ERIE, Pa. - Over the course of the next two weeks, we will be showcasing a position-by-position outlook for the Mercyhurst College football team leading up to its season opener against Notre Dame College at Tullio Field on September 3. Our final look of week one is focused on the offensive line.



Arguably, the Mercyhurst offensive line in 2011 will be the most experienced group on the Laker football team, as four of the five starters return from of a year ago, with the other, senior Matt Cirell (6-1, 290, Kennerdell, Pa./Franklin) also returning but moving to the defensive line. The 2011 version of the line will feature two redshirt sophomores, one junior, and one senior.

Redshirt sophomores center Steve Reinhardt (6-0, 260, Bradford, Pa./Bradford) and right tackle Jeffrey Pollard (6-4, 250, Fairview, Pa./Fairview) return along with All-PSAC West Second Team selection at left tackle, junior Kevin Poropat (6-3, 290, Mentor, Ohio/Mentor), and senior left guard Jim Maxwell (6-2, 272, Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville). Reinhardt and Pollard appeared in all 13 games in 2010, their first seasons as starters. Poropat started every game for the second straight season, while Maxwell started every contest but one and has missed just one start in two seasons.

The line helped to pave the way for graduated running back Gerald Anderson, who set the single-season rushing record at Mercyhurst last season with 1,313 yards. The group also allowed just 18 sacks in 2010 (tied for third in the conference) and hopes to lower that number in 2011.

Poropat leads the group after being named to the 2010 All-PSAC West Second Team a year ago. He started every game as a freshman at right tackle two seasons ago, helping Mercyhurst to lead the conference in sacks allowed in 2009. The Lakers allowed just 10 sacks two seasons ago. He transitioned to left tackle last season and did not miss a beat, protecting the blind side of quarterbacks Travis Rearick and Garrett Kensy. He has increased his strength and conditioning in the offseason to complement his already technically-sound footwork and pass-blocking skills.

Joining Poropat on the left side is Maxwell at left guard. He returns for his third year starting at the position and will be the most experienced player on the line, having spent three games as a starter in 2007. His strength and conditioning have improved immensely in the offseason and fifth-year offensive coordinator Eric Long expects him to join Poropat as the anchors of the line.

Reinhardt returns for his second season at center, after appearing in every game in 2010. Reinhardt is described as a very versatile athlete who can start at any position in the trenches. He did not see any action during his freshman season, but came on late in 2009 and earned himself the starting nod last year.

At right tackle is Pollard, who played his high school ball locally at Fairview. Like Reinhardt, Pollard did not see any action during his freshman campaign, but came on strong and earned the starting position last season, appearing in all 13 football games a year ago.

Battling for the fifth and final starting spot on the offense line this season, as well as playing time behind the four starters, are a sophomore and a pair of redshirt freshmen. Sophomore Tony Ferraro (6-3, 225, Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area), joins redshirt freshmen Ben Gysin (6-3, 220, East Palestine, Ohio/East Palestine) and Alex Schneider (6-4, 270, Painesville, Ohio/Riverside) as the front-runners for
some valuable playing time.

2011 Camp Roster: Offensive Line

Nicholas Bonacquisti (6-2, 275, R-So., Orchard Park, N.Y. / Orchard Park)
Joe Coyne (6-1, 265, R-So., Avon Lake, Ohio / Avon Lake)
Antonio Davis, Jr. (6-1, 215, Sr., Brandywine, Md. / Gwynn Park)
Tyler Dawson (6-5, 275, R-So., Union City, Pa. / Union City)
Tony Ferraro (6-3, 225, So., Pittsburgh, Pa. / Shaler Area)
Ben Gysin (6-3, 220, R-Fr., East Palestine, Ohio / East Palestine)
Cameron Hutcherson (6-5, 350, Jr., Buffalo, N.Y. / East)
Jim Maxwell (6-3, 272, R-Sr., Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville)
Jeffrey Pollard (6-4, 250, Jr., Fairview, Pa. / Fairview)
Kevin Poropat (6-4, 290, Jr., Mentor, Ohio / Mentor)
Steve Reinhardt (6-3, 270, R-So., Bradford, Pa. / Bradford) 
Tony Scaccia (6-0, 250, Fr., Webster, N.Y. / Webster Schroeder)
Alex Schneider (6-4, 270, R-Fr., Painesville, Ohio / Riverside) 
Casey Smith (6-0, 245, Fr., Gibsonia, Pa. / Deer Lakes)
Cameron Turner (6-2, 265, Jr., Chicora, Pa. / Butler) 
 
We will resume our position-by-position look at the football team on Monday, when we focus on the linebackers. 

Position-By-Position Outlook Schedule

Monday, August 15 - Wide Receivers
Tuesday, August 16 - Defensive Line
Wednesday, August 17 - Quarterbacks
Thursday, August 18 - Defensive Backs
Friday, August 19 - Offensive Line
Monday, August 22 - Linebackers
Tuesday, August 23 - Running Backs
Wednesday, August 24 - Special Teams
Thursday, August 25 - Tight Ends
Friday, August 26 - Coaching Staff