|
Ford City boys making transition |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by William West, Leader Times
|
|
Monday, 06 December 2010 14:01 |
|
At practice last Monday, Rob Greenleaf caught his first glimpse of the Ford City boys basketball team in its entirety. Several football players, three days removed from a loss in the WPIAL semifinals, were in shorts, practice jerseys and basketball shoes.
The fact that Ford City now has a full complement of players pleases Greenleaf, the Sabers' new coach. The team has much to learn about new schemes, leaving Greenleaf a bit anxious to fast-forward a month or so into the season.
The Sabers, 7-15 last season, expect their gridiron guys to contribute heavily this season as Ford City seeks a fourth consecutive Section 1-AA playoff spot. Three of the team's four returning starters — Garrett Sigler, Beriah Good and Kent Commodore — played football, as did several contenders for playing time this winter. It's a reality Greenleaf considers great for the team's athleticism but a slight cause for concern because the boys must quickly transition, mentally and physically, from one sport to the next.
Also, Gabe Valasek, Ford City's fourth returning starter, was busy this fall with golf.
"You gotta be focused," Greenleaf said he planned to tell his players. "We gotta get better every day. We gotta get something new in every day."
Monday's practice indicated much still is in flux for Ford City. Several times, Greenleaf acknowledged to his players that he understood they needed time to learn both the drills he taught them and the concepts the drills emphasized.
Greenleaf said he still is undecided on what offense Ford City will run. He plans to install a few basic schemes and will wait to see which system fits his player personnel best.
Defensively, Ford City will use the same pressure-based schemes that Greenleaf's previous teams — Franklin Regional, Northgate, North Allegheny, to name three — utilized, Greenleaf said.
Regardless of what the Sabers run schematically, they will operate with intensity, Greenleaf said. He learned that much when he watched Ford City at a couple summer league games this past offseason.
"I loved how hard they played," Greenleaf said.
The Sabers hope their hustle efforts are better coordinated this season. Ford City, which absorbed a few Elderton players last season after Elderton High School closed for a year, struggled to establish good chemistry.
"Last year, we really didn't work in unison as a team," Valasek, a 6-foot-2 senior, said.
That team still made the playoffs, however. Ford City lost to Quaker Valley in the Class AA preliminary round.
Valasek dubbed himself "the glue" for this year's team, at least when the Sabers huddle. On the court, he, senior Dan Russo and junior Tyler Nuzzo provide Ford City its tallest interior options.
Sigler, the team's senior point guard, expects to be the one who connects all the Sabers between whistles. And he is confident about whatever scheme Greenleaf ultimately chooses, up-tempo or otherwise, for the offense.
"If I do well," Sigler said, "we get the whole team going, and then we get some points on the board, and hopefully, a couple wins." Article Originally Published in The Leader Times
By William West, LEADER TIMES
Saturday, November 27, 2010
|
|
|
FCHS Football Goes Undefeated |
|
|
|
|
Written by Webmaster
|
|
Friday, 26 November 2010 16:36 |
|
The Ford City High School Football Team has gone UNDEFEATED this year with a record of 9-0. Bartolovic said his team has played a fair amount of mistake-free football. Ford City has benefited not only from the steady play of its senior stars but also from the emergence of up-and-comers such as junior linebacker and fullback Ian Boylstein, junior offensive lineman Zane Hassa and sophomore running back Devan Willyard, the coach continued.
Limited mistakes and considerable player depth might be enough to get Ford City through the regular season unscathed.
"I mean, 9-0, it's a big deal to me," Bartolovic said.
The last time Ford City went undefeated in the regular season, it earned the No. 2 seed in Class AA, its highest seed.
Newspaper clips commemorating that perfect regular season still hang on the walls of the locker room hallway. But they are not muses for these Sabers.
Senior Brandon Fulton looked at the picture of the '07 team, which allowed just 34 points and scored 274 during the regular season — this season's version has scored 289 points and allowed 43.
