The Blue and Gold Blog

LET'S GO DEVILS!!!!

2009-06-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

On June 12, 1992 the Old Forge Blue Devils baseball team won the PIAA Class 2A Baseball Championship, beating District 9 champ Ridgway, 15-5. The Blue Devils were decided underdogs.

On June 12, 2009, the Old Forge Blue Devils softball team will try to accomplish the same fete, and win the school's first female state championship when they take on District 9 champ Curwensville. Again, the Blue Devils will be decided underdogs.
Support the team and travel to Shippensburg!!! If you can't, catch the game LIVE on PCN at 2 p.m.

And yes, one other thing, Friday will be the 17th anniversary of the state championship baseball team. Old Forge softball coach Pat Revello wears jersey No. 17!!!

Support the Blue Devils!!!!

2009-06-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

The Old Forge Blue Devils softball team will have a sendoff for the PIAA Class 1A state title game on Thursday, June 11 at 5 p.m. at the Old Forge Miles Street Community Park. Students, family and friends are urged to attend the pep rally in support of our team's state championship quest.

The Blue Devils will play for the state title against Curwensville on Friday, June 12 at 2 p.m. at Robb Field on the campus of Shippensburg University.Good Luck Blue Devils!!! Bring home the Gold!!!

Directions to Eastern Final games

2009-06-06T12:56:00.001-07:00

Softball game directions
If you are going to see the Blue Devils play softball on Monday, you will be traveling to the beautiful Lebanon Valley College Softball Park in Annville. LVC recommends that you use the following directions to get there:
Take Interstate 81 South to Annville Exit 85. Follow route 934 South into Annville, and go approximately eight miles, up a large hill and then past a cemetery on your left side. For the LVC Softball Park turn left at the first entrance.
The LVC website states that, “the access roads for LVC’s athletic facilities are not on some GPS units. If you use a GPS, note that the roads to access LVC facilities are located off N. White Oak St. (Rt. 934) between Sheridan Ave. and Thompson Ave. Going to the main college address (101 N. College Ave.) will put you on the wrong side of campus for the athletic fields.
For more info, visit www.godutchmen.com.
Travel time is approximately two hours according to mapquest.com with a distance of 103 miles.

Baseball game directions
If you are going to see the Blue Devils play softball on Monday, you will be traveling to the famous Walter M. Stump Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field in Pine Grove. The Pine Grove Area School District website recommends that you use the following directions to get there:
Take Interstate 81 South to the Ravine Exit. Make a right at the end of the ramp and travel 0.5 miles to the “T” in the road. Make a right onto Route 125 and travel 2.9 miles to the red light. Go straight through the light to Route 443. Travel 0.3 miles and make a right onto High Street. The field will be on you left hand side as you travel up High Street.
Travel time is approximately 90 minutes according to mapquest.com with a distance of 81 miles.

Directions for both games
If you plan on attending the baseball game after the softball game, take Interstate 81 North to the Pine Grove exit. Make a right onto Rt. 443, and travel 2.7 miles before making a left onto High Street. It will be the first left after the Pine Movie Theatre, not the old drive-in.) The field is on the left.
Travel time from Annville to Pine Grove is approximately 30 minutes according to mapquest.com with a distance of 24 miles.

Blue Devils advance in state playoffs!!!!

2009-06-02T14:54:00.001-07:00

The Old Forge Softball team won in exciting fashion as Andi Alsalahat singled home Chrissy Belko with the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh as the Blue Devils defeated Northeast Bradford, 4-3, at Mid ValleyHigh School on Monday night.

Old Forge will travel to Allentown on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. to take on District 1 champion Bristol.

The Old Forge Baseball team led big early, but needed to rally in its last at-bat to defeat District 4 champion Sayre, 10-9, at Bucky Harris Memorial Field in Hughestown on Monday. Matt Mischello singled home Bobby Vieira with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh for the victory.

The Blue Devils will travel to Fredericksburg on Thursday to take on District 3 runner-up Berks Christian under the lights at Wengert Field at 6:30 p.m.

Manny being Manny

2009-04-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

One time, Ramírez laid it all out for Branyan, gave him the whole hitting equation. "He told me that he put 70 percent of his weight on his back foot and 40 percent of his weight on his front foot. And even though I knew the numbers didn't add up, I thought for a second, I've got to try that."

Hardcourt Challenge

2009-04-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

That's right. Look for yourself. The Rick finished 11th IN THE NATION on ESPN.com's Hardcourt Challenge. Awesome huh? Just dont't ask about my bracket standing!

Tim's influence?

2009-04-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Check this out!

2009-03-23T09:43:00.001-07:00

Say it Aint So Joe.....

2009-03-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Trivia time....

What kind of NFL team would change their colors and logo?

The kind that has never appeared in a Super Bowl.

The kind that once had a hard time deciding between Eric Hipple and Gary Danielson.

The kind that forced the greatest running back in league history to retire because they were so bad.

The kind that has honolulu blue splotch on the side of its helmets as its current logo.

The kind that went 0-16 this past season.

The DETROIT LIONS!!!

According to numerous news outlets in the Detroit area, the Lions are considering a logo and color scheme change. One newspaper ever invited fans to come up with a new logo. Some of the entries were pretty cool. Some - like the one drawn by the six-year old - are fitting. There were 75 enteries in the contest. I picked a few out and posted them here to see.

Now all we need is for the SeaDucks to get rid of the Scranton Eagles logo.

The End is Near!!!

2009-03-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

If you just read the headlines of our local newspapers you might just think that the end is near. After all, Satan is on his way!!!!

No no no. Not that Satan. Bishop Martino would never allow it.

Miroslav Satan or Suh-TAWN as it is prenounced is joining the Baby Pens after the Pittsburgh Penguins sent him down to the minors.

So fear not, the end really isn't near. That would require the closing of more churches.

Here it is.... Look at the bottom of the page!

2009-03-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

I've Gone National!!!!

2009-03-09T08:48:00.001-07:00

Did you ever think that guy on the right would be featured on a national pro football website?

Well you were right!

I am not exactly featured, but the article I did on Old Forge native RJ Rychleski IS!

Check out profootballtalk.com and scroll down to the link about the Colts and RJ.

Here it is...

ProFootballTalk.com

2009-03-01T10:20:00.000-08:00

2009-03-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

Scranton Baby!!!!

2009-02-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

The girls' basketball team will defend its District 2 Class 1A title at Scranton HS on Saturday afternoon when they take on Forest City at 2:30 p.m.

The game is the second half of a doubleheader which features the D2 3A consolation game between Abington Heights and Coughlin in the opener.

Support the Blue Devils in their quest for a state title.

Pittston here we come!!!

2009-02-25T19:45:00.000-08:00

The Blue Devils will play Friday night at 7 p.m. at Pittston Area HS!!!!

Old Forge takes on Freeland MMI. The Preppers defeated Susquehanna to get to the title game.

The Blue Devils won the District 2 Class 1A title at PA in 2001 when Johnny Yaz and A.B. let the way to victory.

McMyne a TV Star

2009-02-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

Not only did Kyle McMyne make his collegiate debut against the No. 1 team in the Nation in their brand-spanking new stadium in front of 9,500 people, he also made his live television debut in Baton Rouge, LA!

That's are boy Kyle pitching against LSU last Friday, and we have a picture of it on TV to prove it - along with the boxscore on both the Villanova and LSU website.

Stay tuned for more on Kyle's freshman season for the Wildcats.

TIMBER!!!!!

2009-02-24T19:06:00.001-08:00

Coach Al Semenza's Blue Devils will play for the District 2 Class 1A title for the third consecutive season after beating nemesis Forest City on Monday night, 53-38, at Scranton High School.

Old Forge let the Foresters hang around for most of the game before ending the game on a 17-4 run.

Corey Hodick led the way with 22 points and Gabe Wilson and Anthony Koulavongsa each scored 11 for the Blue Devils.

Old Forge will take on Freeland MMI on Friday for the D2 title.

The PIAA state playoffs begin next week.

Check back tomorrow for an update on the Blue Devils women. They won tonight, 54-24, and will take on Forest City on Saturday.

RJ's first presser

2009-02-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

RJ has been on the job since Feb. 2 according to sources who wish to remain anonymous, but yesterday was his first opportunity to meet the press - and he did so in fine fashion.

Old Forge's link to the NFL gave his first presser as Indianapolis Colts Special Teams Coach yesterday and The Blue and Gold Blog has the link to it.....

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=video&content=79a4abd4-bb05-4e06-9fc3-144982210b01

Should that link not work for whatever reason, just go to http://www.colts.com/ and look for the link to the Ray Rychleski Press Conference.

RJ sure does look good with the horseshoe on his chest.

He's feeling kinda Sunday

2009-01-28T20:29:00.000-08:00

That's right! According to unofficial reports, Old Forge's own RJ (You can call me Ray) Rychleski will be the new special teams coach for the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS!!!!

NFL, here we come!!!!

Various websites, including the IndyStar.com, StampedeBlue.com, Garnetand Blac kAttack.com, and GoGamecocks.com, have reported that RJ will be named to new head coach Jim Caldwell's staff after the Super Bowl. The NFL asks teams that they do not make coaching annoucements during Super Bowl Week.

I did some research - OK, I typed 'Ray Rychleski' into Google - and came up with some articles from the past two years on RJ and his coaching career.

So here they are for your reading enjoyment....

From Stampedeblue.com
Meet the Colts new special teams coach: Ray Rychleski
by BigBlueShoe on Jan 28, 2009 11:11 AM EST in Colts News
Yesterday, several University of South Carolina fan sites reported what our own hoosier in sodak reported here almost ten days ago: The Colts have hired former Gamecock's special teams coach Ray Rychleski as their new ST coach. Of course, per typical Colts protocol, they haven't made an announcement yet even though everyone and their grandmother knows Rychleski was hired. It's always been a source of frustration for fans like me that in this modern world of instant access to information, it takes forever for teams like the Colts to shoot out a simple press release which reads "Colts hire Rychleski."

FromGarnetandBlackAttack.com
While we can't blame Coach Ray for leaving for a position at a succesful NFL franchise under his old colleague and new Colts coach Jim Caldwell, his departure is a tough blow to Gamecocks fans. Rychleski, known for leading stellar special teams units while at Maryland, brought instant improvement to the Gamecocks' units in his first year in 2008. We had effective kick returns units, didn't give up as many blocked kicks as we had over the prior two years, and generally looked more competent. The blocked FG against Vandy, weird kickoff return lateral against Florida, and blocked punt against Clemson weren't very memorable plays for Ray's reputation, but compared to some of the pathetic stuff we had to see in 2006 and 2007, Ray did a fantastic job.

