BY CORY ISENBERG
JOHNSTOWN — The week of activities for the 39th annual Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Football Game kicked off Sunday at Windber Recreation Park with a picnic for the players, coaches, committee and family members.
This year’s event features a matchup of Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference coaches with Central Cambria’s Ken Bussard at the helm for the North and Bishop McCort’s Ken Salem leading the South.
“Two Laurel Highlands coaches butting heads again,” laughed Bussard. “I’ve known Kenny for a long time. We’ll work together. There are a lot of times this week where you have to compromise. Because even though there’s a schedule, things don’t necessarily flow. It’s halftime adjustments.
“I’m thrilled to be coaching in this game,” Bussard said. “I’ve done it a number of times, both as a head coach and as an assistant, and also played in the game. Our kids really look forward to it. I’m always thrilled when I’m asked to coach in it. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s football.
“You walk that fine line as a coach between getting your kids ready to play a violent game such as football yet at the same time have a positive experience,” Bussard said. “We’re really looking forward to this. We’ll be tired at the end of the week, but we’ll have fun.”
Bussard will be assisted by Joe Ridgeley of Central Cambria, Dan Smith of Bedford, Justin Myers of Cambria Heights, Bill Corrente of Portage and Paul Taranto of Northern Cambria. The North coordinator is Steve Gironda of Central Cambria.
Salem says he and his coaches are really excited to get out on the field and see what his kids can do.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be able to work with all these outstanding student-athletes and coaches,” Salem said. “These are kids that had tremendous high school careers with some moving on to college and some this will be their last game. All of these kids have been taught well by their coaching staffs, and they all can make plays. It’s just a matter of getting them to come together as a group in a short time.”
The South assistants include Joe Arcurio of Ferndale, Kevin Sheridan of Bishop McCort, Mike Swank of Somerset, Matt Glennon of Westmont and Joe Shubik of Berlin. The South coordinator is Bishop McCort’s J.D. Jones.
Central Cambria center Mitch Kudlawiec, who is headed to Slippery Rock, is excited to have the opportunity to team up with Bussard again.
“It’s awesome to have your high school coach there as the coach of your final high school game,” Kudlawiec said. “It doesn’t get much better than that. It’s a good memory to leave with.”
Bishop McCort’s Jack Schrey, who will be a wide receiver for the South, is like many other players who are carrying on a family tradition.
“I had an older brother and older cousins play in this game, so I’m pretty excited about this,” Schrey said.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Johnstown’s Trojan Stadium.
Last year’s game, which was halted by lightning during the third quarter, was won 33-0 by the South, its third consecutive victory.
