5 Tri-Valley League
Last 5 Years: 13-38
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 2 on defense
Key Players: ATH-CB Jackson Fuhrer; WR-CB Jarrett Hoy; G-DE Chris Keys; FB-LB Tyler Lenker; HB-CB Cody Ramer; OL-DE Travis Enders; HB/QB-S Eric Johnston; QB Mason Erdman; TE-LB Jake Paul; OT-DT Isaac Shoop.
Offense Overview: With the 2,800-plus yards of total offense supplied by Robbie Moretz, Joey Kaufman and Chad Meko gone — along with a number of the ‘Cats’ experienced big eaters — Maniskas wants lots of people to get lots of touches so the youngsters getting their first varsity looks grow up in a hurry and he can keep opposing defenses guessing. Since the first-year skipper hopes to incorporate a handful of freshmen into the attack from the start, both up front and at the skills, they’ll need time to adjust to the level. One plus is Maniskas does have a couple of legitimate burners in Johnston and Ramer who may be ready to zip out of the black-and-gold background and assume prime-time roles. Wrap it all up and it’s still a new system featuring plenty of new players, so patience is a must.
Defense Overview: With Maniskas and energetic coordinator Cameron Gross installing a 4-3 scheme — Maniskas studied alongside former Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts DC Larry Coyer, one of his coaches at Pitt; Gross piled up plenty of stops as a linebacker at Newport during Maniskas’ stretch as an assistant there — the ‘Cats will be relying upon quicks and want-to to get things done on the defensive side of the ball since middle backer Tyler Lenker as well as ends Travis Enders and Chris Keys aren’t the biggest fellas around. May sound redundant, but with just two starters returning from a team that got roughed up some last season it’s still a new system featuring plenty of new players so patience is a must.
Biggest Game: September 20 vs. Millersburg. Best way to get the Wildcats' devoted fans on your side is to beat your closest rival.
More Halifax Wildcats:2013 schedule | 2013 roster
BULLOCK'S CRYSTAL BALL: Although Maniskas has been away from the sidelines for a handful of seasons, his six-season stretch as an assistant coach at Newport should serve him well since he encountered many of the same programs he’ll run into during the next few months. Plus, Maniskas is genuinely excited about returning to the game and that positive energy undoubtedly will rub off on many of his players and get them wound up for the scraps they’ll encounter every week in the TVL. The keys? Getting some of the older ‘Cats accustomed to a burning spotlight they didn’t experience as role players and speeding the maturation process for a talented crop of freshmen that will be tossed into the varsity fray from the start.
More:Complete Countdown to Camp coverage
Bullock on Twitter: @thebullp_n