From The State
Go Gamecocks.com
About the time USC announced Graham’s hiring, word leaked that tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski is a candidate for a position with the Indianapolis Colts.
Rychleski said he has interviewed for the special teams coordinator spot with new Colts coach Jim Caldwell, but he has not been offered the position. Rychleski, who has been at USC for a year, said he would not leave Columbia for another college position, but added the situation with Caldwell is unique.
The two have known each other for 17 years since Rychleski was a graduate assistant and Caldwell was quarterbacks coach for Penn State coach Joe Paterno. Rychleski spent eight seasons on Caldwell’s Wake Forest staff from 1993-2000.
“We’ve had discussions, but no job has been offered and no job has been accepted. But quite obviously we go back 17 years,” said Rychleski, who expects to hear back from Caldwell later this week. “I’m not looking for any college job. I’m extremely happy here.”

From GoGamecocks.com
Ray Rychleski joined the Gamecock coaching staff on Dec. 18, 2007. He will serve as the Gamecocks' special teams coordinator and tight ends coach in 2008.
Rychleski has spent the past seven years as the special teams coordinator and tight ends/H-backs coach at the University of Maryland. Over that seven-year period Maryland had zero punts blocked, the longest current streak in Division I-A football. His special team units blocked 22 kicks and had eight returns for touchdowns in that seven-year span. In addition, Maryland led the country in kickoff return yardage defense, allowing just 16.56 yards per kickoff return in 2007. Rychleski coached an All-Atlantic Coast Conference punter for six straight years (2001-06), had one specialist selected in the NFL draft and five others sign as free agents.
During his seven-year run at Maryland, Rychleski had three tight ends selected in the NFL Draft, including Vernon Davis, the sixth pick overall in the 2006 draft, and four others who signed free agent contracts. Rychleski helped the Terrapins to a record of 56-31 with five bowl appearances during his tenure, including the 2001 ACC Championship, the 2002 Peach Bowl Championship, the 2004 Gator Bowl Championship and the 2006 CHAMPS Sports Bowl Championship. The Terps were ranked in the Top 25 three times (2001, 2002 and 2003) and appeared in their first-ever Bowl Championship Series bowl game in 2001 (Orange Bowl).
Prior to his arrival in College Park, Rychleski spent eight seasons (1993-2000) at Wake Forest University. For the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Rychleski was the Demon Deacons' tight ends coach while also serving as the team's special teams coach. For the three years prior to that, he worked with WFU's outside linebackers. During his first three seasons at Wake (1993-95), Rychleski coached the defensive line.
A veteran of 28 years of coaching, including 26 seasons at the collegiate level, Rychleski began his coaching career on the prep level in Pennsylvania in 1979 before heading to Temple University, where he took a position as a graduate assistant. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to his first full-time collegiate coaching post. He spent eight years at Temple (1981-88) before joining the Northeastern staff as a defensive coordinator/inside linebacker coach. After two years at Northeastern (1989-90), he spent a year as a G.A. at Penn State and one summer with the Toronto Argonauts as a volunteer assistant.
In 1992, Rychleski was hired as a special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at East Stroudsburg University where he helped the Warriors to their best record in 13 years. After his brief stint there, he left for Wake Forest in 1993.
A native of Old Forge, Pa., Rychleski earned his degree in social studies from Millersville (Pa.) State College (now known as Millersville University) in 1979.

From Gamecocks.com
Gamecocks.com
University of South Carolina head football Steve Spurrier has added Ray Rychleski (rich-LESS-key) to his coaching staff, he announced today. Rychleski will serve as the Gamecocks' special teams coordinator in 2008.
Rychleski, 50, has spent the past seven years as the special teams coordinator and tight ends/H-backs coach at the University of Maryland. Over that seven-year period, Maryland has had zero punts blocked, the longest current streak in Division I-A football. His special team units have blocked 22 kicks and have eight returns for touchdowns in that seven-year span. In addition, Maryland is ranked second in the country in kickoff return yardage defense, allowing just 16.34 yards per kickoff return in 2007. Rychleski coached an All-Atlantic Coast Conference punter for six straight years (2001-06), had one specialist selected in the NFL draft and five others sign as free agents.
"I believe Ray is one of the best special teams coaches in the country," said Coach Spurrier. "Maryland has not had a punt blocked since he has been there. I believe we're in good hands with him coordinating our special teams."
Rychleski helped the Terrapins to a record of 56-30 with five bowl appearances during his tenure, including the 2001 ACC Championship, the 2002 Peach Bowl Championship, the 2004 Gator Bowl Championship and the 2006 CHAMPS Sports Bowl Championship. The Terps were ranked in the Top 25 three times (2001, 2002 and 2003) and appeared in their first-ever Bowl Championship Series bowl game in 2001 (Orange Bowl).
Rychleski is expected to coach the Terrapins in their Dec. 28 Emerald Bowl game in San Francisco against Oregon State before joining the Gamecock staff in Columbia.
"This is an outstanding opportunity for me to coach in the SEC at what I consider one of the top jobs in the country," said Rychleski. "I've had a great opportunity at Maryland working under head coach Ralph Friedgen, but I'm looking forward to the challenge that is presented at South Carolina and working for another outstanding coach in Steve Spurrier. Since attending the Carolina-Clemson game in 1997, I've wanted to coach at South Carolina because of the tremendous fan base and the excitement that's generated at Williams-Brice Stadium."
Prior to his arrival in College Park, Rychleski spent eight seasons (1993-2000) at Wake Forest University. For the 1999 and 2000 seasons, Rychleski was the Demon Deacons' tight ends coach while also serving as the team's special teams coach. For the three years prior to that, he worked with WFU's outside linebackers. During his first three seasons at Wake (1993-95), Rychleski coached the defensive line.
A veteran of 28 years of coaching including 26 seasons at the collegiate level, Rychleski began his coaching career on the prep level in Pennsylvania in 1979 before heading to Temple University, where he took a position as a graduate assistant. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to his first full-time collegiate coaching post. He spent eight years at Temple (1981-88) before joining the Northeastern staff as a defensive coordinator/inside linebacker coach. After two years at Northeastern (1989-90), he spent a year as a G.A. at Penn State and one summer with the Toronto Argonauts as a volunteer assistant.
In 1992, Rychleski was hired as a special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at East Stroudsburg University where he helped the Warriors to their best record in 13 years. After his brief stint there, he left for Wake Forest in 1993.
A native of Old Forge, Pa., Rychleski earned his degree in social studies from Millersville (Pa.) State College (now known as Millersville University) in 1979. He is single.

From the Washingtonpost.com
Washingtonpost.com
U-Md. Assistant Rychleski Takes Job at S. Carolina
By Marc Carig
Washington Post Staff Writer _Wednesday, December 19, 2007; Page E07
Maryland assistant coach Ray Rychleski, who has presided over the Terrapins' special teams the past seven seasons, has been hired as the special teams coordinator at South Carolina. Rychleski will coach the Terrapins in the Dec. 28 Emerald Bowl before moving to his new role as an assistant to Gamecocks Coach Steve Spurrier.
"I had to do it," said Rychleski, who came to Maryland as part of Ralph Friedgen's original staff in 2001 and also coached tight ends and H-backs. "It's a great opportunity. I've never coached in the SEC, and I wanted to see what's out there."
Through a mutual friend, Spurrier contacted Rychleski on Monday. Rychleski, 50, said he hopes the job leads to a head coaching position.
Rychleski's move could have an impact on another critical staff decision -- whether Friedgen will hire an offensive coordinator. Friedgen, who has handled play-calling duties the past two seasons, has said that creating a staff opening has been one hurdle in hiring an offensive coordinator.
"I really haven't addressed that yet," said Friedgen, who isn't expected to make a decision until after the Terrapins' bowl game. "But it does leave a spot open for me now."
During Rychleski's tenure at Maryland, special teams has been one of the program's strongest areas. Former Terrapins kick returner Steve Suter set an ACC record with 1,271 career punt return yards, a mark that stood until this season. Rychleski also coached Nick Novak, Maryland's career leader in field goals made.
Between Brooks Barnard and Adam Podlesh, Terrapins punters have earned all-ACC honors in six consecutive seasons beginning in 2001. In Rychleski's time, the Terrapins never have allowed a punt to be blocked.
"We've been very sound on special teams," Friedgen said. "He's done a phenomenal job with it. We're going to miss him. It's a great opportunity for him. They've paid him a lot of money, and I'm happy for him."
Rychleski, who made nearly $117,000 in guaranteed salary this season, will be receiving a pay raise to join the Gamecocks, though he refused to disclose the terms of the deal.
Special teams were a question for the Terrapins entering this season, but Obi Egekeze made 17 of 22 field goal attempts and Travis Baltz averaged 41.3 yards per punt. Maryland also was second nationally in kickoff return defense.
Rychleski praised Friedgen for his emphasis on special teams and outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson, who doubled as a special teams assistant.
"When you have a head coach thinking like that, and you have very good assistants helping you, and you have outstanding players in the special teams area, it's hard not to be good," he said.

CONGRATS RJ!!!!

I am Feeling kinda Sunday right NOW!!!!!

Steeler Baby

2009-01-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.steelerbaby.com/

HERE WE GO!!!!

2009-01-20T21:15:00.001-08:00

oh Mama!!!

2009-01-19T19:55:00.000-08:00

A Steeler Prayer

2009-01-17T14:18:00.000-08:00

Our Father, Who Art in Pittsburgh ,

Football Be Thy Game. The Kingdom Come,

5 Super Bowls Won,

On Earth as it is in Heinz Field.

Give us this Day a playoff Victory,

And forgive us our penalties,

As we defeat those who play against us.

But lead us into a victory,

And deliver us to Tampa !

A-Ben

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T17:44:00.001-08:00

One week til Christmas.....

2008-12-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

Great Great news!!!

2008-12-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

In this picture is Old Forge's Kiel Eigen. Eigen is working getting back on his feet, and in this picture you can see that he is well on his way. Continue to keep Kiel in your thoughts and prayers. He inspires us everyday, and as it looks, there is no doubt he will walk again.

A long, long time ago....

2008-12-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

At the risk of embarrassing myself, here is a picture of me with my surrogate family while growing up on Lincoln Street.

I would say I am anywhere between 7-9 years old.... Don't you just love the shirt?

