i hj The Dallas Post FALL SPORTS PREVIEW Dallas out to prove late-season collapse was a fluk By RICK NOTARI Special to The Dallas Post When Dallas walked off the field after Saturday's | 14-0 whitewash of Wyoming Valley West, they carried with them the seeds of a season that may be quite different from the 2000 campaign. The Mountaineers’ late- season collapse in 2000 was not something the players nor coaches were expecting last season. So when three straight losses to a mediocre North Pocono team, Lake-Lehman and Berwick followed six con- secutive wins, the Mountaineers needed to regroup and build to 2001. Dallas accomplished that by capturing the Eastern Conference Class III cham- pionship with wins over North Penn and Allentown Central Catholic to finish the season at 8-4. For 2001, the Mountaineers will look to three-year starting quarter- back Chuck Suppon and University of Pittsburgh- bound offensive lineman John Simonitis to lead them into its usual territory of the District 2 playoffs. A Division I prospect, Suppon will need to put aside the distractions of an up-and- down 2000 campaign that - saw him throw for 15 touchdowns and 829 yards. Suppon’s job should be made easier by the return of wideouts Duane Short and Blake Saba, who saw signif- icant playing time last sea- son. Dallas will rely heavily on the senior signal-caller to be its leader, but the H 2001 Dallas Mountaineers From left, first row: John Walter, Mike Burns, Bill Siglin, Ryan Mark, Adam Schoonover, Matt Kelly, Rich Frantz, Tom VanHorn, Pat Rother, Chris Arnaud, Joe Austin, Bryan Whalen. Second row: Doug Zaruta, Jim Larson, Alex Oko, Elisha Miller, Kevin Arnaud, A.J. Harris, Jeremy Harris, Steve Salavantis, Ryan Bolton, Marty Murray, Brian Downey, Mel Morris, John McGeehan. Third row: Matt Daube, Rich Adams, Chris Hayes, Ryan Gryskevicz, Mike Rucoski, Mike Domborwsk, ; John Simonitis, Chuck Suppon, Duane Short, Blake Saba, Jon Barbose, Catlin Simmons, Pat Harmon. Dallas Mountaineers cap- tains, from left: Chuck Suppon, John Simonitis, A.J. Harris, Mike Dombrowski. | FOOTBALL | Mountaineers also return Jeremy Harris at tailback and A.J. Harris at fullback. The duo combined to rush for almost 600 yards and seven touchdowns last sea- son. Jeremy gained 101 yards against Valley West Saturday. Simonitis, the first Division I player under coach Ted Jackson at Dallas, anchors the offen- sive line at guard with Brian Downey set to play tackle and Mike Dombrowski at tight end. The University of Pittsburgh recruit will also stabilize the defensive line with his size and presence. Behind Simonitis, the Harrises will play line- backer with Ryan Gryskevicz and Jon Barbose in the secondary. A.J. Harris is a returning all-scholastic pick having been named to the NEPFC Division II first team. Dallas coaches, from left, kneeling: Bob Mahle, Ted Jackson, Matt Gingo. Standing: Ted Jackson Jr., Dan Natitius, John McNeil, Mark Belenski. PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 5, 2001 IR A oy Nr P— A RR a Ne ow an A 3 ee Ue UY E i i & 3 B E pr pe da
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