"Nah, we don't try to be like them," he said.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Former FCHS Alumni President Honored |
|
|
|
|
Written by Nathan Lasher of thekittanningpaper.com
|
|
Saturday, 06 November 2010 07:59 |
 Current FCHS Alumni President Ryan Bloser posed for a picture with former President Linda Weller after he proclaimed the dedication of a scholarship from the Alumni Association in Weller's honor yesterday morning. During a ceremony held in front of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students at Ford City High School yesterday morning, the Ford City High School Alumni Association honored its founder and past President, Linda Weller, by dedicating a scholarship in her name.
“It gives me great pleasure to recognize our success story, a fellow Ford City High School Alumni, whose vision and dedication breathed life into our association and allowed us to carry on our charitable mission,” said current FCHS Alumni Association President Ryan Bloser. Bloser then read aloud a resolution from the FCHS Alumni Association Board.
“Whereas the mission of the Ford City High School Alumni Association is to preserve the ideals of community service, scholastic excellence, and family values, and whereas Linda Weller has embodied these ideals in her leadership of Ford City High School from its inception: We, the Board of Directors of the Ford City Alumni Association, unanimously direct that the Founders Scholarship now be called the Linda Weller Scholarship for Community Service to honor her achievements as past President of the Alumni Association.”
According to Bloser, during her time as the first President of the Alumni Association, Weller raised $15,000 in scholarship money to reward those graduating seniors who embody the ideals of FCHS Alumni and also raised money for Relay for Life, helped plan a basketball camp for community youth, and honored those who serve abroad in the armed services. She also played a large part in hosting a multiple-day all-class reunion for Ford City High School’s 100th Anniversary and helped to create an Alumni website which contains a Virtual Wall of Honor for all alumni who have served in our Nation’s military, hall of fame inductees, alumni news, scholarship information, and much more.
“Our success story understands that you don’t know where you’re truly going in life until you know where you’ve been,” said Bloser. “In this mindset, she petitioned the Armstrong School District Board of Directors to recognize two juggernauts in Ford City High School sports history, forever cementing their legacy. For years to come, it is our hope that students will play ball on the Hube Rupert Court and Don Mains Field.”
Also, State Representative Jeff Pyle recognized Weller with a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Citation, praising her leadership and dedication to the high school and community.
“It’s a great honor and I’m humbled that the association would recognize me,” remarked Weller. “I am glad that my service tot he association, the community, and the alumni helped so many people.”
According to their brochure, the Ford City Alumni Association was created in 2001 by two alumni and graduates dating back to the class of 1929. It was their objective to bring alumni together, raise scholarship funds for students in need, and provide outreach to the community.
More information about the Alumni Association can be found at www.fordcityalumni.org. Residents interested in contacting the association can call Kathy Rashlich at 724-763-8322. This article was extracted from http://www.thekittanningpaper.com and was written by Nathan Lasher of The Kittanning Paper.
|
|
|
Written by Webmaster
|
|
Friday, 16 July 2010 05:41 |
|
 If you would like to submit the name, class year and date of death of loved ones or classmates, send the information to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The names will be updated monthly.
|
|
A Letter from Linda Schrecengost Weller |
|
|
|
|
Written by Linda Schrecengost Weller
|
|
Saturday, 06 November 2010 07:55 |
|
For ten years, I was honored to be the President of the FCHS Alumni Association. There were many challenges in the beginning but our original Board members never waned from our mission of raising money for scholarships, uniting our alumni and contributing to the greater good of the Ford City community.
Now there is a new Board of Directors who are passionate and committed to providing financial support to help our students achieve their academic dreams. It is our responsibility to ensure that no graduating senior feels the disappointment of financial limitations.
Ford City has struggled economically these past ten years, things have changed, but it is still the place we all call home. The traditions and memories of our high school are held within our hearts unchallenged by where we have gone or what we have done in our lives.
Take a moment and look beyond yourself, think of what your high school means to you, and donate to the scholarship fund.
Thank you to all of the alumni who have supported our events,helped in planning or executing reunions, and donating time and money to making a difference in the lives of our students. It has been an honor for me to have served our students, alumni and community.
Linda Schrecengost Weller |
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