2008-12-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

For two years, the potential of a group of underclassmen had Old Forge girls’ coaches, players and fans smiling from ear-to-ear on the endless possibilities for the Blue Devils program.
Last year that potential started turning into victories, and when those victories kept piling up at the end of the season during the district and state playoffs, the basketball community in Old Forge knew this team was starting to realize those years of potential.
Led by second-team AP All-State selection Kim Kaville, the Blue Devils tied a school record with 19 wins, finished third in the Lackawanna League Division II, won the District 2 Class 1A title for the first time in 16 years, and advanced to the PIAA Class 1A Eastern Semifinals for just the second time in school history.
This season, the core group of players that put Old Forge back on the local girls’ basketball map are back – and they mean business.
The Blue Devils opened the season yesterday afternoon against Wyoming Area as they looked to defend their second consecutive Marseco Memorial title, and will face a bigger challenge in two weeks when the open the LLD2 slate against the two teams that finished ahead of them in 2007-08, Valley View and Dunmore.
In order to contend with the two division heavyweights, the Old Forge will need to continue to improve as they have the past two years, and play with a passion that was seen at times during last season.
And that all starts with Kaville.
The 5-foot-9 junior post player is a brute force inside for the Blue Devils with her raw energy and athletic play. Sometimes that style hurts her with foul trouble, but if she can learn to bottle it up and continue to get better, she could be the unstoppable player Old Forge has lacked since the days of the mid 1990s.
Kaville earned all-state honors last year by being the Blue Devils best player during a run in which they won two state playoff games. The LLD2 first-team all star scored 60 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in three PIAA games. Kaville averaged 14.5 points per game and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game during the regular season.
She has scored 674 career points and with another solid season could surpass the 1,000-point mark by the end of the season.
But Kaville isn’t Old Forge’s only option on offense. Sarah Fife is also within reaching the 1,000-point mark with 643 career points. She would need to average 16.2 points over the Blue Devils 22 regular-season games to get to the mark. Should both reach the mark this season, it would be the first time in school history the girls’ program would have two 1,000-point scorers in the same season.
Fife, a 5-foot-6 forward, was Old Forge’s leading scorer for her first two varsity seasons before giving way to Kaville last season. The senior averaged just under seven points per game last season, and was third on the team in rebounding with 63 and in steals with 31. She also made eight three-pointers. The Blue Devils will look to its only senior for leadership and the scrappy play she has become known for.
The rest of the starting lineup will feature juniors Aleca Semenza, Chrissy Belko and Jess Armillay.
Semenza started for the first time last season and was Old Forge’s top three-point threat last season and was second on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard dropped in 26 triples and led the team with 55 steals. Semenza was also second on the team with 32 assists and fourth in rebounding with 56.
Belko runs the show from the point, and has since her freshman season. The 5-foot-7 guard handed out a team-high 65 assists last season while scoring just 118 points. Despite being the team’s point guard, Belko was second on the team in rebounds with 78. She was also third on the team in steals with 35 and made seven triples on the season.
Armillay was a spot starter last season as a sophomore and was at her best coming off the bench. But she returns this season as a full-time starter and the Blue Devils designated defensive stopper. The fiery 5-foot-6 guard can also play the point, but will be called upon to ignite the Old Forge defense with her aggressive style of play. Armillay scored just 61 points in 28 games last season, but managed to grab 44 rebounds, hand out 14 assists and make 11 steals.
Unlike in past seasons, Head Coach Tom Gatto will have some solid contributors to bring off the bench allowing the Blue Devils to not miss a beat when one of the Fab Five comes off the floor.
Gatto will have four reliable subs to bring in with sophomores Andi Alsalahat, Lindsey Regan, Nicole Marianelli and Dana Bilski.
Alsalahat gave the Blue Devils a boost late in the season as a reliable ball handler and outside shooter. But the 5-foot-9 guard could also play inside and give Old Forge another solid post defender. Regan and Bilski will also give the Blue Devils some inside depth.
Marianelli gives Old Forge a shooting guard off the bench with some size at 5-foot-7 that is capable of burying the long-range shot.
All told, the Blue Devils have 17 players on the roster – a major step up from last season’s 13 that had some varsity players playing in two games a night. Another solid group of six freshmen, along with six sophomores will provide Old Forge with a base of players to keep the program moving in the right direction.
The cupboard is stocked with talent, and the table is set for this to be one of the greatest seasons of girls’ basketball season in school history. The Blue Devils sure look ready to take care of business.

2008-12-09T09:49:00.000-08:00

For the past five seasons the Old Forge boys’ basketball program has been about star power.
Led by stars Jared Yanniello, Stephen Semenza, Jim DeStefano, Kyle McMyne, Mark Alexander, and JJ Thomas the Blue Devils went 111-28 with three Lackawanna League Division III titles, two District 2 Class 1A titles, and three state playoff appearances with a bunch of role players filling in when needed.

Those role players are now in the spotlight.

Forced to take a backseat during this century’s Golden Age of Old Forge Basketball, seniors Matt Rava, Anthony Koulavongsa and Corey Hodick are ready for action.

The trio will lead a team that has no returning stars and will feature a balance of youth and inexperience as the Blue Devils try to make their own mark among the past great teams.

Rava will take the court as Head Coach Al Semenza’s only returning starter from last season’s District 2 Class 1A championship team. The 5-foot-7 point guard starter every game last season as a junior and finished second on the team in assists with 75. Rava averaged 4.6 points per game and shot almost 44 percent from the field. He will be asked to shoulder more of a scoring load this season for the Blue Devils while not turning the ball over. Rava is the Blue Devils top returning three-point threat, making 16 in 2007-08.

Hodick returns after playing in 26 games as a reserve guard last season and has the ability to be one of the focal points in the Old Forge offense this season. The lanky 6-foot-2 shooter can score in bunches given the opportunity – and he should get that opportunity once he returns full-strength from a knee energy suffered during the District 2 Class 1A football title game. Hodick scored almost four points a game in a limited role off the bench and shot 75 percent from the free-throw line last season. He was also solid rebounder off the bench with almost three per game and made 11 triples for the Blue Devils.

Koulavongsa played limited minutes in 25 games last season, but the forward is ready to burst onto the scene in his final season. The 6-foot-2 has a soft touch inside the paint – demonstrated by his 55 percent field goal percentage last season. Koulavongsa was also lights out at the charity stripe as a junior, draining 11-of-12 attempts on the season. With a quick first step to the basket, the Blue Devils will try to get the first-year starter the ball as often as possible to give them an inside scoring threat they rarely have.

Semenza will then rely on a mix of players after those three, including guards Mike Avvisato and Tony Goodall, to fill out the lineup which has yet to be set for the upcoming season.

Avvisato, a 5-foot-6 junior, played in 18 games last season, scoring 25 points with six three-pointers. The gutsy lefty is a threat to score from beyond the arc and gives the Blue Devils an emotional spark with his hustling defensive play.

Goodall is just a sophomore but was the leading scorer on last season’s freshman team that won the Lackawanna League Division II crown and advanced to the D2 playoffs. At 5-foot-10, Goodall can shoot the ball for three, but is also not afraid to take the ball to the hoop. Don’t be surprised if he – along with Koulavongsa – has a breakout season. He will begin the season as one of the Blue Devils off guards, but he can also play the point if needed.

Seniors Gabe Wilson and Matt Mischello will also be asked to step up their play this season as Semenza looks for reliable players who can start or come off the bench.

Wilson is a slender 6-foot-4 center who can give opponents matchup problems with his size inside on offense, and as a rebounder and shot blocker on defense. With the right attitude the first-year varsity contributor could be a major factor in the Blue Devils defending their two-year run as district champs.

Mischello is a 5-foot-10 slashing guard who can take the ball to the hoop. He will provide depth at the position and should be able to give Old Forge some quality minutes. But he and Wilson are being pushed by a group of underclassmen who are hungry to play.

Junior Ryan Janesko and sophomores Dom Avvisato and Mario Martinelli are pushing for varsity minutes and have been given a look with the first-team during the preseason.

Janesko is a 6-foot-2 center and plays in the mold of a typical Old Forge big man. He is a banger underneath and will be relied upon to rebound and do the little things Semenza usually asks from his post players.

Avvisato, standing at 6-foot-1 has been used both inside and outside during the preseason. Strictly a forward last season, Avvisato will provide depth as a small forward and possibly a swing player. He – as with most of the Old Forge role players – will be asked to rebound, play defense, and score garbage points inside while knocking down an occasional outside shot.

Martinelli is the only other true point guard on the roster besides Rava. The 5-foot-6 floor

general will be asked to lead the offense should Rava get into foul trouble. Martinelli plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and can make plays. If on the floor, he will be asked to limit turnovers and get the ball to the Old Forge scorers.

The Blue Devils have a host of players that are capable of helping this team make its mark – including a bunch of sophomores that were part of a championship team last season as freshmen.

The question will be whether the veterans returning can run with the torch that has been passed to them by the previous teams.

Let’s hope they are ready for action.

Coming Soon....

2008-12-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Devil Time

2008-12-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

The Schedules are out... and here they are....

Old Forge Blue Devils
Boys’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule

Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Northwest at OF
Dec. 9 at Western Wayne
Dec. 12 ES-NOTRE DAME
Dec. 15 MT. VIEW
Dec. 17 at West Scranton
Dec. 22 at Valley View
Dec. 27 at WA Tourney
Dec. 29 at WA Tourney
Jan. 3 DUNMORE
Jan. 6 at Mid Valley
Jan. 9 LAKELAND
Jan. 13 at Carbondale
Jan. 16 HOLY CROSS
Jan. 20 RIVERSIDE
Jan. 27 VALLEY VIEW
Jan. 29 at Dunmore
Jan. 31 MID VALLEY
Feb. 3 at Lakeland
Feb. 6 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 at Holy Cross
Feb. 12 at Riverside

HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.

Old Forge Blue Devils
Girls’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule

Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Lakeland at OF
Dec. 8 at West Scranton
Dec. 12 at Susquehanna
Dec. 18 at Trail
Dec. 23 VALLEY VIEW
Dec. 27 at PA Tourney
Dec. 29 at PA Tourney
Jan. 2 at Dunmore
Jan. 5 MID VALLEY
Jan. 8 at Lakeland
Jan. 12 CARBONDALE
Jan. 15 at Holy Cross
Jan. 19 at Riverside
Jan. 21 at Forest City
Jan. 26 at Valley View
Jan. 28 DUNMORE
Jan. 30 at Mid Valley
Feb. 2 LAKELAND
Feb. 5 at Carbondale
Feb. 9 HOLY CROSS
Feb. 11 RIVERSIDE

HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.

