ANC Lions Football 2008
The 2008 season will be Coach Andy Davis's 35th year on the staff, the last 21 as the head coach. Counting his four years as a player, it will be his 39th year of ANC football. Fulltime assistants will be Ty Klippenstein, in his third year, and Randall Mattison, in his first year. Part time (volunteer) coaches will be Peter Brown (second year), Chris Devalentino (first year), Chris Fassbender (first year), Ryan Glunz (third year), Jim Adams (tenth year), Chris Maddock (tenth year), and JJ Nash (first year). During camp a number of former ANC players also volunteer, including John Reinstra, a great player for ANC, an All-America at Temple University, a first round NFL selection and six year NFL veteran (Steelers and Browns).
2008 marks the return of ANC to the re-formed Independence Football League, which was disbanded after the the 2005 season. Under Head Coach Dudley Davis ANC tied for first place in the inagural 1986 season, and has won outright championships in '91, '97, '98 and '99. ANC has also finished second or third on numerous occasions.
This season's squad will feature some size, speed and athleticism, but it will be very short on varsity experience. The only returning starters are Fullback/linebacker Hayden Schmucker, QB/linebacker Shannon Givens, WR/DB Warren Gillis and sometimes starters Dez Lites (DB) and Desean Popley (RB/LB). The entire line is gone. Coach Mattison's challenge will be to develop a line from, among others, Curt Olson (Sr.), Mike Midyett (Sr.), David Uber (Sr.), Chase Elder (Sr.), Jarrid Andrew-Bryant (Jr.), Alec Horan (Jr.), Ike Nwokoye (Jr.), Ryan Watkins (Jr.), Ekene Nwokoye (Soph), and Josh Thomas (Soph.).
Givens, as dangerous a runner as he is a passer, will be in his third year as the starting QB. Malcolm Lites and Lucas Pronesti have JV quarterback experience and will ready if called upon. The running backs will likely be Schmucker (a tough inside runner) and speedsters Popley and Dez Lites. The shifty Malcolm Lites can also be a running back. In the ANC offensive system, running backs also serve as receivers, but SE Gillis will likely again be the leading receiver, using his length, hands and deceptive speed to full advantage. Lucas O'Conner and Laird Frazier also have some varsity experience as wide receivers. As of August 1, who will be our tight end is still a mystery. Midyett and Jarrid-Bryant both saw game action there last year, so one of the two could play that position.
Defensively, you'll see most of the same names on the field. But...ANC is unusual in that the coaches never know the exact make-up of the squad until practice begins. Virtually every year a player or two emerges that nobody could have anticipated. The coaches are hoping that a number of young men on the fence about joining the team or not will make the right decision. It's possible the squad could swell to 40+ players. The team's success will depend upon the degree to which the boys work hard and work selflessly. We are lucky to have so many young men of high character, and, with that in mind, the coaches are very optimistic about the season.
Varsity Season Statistics [pdf]
Printable Roster [pdf]