[tps_title]Conestoga Pioneers [/tps_title]
PETE BANNAN DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Armani and Roshaun Christopher run onto the field during football practice at Conestoga High School this August.
Conestoga’s two-pronged rushing attack catalyst for Pioneers’ turnaround
After suffering through an uncharacteristic losing season last year (2-8 overall, 2-7 in the Central League), Conestoga is looking to rebound this fall behind a two-pronged rushing attack.
Junior running back Milton Robinson teams with junior halfback Amani Christopher (5-8, 130) as Conestoga’s two biggest ground threats.
“Amani is very shifty, fast, tough and hard to tackle,” said Conestoga head coach Marquis Weeks. “Milton runs hard, has good vision, keeps his feet moving and is hard to bring down.” 
“Milton provides the power, and I have the speed,” said Christopher. “Last year, there was some adjusting [to a new system and a new coach], but this year, everyone is more into the flow. We want to bring back the tradition of winning Conestoga football.”
Robinson said, “Last year, we had a new offense; this year, I know where the offensive line will be (on each play) and I’m getting more comfortable with our offense. I think everyone is more comfortable with our offense this year.”
Weeks, in his second year as Conestoga head coach, knows a thing or two about running backs. He was a standout running back for the Pioneers in the late 1990s, then starred at the University of Virginia and briefly played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos in the NFL.
“I think our skills positions are strong this year, both at running back and wide receiver,” Weeks said. “I think our wide receivers are a very shifty [group].”
Although the Pioneers lost Peyton Jones to graduation, Conestoga’s group of wide receivers this fall includes senior Sean Bailey (5-8, 150), senior James Reilly (5-11, 165), senior Chris Condi (5-7, 155), senior Bobby Cantando (6-0, 170) and sophomore Brady Carpenter (5-11, 160).
Competition for the Pioneers’ quarterback spot will be among senior Nick Braendel (6-2, 170), junior Cameron Marcus (5-11, 155) and sophomore Chris McGovern (6-2, 170).
Up front, the Pioneers are led by senior center Matt Dempsey (6-1, 190), an All-Central League performer.
Conestoga’s other key men up front include senior left tackle Matt McClintock (6-2, 230), senior right tackle Noah Taicher (6-2, 217), junior right guard Paul Pelham (6-0, 225) and junior left guard Blair Horning (5-10, 195).
Defensive leader
Leading the way on the Pioneers’ defense is senior linebacker and second-year captain Jackson Niness, who was Conestoga’s Defensive Player of the Year last fall and received first team All-Central League honors at linebacker.
“We have a lot of young guys who want to work,” said Niness. “Our seniors and juniors have gone through a lot in the past year. No one on our team wants [last year] to happen again this year, so [our struggles] last season have motivated us this year.”
Joining Niness on the linebacking corps is Matt Dempsey, who played defensive end last fall. Dempsey, who Weeks said, “has looked great in pre-season,” will hold down the middle linebacker spot. Other Conestoga linebackers include senior David Hobson (5-10, 160), junior Scott Smith (5-11, 170) and junior Ryan Duffy (5-10, 173).
Up front defensively, Matt McClintock and Paul Pelham are the ends, and Blair Horning and senior Christian Fink (6-1, 240) the tackles. Conestoga’s other defensive linemen are Junior Aleas Martinez (6-0, 188), Noah Taicher and sophomore Mitchell Benjamin.
In the backfield, senior Roshaun Christopher (5-10, 185) is the free safety and senior Tate Kienzle (5-10, 185) the strong safety. Senior Aiden Dunleavy (5-9, 170), junior Charlie Baker (5-8, 155) and Milton Robinson also should see time at safety.
Conestoga’s cornerbacks are senior Cory Nowlan (5-11, 140), Sean Bailey, Chris Condi and senior Nick Cost (5-8, 150).
Experience counts
“We have a lot of returning starters, players who picked up valuable experience from last year, both on offense and defense,” said Weeks. “Since the defense is more about reacting than offense [which is more planned], I’d say our defense is naturally a little ahead of the offense right now. Our strength is our defense.
“Our biggest challenge will be getting over the hump from last year, staying positive, and taking one game at a time.”
By Bruce Adams; badams@21st-centurymedia.com
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