Old Forge Blue Devils
Boys’ Freshman Basketball

Dec. 8 at Prep
Dec. 10 at North Pocono
Dec. 12 at Honesdale
Dec. 15 HOLY CROSS
Dec. 17 at Mid Valley
Dec. 20 at Valley View 11
Dec. 26 at West Scranton 10
Dec. 30 at Wyoming Area TBA
Jan. 3 at Carbondale 10
Jan. 9 at Riverside
Jan. 13 LAKELAND
Jan. 16 DUNMORE
Jan. 20 at Holy Cross
Jan. 27 MID VALLEY
Jan. 29 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 3 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 RIVERSIDE
Feb. 12 at Lakeland
Feb. 14 at Dunmore 11

HOME GAES in CAPS
Games start at 4 p.m. unless noted

Old Forge Blue Devils
Jr. High Boys’
Basketball Schedule

Dec. 6 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 7 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 8 NORTH POCONO
Dec. 10 TRAIL
Dec. 13 at Susquehanna
Dec. 17 RIVERSIDE
Dec. 20 MONTROSE
Dec. 22 at Carbondale
Dec. 30 WYOMING AREA
Jan. 7 LAKELAND
Jan. 10 at Valley View
Jan. 14 WESTERN WAYNE
Jan. 17 at Mid Valley
Jan. 19 at Dunmore
Jan. 24 at Riverside
Jan. 31 at Lakeland
Feb. 4 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 7 at Western Wayne
Feb. 11 MID VALLEY
Feb. 14 DUNMORE

HOME GAMES in CAPS
Weekday games start at 10
Saturday games start at 4

Previews coming this Sunday!!!

2008-12-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Basketball season tips off on Saturday with the 8th Annual Badger Tournament taking place at Old Forge High School. The Blue Devils play Saturday at 8 p.m. and the Lady Devils start the season at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Team previews will appear in The SundayDispatch on Sunday and then on this here blog sometime on Monday.

Support the Blue Devils this season!!!

The Wrestler

2008-12-01T19:34:00.001-08:00

Another new one....

Its Our Lucky Day...

2008-12-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

Here is Bruce's new tune... My Lucky Day

Seperated at Birth?

2008-11-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

If you saw the movie 8 Mile, you would have seen B Rabbit's buddy, Cheddar Bob, shoot himself with his own gun.

And while I am not surprised Plaxico was shot, I am surprised he pulled a "Cheddar Bob."

What a dope!

Somebody should rap about this.

What a weekend!!!!

2008-11-29T21:40:00.000-08:00

It's not over yet, but the past few days have been quite a whirlwind.

It all started on Wednesday with the Annual Night Before Thanksgiving pilgrimage to the local establishments to reunite with some old friends and listen to the great sounds of Joe and Dino.

Joe Kuckla and Dino Domiano are both OFHS grads and could usually be found playing the tunes of our lives at Dooley's on Thanksgiving Eve; at the annual Guinness Party at the Nee residence in mid summer; and now and then at GI's Bar as they will on Dec. 19.

Of course I got to sit in with J&D for my normal two song set of Mellancamp's Pink Houses and the Violent Femmes' Blister in the Sun. Don't ask me how I sounded - I don't remember.

People tell me I was good. But hey. They could just have been being nice. It is the holiday season after all.

Joe's brother Matt even got into the act - as he usually does - with his stirring renditions of Skynyrd's Simple Man and the Animal's House of the Rising Son.

The duo kicked ass as they normally do when they have not played together for a while. And it was probably a whole year since the last TG Eve when they performed for a crowd.

Thanksgiving Eve was so good, I missed most of Thanksgiving. Not dinner of course. But I slept from when I got home - passed out is more like it - at about 3 a.m. until 1 p.m. We had dinner at 1:30 p.m. and after handing out with a record crowd of 17 at 13 Lincoln Street until like 3:30 p.m. I was back to bed until like 9 p.m.

Of course all that sleep kept me awake most of the night, but I had some company with the Godfather marathon on AMC and the Rocky marathon on versus. All that rest during the day allowed me to stay awake for some great viewing in the wee hours of the morning. It was a great day and I had a lot to be thankful for.

Friday came and I was off to work for a few hours before heading home for the Backyard Brawl. I caught the first half of the game at Coaches Korner, then headed home to watch some with Dad.

As the Panthers fell behind and Matt Cavanaugh refused to give the ball to LeSean McCoy - the greatest Pitt running back since Tony D - I decided it was time to go back to work. I was detoured on the way back to Pittston to a reliable lucky spot for me and I watched the Panthers come from behind to win the game.

So back to work for a few hours I went before heading to Peckville and Jack Henzes Stadium for Riverside's Eastern Semi against Schuykill Haven.

And what a game it was!

Friday's game was possibly the best high school game I had ever witnesses. The only other game that could rival it was the Wyoming Area-Pittston Area game for the District 2 title at Scranton Memorial Stadium in 2003 which WA won on a trick play to end the game.

Back to Valley View.

In front of about 8,000 fans - the most I have seen at a HS game since that WA-PA game (which was about 10,000) - the two teams put on an offensive display that is rarely seen on the high school level.

For three quarters the two teams traded haymakers that rivaled the Rocky Balboa-Apollo Creed rematch that I had just watched hours earlier. Then in the fourth quarter both coaches made some questionable calls that left fans scratching their heads before Haven escaped with the victory.

Riverside led 14-0 when the Haven head coach - a guy who did not wear a headset, did not have a play sheet, and was never within 15 yards of the other coaches on his staff - turned to me and a reporter from the Pottsville paper and said, "not the way we wanted to start, huh?"

He was as calm as could be - and with good reason.
He had Zak Barket, a 3,800-yard rusher in his backfield.
That's right 4,100 yards. THIS YEAR!!! The kid leads the nation in rushing and was the real deal. By the way... he also has 60 TDs on the season. He is also headed to Yale or Harvard according to one of the Haven media types as the kid has like 1400+ in his boards.

Barket rallied the Canes with a big TD run to get within 14-7. The Vikes came right back to go ahead 22-7, but the Canes rallied to tie the score at 22-22.

Riverside went ahead 30-22, and Haven answered to go tie the game at 30-30. THIS WAS ALL IN THE FIRST HALF!!!

Haven opened the second half with the ball and ran off a 15-play drive to take a 37-30 lead.

The Vikes answered with a Joe Klebon touchdown - his fourth of the game - to take a 38-37 lead after the 2-point run by the senior tailback with 1:21 left in the third. But it would be Riverside's last points of the game - and more importantly, it would be the last Klebon would play on offense as he got hurt on the ensuing onside kick that he actually recovered.

Haven would stop Riverside and drive to the Vikings 9 with second and goal in the fourth quarter. The Canes decided to pass on the next two downs, with Corey Schuster picking off a third down pass at his own four to give RV the ball back.

A few plays later though, with Klebon nursing either a hip or ankle injury - there are reports of both - RV fumbled to give the ball back to Haven. The Canes capitalized and went ahead 43-38.

The Haven coach went for two instead of making the game at least a touchdown, but the Canes were stopped, giving Riverside a chance to take the lead with just a score.

The teams went back and forth with Klebon playing some defense, but not returning on offense til late in the game.

Meanwhile, Matt Talerico carried the load for the Vikes and ran the D2 champs inside the Haven 10 with less than four minutes left in the game. The senior carried about six times for about 40 yards to set up RV in the redzone.

After being stopped on second-and-2 (some reports have reported 2-and-3 and 2-and-4, but I was standing right there), the Vikes opted to throw a pass which was knocked down in the endzone. RV then inserted Klebon in the game, and the bruising tailback sprinted right before pulling up to throw a halfback option that fell incomplete on fourth down.

Haven ran some time and was forced to punt, but Barket intercepted a pass with less than 30 seconds left to preserve the victory.

Whew!!! And it wasn't even Saturday yet.... What a weekend!!!

Thankful.....

2008-11-27T18:44:00.000-08:00

Ok. Let me start by saying Happy Thanksgiving.

Secondly, I offer apologies to the lack of OF stuff here. I was chastized early this morning by a former player of mine - one of my favorite former players - who lives out of town and keeps up to date with the Blue Devils partially through the blog.

This curly-haired legend - not Chris Jones - will remain nameless. But he is well on his way to becoming someone with some major clout in the world of sports.

So from now on, while I will still give you all the Springsteen news, I will gear more to the Blue and Gold.

Starting now....

Congrats to our Scranton Times All-Regional selection this year... Anthony Pero. If you didn't get to watch Pero play the past two years than you missed out on some of the best football play from a linebacker the Blue Devils have seen this decade.

Pero definitely rivaled his cousin Chris Donati in the middle the past two years, recording 290 tackles in his two seasons in the lineup.

He should have been All-Regional last season, but some how got screwed.

Speaking of screwed, Old Forge defensive back Dustin Slack got the screws put to him on the All-Regional team after interception a possible school-record eight passes this year. In his first season as a starter, the senior safety made some great picks this season.

Plus, Slack is a Steelers fan and made one of the more memorable quotes since I have been convering the Blue Devils when he told me after the Trail game that, "Even though they are a bad team, it was a great win for us. It's kind of like beating the Browns."

Right now, it is still the quote of the year.

Basketball season has begun and the Blue Devils are in the midst of starting a new. The current team will be a work in progress for the first month or so as Coach Al Semenza looks for a rotation of players to keep the Blue Devils at the level of play we have been accustomed to.

There have already been setbacks to the starting lineup as Corey Hodick suffered a knee injury in the last game of the football season. Right now it looks like Matt Rava and Anthony Koulavongsa are the only solid starters at this point. Gabe Wilson, Matt Mischello, Mike MaMa Avvisato, Tony Goodall, Mario Martinelli, and Ryan Janesko are the others in the mix for starting spots right now.

We will find out more as we go. Looks like Hodick could be back for next weekend, but I am sure things will be taken cautiously.

First basketball game is next Saturday as the Badger Tourney opens up with a game against Wyoming Area.

Stay tuned for more.....

Almost Christmas

2008-11-26T08:05:00.001-08:00

Okay... So its not Christmas just yet. But here is a take on the Christmas Classic, Christmas Vacation...

Almost Christmas

2008-11-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

Okay... So its not Christmas just yet. But here is a take on the Christmas Classic, Christmas Vacation...

Good Stuff

2008-11-22T21:34:00.001-08:00

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Working on a Dream...

2008-11-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

Here is a offering of the studio version of Bruce's new song, Working on a Dream.

The Boss will release his new E-Street album a week before the Super Bowl in 2009.

How the Blue Devils can win the D2 title

2008-11-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

Blogger's Note: This was my column that appeared in last week's Sunday Dispatch (www.psdispatch.com). I have received a few compliments on it (pat-pat on back), so I thought I would share it with the Blogging World. Enjoy!

I know. Just by reading the headline, you now know for sure that I am certifiably nuts.

And it might actually be so. But as a community sports writer, I need to find the positive in everything in covering Old Forge. So, here is my take on how the Blue Devils – a 42-6 loser to start the season to the arch-rival Vikes – can beat Riverside next Friday night for the District 2 Title.

