Looking To Quarterback For Leadership

The five-year plan will be history for the Wissahickon football program after this season.

"This is a pivotal year, as far as the program goes, under my direction," said head coach Mike Herbert. "This is my fifth year, and things are on the line. We have to start winning football games and reap some of the benefits of the work put into the program."

Wissahickon's prospects this season depend in large part on senior quarterback Andreas Gaynor, one of the most widely recruited players in the area. For a successful season, the multi-talented Gaynor will have to at least match his superb effort last year, when he generated 1,400 yards of offense.

Another key to the season should be junior tailback Andrew Hyde, who sparkled in junior varsity play last year with 1,725 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns.

Despite a 3-7-1 record a year ago, Wissahickon boasted one of the area's finest defenses. Seven of those starters have graduated, however, four of them all-league performers.

"The physical and mental attitude of the kids has been tremendous," Herbert said. "We are a football team that gets better every day."

COACHING. MIKE Herbert will begin his fifth season as the head football coach for the Trojans. Herbert was an assistant coach at Wissahickon for six seasons before becoming head coach.

LAST YEAR. Wissahickon had an overall record of 3-7-1 last season with a 2-6 mark in the Suburban One Freedom Division.

LETTERMAN LOST (18). Tim Miller (defensive end), Kirk Queenan (linebacker), Craig Stewart (offensive guard-nose guard), Wade Jeffries (defensive back), Mike Rama (quarterback), Jim Fluck (tight end), Charlie Johnson (wide receiver).

LETTERMAN RETURNING (11). ANDREAS Gaynor (senior tailback-quarterback- defensive back), John Drury (senior center-defensive tackle), Bruce Zollo (junior offensive guard), Pat Cunnane (junior offensive guard), Hyde (junior tailback-linebacker), Tom Son (senior placekicker).

NEW PLAYERS. Darryl Williams (senior offensive-defensive tackle), Willie Greenfield (junior offensive-defensive tackle), Jerome Wynder (junior offensive-defensive tackle), Scott Burke (senior split end), Milt Cortes (junior split end), Chris Fazio (junior split end), Jason Porter (junior tight end), Brian D'Amico (junior tight end-linebacker), Jim Dougherty (senior tight end-defensive back), Paul Arena (senior tight end-defensive back), Kevin Smith (junior defensive back), Tyler Bland (senior linebacker).