South Western: Mustangs plan to liven up offense

It's not exactly a word thrown around often in the South Western football program in the 25 seasons Don Seidenstricker has been the head coach.

The Mustangs will still run their traditional Wing-T offense, but this will not be a run-of-the-mill squad on either side of the ball. Not after a 2010 season that at times puzzled the veteran mentor.

Imagine South Western putting its quarterbacks under center one series, then in a pistol the next series, followed by a full shotgun. It might happen this year, and getting the ball to Temple recruit Mike Felton likely will keep things lively.

Another renewed focus for the Mustangs is tackling -- something else that frustrated Seidenstricker last year.

"Tackling was a huge issue," he said. "If there is one fundamental deal we have to change (it) is the concept that one defender to the ball does not end the play. So many times last year we were not finishing as a team defense. By God, we are going to finish defensively."

Filling the void: Leading rusher Jeff Hacker graduated, along with his 820 yards and eight touchdowns as did leading tacklers Jake Shaffer (100 stops) and Ryan Sexton (80).

Still, a great deal of athletes return to the squad and will fill in for those players on the field. However, Seidenstricker said that how well the team does this "comes down to leadership."

"What people don't understand, they think leadership on the football field comes down to two or three or four guys. It's not. Leadership is collective," he said. "Leadership comes from every guy on the team knowing their role, loving their team, loving Friday nights."

Varsity letters: Several key players are back for South Western, starting with Felton, a defensive standout, who also has climbed the Mustangs' career receiving list, while rushing for 722 yards and 10 scores in 2010.

Jesse Good, last year's starter at quarterback, also returns. However, Seidenstricker said that fellow senior Zach Gross will get a look as well.

"This legitimately is a senior battle. We haven't had one of these in years," the coach said. "And how the other one responds to how the other one gets the job is going to be big."

Seniors Ryan Dotson, Carnie Fryfogle and Brandon Krise are solid two-way players back in the mix.

New face in the crowd: At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, junior linebacker/tight end Mike Mooradian is considered an up-and-comer for South Western this season.

Mark your calendar: How the Mustangs fare in their Division I opener, at home against defending regular-season champion Dallastown on Oct. 7, will go a long way in determining where South Western is in its recovery from a rare down year.
snavaroli@ydr.com; 771-2060

Two-minute drill

Who's the one player on your team you wouldn't want to face? Carnie Fryfogle. He's tough as nails, and he'll hit anybody. It doesn't matter how big you are.

What practice drill do you hate running the most? Stations. There are four stations, and they're maybe seven or eight minutes long, and you do drills like blocking drills. You hit the five-man sled. You run through the blaster, cone drills.

Which NFL player would you compare yourself to? On defense, I'd say Taylor Mays because he's kind of like one of the bigger safeties and the way he comes downhill and how he can read and react really fast.

What pregame music gets you pumped up to play? I listen to Biggie Smalls and Tupac.

Do you have a nickname? They just call me Felton.

What is your favorite move on the field? Cut back and run people over.

What's the best thing about playing football? Just the culture of the game. There's nothing like playing under the lights Friday night.

Related

· York Daily Record 2010 Division I all-stars

· York Daily Record 2010 Division II all-stars

· York Daily Record 2010 Division III all-stars