9-15-18 SLC VARSITY FOOTBALL BEAT MASSENA 30-6

HOMECOMING GAME The football glass continues to be more than half-full for St. Lawrence Central coach Bruce Truax.

“Our numbers are up a bit and we have the opportunity where very few of our players will be going both ways,” said Truax, who begins his fourth year with the team. “We have a lot of athleticism and this is probably the biggest line that we’ve had since I became coach. We’re very excited about the season.”

“We still have a lot of question marks on defense and right now we still trying to put the pieces together behind our line,” he added. “Another thing we have on our side this year is speed, and on defense we’re working hard on teaching the kids where to be and to get there as fast as they can.”

First-year juniors Ansen Weegar and Robert Tyrell are competing for the starting job at quarterback and will be working their craft behind a veteran line that includes the returning quintet of seniors Logan Peer, Seth Miller, Ethan Villnave and Kody Ryan, along with juniors Cash Feeley and Ryen Cox.

“Ansen and Robert are both excellent leaders who can run the ball and pass the ball. They don’t have a lot of experience yet but we have a lot of confidence in both of them,” Truax said.

Senior Jonah Ramsdell and junior Ethan Hurteau return to lead the SLC running game after getting a handful of carries. Senior Jah Robertson, who showed potential as a late-season varsity call-up in 2016, will also get a chance to regain his stride out of the backfield after missing his junior season. First-year junior Ethan LaRock is also showing promise as a varsity running back.

Back to lead the Larries receiving corps are senior tight end Nick Phippen along with senior wide receivers Ben Horner and Hayden Phillips. Junior newcomers Torran Robertson and Steven Horner are expected to see playing time at tight end while first-year juniors Grant Taylor and Zack Dumers will be looking to contribute at wide receiver.

“We always look to be balanced on offense. With the line that we have this year and with the kids we have in the backfield, we should be able to move the ball,” said Truax, who has guided the Larries to a 12-14 record in his first three years.

“It’s a little different this year in a sense because it’s my first varsity team that doesn’t have players that I’ve coached all the way up through from JV’s. We have a great group of kids this year but they are still learning how I expect to have things done,” he added.

The Larries will compete in Class C for the Section 10 playoffs along with Gouverneur and OFA. They kick-off their NAC regular season on Saturday at home against Gouverneur.

“It’s going to be another tough league this year and Gouverneur is going to be have another tough team,” noted Truax. “It’s definitely going to be a big test right off the bat for our kids.”