DO NOT KICK TO KLEBON! If that statement isn’t obvious, I don’t know what else would be. But it wasn’t obvious to Dunmore last week. And as I stood on the sideline in disbelief, the senior stud tailback took the opening kickoff 95 yards to paydirt as the house erupted and totally deflated the previously undefeated Bucks. Squib kick, pooch kick, onside kick. It doesn’t matter where Riverside gets the ball, they can score from anywhere at anytime. Just don’t let them deflate you immediately after a score with a run back.

KEEP THE BALL AWAY FROM THE VIKES OFFENSE… I know that is easier said than done, but ball control is a must. Just like you wouldn’t kickoff to Joe Klebon, you must keep the ball out of not only his hands on offense, but also Riverside’s other playmakers: Jay Velehoski, Matt and Corey Talerico, Ryan Chisdock, Kevin Sochovka and Corey Schuster. That means hand the ball to Brian Morris, Jon Kaville, Jim Tagliaferri, Anthony Pero and whoever else, 50 to 60 times. If Old Forge must pass, throw the pigskin short and in the middle of the field. Keep the clock ticking, and don’t give Riverside’s athletes any chance to jump the routes or their pass rushers extra time to get to Corey Hodick. And you know what else? Don’t punt on fourth down. Go for it no matter where you are. Again, Riverside can score from 80 yards on one play or 20 yards on one play. Run the clock.

WHEN THE VIKES HAVE THE BALL… Pray. And make them earn every yard. So that means Old Forge is going to have to pick their poison. Either stack up against the run with 8 and 9 guys in the box or gamble with multiple DBs to try and stop the pass. Personally, I am stacking up against the run. Clogging holes. Getting as many hats on Klebon and Talerico. And pressuring Velehoski when he drops back to pass. That is going to put a lot of pressure on DBs Bob Vieira, Dustin Slack, Brian Morris and Gabe Wilson, but it needs to be done. If you zone up with them, they are going to run by you. If you are going to get beat, it might as well be man-for-man. Remember one other thing Old Forge DBs, pass interference is only a 15-yard penalty. So if you are beat deep with the ball in the air, start grabbing and tackling. No big plays! That is our mantra. Put more guys in the box and make them block 7 or 8 with five or six guys. Get to the QB faster than he could dump the ball to either Talerico or Klebon and you have a chance. Otherwise, go back to praying.

NO BIG PLAYS, NO TURNOVERS, NO PENALTIES…. You need to play the perfect game. That doesn’t mean executing every offensive or defensive snap to perfection, but it does mean no big plays, no turnovers and especially, no penalties. Riverside is extremely talented and diverse already. Do not give them any advantage by allowing a big play, or coughing up the football, or getting a personal foul penalty on a big third down play.

PLAY EVERY PLAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST… Because you know what Blue Devils, it is. This group of seniors have won 25 games in three years for Old Forge, and if they want to win No. 26, they have to play at a high level of intensity for the entire game. The Vikes may be more talented, but if the Blue Devils can play more inspired, more desperate, more heart-filled football, that can win you a game when the team across from you isn’t expecting it and is looking ahead – which Riverside is most definitely doing.

Well those are my five keys to beating the Vikes.

Call me crazy. Call me irrational. Call me biased. Call me stupid.

Just don’t call me late for dinner. A dinner you will owe me when the Blue Devils pull off the biggest upset in the history of this rivalry.

Old Forge 28, Riverside 27

The Great British Poets

2008-11-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

From the movie Bye Bye Love... a very underrated movie starring Matthew Modine, this is a cover of a Beatles song by Ben Taylor, son of legendary muscians James Taylor and Carly Simon. Enjoy!

The Great American Poet

2008-11-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

Check it out...

2008-11-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Godfather of Old Forge tshirts has given us another work of art to purchase.

Check here for this year's hot Pizza TShirt... http://oldforgepizza.blogspot.com/

NEW BRUCE SONG!!!!!!

2008-11-04T14:19:00.001-08:00

Happy Halloween.... From the BOSS!!!!

2008-10-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

The Truth is Funny sometimes....

2008-10-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

From pantherrants.com

Pitt is the Billy Hoyle of the Big East. Billy Hoyle was the white guy off "White Men Can't Jump" who couldn't help himself to bitch something up every time he had some sort of good luck come his way. When I think of the Rutgers game, I think of the part where Billy had three chances to prove his buddy Sidney that he could dunk. He failed on all three attempts.As for the loss, I'm reminded when Billy when home at night to his woman and he just mutters "It Happened Again.......".Gloria represents the Pitt fan base. Just when when Pitt fans think you've come around, you do something to turn them away again. It happened with Bowling Green. Now it's Rutgers. You made Mike Teel into a Heisman candidate in one afternoon. 54 points to a team who hasn't done much offensively this season. The rest of the season doesn't get any better. Just make the trip to Toronto and be done with it.

Check out Mondesi's House....

2008-10-24T13:56:00.001-07:00

Scroll down to the part where it says something about missing Pittsburgh to find my list...

http://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/index.html

Beviglia's Black Ice

2008-10-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

Jimmy B is back at it this week with his review of AC/DC's new album, Black Ice.

Check out his review here... BLACK ICE

Quote of the Year

2008-10-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

“Even though they are a bad team, it is a great win for us. It’s like beating the Browns.”

--- OFHS senior safety Dustin Slack after the Blue Devils beat Lackawanna Trail, 38-14.

Can you name this person?

2008-10-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

This is a famous person. Some people think it could be Jesus Christ. I am not too sure myself. Who do you think it is? The answer will follow next week.

The Cathedral of Learning

2008-10-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

Loved this photo of the Cathedral. The display is part of the City of Pittsburgh's 250th Birthday celebration. I am waiting for Tim's rendition of this photo.

Morris, Pero win JOBY awards!!!

2008-10-14T13:06:00.001-07:00

Devils win BIG!

2008-10-14T13:05:00.001-07:00

Joe Pa-Torre

2008-10-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

Take a good look... Can you tell the difference?

I can't... Much like JoePa running three straight plays into the middle of a defense on the goal line, Joe Torre has no idea how to handle a pitching staff.

Don't give me that 13 straight seasons in the playoff bull. Or the four World Series rings. Or whatever.

The guy is simply the Phil Jackson of baseball. Give me Derek Jeter, Roger Juice Clemens, Bernie Williams, Mariano Riviera and a load of talent and ill win... Just like give me Jordan, Pippen, Kobe, and Shaq and ill be the Zen master...

First off. Game 2. Chad Billingsly pitching. The kid is 24. He is a rookie. He is in front of 45,000 maniacs in Philly and has just given up a few straight hits and runs. How about taking a visit to the mound to calm him down? Jeez.

But no. What does Joe PaTorre do? He leaves the kid out there by himself until he gives up 7 straight hits and four runs. Game over. Hopefull not career over. We will see tonight.

Then. Game 4. Dodgers are back in it after winning Game 3. Although I didn't like the decision of D-Lowe on three days rest, it worked out for 5 innings and a 3-2 Dodgers lead.

Would it have worked out for 6? Who knows? Cuz Joe PaTorre yanks one of the best post-season pitchers in MLB history for the YOUNGEST player in the majors - 20 year old Clayton Kershaw.

Now Clay may become a great Dodgers pitcher, but does he need to be put in the biggest spot in current Dodgers history? NO!

Leave D-Lowe out there for a few batters. See what happens. Instead Clay gives up a few hits and a run to tie the game.

The Dodgers come right back and go ahead 5-3, so lets bring in Kuo. Huo pitches great. So great, Joe PaTorre takes him out!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!

Too much overmanaging....

But let's not bring in Broxton to shut things down. Let's bring in Cory Wade - another youngin - to throw some gas on the fire.

Sure enough, 5-5, after the Flyin Hawaiian's homer. Now we bring in Broxton. POW two-run homer to Matt Stairs. GAME OVER!

Way to manage Joe PaTorre. Let's see what you do in LA next year without Manny, D-Lowe and possibly even Furcal.

I'm sick of people saying what a great job Joe did this year. The Dodgers STUNK all year until Manny showed up. They better throw the farm at Manny so he stays and keeps LA baseball exciting.

If not.. might as well get rid of Joe or else the Dodgers will be just like the Braves and Mets Torre managed in the 70s and 80s - JUNK!

I HATE PHILLY!!!

2008-10-09T20:58:00.001-07:00

2008-10-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

Woody meets Larry

2008-10-09T18:07:00.001-07:00

I have been meaning to post this for about a month now... Let's hope it isn't a jinx.

HOW SWEEP IT IS!!!!

2008-10-05T00:23:00.000-07:00

WE LOVE IT!!!!

2008-10-04T23:55:00.000-07:00

WE LOVE IT!!!!

2008-10-04T17:41:00.001-07:00

2008-10-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

WE LOVE IT!!!!

2008-10-02T09:26:00.001-07:00

Mr. Rooney

2008-10-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

As we walked thru the South Plaza at Heinz Field I said to Dr. Mando, "Look. That's Art Rooney."

Dr. Mando: "You sure?"

Me: "Mr. Rooney, Good Luck tonight."

Mr. Rooney: "Thanks."

Garu: "Let's get a picture with him."

Me: "Naw. Let's not bother him."

Garu: "Mr. Rooney, how about a picture?"

Mr. Rooney: "Sure"

2008-09-26T14:28:00.001-07:00

E-Street.... LEGOS!!!!

2008-09-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

This is sad.. but sooooo funny

2008-09-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

Fatboy can dance TWO!

2008-09-24T16:28:00.001-07:00

Fatboy can dance!

2008-09-24T16:21:00.000-07:00

Here is what the Brits think of Scranton.....

2008-09-24T08:56:00.001-07:00

I couldn't agree more....

The American Office is back on American TV. And all the Americans I know are rabbiting on about how it's the greatest show on TV ever.

It clearly isn't. Not when Star Stories is on BBC America. But you can see why they're excited. The Office deals with race and alienation and the sheer banality of everyday life in a way that is truly revolutionary for the American sitcom. And this excites a certain part of America greatly.

This year saw the second Office convention in Scranton - the boring town in northeast Pennsylvania that stands in for the Brit original's Slough (even though it's actually shot in California.)

Scranton has also become the new Peoria - the legendary political litmus test for the US presidential election. It came to prominence during the primaries as Hilary Clinton's (sorta) hometown. Turns out that Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden is also (kinda) from Scranton.

And so - with grim inevitability - "hard scrabble" Scranton changed from a boring shithole that nobody cared about, into a marvelous microcosm of authentic, blue collar, domestic beer drinking, "hard working" America; and was namechecked by Democrats and Republicans alike as exactly the sort of economically-depressed, white, working class dump Obama has to win to have any chance of becoming president.

Offense was offensive.. so were the Eagles fans

2008-09-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

I reluctantly made the trip to Lincoln Obnoxious Field on Sunday to take in the Steelers-Eagles game.

