Published November 24, 1987

LIVINGSTON MANOR - Parity. It was the topic of conversation two months ago when the Western Sullivan League (WSL) football season was about to begin, and it remained the focal point throughout the year, culminating with the recent season-ending coaches' meeting where the top players were named.

Even the voting for league's Most Valuable Player was no one-sided affair, as Bob Gleason, coach of the champion Jeff-Youngsville Trojans had two solid choices for the top honor in quarterback/defensive back Bill Danchak, and running back/lineback Boomer Russell.

Liberty coach Ed Riente provided the named of Scott Robisch, a unanimous First Team pick for lineman on both offense and defense, while Eldred coach Frank Kean thought his unaminous First Team lineman pick on both offense and defense, Chris Pratti was equally as deserving.

Fred Ahart, head coach of Roscoe presented the name of First Team defense standout Pete Johnston, as did Livingston Manor coach Tim Mondell with his top lineman, Dale Taggart. Not to be left out, Delaware Valley coach Ron Bauer selected Jason Mitterwager to represent his team, a player who seemed to move the Eagles offense by himself.

But when the final tallies were made, Tri-Valley senior running back and linebacker, Phil Rotella was voted as the league's 1987 MVP. A unanimous First Team choice in the backfield, Rotella gained over 1,000 yards in total offense, and turned more than a few heads with his returning three runbacks into the endzone.

Such was the equality if talent this year in Sullivan County's football league, where no one player stood above the rest, but together they combined for solid, balanced gridiron action.

The Trojans, who had 19 All-League selections for last year's second place squad, returned as champions (6-1) to have a high of 12 All-League selections, six of which were First Team picks.

On offense, Russell, who rushed for 705 yards, was joined as First Team running backs along with Rotella (614 yards rushing) and Ed Bowers (569 yards) of Roscoe.

“This might sound cliche, but he was the heart of this team,” said Gleason of his senior back, who rushed for five touchdowns and was the inspirational leader for the squad down the stretch. “He led by example. The other guys on the team respected him, and he was a good role model for the younger kids.”

While his team might have finished a disapointed 2-5 in the league, Eldred's coach Kean did have two First Team offensive selections in Pratti as interior lineman and Jeremy Smyth, who surprised many to lead the league in passing and being named top quarterback.

“For a kid who never played organized ball up to this year, I don't think you could ask for more,” explained Kean of Smyth, a transfer student from California who went 60-114, for 1,014 yards passing and nine TD's.

A pair of sure-handed seniors were selected as tight ends, Mike Kiefer of Jeff-Y, a speedster who had a leagueleading 522 yards in receptions and Roscoe's A.J. Baldo, who pulled down 12 passes from brother Jay for 236 yards and three TD's.

Balance was evident when choosing interior linemen, as five players were selected to the First Team from five different squads. Joining Pratti and Robisch were Rob Ferrar of Tri-Valley, Taggart from Manor and Brendon Brown from the Trojans.

The only freshman selected to the three All-League squads was Liberty place kicker Jimmy Cruz, who connected on three field goals and had six PAT's.

Following with First Team honors on defense were four offensive selections, including Pratti and Robsich, who both again were unanimous picks.

“He was one of our senior leaders,” said Indians coach Riente of Robisch, who was a double All-League pick last year when he helped lead Liberty to the championship.

Kean says the honor is a deserving one for Pratti, who was a Second Team pick last year. “Most of the teams knew what he had done the year before, and were constantly double-teaming him. He was our team MVP.”

Joining Pratti on the defensive line was Roscoe's Johnston, Taggart and Tri-Valley junior Jesse Kinney. Other linebackers along with Robisch was Scott Vernooy of Tri-Valley, Rob Chapman of Roscoe and the Trojans Russell.

Junior Brian Mungeer of Liberty was again named to the First Team defensive back position, as he was joined by New York Military Academy (NYMA) senior Kevin Shea and Jeff-Y's Danchak, who had nine interceptions and 71 tackles.

Danchak was a near unanimous pick for punter, as he often forced teams to begin their drive from no further than the 20 yard line. “He was a real threat as a punter, and in high school that's not always the case,” added Gleason. “He had a 63-yard punt against Eldred, and always had the opposing team starting with poor field position.”

As he did last season, Danchak was again picked as the Second Team quarterback, finishing with 947 yards in the air and seven TD's.

John Riente, an Honorable Mention last year, was a Second Team pick, pushing for 600 yards despite missing two games due to injuries. He was joined by Livingston Manor's Pete Pagan and the Eagles Mitterwager, who along with throwing for 619 yards, at quarterback rushed for 464 yards as a back.

Mike Hughson, an Eldred senior was on the other end of Smyth's passes, coming up with 430 yards worth of receptions, as he and Robert Presley, an NYMA sophomore were picked as Second Team tight ends.

On the line were five seniors, Roscoe's Robert Hendrickson, Tri-Valley's Rip Connor and Scott Vernooy, Jeff Sayers from Jeff and Ed Azrilyan from NYMA.

Eldred's Vic Ruscillo was again named to the Second Team as a place kicker, hitting 2-5 field goals.

A pair of Liberty players were named to the Second Team defensive line, Joe Decker and Robert Barber. They were joined by Jeff junior Peter Smith and NYMA sophomore Presley.

The linebackers were Mitterwager, Rotella, Victor Sammons of NYMA, and Brown of Jeff.

At defensive back are Pagan of Manor, Riente from Liberty and Roscoe's Roger Welles.

Delaware Valley senior Neil King was named as a punter.