LORETTO —
When Joe Paterno talked about putting together a “Grand Experiment” when he became head football coach at Penn State in the 1960s, he was discussing the importance of forging a Division I football program with a proper focus on athletics and academics.
While Chris Villarrial has not used quite as grandiose terms to describe what he is attempting to do at St. Francis, the former NFL player has very clear ideas of what his plans entail.
The first part of this strategy is that Villarrial believes that he should try to recruit some of the best area high school football players to the Red Flash.
No player can best exemplify what the first-year coach means than Scott Lewis, a senior linebacker with the Red Flash who is already the leading tackler in their football history. Lewis is a graduate of Bishop McCort High School and lives in South Fork.
Lewis was recruited by former coach Dave Opfar, but he illustrates what kind of talent the area has. Lewis believes in Villarrial’s strategy.
“I think that it’s good. We have talent in this area. There are kids who can play,” Lewis said. “I think that Coach V. is making the point that he wants to get the top three or four guys every year from the area.
“When you have local players from around here, it brings in more fans because this area loves football.”
Villarrial understands that he will have to recruit in all areas of the East Coast, like the WPIAL, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and other cities where players can be found.
He does not think that recruiting to St. Francis is a problem.
“When you get kids here to St. Francis, they love being here,” Villarrial said. “There are not a lot of distractions; there’s no crime. There are two things that you’re here to do: You’re here to study, and you’re here to play football.”
That sounds like a Paterno-like philosophy, although Villarrial did not promise to coach until he is 84 years of age.
Villarrial’s personal story reinforces that philosophy. He was recruited by many
Division I coaches as a senior lineman at Hershey High School. However, because of a confluence of events, those recruiters dropped off and Villarrial was eventually signed by coach Frank Cignetti to play Division II football at IUP.
Today, the former offensive lineman counts his blessings that he met Cignetti and played at the Division II level.
It also shows that some talented players are out there for St. Francis, which competes in the Football Championship Division (I-AA) with limited scholarships.
Villarrial has 20 high school players from The Tribune-Democrat’s coverage area, and one of them has a similar story as his coach’s.
Zak Newton rushed and passed for 4,223 yards in his junior and senior seasons at Penn Cambria. He was a member of the AP all-state football squads the past two years, earned a medal in wrestling (fifth), and also received a track medal as a hurdler (third in the 300 hurdles). Newton was recruited by a number of Division I schools, but when they fell through, he took coach Villarrial’s offer and joined the Red Flash.
Whether or not Newton and other area players can succeed at this level remains their challenge, but Villarrial is attempting to bring together students who are focused on an education and who have the talent to play in the Northeast Conference.
Some other area productive players that he has recruited include Johnstown quarterback Jon Siciliano (now playing receiver), Portage tailback Mike Sinosky, and Forest Hills quarterback Zach Glessner.
The coach is well aware of the historical factors that work against him. The Red Flash have put together just two winning seasons in the past 35 years.
Nevertheless, St. Francis has some advantages that it did not have over the years. The major one is outstanding facilities with the football stadium a gift of the Bruno DeGol Sr. family. It has added a fieldhouse with a first-class weight facility with money raised by private donations.
Those will help Villarrial as the Red Flash embark on the 2010 season at Liberty (Va.) on Sept. 4
Sports
HUGH CONRAD | Flash coach has faith in local talent
- Sports
-
-
Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
AAABA League Preview
A look at this season's Johnstown AAABA League:
-
2012 AAABA League schedule
A look at this season's schedule:
-
2011 AAABA in Review
A look back at the 2011 AAABA season:
-
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Hit batsman lifts Pirates over Cubs
Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever. -
Generals return to defeat Sting
It’s been a dramatic month for the Johnstown Generals.
There were two postponed games that left the immediate and long-term future of the franchise in serious doubt just two weeks ago. - More Sports Headlines
-
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Kendall: Indy 500 recap
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Montero signs extension
On the Record: Anna Tunnicliffe
Highlights: History 300
NASCAR on FOX: Charlotte preview
Devils head to the Stanley Cup Finals
French Open Preview: Women's draw
French Open Preview: Men's draw
Controversial Show Offers Alternative Listening for Women During Stanley Cup Finals
Tebow Teased by Jets Teammates Over Virginity, Lolo Jones
Jets learn Sparano's offense
1st Inning: Hakeem Nicks
Tweet Talkback: Brandon Jennings
QB Kafka gaining valuable experience
Showalter and Arrieta on the loss to the Red Sox
Jenkins: 'I think I won'
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
Horrow: Steinbrenner's know what they have
