2021 PFN Team Preview: The Northern York Polar Bears @NHSpbears @NorthernFootbll @mildawg37 @DearOldNorthern

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 3, News

Billy Splain | August 14, 2021

Northern York Polar Bears PFN Page

Head Coach: Bill Miller 20th year as a head coach (6th at Northern) (14 at Dover) (30th overall)

PIAA District 3 – Class AAAA
League: Mid-Penn Conference – Colonial

Varsity Assistants:
Brad Livingston,
Scott Link, Pat Hicks,
Marty Green, Robbie Bleiler,
Jason Stacknick, Dave Borrell,
Greg Bowman, Donnie Bell,
Aaron McClintock, Dom Salomone
Jr. High Head Coach: Chuck Thomas
Jr. High Assistants: Kyle Goss

2020 Season Record 5 – 4

2021 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-21	vs. Middletown Area (SCR)		10:00 am
08-27	@ Red Land (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-03	@ Dover (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-10	vs. Spring Grove (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-17	@ Mechanicsburg (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-24	vs. East Pennsboro (0-0)		7:00 pm
10-01	vs. West Perry (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-08	@ Shippensburg (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-15	vs. Greencastle-Antrim (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-22	@ Susquehanna Township (0-0)		7:00 pm
10-29	vs. Waynesboro (0-0) *		7:00 pm

* – denotes league game
(SCR) – denotes scrimmage

Strengths for 2021: A small in number, but motivated senior class is a hopeful sign. Many underclassmen will be getting plenty of experience this year as well. Team leading wide receiver Trenton Peach returns as well. Also returning is junior kicker/punter Mason Yohn who had a very successful sophomore year kicking in 2020 gathering All-State notice as both a kicker and punter.

Weaknesses for 2021: Continued development of the offensive line which returns only 2 regulars in AJ Vail and Fred Hunter is a concern. Development of a stable running game behind a main tailback is a focus this year as well. Continued development at the QB position is a primary focus.

Coaches Outlook: There exist many question marks among the small, but motivated senior class. We are hoping that this class will develop the kind of leadership quality that they have enjoyed in their junior years. Returning to district play (but early exit) should be a source of motivation for this group to continue the winning tradition of the past and revisited the last 6 seasons.

We are trying to find ways to motivate players to put more dedication into the program. Continuing to develop a strong running game is always main concern. The emergence of several underclassmen is seen as a positive. We will continue to try to develop model citizens as well as good football players through the use of stricter team policies and practices. Overall, the coaches are excited about this group of returning players in addition to the younger players, and are looking forward to 2021.

Key Losses to Graduation:
Jordan Heisey 12th (QB/DB)
Hunter Fitterling 12th (OL/LB)
Hunter Hertzog 12th (OL/DL)
Nick Fekete 12th (OL/DL)
Zach Mowchan 12th (RB/LB)
Bay Blaschak 12th (OL/DL)
Blake Cruz. 12th (RB/WR/LB)
Tyler Weary 12th (WR/DB)
Joe Kostelac 12th (TE/LB)
Zach Beam 12th (WR/DB)
Josh Ford 12th (OL/DL)

Key Returners:
Aydan Digrugilliers 12th (WR/DB)
Sean Sarley 12th (RB/LB)
AJ Vail 12th (OL/DL)
Fred Hunter 12th (OL/DL)
Trenton Peach 12th (WR/LB)
Talon Belluscio 11th (RB/LB)
Timmy Bonin 11th (QB/DB)
Mason Yohn 11th (WR/DB/P/K)

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