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|---|---|---|
| Coach Shane Grodack | Carter Mitishin | Frankie Leyshon |
TEAM: Western Wayne Wildcats
COLORS: Black & Gold
COACH: Shane Grodack, 1st Season
PIAA: Class 3A
2023 CONFERENCE: LFC Division II
2022 RECORD: 9-3 (4-1 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 33-22
STADIUM: Sharkey Rosetti Sports Complex
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Pro
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 3-4
2023 PREVIEW
Shane Grodack was a named the new head coach at Western Wayne, but don’t expect drastic changes. He has been on the staff for 16 seasons and inherits a good nucleus that will have the Wildcats in the hunt for a division and district title.
The backfield might be one of the most experienced in the LFC with quarterback Frankie Leyshon, running back Josh Vinton and fullback Carter Mitishin all back. John Pyatt will backup at QB. Vincent Silon, Alex Lucke, and Landon Wargo will all see time at running back and Alex Lucke, James Jimenez, and Ethan Lamberton will get some time at fullback. The Wildcats were dealt a preseason blow with all-star Sean Owens out for the season with an injury. Ethan Grodack will step into that No. 1 wide receiver role while Elijah Strocchia, John Pyatt, Lance Maiocco, and Jak Hubinger will vy for playing time as well. Hayden Mundrake returns at tight end with Lamberton and Colton Hoose providing depth at the position.
Western Wayne returns two starters on the offensive line – Evan Dean at guard and Tony Donnini at center. Connor Bryant and Vinny Baldini will compete for the other guard position. Jared Goldman, Mason Rush, Paul Borowski, Landon Visceglia, and Mike Pongracz will compete for the tackle spots and provide depth up front.
Dean is a returning starter at defensive tackle with Mundrake, Donnini, Borowski, Goldman, Rush, and Bryant all in consideration for playing time on the defensive interior. Mitishin is back at outside linebacker and will be joined by either Lamberton, Pyatt, Jimenez, and Hubinger. Lucke is a returning starter at inside linebacker. Lamberton or Jimenez could get the other spot. Leyshon returns at cornerback with Silon, Strocchia, and Maiocco in consideration for the other side. Vinton and Grodack provide experience at safety.
Mitishin will handle the place kicking duties again with either Grodack or Vinton punting.
QUOTE FROM COACH WOLFF: We have a core of returning veteran starters in the skilled positions and two returning starters on the offensive and defensive line. We have a number of players competing for those spots and we expect to again be competitive in League and postseason play.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – LFC Division II
First Team Fullback – Carter Mitishin
Honorable Mention Quarterback – Frankie Leyshon
Honorable Mention Running Back – Josh Vinton
