The 2011 Heritage League was dominated by one team, and that was Ligoneir Valley. The Rams are the only AA team in the Heritage and their size was evident. The Rams lose some key cogs to their vaunted rushing attack, but Ryan Torrance is back. Torrance could be the best back in the league and will be up for a big year. The Penns Manor Comets had a banner year as they posted a 12-2 record. They won the District Title and reached the state semi-finals. Penns Manor has star player Danny Ferens back for his Senior year. Marion Center, Blairsville, and Northern Cambria are all coming off playoff seasons and will look to return to postseason play. Homer Center, Saltsburg, and Purchase Line all suffered difficult seasons. United missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and will look to respond in 2012. The league has some star players and some serious threats to take home a District Championship.
1. Penns Manor (12-2)
KEY Players-Danny Ferens (QB) Corey Brown (TE) Steven Dumm (LB)
The Penns Manor Comets enter 2012 as the odds on favorite to win the Heritage conference. The Comets had an outstanding 2011 campaign and there is a true belief it can be duplicated. That belief starts with one player, Danny Ferens. The value of Ferens to Penns Manor is immeasurable. He will be in his 4th year as the starter for PM. Ferens has 3,776 career rushing yards and 55 rushing touchdowns along with 1,639 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. Penns Manor is 31-5 in that span. He is a huge part of the team, but he does not do it alone. Chris Henderson and Cody Bytner will look to be the feature back. They must replace the ever dangerous Joey Vodopevic. Corey Brown will look to emerge as the top pass catcher for Ferens. The defense for Penns Manor did a fine job in 2011.Hendersen,Ferens and Steven Dumm are leaders and play makers for that side of the ball. Penns Manor has the big target on their backs this season. They are expected to be contenders for the District and will not sneak up on anybody this year. The regular season match-up with Ligoneir Valley in Clymer on October, 12 will say a lot about this team. (Make sure to catch the game on the D6 Sports Network)2. Ligoneir Valley (8-3)
KEY Players-Ryan Torrance (RB) Stuart Urch (NT) Micah Tennant (OT)
The Ligoneir Valley Rams have enjoyed a great stretch of late. They have won 24 games the past three seasons and have been near the top of the Heritage every year. The key to the success is the running game employed by Coach Roger Beitel. The Rams like to run the ball....a lot. They had 2 1,000 yard backs last season, and one is coming back. Ryan Torrance could be heading for a monster 2012 season. He will be the feature back and his speed makes him one of the most dangerous players in the league. The running game starts up front with a big line that has some guys coming back. Micah Tennant is a giant presence up front with his 6-6 300 pound frame. The Rams do not have a Quarterback settled yet, but Patrick Waugh and Scott Fennell are in the running. LV's defense has some key players back, Ryan Torrance was the team's leading tackler last season and should be a leader on that side of the ball also. Ligoneir has some tough non-conference games with a trip to Windber and Bald Eagle will come to Weller Field. They will be tested and should compete for a AA playoff berth yet again. The race with Penns Manor for conference supremacy will be fun to watch. 3. Northern Cambria (5-6)
KEY Players-Jeff Hogan (QB) Nate Zachesky (RB) Adam Polites (WR)
Northern Cambria did not have a great 2011 season, but it brought a playoff berth. The 2012 campaign should be much better. The Colts return their Quarterback in Jeff Hogan. He should have a better passing threat this season and it could be a real asset for this team. Nate Zachesky rushed for 652 yards in 2011 and should have an even better season as the featured back in 2012. Adam Polites is poised to have a big year as a play maker for this offense. NC returns their five biggest kids on the roster from last season, so size and offensive line should be a strength as well.Adam Polites and Alex Atkins will lead the defense. Atkins is a big 6-3 Linebacker that is a tackling machine. Polites is a ball hawk in the secondary. The Colts have things coming together nicely. The return nearly everyone from 2011, and should make some vast improvements. They open up with Penns Manor, and it should be a good barometer for the season. 4. Marion Center (7-4)
KEY Players-Brodey Thompson (RB) Justin Tonkin (LB) Noah Hoover (RB)
