Eagles hope to shine even without stars

Senior Travis Aikins (12), seen here making a tackle against Riverton last season, will change positions on both sides of the ball this year. After playing quarterback and safety in 2007, Aikins will be a tailback and linebacker this season. (File photo)

Jim Mason says there isn't a real superstar on his Uniontown football team. What the Eagles have is a hard-working group that is putting team over individuals.

"We don't have any pure superstars," Mason says. "But we do have a bunch of Kids who have good attitudes, great work habits and who truly care more about the team than their individual needs."

The Eagles won just two games last season -- although they were both by shutout -- but past teams have shown significant improvement from one season to the next before and there isn't any reason why this group can't also shine in its own way.

Uniontown returns seven letterwinners, including All-Three Rivers League-Upper Division wide receiver Drew Johnson and All-TRL-UD linebacker David Shank. There are 10 seniors among the 38 out for football along with five juniors and 12 sophomores.

The other returning letterwinners are Travis Aikins, Cody Tinsley, Ben Dixon, Barry McAnulty and Tyler Hall.

Aikins (5' 10", 180, Sr.) started at quarterback and safety last season but current plans have him switching positions on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he will move to tailback. In front of him will be Shank (5' 10", 180, Sr.) at fullback and a freshman quarterback, Zach Travis (6' 0", 165).

Johnson (5' 10", 160, Sr.) will be back as one of the receivers. Dixon (5' 9", 155, Jr.) and Ethan Hammond (5' 8", 155, Sr.) will share time at the other wideout spot. Tinsley (6' 2", 175, Sr.) will be the tight end.

Reserves at the so-called "skill positions" include Landon Hammond (150, Soph.), Jordan Woods (170, Fr.) and Robert Kuns (165, Fr.) at tailback and Ty Clayton (145, Soph.) at fullback. Aikins would likely go back under center if an injury situation arose.

Tyler Felt (150, Jr.), Ryan Ramsey (135, Soph.), Danny Priest (120, Soph.) Reed Gleason (110, Soph.), Garic Tinsley (130, Soph.) return to the program at receiver with freshmen Chance Hoener, Seth Sympson, Dominic Robinson and Brendon Wood all incoming freshmen. Reserves at tight end are Koltan Schaff (170, Sr.) and Alex Bradbury (170, Fr.).

"Our skill position kids should be solid competitors," Mason says. "We are lacking experience in the offensive and defensive lines. I'm looking for those kids to step up and rise to the challenge. If they do, we will be successful."

Those anticipated to start on the line are DuShaun Robinson (6' 2", 240, Jr.) and Colt Bartlett (5' 10", 200, Jr.) at tackle, McAnulty (5' 9", 195, Jr.) and Jon Hausenschild (170, Sr.) at guard and Hall (5' 9", 185, Soph.) at center.

Backup linemen include seniors Mike Smith and Levi Priest, sophomores Matt Maloney, Austin Schafer, Sam George, Levi Ripper and Cullen O'Brien, and freshmen Mitchell Newman, Max Labbe, Brandon Weyant, and Josh Beerbower.

Defensively, more positions are still up for grabs in Uniontown's 4-4 defense. On the line, Tinsley will be one of the ends with either Schaff or Maloney (155) getting the nod at the other end. Robinson, McAnulty, Hall and Jesse Johnson (250, Sr.) are in the mix at tackle.

Aikins will move to an outside linebacker position with either Hauenschild or Woods on the other side. Shank looks to be one of the inside linebackers with Bartlett or Hauenschild taking the other position.

The secondary seems to be set with D. Johnson at safety and E. Hammond and Dixon at cornerbacks.

Uniontown, Pleasanton and Oswego are the only teams in the Three Rivers League playing 11-man football, so the championship will be unofficial. If the league does the same thing it did three and four years ago, there will still be an All-League 11-man team so players will be recognized for their efforts.

Meanwhile, Humboldt, a tough team the past couple of seasons moves out of Uniontown's district and will be replaced by Northeast-Arma. However, that still leaves Pittsburg Colgan and Pleasanton -- which expects to be carried by a large senior class -- in the district.

"Colgan is a hands-down favorite to be the class of the district, if not all of Class 2A football," Mason said of the Panthers, who finished as runner-up to Smith Center last year.

Uniontown's football season begins Friday night at former TRL rival Central Heights. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Italics -- Class 2-1A, District 7 game.