Lake-Lehman returns a talented team to the field

By Tom Robinson

For Dallas Post

Lake-Lehman High School football players include, first row, from left, Nick Eury, Kris Rosencrans, John Thomas. Second row, Joey Virgil, Luke Hummel, Zach Brucher, Connor McGovern, Chris Traver.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Lehmanfb.jpg.optimal.jpgLake-Lehman High School football players include, first row, from left, Nick Eury, Kris Rosencrans, John Thomas. Second row, Joey Virgil, Luke Hummel, Zach Brucher, Connor McGovern, Chris Traver.

Gilsky
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL-090315-HFS-Lehman-preview-1-spts-.jpg.optimal.jpgGilsky

LEHMAN TWP. – Gerry Gilsky is not doing too well at hiding his excitement about the upcoming football season.

Penn State recruit Connor McGovern leads a big, experienced and deep group of players returning to help Lake-Lehman pursue its second championship season in the last three.

The Black Knights won Wyoming Valley Conference and District 2 titles in 2013 before slipping to 6-5 last year when a series of injuries only added to the list of current players who picked up valuable experience.

“I’m trying to keep it quiet, but we have a good corps of kids coming back,” Gilsky said.

In addition to at least six starters returning to the same spots on each side of the ball, the Black Knights have the others who gained playing time out of necessity.

“The other kids had three or four starts during the year,” Gilsky said. “So, it’s kind of like a whole returning team.”

McGovern, a 6-foot-5, 310-pounder, is regarded as one of the top recruits in the country at center, the position he will probably play at Penn State.

For now, he’ll move to guard for the Black Knights while returning to his tackle spot when the team is on defense.

“We figured put him up against a (defensive) tackle this year and let him have his fun with him,” Gilsky said. “Rather than have him uncovered, we’ll have him up against a lineman.”

McGovern is not alone among the talented returnees.

Joey Vigil rushed for well over 1,000 yards on the championship team two years ago, Zach Brucher is a force as a blocking tight end who will be a bigger part of the defense this season and Nick Eury has played well both as a linebacker and in sharing duties with Vigil last season.

McGovern, tight end/fullback/linebacker Luke Hummel and Vigil, who also plays in the secondary, are returning two-way starters.

Eury, Brucher, lineman Chris Traver, Vincenzo Ferrari, Cole Spencer, Kaleb Konigus and Mason Rios have all started on one side and could add the other this season.

Ferrari takes over as quarterback.

Wide receiver Noah Gorski, defensive back Charlie Kuschke and linebacker Trey Borger also return.

Among the possible newcomers to the lineup are defensive end Kris Rosencrans, linebacker Jesse Tomolonis and defensive back Matt Myers.

Lake-Lehman and GAR are expected to battle for the top spot among WVC Class AA teams. They potentially could separate themselves from the pack. Meyers and Hanover Area are considered the next most likely to contend over defending champion Northwest, Nanticoke and Holy Redeemer.

The Black Knights open their schedule Sept. 4 at Lackawanna Trail. The rest of the schedule is: Sept. 11, at home against Mid Valley; Sept. 18, at home against Holy Redeemer; Sept. 25, at Old Forge; Oct. 2, at Meyers; Oct. 9, GAR; Oct. 15, at home against Northwest; Oct. 23, at Nanticoke; Oct. 30, at home against Hanover Area; Nov. 6, at Dallas.

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