In 2012, Slippery Rock's football team underwent a fundamental shift after Phil Longo's promotion to offensive coordinator.
The move sparked some offensive progress and, this season, albeit with a small sample size of two games, the team's points per game average has skyrocketed to 54.5 as the offense has racked up 1,188 yards.
While Longo's no-huddle, spread offense has been a factor in that scoring uptick, the contributions from two former WPIAL standouts -- running back Shamar Greene (West Mifflin) and wide receiver John Schademan (Bethel Park) -- have played a large role, as well.
Two weeks into the season, Greene and Schademan are the leading rusher and receiver, respectively, on a team leading the PSAC in scoring.
In his first college season after redshirting a year ago, Greene has rushed for 206 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry.
Slippery Rock coach George Mihalik noted that while many running backs have their strengths, they have certain limitations. For Greene, that's not that case, something not seen often at the Division II level.
"Usually, a running back is going to have two or three strong assets to his game, but, in this case, I've mentioned four of them -- speed, vision, power and the ability to catch the ball in the backfield," Mihalik said. "Shamar has every one. He's a complete running back."
Schademan, in his third season with The Rock after transferring from Colgate, has 217 receiving yards, already more than halfway to his 410 total a year ago. He also has four touchdown receptions, which match the combined number he had from the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
His time with The Rock has been one of change -- from the adjustment to a new school to a new coordinator -- but through the kind of hard work and extra preparation Mihalik has praised, he has become a key component in a high-powered offense.
"The sky's the limit," Schademan said of the team's prospects. "As long as we work hard every single practice and stay focused and don't take any plays or games off, we can be a really great offense this year."
Law on tear
After a strong freshman season in which he appeared in every game, Gannon wide receiver Quad Law has done more than pick up where he left off.
In each of the Golden Knights' first two games, this Ringgold graduate has caught at least six passes and collected over 100 receiving yards. Saturday, Law had a career-high 10catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. His 233 receiving yards through two games are second among PSAC wide receivers.
Athletes of the week
A number of former WPIAL athletes at local colleges were honored as athletes of the week.
In the PAC, local honorees included Saint Vincent men's cross-country runner Chansler Poole (Penn-Trafford), Chatham women's cross-country runner Rachel Leftwich (Franklin Regional), Waynesburg kicker Alex Henry (South Fayette), Bethany men's soccer forward Arkangelo James (Baldwin), Washington & Jefferson women's soccer forward Holly Shipley (Southmoreland) and Saint Vincent women's soccer defender Lindsey Daniels (West Allegheny).
Bethel Park graduate Laurel Miller, a junior on the California volleyball team, was named the PSAC Western Division women's volleyball athlete of the week. Carnegie Mellon sophomore running back Troy Witt, a Seneca Valley product, was named University Athletic Association's athlete of the week.
First Published: September 19, 2013, 4:00 a.m.
