-. ~ By JOHN HOINSKI Staft Writer Dallas found itself in an unfamiliar position at the conclusion of last year’s ~ campaign — on top of the Division 2 And although head coach Ted Jackson has a strong contingent coming back, he is “cautiously optimistic’ about a repeat performance in 1986. “We have a good nucleus returning,” Jackson said.” “We have good players at key positions, but depth is going to be a problem. If we get banged up we could be in trouble.” And Jackson knows all too well about injuries. Even though the Mounts finished with a 6-5 record last year, they were cruising along with a 5-1 mark heading into their contest with GAR. But in a two minute span of playing time, Jackson lost quarterbacks Tim Lyons and Mark Kon- opki to injuries. Lyons did return in the second half, with ‘his leg heavily bang- daged, only to learn afterwards that it had been broken. Add a near career- ending injury to Dan Williams and a few other casualties and Dallas fell fo 1-4 the y rest of the way. N But a ray of hope did emerge from that . cloud of destruction in the person of quarterback Scott Francis. Francis, now a 5-11, 175 pound senior, played the last half of the 1985 season and Jackson has a lot of confidence in his ability to lead the team. He also has high praise for half- backs Ryan Holthaus (5-9, 180, Sr.) and Steve Brace (6-0, 185, 12), both of whom Jackson says are as ‘‘good as anybody.” On the offensive line, Dale Williams, (6-0,185, Sr.) will be at guard and should get quality help from Paul Meholchick, a 5-10, '180-pound senior transfer from tackle tipping the scales at 6-1, 230 pounds. John Shandra, who missed all of last year with a severe leg injury, will be the center. Dan Williams, Dale’s brother, will return at tight end while Ed Kwak will be back at wingback. Scott Starbuck, a sophomore, and Jonathan Wagner, a junior, will be the split ends. Wagner will also see action at safety as will Eric Moore, a 6-1, 165 pound junior who is currently injured. Jerry Ogurkis (5-11, 160, So.), the fastest man on the JACK'S COLLISION SERVICE Expert Body Work Rear W. Sixth St., West Wyoming 693-0444 | | Luzerne 288-3681 team is a real terror in the secondary and he is still learning the game. At linebacker, Dan Williams and Hol- thaus will take care of the outside slots while Dale Williams and Kyle Boudreaux will man the inside positions. On the defensive line, Mark Chester (6-1, 200, Sr) will be at defensive end with Ben Kern (5-10, 185 Jr.) and Tom Charney (5- 9, 235, Jr) holding the tackle spots. One big void Dallas will have to fill is the kicking game. All-Scholastic Jerry Mihalick is gone and the Mounts will be looking to Ogurkis to fill his spot and for g § : WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1986 Football '86/Charlot M. Denmon er, Kyle Boudreaux, Moore to handle the punting. Dallas does have the talent to again make a run at the title, but so does division foes Nanticoke, Tunkhannock, Meyers, GAR and Hanover. All of which means, it should be a wide open race in 1986. Geisinger Geisinger Family Health Center - Dallas Dallas Shopping Center Route 309, Dallas, PA 18612 (717) 675-2000 0 FAMILY PHARMACY 410 W. 8th St., West Wyoming 9-9 Daily; 8 am-9 pm Sun. 693-2050 Gridders (Continued from page 4) the Mountaineers, with 35 catches for 351 yards and three touchdowns. Long, co- captain of the team, was an aggressive player and a work horse for the team. His enthusiasm and ability carried the Mounts to several of their wins during the 1986 season. As Long went so went the Mountaineers. These five 1986 graduates are vying with other fine athletes for positions on their choice of schools grid teams.
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