Numbers up to desired levels this year
by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
Things are looking up for the Manville Youth Athletic League football program.
For the first time in the last five years, enrollment numbers are at a desirable level for most of the Pop Warner football levels. The cheerleading numbers are still a bit low, but there’s still time to sign up before the season begins Aug. 30.
First-year MYAL football commissioner John Bentz reported that 70 football players had signed up through the first day of practice. Those numbers usually climb during the first two weeks of pre-season workouts.
The Colts were the only team low on numbers, but Bentz was confident that a few more boys would register to boost their roster to the required 16 players. The Pee Wee Pintos started the week with 18, while the Jr. Pee Wee Ponies were loaded with 26 players. The Flag Mavericks were all set with 14 youngsters.
”Numbers are actually pretty good,” Bentz said. “We had a decent turnout for the first night and we’ve had some more kids sign up. We only had to bump up a few kids. We’re pretty good at each level.”
Nightly practice sessions have started at Gerber Field under the guidance of many returning veteran coaches. Head coach Walt Mathewson and defensive coordinator Bobby Willard are back to guide the Colts, while Al Rizk, Mike Knitowski and Mike George will serve as assistants. Head coach John Harenza and assistants Jeff Ader and Dave Rubin will run the Pintos.
The Ponies need many coaches to handle their large roster with head coach Dave Janovsky leading a staff that includes Bentz, Bob Demeter, Paul Whitenight, Ray Thompson and Dan Bickar. Head coach Jay Sharbaugh and assistant Steve Budd will supervise the Mavericks.
Bentz got an early start on recruiting players for the 2009 season. In recent years, the MYAL has been scrambling and juggling to get rosters to the low limit. Bentz took over as football commissioner and wanted to change that. He started signups earlier in the summer and provided more opportunities for youngsters to register. There was some concern about the impact of the struggling economy, but enough players have signed up.
”Doing the extra signups and having them early helped a little bit,” Bentz said. “The program at the high school helped.”
Manville High head coach Brett Stibitz ran the second annual Let ‘Em Play Camp earlier this summer and 23 youngsters attended the two-day clinic.
”They had a good time,” said Bentz, who’s also on the MHS football coaching staff. “They see we’re starting to turn it around at the high school. I wanted these kids going to the games at the high school on Friday nights. You want to see the Pop Warner kids at the games.”
Manville’s Pop Warner season begins Aug. 30 with a home date vs. Clark. All four levels will play in succession, beginning with the Mavericks at 10 a.m. and concluding with the Colts at 3:30 p.m. Manville will host the first two weekends of action, with Roselle Park coming to town Sept. 5 when the Colts will play a night game at 7 p.m.
MYAL officers for the 2009 season include president Gregg Snyder, vice president/treasurer Kenny Schaefer, secretary Bonnie Wisneski and cheerleading coordinator Katie Ader.
The MYAL will continue to hold practices five nights per week from Monday through Friday until school begins. During September and October, the MYAL teams will practice three nights per week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bentz is leaving Friday night open so the boys can watch the high school games.
”Getting the kids out and getting them involved is important,” Bentz said. “I’m very happy that we’re going to have a team at every level.”