Much of the reason I took the trip was the fact that I ended up in the Verizon Luxury Box with the Honorable Jim Wansacz. It was safe in there.

It wasn't safe in the stadium though.

Exhibit A: Doc Mando and Iron Mike Lettieri sat in the lower level in what would be considered club seats at Heinz. The dynamic duo were not knadily clad in jerseys. Heck. Doc Beeper didnt even have a jersey or any Steeler garb on. Yet they needed to call security at some point of the game.

Exhibit B: Dave Barbetti was with the Frican Rican and his son, Frican Rican Jr. who were both Eagles fans. That trio was in the lower level of the endzone and Barbetti felt the rath. It didn't help that he had his own personalized Steelers jersey on, but that is still no reason to be abused. Especially if you are not acting like an idiot.

I must say the Eagles fans I tailgated with were great. The boys from VV were very friendly and didn't bust balls once. Not even after the game. They even stuck up for the honorable and I when a few Eagles fans walking by tried to goad us into a confrontation.

So I say good riddance Philadelphia Phootball. Maybe its bad karma why you do not have any Super Bowl titles. Your fans are JERKS, so you have no RINGS!

More election stuff...

2008-09-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

This time from www.tshirthell.com... Check it out...

NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!

2008-09-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Well it was bound to start sooner or later - The Presidential election.

On one hand we have the Democrats with a young black candidate and and old man while on the other hand we have the Republicans with an old man and a young female candidate .

Obama is way too experienced to run the country - no matter his race - yet according to local historians and social experts, he would get to run it for too long, because they guess he will provide for a presidential assassination atttempt that we have not seen since the 80s.

That would leave the USA with Joe Biden who really isnt that bad of an alternative, except he was born and raised in Scranton and has served his country as a Senator from Delaware. One might say those two places are pretty inconsequential when it comes to presidential polictics and I would have to agree.

McCain is probably a few days away from dying of natual causes or falling into senility. Other than that I like the man. And I probably would have voted for him until he selected his VP.

Sarah Palin. Now don't get me wrong. It has nothing to do with her being a woman. I would have stumped for Hillary had she been the Dem candidate. Heck. If McCain gets elected I cant wait for the Presidential Playboy pictorial when Palin is sworn in after McCain dies.

But just because Palin could be a playmate doesn't make her a viable veep. The woman is just plain dumb from what I can see. I mean how did she become governor? I know Alaska is inconsequential and only like 50 people are unfrozen enough to be able to vote, but cmon?

Charlie Gibson made her look like a nitwit. And Charlie is a nice guy reporter. Imagine if he was IMUS!!!

Anyway I digress. I know it sounds as if Im headed in the Obama direction, but there are just too many questions with him also.

Is he an American? African? Hawaiian? What?

Is he Christian? Muslin? Follower of Michael Jackson?

I mean if Slick Willie was a black guy in a white man's body, then Barry is the opposite. Did you see that guy play hoops on ESPN? Silk Parker has better moves.

SO I am here today to tell you to get informed with both candidates and to VOTE!

VOTE NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!!

That's right. Vote Monty Brewster! None of the Above!

2008-09-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooal

2008-09-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Cousin J scored the first goal of his varsity career on Thursday night with an unassisted blast from the right side of the field.

The goal tied the Blue Devils match with Lakeland at 1. But the Chiefs proved to be too much and took the win, 3-1.

2008-09-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Lest we forget....

2008-09-11T08:12:00.001-07:00

The Omen Part XLIII

2008-09-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

When I saw this photo on ESPN.com, the first thing that hit me was Steelers-Cowboys. But the second thing that hit me almost instantaineously as the first was the No. 7 and the No. 9
OR No. 79 - my number.

Let's cross our fingers for this matchup in Tampa on Feb. 1

Click for the Poll

2008-09-09T22:53:00.001-07:00

Where's Waldo?

2008-09-09T21:24:00.000-07:00

The following is my story on Saturday night's game that was SUPPOSED to be posted on the Dispatch Website (www.psdispatch.com)

When I posted it, it did appear on the site, but by Sunday morning it had been moved off of the site by some unknown mythical force.

So, here it is...

Hodick rallies Blue Devils to victory

BY RICK NOTARI
DISPATCH STAFF

Corey Hodick has only been the quarterback of the Old Forge football team for eight quarters. But if the final drive of last night's 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Holy Redeemer at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium is any indication, Head Coach Mike Schuback will not have to worry about production from the leader of his offense.

Hodick rallied the Blue Devils as he accounted for 75 of the Blue Devils 80 yards on a nine-play scoring drive that started with 4:25 left in the game.

“I'm glad we worked the two-minute drill in practice this week,” Schuback said after the game. “Hodick has a heck of an arm, and when he is confident, you can can see what he can do. He is a heck of an athlete. I am proud of the way he stepped up tonight.”

Trailing 14-13 and pinned at their 20 yard line, the Blue Devils calmly went to the two-minute offense and mixed in four runs and five passes as Hodick had the ball in his hands for seven of the nine plays.

The senior signal caller scrambled for nine yards on first down after his four receivers in Old Forge's spread package were covered downfield. On seco nd-and-1, Hodick handed to tailback Brian Morris for a two-yard gain and a first down.

Hodick then went to the air on three consecutive plays, hitting three different receivers for 39 yards. First Hodick hit Morris for an 18-yard gain, before finding Jon Kaville for six yards over the middle and Bob Vieira for 15 yards to set up a first down at the Holy Redeemer 30.

The first-year quarterback then used his feet to gain 15 yards as he was forced out of the pocket, scrambling to the Royals 15.

Hodick then hit Vieira again for a 10-yard gain, and after keeping it himself for a two yards on first-and-goal, Morris took the handoff and bulled up the middle for the three-yard touchdown.

“Before coach sent me out there he said, 'its gut check time,' said Hodick of the last drive. “The team stepped up. We dug down and showed a lot of heart.”

Old Forge holder Dustin Slack kept the ball himself on a designed two-point play, and the Blue Devils led 21-14 with 1:46 left in the game.

The game began in a steady rain with neither team able to do much with the football. But on Old Forge's second possession, Hodick hooked up with Gave Wilson for 18 yards and a first down in Royals territory.

Two runs for 23 yards by Morris set up the Blue Devils first-and-goal at the 3, but the Redeemer defense stopped Morris on the next play before two Hodick incompletions.

Schuback called for Matt Rava to attempt the 20-yard field goal, but the attempt was blocked, turning the ball back over the the Royals.

After holding Redeemer to just six yards on six plays – including a sack by Niko Manetti and Mark Zambetti for a nine-yard loss, Old Forge (1-1) went on a 13-play, 61-yard scoring drive.

Morris started the drive with an eight-yard run, and rushing for 25 yards on four carries and caught one pass for 23 yards as Old Forge had first-and-goal from the Royals 5.

Kaville carried for two yards on first down, and on second down, Jim Tagliaferri picked up a fumbled snap and ran around his right side for his first touchdown of the season with 8:00 left in the first half. Rava booted the the PAT and Old Forge led 7-0.

Holy Redeemer answered thanks to two Old Forge turnovers on their next two possessions. The Royals intercepted Hodick on the Blue Devils next series, and when Old Forge forced Redeemer to punt, the hosts recovered a fumbled punt on the 3-yard line.

Three plays later, Redeemer cashed in and tied the game at 7-7.

Old Forge took the lead late in the first half after Slack intercepted a pass at the Royals 48 and returned it to the six yard line to set the Blue Devils up with 56 seconds left in the third.

Hodick scored two plays later after scrambling away from a rush for a 13-7 lead.

The teams played scoreless in the third quarter, but the Royals took its only lead of the game after intercepting Hodick for the second time in the game at the Blue Devils 26 yard line.

Six plays later, Redeemer tied the game on a one-yard run with 10:27 remaining in the game. The PAT put the Royals ahead 14-13.

“This day couldn't come fast enough,” said Schuback in reference to getting back on the field following last week's loss to arch-rival Riverside. “I don't know if the conditions and the wait had us a little squirrelly, but once we adjusted we were find.
“I give Holy Redeemer a lot of credit. They were tough tonight.”

2008-09-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

Stop the Stache!

2008-09-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

From Blue and Gold Blog reader Steve Lacoe....

PS... Steve is a PSU fan. Thank god he is taking it easy on us Panther fans.

Soccer Sensations.....

2008-09-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Well... one varsity soccer game, one win.

The Blue Devils took care of business in their first ever match with a 4-0 win over Mid Valley. If this keeps up, OF soccer fans will be just as obnoxious as the rest of OF sports fans. Let's hope it happens.

Here are some photos, including one just before the first ever Blue Devils goal was scored. That was Jon Casey doing the honors. The other photos are of Matt Rava (23) and family members J Argonish (22) and Asst. Coach Woody "Renzi" Argonish with nephew Cyril.

Nuff said....

2008-09-02T12:40:00.001-07:00

Drubbing on Video

2008-09-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

In case you were unavailable Friday night, here is some video...

We made the INTERNET!!! Woo Hoo!!!

2008-09-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

1. Old Forge, PA
28 up, 7 down
an extremely small, but awesome, town in Pennsylvania that barely made the map; the only establishments are pizza places; it is the Pizza Capital of the World; driving around is the fun thing to do; everyone knows where Eckerd & Pear Tree are; you run to T-Hill for cigarettes or gas; some people have Turkey Hill Ice Cream, this town has Turkey Hill itself, which sells the ice cream; everyone in Old Forge knows everyone else; it's just like the Cheers bar, except it's a town.
I'm from the town of Old Forge, PA, and I when I drive by my friends, I meet them at Pear Tree.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Old+Forge%2C+PA

Week 1: THE RIVALRY

2008-08-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well... It's time for THE RIVALRY!!! And its only WEEK ONE!!!!!

It sure has been weird this week. Usually there is a buildup for this game. Usually there is all kind of pressure and fun and commraderie leading up to this game. But lets face it. Its Week ONE!!!

The Blue Devils have been in school just three days. The Vikes don't have class until Tuesday!

So here we are. The most important game of the season, and its in the first week.

This is the first time that Old Forge and Riverside will open the season facing each other. It is not the first time the game will be played during the summer. The game has been played in September before. But it has to be at least 50 years since that has happened.

The Vikes have won 4 of 5, including last season's 42-14 defeat in Old Forge. The game is in Taylor tonight, and Riverside is ranked No. 2 in the state by the Patriot News in Class 1A. That's right. The Vikes and Blue Devils could also meet in the D2 playoffs this season.

But before we get to November, let's take care of August.

Riverside features the best running back in the area in Joe Klebon. Klebon, a senior, is within the 4,000 yard mark in rushing yards and should eclipse that total by Week 7. Klebon is a combination back in that he can run you over but he can also run around you. Some of the cuts he made last season were truly unbelievable.

