2011 Football Preview: Pickerington North

[Eric Frantz]

Pickerington North (6-4)

* Players to Watch – OL/DL Pat Elflein (6-3, 285, Sr.), OL/DL Luke Carothers (6-3, 280, Sr.), TE/DE Jake Butt (6-6, 215, Jr.), QB Zach Olszewski (6-2, 210, Sr.), WR/DB Seth Gamby (6-0, 170, Sr.), DB Derek Frebault (N/A, Sr.), LB Warren Stoddard (5-11, 190, Jr.), LB Blake Springhetti (5-11, 190, Sr.)

* Outlook – Depth could be a concern for the Panthers who lost 21 seniors and will be negatively affected by a steep pay-to-play fee of $500. That being said, head coach Tom Phillips (23-18 in four years) has built a solid program that will continue to field a competitive team. Elflein (offers from Toledo, Bowling Green, Northwestern, Miami of Ohio, Indiana, Akron, Cincinnati) and Carothers are three-year starters and will anchor the lines. Olszewski returns after completing 112-of-175 passes for 1,457 yards with 17 TDs. Butt (14.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks) is one of Ohio’s top underclassmen.

[Webko]

Coming from the other side of town, the key is keeping Tom Phillips happy. He has done an amazing job with the Panthers. I believe there is growth there every year. I'm actually very excited about there running backs and wideouts have been solid over the past couple years. I would be more concerned with the linebacking core and the offensive line. I would love them to go 9-1. Good luck Panthers!!

[Hank_Hill]

Doesnt sound like Phillips will evwn be their coach...which really would be no loss

[mlisi39]

I'm let down they won't be coming to Y-town to play Mooney for the return leg... might have made a good series in the long run.

[pc_tigers]

Doesnt sound like Phillips will evwn be their coach...which really would be no loss

He is their coach.... They gave him a cake adminstration job, then made some changes to his hours so he can make it to practice...... after he interviewed for a job in Florida.

[pittsteeler58]

Hank- With what he has developed at Pickerington North it would be a huge loss for the program. His job has been made more difficult by some players jumping ship to other schools.

[cards79]

Does anyone know the real reason they bought out the contract with us?

[mlisi39]

Does anyone know the real reason they bought out the contract with us?

Chicken?

[cards79]

Chicken?

You would think if its because of a lack of money, they would play instead of pay.

[cthelites]

Hank- With what he has developed at Pickerington North it would be a huge loss for the program. His job has been made more difficult by some players jumping ship to other schools.

Huh? I thought that didnt go on over there.
Do they have open enrollment between the 2 pick schools?

[walt]

Currently, students may transfer from one school to the other but must sit out of sports for one year. The only way to avoid that is to actually establish a residence on the Central or North side (depending where you are going).

The rules used to allow students to move within the district as long as they moved before their freshman year (now they must move before 7th grade) without having to sit out. There are three potential starters on this season's Tiger team who attended the feeder school to North in 7th and 8th grade but transferred to Central prior to starting 9th grade.

There are also a few "would be" Central kids have transferred to North but no one complains about that.

[jeffsezgobucks]

Does anyone know the real reason they bought out the contract with us?

From what I heard they bought out the contract for 3k then picked up a home game against Bishop Watterson. Initially out the 3k but will more than make up for that in gate and concessions plus not having the travel expenses if they had to travel to Youngstown. I was looking forward to the trip.

[NewarkCatholicFan]

Good move for Nprth picking up a home game with Watterson.

[Hank_Hill]

He is their coach.... They gave him a cake adminstration job, then made some changes to his hours so he can make it to practice...... after he interviewed for a job in Florida.

Oh wonderful. He also had his name in for the Springfield job, but I don't think he was asked to interview.

[pc_tigers]

Does anyone know the real reason they bought out the contract with us?

Here is what was posted on the district website:

QUESTION: How much money did the District pay to get out of the football contract with Cardinal Mooney?

RESPONSE: The Pickerington High School North (PHSN) football program was scheduled to play Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio in the fall of 2011. Due to financial constraints, the District has canceled the game. The contract has a penalty clause that PHSN will need to pay Mooney, if they cannot replace the game on their schedule.

A letter was sent to Mooney explaining PHSN's financial position and the need to cancel the contract. At this time, Cardinal Mooney has found a replacement game, and so has PHSN. Pickerington High School North's Athletic Department is in negotiations with Cardinal Mooney to determine the final payoff for voiding the contract.

[Smilewhenulose]

Here is what was posted on the district website:

QUESTION: How much money did the District pay to get out of the football contract with Cardinal Mooney?

RESPONSE: The Pickerington High School North (PHSN) football program was scheduled to play Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio in the fall of 2011. Due to financial constraints, the District has canceled the game. The contract has a penalty clause that PHSN will need to pay Mooney, if they cannot replace the game on their schedule.

A letter was sent to Mooney explaining PHSN's financial position and the need to cancel the contract. At this time, Cardinal Mooney has found a replacement game, and so has PHSN. Pickerington High School North's Athletic Department is in negotiations with Cardinal Mooney to determine the final payoff for voiding the contract.Way 2 Go PC Tigger!!!