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Northern York's Robison brings back bag of tricks


You would be hard pressed to find a more experienced coaching staff than the one at Northern York.

"You can definitely tell that they know what they are doing," senior Kyle Goss said. "Everybody respects them and everybody listens to them."

Former Dover head coach, Bill Miller, who was Northern's offensive coordinator last season, takes over the head coaching job for the Polar Bears program and will be the fourth head coach in five seasons.

"It was a big change between Coach Mowery and Coach Bowman, just with the expectations and the way practices went and stuff like that," Goss said. "With Coach Miller it's not too much of a difference between he and Coach Bowman."

Miller also brought in former longtime Central York head coach Brad Livingston, who will serve as the team's defensive coordinator. Livingston spent 46 years as either the head coach or an assistant at Central. Another Northern assistant Marty Green had been a longtime coach for both Dover and Northern.

Offense

Quarterback: A position of strength for the Polar Bears as Curtis Robison returns for another season under center.

Running backs: Junior Steve Yurchison is the most experienced back returning for the Polar Bears.

Receivers: Joey Razzano and Dylan Baxter will be looked at to supply some exciting plays after the catch for Northern.

"He was our big-play guy last year," Miller said of Razzano. "Both of those guys are pretty big targets. We're going to probably put the ball in the air a little more this year than we did last year."

Offensive line: Goss, a three-year returning starter at guard and Jared Sutch at tight end will anchor the line.

Defense

Defensive line:  The defense lost a lot of talent from a year ago and Miller estimates all the starters along the line will be brand new.

"That's still a work in progress," Miller said.

Even with a lot of new faces, Goss thinks the defensive unit will be able to hold its own.

"We work a lot on defense and we have a lot of new people on defense and everybody is stepping up and I think we will be pretty good this year," Goss said.

Linebackers: Robison and Sutch will handle the outside linebacker responsibilities. Austin Wenger returns at inside linebacker.

Secondary: Also an area of inexperience here as the Polar Bears fielded an all-senior secondary last season. Baxter and Razzano figure to see time in the secondary.

Special teams

Aidan Alves, a fourth-year kicker for the Polar Bears, returns.

"He's a very reliable kicker," Miller said. "Once we get inside the 30, we're thinking we are at least walking away with three points."

• • • 

Save the date

The Polar Bears host Susquehannock Sept. 2. With so many new players this year, getting that first taste of the Friday night lights atmosphere will help shape the team.

Bottom line

"I think it's definitely a rebuilding year," Miller said. "We should be able to get a lot of underclassmen a lot of playing time."

The veteran coaching staff will use its vast knowledge to help mold the team's younger players as it looks to find stability in the program.

In the huddle 

Head coach: Bill Miller (first season, 55-88 in 14 seasons at Dover) (OC)
Assistants coaches: Brad Livingston (DC), Pat Hicks, Brian Robison, Scott Link, Marty Green
Class: 4A, Mid-Penn Colonial
Enrollment: 740 total (384 male)
Offense: Multiple, I-formation pro set, option
Defense: Multiple, 4-4

2016 schedule

Sept. 2 — Susquehannock at Northern York, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 — Northern York at Middletown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 — Northern York at Mechanicsburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 — Big Spring at Northern York, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 — Northern York at Waynesboro, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 — James Buchanan at Northern York, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 —  Northern York at Mifflin County, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 — Shippensburg at Northern York, 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 — Northern York at Greencastle-Antrim, 7 p.m.
Nov. 4 — West Perry at Northern York, 7 p.m.

2015 results

W // @ Susquehannock // 38-14 
L // @ Middletown // 16-19
W // Mechanicsburg // 42-13
W // James Buchanan // 51-0
W // @ Waynesboro // 13-7
W // @ Big Spring // 17-10
W // Shippensburg // 24-19
W // @ Greencastle-Antrim // 38-14
L // @ Lower Dauphin // 7-38
L // East Pennsboro // 7-28
District 3 Class AAA
First round // W // York Suburban // 30-16
Quarterfinals // L // Bishop McDevitt // 49-21