Klebon is not the Vikes sole weapon though. Matt Talerico is someone who could destroy the competition this season. If teams concentrate on stopping Klebon, Talerico will have a party with opposing defenses. The senior slotback/receiver is nasty fast. He is what Lee Corso would call a burner. Riverside will use him on screen plays to get him in the open space and let him do his work.

The Vikes also have quarterback Jay Velehoski and tight end Kevin Sochovka as part of an offensive arsenal that may go unmatched this season. Velehoski is a lefty QB that can fling it and can also run it while Sochovka is a brutal blocker and even a better pass catcher.

The Blue Devils sure will have their handsful on defense, but that's how Mike Scuback's group likes to be challenged.

Anthony Pero and Jon Kaville led the Big Blue Wrecking Crew from their linebacker positions. Pero led Old Forge with 140 tackles last season and the duo put some big hits on their counterparts up the road causing some drops in the passing game and also in the running game.

The ILB duo will line up behind behemoth defensive tackle Kyle Holland and the athletic Mark Zambetti, and ends Ed Dolinish and AJ Grasso as they try to stop the vaunted RV rushing attack.

The secondary will also have their work cut out for them with the Vikes likely to toss the pigskin under the direction of former Viking and current coach Harry Armstrong. But seniors Dustin Slack and Bobby Vieira and junior Brian Morris are all ready to do their part.

Morris gets the call dotting the I-formation in the running game and burst onto the OF-RV scene with a 70-yard TD in the first quarter last season as he rushed for 134 yards on the night. Kaville is the lead blocker at FB and can also run and catch the ball out of the backfield.

Corey Hodick will hand the ball to Morris from the QB position, and will also look to pick apart a young RV pass defense with tosses to Gabe Wilson, Vieira and Slack.

My prediction for this game is one of an upset. I like the Blue Devils 29-27 with Matt Rava kicking the game-winner from 33 yards out. It will not be an easy game to win, and the Blue Devils have to do all the right things to win. But I think the Vikes could be looking past Old Forge, and will not be as sharp as they will by the time midseason rolls around.

You can call me Ray...

2008-08-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

We know him as RJ. But it looks like the Ol' Ball Coach knows him as Ray.

Old Forge native and former Blue Devil Ray "RJ" Rychleski is now the special teams coordinator/tight ends coach at the University of South Carolina under head coach Steve Spurrier.

And as I watch the SC-NC State game, Rychleski has been shown on the screen, and was just mentioned by Chris Fowler as the Cocks made a big play on a punt coverage.

Good Luck to RJ this year. Go Cocks!!!

It's Time!!!!

2008-08-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

Last season they were thrown into the fire.
Junior Ed Dolinish and sophomores AJ Grasso, Kyle Holland and Mark Zambetti were first-year varsity starters when the Blue Devils opened its season at home in a loss to Dunmore. The foursome replaced eight years of experience in the trenches lost from the 2006 District 2 Class 1A title team. The pressure to continue Old Forge’s success on the gridiron fell squarely on their shoulders.
Lucky they had big shoulders.
No-names when the season began, Dolinish, Grasso, Holland and Zambetti made names for themselves in a season where the Blue Devils went 7-4, totaled over 2,700 yard of offense and held its opponents to an average of seven points in their seven victories.
Now they’re back with a year under their belt – and with them a host of talent at the skill positions – as Old Forge looks to get back to the District 2 title game and continue a string of six consecutive winning-seasons under seventh-year coach Mike Schuback.
Holland a 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior right tackle has already gotten some looks from Division I colleges and is a powerful run blocker and run stuffer. Zambetti, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior right guard lines up next to Holland to give the Blue Devils one of the best right sides of an offensive line in the LFC Division III.
Grasso, a 6-foot-2, 225 pound junior left tackle wrestled the job away from some upperclassmen last season and developed into a solid performer at the position. Dolinish, the smallest lineman of the group at 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, is at left guard and will give Old Forge the senior leadership they got from Mario Nese in 2007. Grasso and Dolinish also provide the Blue Devils with two athletic linemen that should be able to allow more of a trapping-style running offense this season.
Old Forge does need to replace its explosive passing offense and some spots on its defense, but there is talent waiting in the wings for what should be a very successful season at Veterans Memorial Stadium in 2008.
The Blue Devils open its season on the road against arch-rival Riverside, and play just one of its first four games at home when they face Montrose on Sept. 12. Old Forge’s home schedule also includes games against Nanticoke, Holy Cross, Lackawanna Trail and Mid Valley.

Quarterbacks
Corey Hodick (6-2, 175) has big shoes to fill with the graduation of Mark Alexander (1,590 yards, 14 TDs) but the senior has the qualities to be a natural leader at the position and give Schuback a reliable signal-caller. Hodick has the size, strength and athleticism to give the Blue Devils a running-option from the position, but he has impressed coaches with his arm-strength and accuracy to also give Old Forge a threat in the passing game. Sophomore Mike Mancuso (5-10, 155) will serve as Hodick’s understudy after leading the Blue Devils freshman team to a share of the LFC Division II title in his first season as a quarterback in 2007.

Tailbacks
Junior Brian Morris (5-11, 183) was the Blue Devils leading rusher last year with 590 yards on just 88 carries, and moves into the spot in a fulltime role this season. Morris has speed and strength and reminds a lot of fans of Old Forge great Jim Tricarico who was the first Blue Devil running back to run for over 3,000 career years. Morris showed some of that star-potential last season when he busted a 70-yard touchdown run against Riverside early in the game. Behind an experienced line, Morris will get the opportunity to bust some more big runs, and set some of his own records during the next two seasons. Senior Jim Tagliaferri (5-6, 160) and sophomores Mike Tagliaferri (5-5, 152), Giovanni Ripa (5-11, 168) and Alex Enciso (5-6, 152) will provide depth at the position.

Fullbacks
Senior co-captain Jon Kaville (6-0, 200) is back and at full strength for his final season in Blue and Gold. Kaville is a solid runner and blocker and gives Old Forge a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Kaville suffered through an injury-filled junior season in which he rushed for just 74 yards on 17 carries and caught only five passes for 54 yards. At full strength, Kaville could inflate both sets of numbers very easily. Fellow senior co-captain Anthony Pero (5-10, 173) will back up Kaville in the lead-blocking spot and played some for his injured teammate last season. Senior Ryan Lis (5-6, 145) and junior Klaus Woodeshick (6-1, 208) provide depth at the position for the Blue Devils.

Offensive Line
With four returning lettermen in co-captain Ed Dolinish, Kyle Holland, AJ Grasso and Mark Zambetti, the Blue Devils need only fill the spot of center Mario Nese. That responsibility falls on the shoulders of senior Brad Cristiano (5-11, 182) who has impressed coaches so far this season. Cristiano has the size to fit nicely in the middle of the returning line and give Old Forge a reliable anchor at center. Senior Bryan McCawley (5-10, 250) split time early last season with Grasso and gives the Blue Devils a reliable backup at either guard or tackle. Sophomores Mike Matisko (5-11, 185), Joey Mascaro (5-9, 195), Brandon Souryavong (6-1, 190), and Brad Vender (5-10, 208) provide depth and size at both the tackle and guard positions.

Tight End
Seniors Niko Manetti (5-11, 168) and Terry Tate (5-9, 160) have big shoes to fill in replacing departed Nick Tomasetti. Tomasetti was second on the team last season with 22 catches for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Manetti gives Old Forge a solid run-blocker while Tate is more of a pass-c atcher. Both will be relied upon to do the little things in the Blue Devils offense. Sophomore Deion Aldubayan (6-1, 200) gives Old Forge a big, athletic reserve at the position.
Wide Receivers
Senior co-captain Bob Vieira (5-6, 158) is the top returner at the position with 13 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown last season. Vieira is a tough player and has the athletic ability to make people miss in the open field. He will be joined in the receiving corps by fellow senior co-captain Dustin Slack (5-8, 145), and classmate Gabe Wilson (6-4, 185). Slack is a sure-handed, heady player that can also make defenders miss, and Wilson is a natural talent that can give the Blue Devils a big-play threat in and out of the red-zone. Senior Pat Weller (5-8, 156) and sophomores Kenny Paulish (5-10, 150) and Connor Fultz (5-6, 148) give Old Forge some depth at the position.

Defensive line
Holland started the entire 2007 season at DT and is back for another year of stuffing the run in the Blue Devils 4-4 defense. Zambetti will lineup next to Holland at defensive tackle to give Old Forge two playmakers on the line of scrimmage, and two big linemen capable of keeping offensive lineman off of the Blue Devils talented linebacking corps. McCawley, Mascaro, and Souryavong could figure into the DT rotation to keep the two starters fresh.
Dolinish and Grasso return at defensive end after rotating with Tomasetti in 2007. Dolinish will provide the defense with a solid run stopper on the end, while Grasso is athletic enough to become a pass-rushing threat every successful defense needs. Manetti could serve as a pass-rushing specialist for the Blue Devils with Tate also providing a solid backup. Aldubayan also provides depth and could be a sleeper as a pass-rusher because of his athletic ability, depending on his development.

Linebackers
Pero returns to anchor the middle of the defense after a record-setting season that saw the junior burst onto the scene and rack up 148 tackles and six sacks. Pero recorded nine games with double-digit tackles, including a team-high 18 in one game. He will be joined inside by Kaville who recorded 48 stops in limited action last season. Their dominance in the middle of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew may go unmatched by any opponent this season as the senior duo gives Old Forge one of the best inside linebacking tandems in the LFC,
Jim Tagliaferri also returns to give the Blue Devils three experienced LBs. Tagliaferri will lineup on the outside after playing there for most of last season. A co-captain, Tagliaferri recorded 4.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles last season. He will be joined on the outside by his brother Mike who has impressed the staff enough to earn the other starting OLB spot in lieu of the injured Lis. Lis was slated to play the other OLB spot bef ore he was injured in a scrimmage last week.
Woodeshick, Enciso, Vender and Tate will provide depth for the Blue Devils at linebacker.

Defensive Backs
The Blue Devils need to replace all three positions in the defensive backfield and will do so with three seniors and a junior. Slack has won the starting safety spot and will quarterback the defense as the smart, athletic player that Schuback likes to have at the spot.
Morris has won a spot at cornerback for Old Forge, and Vieira and Wilson are battling for the cornerback spot opposite Morris. Hodick, Paulish, Mancuso, Weller, Fultz, and Ripa give the Blue Devils depth at the position.

Special Teams
Newcomer Matt Rava (5-7, 145) will handle all the kicking duties for the Blue Devils in his first-season on the gridiron. The senior is a soccer player by trade and will give Old Forge a strong leg at the position. Slack is returning for a second season as the Blue Devils holder with Grasso and Mascaro battling for long-snapping duties.
A host of Blue Devils are vying for return duties with Vieira the only player with any type of experience from last season. Vieira returned 18 kicks for 275 yards last season.