Marion Center loses almost all of their key players from 2011, but the usually steady program should be able to find its footing. Brodey Thompson is the one player back that can carry this team. He rushed for 643 yards and 7 scores and caught 20 balls for 452 yards and 3 scores. His versatility and play-making knack will be huge for the Stingers. Marion Center is losing plenty of seniors, so new kids will need to step up and play. Justin Tonkin will anchor the defense. Size will certainly be an issue for this squad. They lose most of their interior players. MC will fight for another "A" playoff berth this year, and it will be behind the skills of Brodey Thompson. 5. Purchase Line (1-7)
KEY Players-Luke Stolitza (QB) Joey Huey (RB) Shane Patrick (OL)
Purchase Line is 1-25 over the last three seasons, but I see improvement coming. They have a senior class that has grown together and they are ready to make a positive step towards a winning season. Luke Stolitza is a veteran QB and could be the league's best after Danny Ferens. Joey Huey is a good solid back that has also been a starter since his sophomore season. He could provide big numbers for the Dragons this season. The success on offense will start up front with the massive offensive line employed by the Dragons. Shane Patrick and Joe Price will anchor both lines. The Dragons lost three games by a touchdown or less in 2011, Purchase Line will have a better chance to finish games this time around. 6. United (4-5)
KEY Players-Trevor Holupka (RB) Ben Mountan (OL) Doug Lavis (RB)
United is a strong program, but they are on a rebuilding path. They lose plenty of key players including Army recruit, Stephen Moreau and Running Back, Dom Chero. The Lions will press on with some new faces leading the way. The running game will be handled by Seniors, Doug Lavis and Trevor Holupka. Tyler Mack will also see some touches out of the backfield. The offensive line will be inexperienced and undersized, but big Ben Mountan will be counted on for leadership.Chuckie Hropvich should take the reigns of Quarterback this season, but Blake Brendlinger is also capable. The Lions have plenty of holes, but they are well coached and can overcome these struggles. It will be tough for United to grasp a "A" playoff berth, but they can certainly find their way to a .500 season. 7. Homer Center (0-9)
KEY Players-Aaron Berezansky (QB) John Grozanick (RB) Mike Newhouse (LB)
Homer Center suffered a 0-9 season in 2011, but the positive out of that is only four seniors graduated. That was a very young team last season, and the year of experience should help the entire team this season. Aaron Berazansky was just a Freshmen playing QB last season, he should make an improvement this season. The running back tandem of John Grozanick and Mike Newhouse should help take the pressure off of Berezansky. They are experienced and will be valuable in the passing game as well. The apparent weaknesses is the lack of size up front. They have some experience, but could be undersized facing some bigger teams. The offense has some play makers and they can steal some wins this season. They will need a big improvement to contend for a playoff berth.
Homer Center suffered a 0-9 season in 2011, but the positive out of that is only four seniors graduated. That was a very young team last season, and the year of experience should help the entire team this season. Aaron Berazansky was just a Freshmen playing QB last season, he should make an improvement this season. The running back tandem of John Grozanick and Mike Newhouse should help take the pressure off of Berezansky. They are experienced and will be valuable in the passing game as well. The apparent weaknesses is the lack of size up front. They have some experience, but could be undersized facing some bigger teams. The offense has some play makers and they can steal some wins this season. They will need a big improvement to contend for a playoff berth. 8. Blairsville (7-4)
KEY Players-Scott Thompson (QB) Noah Tarr (DB) Lucas Palmer (RB)
Blairsville losses 21 seniors from last year's playoff team. They will dress a combined 20 Freshmen and Sophomores this season and the youth movement is in full effect. The offensive line will have some size, but 3 of the 4 biggest kids on the team are Freshmen. There will be inexperience all across the board. Scott Thompson appears to be the favorite to be the new Quarterback. The 6-2 Sophomore has good size and could develop nicely for the Bobcats. The Running game will feature Noah Tarr and Lucas Palmer. Tarr and Palmer will likely be main pieces on defense as well. Blairsville is in a rebuilding season, but they have a very bright future ahead. In small classification football, the Freshmen and Sophomores gaining experience pays dividends to the future. 9. Saltsburg (4-6)
KEY Players-Brody Beida (RB) Devin Morris (WR) Tyler Bendis (OL)
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