Tony Gerg is just trying to keep everyone happy.
“We want to make sure everybody is happy,” said Gerg, the Elk Catholic head coach chosen to lead the Pennsylvania squad for the 44th annual Big 30 Charities Classic. “That’s my goal. I want to make sure everyone is happy when they leave here and with no regrets. That’s hard because we’re really going to have to pay attention who’s getting the ball, when they’re getting the ball.”
Gerg knows keeping track of touches might just be the hardest part of the job. It doesn’t help matters when the team is stacked with talent and future college-football players.
“Sometimes, it’s like we almost have too much talent,” Gerg, who’s 22-18 in four seasons with the Crusaders, including a District 9 title game appearance in November. “It’s like holy cow, how do we get everybody the ball and get it distributed to everyone?”
The Pennsylvania team practiced for the first time for just under an hour Thursday at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School. Prior to taking the field –– players wore jerseys, shorts and helmets in the non-contact session –– participants underwent a physical examination.
Thursday was treated as a meet-and-greet day by the coaching staff and players. A roster wasn’t finalized until earlier Thursday, which led to the juggling of a few players between offense and defense.
Among the few notable practice absences included two injured players from June’s Frank Varischetti All-Star game in Brockway with Doug Schatz (Elk Catholic) and Alex Daughenbaugh (Bradford). Elk Catholic lineman and Clarion University recruit Joe Kucenski opted out of the game. Clarion opens training camp Aug. 7.
“We didn’t get a final roster until today, so we’re still trying to figure out where everybody goes,” Gerg said. “A lot of these guys, you only know them by with their helmets on and the guys that we’ve played against. It’s going to be a learning process these first two days and I think it’s good with just half pads and you can see where our athleticism, where our size is, where our strength is and try to plug everybody in.”
After stretching, players broke up into groups for ball carriers, linemen and defense and went through drills with Gerg’s Elk Catholic assistants as temperatures stayed near 80 degrees for the duration of the practice. Most of the players, Gerg said, have been sorted into the same positions they were drafted into.
Gerg’s Crusaders run sets out of a triple-option formation filled with unbalanced lines and misdirection. However, his offense in the Aug. 5 game at Bradford High’s Parkway Field will need adjusted to fit within game rules for formations.
“By rule, we have to be in an even formation and so that really throws us off because we’re always unbalanced,” Gerg said. “It throws our timing off and everything. Once we get out there, it’ll be a lot easier. Once we get into a rhythm and we can figure out we should be pulling this guy rather than this guy.”
On defense, Gerg is less worried about schemes since teams must run a 4-3 front, among other restrictions.
“That’s more alignment stuff,” Gerg said. “They’re here for a reason. They’re going to do the right things. I think defensively, we have a lot of good athletes.”
The offense –– specifically the line –– is under a bit more of a learning curve.
“Offensive line, when you’re pulling and trapping like that, there’s a learning curve to it. Certainly, the first couple practices, it’s going to be a little bit difficult.”
The team practices today in Eisenhower before stopping in Kane, Bradford, Smethport, Cameron County and Port Allegany, respectively, next week.