Coaching
Head Coach Mike Schuback returns for his seventh season in charge of the football program at his alma mater. He sports a record of 42-28 since taking over in 2002 and has led the Blue Devils to a District 2 Class A title, a LFC Division III title, an Eastern Conference Class A title and four D2 playoff appearances. Old Forge has reached the post-season in each of his previous six seasons, and the Blue Devils have not had a losing season since 2003
Assistant coaches JP Gutowski and Dan Holland return, along with Mike Lettieri and Gene Biscontini. Lettieri has served as a volunteer coach for the previous six seasons before being hired as a full-time coach this year, and Biscontini – a Class of ’84 alum – served as the head coach at Honesdale High School for the past 10 seasons.

Old Forge Blue Devils
Varsity Football Roster

1 Ken Paulish 5’10 150 So WR/DB
2 Kiel Eigen 5’10 145 So WR/DB
3 Dustin Slack 5’8 145 Sr WR/FS
4 Jim Tagliaferri* 5’6 160 Sr RB/OLB
5 Mike Mancuso 5’10 155 So QB/DB
8 Giovanni Ripa 5’11 168 So RB/DB
10 Bob Vieira* 5’6 158 Sr WR/CB
11 Mike Tagliaferri 5’5 152 So RB/OLB
12 Matt Rava 5’7 145 Sr PK/P
14 Pat Weller 5’8 156 Sr WR/DB
20 Corey Hodick 6’2 175 Sr QB/DB
21 Brian Morris 5’11 183 Jr RB/DB
22 Connor Fultz 5’6 148 So WR/DB
24 Gabe Wilson 6’4 185 Sr WR/CB
33 Jon Kaville* 6’ 200 Sr FB/ILB
34 Alex Enciso 5’6 152 So RB/LB
40 Ryan Lis 5’6 145 Sr RB/OLB
43 Anthony Pero* 5’8 173 Sr RB/ILB
44 Klaus Woodeshick 6’1 208 Jr RB/LB
51 Brad Cristiano 5’11 182 Sr C/DL
52 Ed Dolinish* 5’10 175 Sr G/DT
53 AJ Grasso 6’2 225 Jr OT/DE
54 Mike Matisko 5’11 185 So OL/DL
55 Mark Zambetti 5’11 210 Jr G/DT
56 Joey Mascaro 5’9 195 So OL/DL
58 Brandon Souryavong 6’1 190 So OL/DL
63 Kyle Holland 6’3 240 Jr OT/DT
64 Bryan McCawley 5’10 250 Sr OL/DL
71 Brad Vender 5’10 208 So OL/DL
86 Terry Tate 5’9 160 Sr TE/LB
87 Deion Aldubayan 6’1 200 So TE/DL
88 Niko Manetti 5’11 168 Sr TE/DE

*denotes captain

Head Coach: Mike Schuback
Assistant Coaches: JP Gutowski, Dan Holland, Mike Lettieri, Gene Biscontini, Mark Uhrin, Mark Zambetti, Jared Eigen, Joey Breymeier

Football Season!!!!

2008-08-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

Well... This blog has turned into a countdown of all things me. Its getting a little boring I know. But maybe - maybe - I can getto update it a little more on some other things.

Until then, it's FOUR DAYS TIL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!

From PennLive.com

2008-08-23T10:27:00.001-07:00

The Boss connects with Hershey crowd
by KIRA L. SCHLECHTER, THE PATRIOT-NEWS
Wednesday August 20, 2008, 12:09 AM

Eventually, the legends do come to Hershey -- it may take a while, but they come. The Who and the Rolling Stones each took years to get here. Tuesday night, it was the Boss's turn - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, at Hersheypark Stadium for the first time -- and it was so very much worth the wait.
It was a set of both old and new, of obscure tracks and covers. It was, in a word, remarkable. Superlatives are impossible, as they've all been used already to describe a Springsteen live performance. You began running out of them right away, no matter the nearly hour-late start, which began with a pointed cover of "Summertime Blues," followed by a pounding "Radio Nowhere" and a sweetly melodic "Out in the Street." Early on, he was knee-deep in the crowd, slapping hands, grasping fingertips, all with an ear-splitting grin on his face.

He got particularly intimate with the audience on the sexually charged "Spirits in the Night," singing at one point on his back, legs in the crowd, not minding the women who held his legs. He took a little boy's hat off, then returned it, while singing to him, all without missing a beat. For Springsteen, there is no wall between him and the audience -- he thrives on contact with his fans, not just emotional but physical. "Promised Land" was a hopeful hymn, spotlighting guitarists Nils Lofgren and Steven Van Zandt and imposing saxophonist Clarence Clemons. All the while, people waved signs with song titles written on them -- Springsteen prowled the crowd, gathering a pile, then had Van Zandt take his pick. Talk about keeping the band on its toes! First off was a blazing take on "Boom Boom," then a joyously loose "Darlington County," an exuberant "Sunny Day" (with its simple but loaded sentiment), and a potent "Reason to Believe" (with Lofgren on a fierce slide guitar). Then it was back to presumably the regular setlist for an assertive "Prove It All Night," a seething "No Surrender," and an absolutely chilling "Because the Night." Many songs ended in lengthy jams, but not insufferable ones - they only served to underscore the mood. A thunderingly intense "She's the One" led into the more contemplative "Living in the Future," prefaced with a talk by the politically minded artist about the issues of the day. It goes to show Springsteen hasn't converted all his masses -- not hardly.

As he spoke, a man walking down the stadium steps angrily shouted at him to "just play the music." But on he soldiered, leading into "Mary's Place" with rock Â¤'n' roll preacher exhortations -- he sang directly to a woman in the crowd midway through, and she was visibly misty by his attentions. "Working on the Highway" was jaunty, Springsteen powering it along on acoustic guitar, and "Part Man, Part Monkey" was pure Bob Marley reggae. "The Rising" was an impassioned call for hope, as was a lovely "Long Walk Home." And the beautifully sparse "Last to Die" was a daggerlike anti-war statement. Classics made up the latter part of the show: a thrilling take on "Badlands" he couldn't bring himself to end, a sublime, easily swinging "Thunder Road" with the whole crowd singing, and an absolutely heartbreaking "Jungleland" -- if ever a song was a religious experience, it's this one. No matter what side his audience might have come down on politically, it's probably safe to say all would agree Springsteen is a national treasure. Ageless, timeless, with boundless energy, he is much of what this country is all about.

From Backstreets.....

2008-08-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

AUGUST 19, HERSHEY, PA: G-L-O-R-I-A? SWEET!
Once again, it's E Street Band al fresco. And it's not like they had really scaled back performance-wise in the arenas, but tonight at Hersheypark Stadium it was decidedly a stadium-sized show. Three hours and 29 songs, with a powerhouse eight-song encore, and an emphasis on confections like "Darlington County," "Sunny Day," and "Working on the Highway," which Bruce performed out at the end of the center stage thrust. Those who expected locale-specific treats may have been disappointed -- not even "Candy's Room," let alone "Give the Girl a Kiss," "I Want Candy," "Sugar Sugar" or "Candy Man." Springsteen pulled a sign for "Give the Girl a Kiss" as part of the nightly collection, but otherwise, no apparent sense of the occasion for the Boss.

Instead, the Hershey show was a cover-fest: cover songs opened and closed (as in Charleston), with a total of four in the set -- two of them tour premieres. First up was "Summertime Blues" to open. The next one was a tour premiere from the sign collection -- "Oh my god.... we've created a monster!" said Bruce, faced with literally hundreds of signs, and he gave Little Steven first choice. "Pick one, Steve! We're going with obscurity... start with obscurity..." and Steven opted for John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom." ("Appears hastily assembled," Bruce said of the sign, written on a box lid -- with the even more longshot "London Calling" on the reverse.) Steve also picked "Darlington," which followed -- what, no signs for "Held Up Without a Gun"?

Two more covers came in the encore: "Seven Nights to Rock" had its first U.S. airing on the tour, with Garry stepping up to sing along into Steve's mic, and the tour premiere of Them's "Gloria" was a major highlight to close the show. "Let's take it back to where it all started!" Bruce hollered, bringing up Joe and Johnny Grushecky to jam along.

Another tour premiere was "Part Man, Part Monkey" by request, joining "Boom Boom" to recall the Tunnel of Love Express Tour. And did I say there was local flavor? Well, not of the chocolate variety -- but just down the road from the home of the "Scopes 2" trial, Bruce sent this one out to "the Dover parents, and good science education." "We don't know this one," he said (though 20 years ago, they were playing it practically every night), "See if the band can get it." They got it, just as they've gotten every other curveball Bruce and the signs have thrown their way. Like taking candy from a baby.

We interrupt this program....

2008-08-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

This week has been all-Bruce, all-the-time, and will continue to do so if I can find some time....

But I must tell you that tonight begins the annual Pittston Tomato Festival. Come get some great Italian food and visit the Dispatch booth to win one of these new Coopers.

Fotos from the Front Row...

2008-08-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

Well I took about 120 pics at the show with my iPhone, including this one, and about half came out decent enough to post.

So I posted about 60 pics at my flickr site which you can link to on the links bar at the right of this page.

Let me know what you think....

Bruce on YouTube

2008-08-20T13:29:00.001-07:00

In case you were not there last night, let me just give you a little taste if the concert from what I found on YouTube.

I do have about 100 pics that I took with my iPhone. They wont be that great, but at least you can make some stuff out. They will be posted later today or this week.

she’s the one

born to run

part man part monkey

thunder road

badlands

Somewhere in the swamps of Hershey!!!

2008-08-20T00:48:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! It's about all I can say at the moment.

It might take me a few days to explain the whole chain of events and what the show was like. But it will be worth it.

Oooh Tramps like US!!!! Baby we were born to RUN!!!!

Its been a busy weekend.....

2008-08-18T16:39:00.000-07:00

And that's why there haven't been any Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce updates.

Until now!!!

There is only one day left until THE BOSS reigns down on Hershey, PA for the first time ever!!!! And I will be there. Not only will I be there, but I received word today that I have scored a photo credential for the show. So look for pictures later this week.

Until then....

Im Out in the Street in FIVE days!!!!

2008-08-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

I work five days a week girl
Loading crates down on the dock
I take my hard earned money
And meet my girl down on the block
And Monday when the foreman calls time
I've already got Friday on my mind

When that whistle blows
Girl, I'm down the street
I'm home, I'm out of my work clothes
When I'm out in the street
I walk the way I wanna walk
When I'm out in the street
I talk the way I wanna talk
When I'm out in the street
When I'm out in the street