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Bucktail battles a numbers issue every year. The state's smallest public school which does not co-op for football often feels blessed if it has 25 players fill its roster.
This year, however, the problem is more severe. Entering the preseason, Bucktail had just 18 players on its roster. That does not mean it faces an impossible task. The 2017 team reached the district semifinals despite having as few as 14 players proved that, but it does mean things will be especially difficult. That goes double since Bucktail graduated eight seniors from last year's team.
Still, Bucktail moving to playing a District 9 schedule last year could help. The Bucks are now mostly playing schools with similar sizes and similar depth issues. So, it at least feels like a fair fight for a tough-minded team which always has battled hard despite long odds.
"We were excited about moving into District 9. It cuts down on travel and it's a lot easier to get up for a game you think you can compete in," first-year coach Frank Sutliff said. "We're thankful for (former) coach Jared Hurlbert got us into that league. That's a blessing. I think in the future we can compete there and have some half decent years."
Bucktail could this year, too, if it can plug the holes left from last year's graduates. A bonus is that the youth movement could help Bucktail grow for years ahead. The Bucks will lose just two seniors from this current team and there are several junior high players who will replenish the numbers in the coming years.
This is a building year, but if Bucktail can win some games and put last year's 0-9 campaign behind it, that could provide quite a bridge to the future.
"There are some really good athletes that can help any team," Sutliff said. "It's a matter of putting the other pieces of the puzzle together."
There are some exciting pieces, too. Brody Pentz put together a strong freshman season as a wide receiver and will move to quarterback. He will provide Bucktail a mobile threat and likely be able to provide the same kind of spark previous starter Dylan Cross did as a rusher and passer.
"He's a coachable kid and a likeable kid," Sutliff said. "He's really smart. I feel good about that position."
Junior Braylon Fantaski enjoyed a breakout season at wide receiver and will be a player Bucktail tries to heavily involve in the offense in a variety of ways. Fantaski also could play some quarterback if necessary. Tanner Pettingill and Brett Mason have some backfield experience and likely will see a lot of carries with Pettingill showing his promise two years ago before playing mostly defense last season. Look out for junior Brian Dwyer as well. He is a player Bucktail can line up all over the field.
The biggest question marks surround the offensive line where Bucktail is replacing most of that unit. Junior Daniel Gavlock and freshman Kevin Ransom are two first-year players, but both could provide a lift there as well as on the defensive front. Xavier Jarrett (6-foot-5, 380 pounds) is a potential force if he can develop throughout the season.
Whatever the season, every Bucktail player likely will be starting on both sides of the ball, as well as special teams. That certainly is the case this season with only 18 kids out. Pettingill and Mason could form a quality tandem at linebacker and Pentz and Fantaski should help anchor the secondary.
Bucktail opens its season at home against Sheffield. Like Bucktail, Sheffield is a young team coming off a winless campaign. Those two play twice this season and Bucktail is hoping it can start strong to build some momentum. Whatever the situation, Bucktail knows it really has only one choice.
"Everybody has to work. If we don't work, we're going to lose," Sutliff said. "It's going to be tough anyway with us losing eight seniors. This schedule is good for us, but it's still going to be an uphill battle."
2022 Football Players to Watch
Braylon Fantaski, WR/DB: Although Bucktail featured a run-heavy offense, Fantaski and fellow underclassman Brody Pentz showed some explosive moments in the passing game and could provide a major boost this fall. Fantaski was among the area's leaders in yards per catch at 21.7 and turned his 17 catches into 369 yards and a touchdown. In consecutive midseason games Fantaski went over 90 yards both times and he caught a touchdown against Redbank Valley. Fantaski averaged more than 19 yards per catch in all but three games and hauled in a career-high five passes for 98 yards against Coudersport. Another versatile athlete, Fantaski is a reliable cornerback who intercepted two passes last season and he has three in his first two seasons.
Brett Mason, RB/LB: A starter in the secondary last season, Mason likely will move to linebacker this year. He also will be going from wide receiver to the backfield offensively. Mason flashed his potential last season, breaking up four passes, forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble. He made a career-high five tackles in the season finale against Cameron County and twice broke up two passes in a game. Because Bucktail was more senior-laden offensively last year, Mason did not see a lot of action there. That almost certainly will change this season and he could be one of the most active ball-carriers.
Brody Pentz, WR/QB/DB: He likely will move to quarterback this season, but if not, Pentz will again join with Fantaski to create a strong receiving tandem. Pentz threw 12 passes in limited action and likely will give Bucktail a running threat at quarterback again if he starts there. As a freshman wide receiver, Pentz caught 12 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 15.1 yards per catch. Pentz showed the speed that could make him a threat as a running quarterback against Keystone when he caught two passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in a 25-yard scoring strike against Cameron County. Pentz excelled as a first-year starter in the secondary, making 30 tackles and intercepting a pass. He made a major impact in his first high school game, forcing a fumble and returning it 90 yards for a touchdown.
Tanner Pettingill, RB/DB: Friese is the only starter returning who made more tackles than Pettingill did last season. The junior could see time in the secondary or at linebacker after making 39 tackles and averaging 4.3 per game. Pettingill offered a possible glimpse of things to come when he made a career-high 12 tackles in the season finale against Cameron County. He also produced eight tackles in the season opener against Elk County Catholic. Pettingill did not do a lot offensively last season but is one of the players in the mix to help replace last year's top rushers. As a freshman, Pettingill ran for 84 yards and scored a touchdown in his first high school game against Montgomery.
--By CHRIS MASSE