Juniata football announces 2012 recruiting class

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College head football coach Tim Launtz has announced that the following 34 high school student-athletes have committed to attend Juniata College and compete for the Eagle football team beginning with the 2012 season.

"The recruiting class of 2012 understands the intangibles offered by the Juniata football program: trust, hope, unity, possibility and opportunity," said Launtz. "This is a class that was recruited from the inside out by our staff, not from the outside in, for it addresses maximizing our talent and doing it with the right student-athletes motivated to perform at their highest level, academically and athletically. Basically, the staff and our present players utilized our resources in a positive way to improve the team effectiveness with this recruiting class."

"This class cannot just be judged by size and speed, for it possess student-athletes that are committed to excellence in all aspects of their college experience. This class, coupled with our present Juniata men, speaks to our program's sense of purpose and meaning. We feel this group of the right student athletes for Juniata will play a large part in our long-term process of improvement, and will sustain program momentum and morale," added Launtz.

The following is a list (in alphabetical order) of incoming freshmen student-athletes for 2012:

Kelvin Abrashoff
QB, 5-9, 160, Mount Union, Pa./Mount Union High School
A two-year starter at quarterback for Coach Dave Hummel and Coach Alan Hartman... a 2011 InterCounty Conference South Honorable Mention All-Star at quarterback... threw for over 1,000 yards in 2011... three year member of the National Honor Society... also participated in track and field for Coach Robert Wydock.

Deonte Alston
RB, 5-10, 170, Bel Air, Md./Patterson Mill High School
A four year starter at running back and defensive back for Coach Josh Mason... selected to the 2011 All County and All Division First Teams at running back... a senior captain who was named Team Offensive MVP in 2010 and 2011... received the Maryland Scholar Athlete Award and the Unsung Hero Award in 2011... holds the single season rushing yards record for Patterson Mill High School (1,281 yards)... named to the Patterson Mill High School Honor Roll... also participated in lacrosse for Coach Jason Bellamy where he was a three year starter.

Chase Barnes
FB/TE, 5-11, 215, Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro High School
A three year starter at fullback and linebacker for Coach Steve Boyce... named Third Team All-League and All-Region at linebacker and Honorable Mention All-League at fullback in 2011... named a team captain in 2010 and 2011... Student Council President and Senior Class Vice President, and was a member of the National Honor Society... participated in basketball for Coach Todd Outman and track and field for Coach Matt Hildebrand.

Nick Bonavita
DB, 5-10, 165, Sheffield, Pa./Sheffield High School
A four year starter at multiple positions for Coach Bryan Gould... a 2011 Allegheny Mountain League All-Star at running back and a 2011 Big 30 All-Star at linebacker... holds the record for the longest run from scrimmage in school history (99 yards)... senior captain who led Sheffield to their first playoff bid in school history... a three-year winner of the U.S. Achievement Academy Honor Roll Award and a member of the student council... also participated in basketball for Coach Todd Fitch and was a senior captain.

Jesse Bushman
WR, 5-9, 170, Fayetteville, Pa./Chambersburg High School
A three year starter for Coach Mark Saunders at wide receiver... was elected honorary captain in 2011.

Sean Collins
OL, 6-3, 275, Baltimore, Md./Archbishop Curley High School
A four year starter for Coach Sean Murphy on the offensive line... helped lead Archbishop Curley to the playoffs all four years and two MIAA B Conference championships in 2008 and 2009... achieved first or second highest academic honors all four years at Archbishop Curley... also participated in track and field for Coach Gene Hoffman.

Demetrius Floyd
WR, 6-0, 165, Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny High School
A two year starter for Coach Bob Palko at wide receiver and safety... named player of the game vs. Hopewell in 2011... helped lead West Allegheny to the playoffs all three years he was on the varsity,  and to the WPIAL Championship in 2009... named to the Academic Honor Roll all four years at West Allegheny... participated in track and field for Coach Jim Hamilton.

Ben Fowler
LB, 5-11, 200, Reedsville, Pa./Mifflin County High School
A three year starter for Coach George Miskinis on the offensive line and at linebacker.  Was named 2^nd Team All-District at offensive line in 2010. Was the recipient of the 2012 National College Football Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award for the region.  Helped lead Mifflin County to a 7-4 record in 2011 and a playoff bid.  A member of the National Honor's Society. 

Brandon Gallagher
WR, 6-1, 180, Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area High School
A two year starter for Coach John Barton at multiple positions... a three year letter winner who was selected to the WPIAL Keystone Conference Honorable Mention Team at safety, and as an all-purpose player in 2011... recipient of the Presidential Award at Hollidaysburg and was a member of the National Honor's Society... also participated in baseball for Coach John Szynal.

Christian Getz
RB, 5-9, 165, Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone Area High School
A two year starter for Coach John Franco at running back... named Second Team All-State in 2011 at running back by the Pennsylvania Football News, while helping lead Tyrone to the AA State Championship Game... rushed for over 1,800 yards in 2011, and is only the fourth player in Tyrone history to rush for more than 1,000 yards two years in a row... in his three years on the varsity at Tyrone, the Golden Eagles posted an overall record of 36-6... member of the National Honor Society who also participated in wrestling for Coach Blair Packer.

Kyle Gill
OL, 5-8, 205, East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg South High School
A two year starter for Coach Ed Christian on the offensive and defensive lines... named Honorable Mention All-Pocono Area in 2010, and Second Team All-MVC in 2011 at offensive line...  helped lead East Stroudsburg South to three MVC Championships from 2009-2011... member of the National Honor Society who also participated in wrestling for Coach Randy Litts.

Tommy Gill
DB, 5-9, 160, Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area High School
A two year starter at defensive back and wide receiver for Coach Tom Palfey... named Honorable Mention All-Area and All-Blair County in 2011 at defensive back... member of the National Honor Society.

Ronald Gurbal
TE, 6-2, 210, Grassflat, Pa./West Branch High School
A four year starter at tight end and defensive end for Coach Lester Smeal... named All-Conference in 2009, 2010, and 2011... elected captain for West Branch in 2010 and 2011... also selected to the Progressland All-Star Team in 2010 and 2011... High Honor Roll student at West Branch and was the recipient of the 2011 Joseph Sarra Award that was presented at the National Football Foundation Banquet.  Also participated in baseball for Coach Ryan Mostyn. 

Michael John
Ath., 5-9, 160, Osceola Mills, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola High School
A three year starter at running back for Coach Jeff Vroman... named 1^st Team All-Conference at running back in 2011, while rushing for over 1,000 yards... named Altoona Mirror Player of the Week and Clearfield Progress Player of the Week on separate occasions throughout the 2011 season... named to the High Academic Honor Roll at Philipsburg-Osceola... also participated in track and field for Coach Doug Perry.

Alleric Jones
LB, 5-11, 240, Lakenheath, England / Lakenheath High School
A four year starter at multiple positions for Coach Matthew Martinez... named 1^st Team All-Europe at defensive line and was named Division 1 All-Conference at defensive and offensive line in 2010 and 2011.... senior captain who was named Defensive MVP for the 2011 season... selected as the Lakenheath High School Athlete of the Year in 2011... elected Senior Class President and was on the student council at Lakenheath... named to the Academic and Athletic Honor Rolls.. also participated in basketball for Coach Alan Campbell and track and field for Coach Louis Martin.

Andrew Long
OL, 6-4, 315, Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen High School
A two year starter at defensive and offensive line for Coach Keith Leamer... selected to play in the Montgomery County All-Star Game... an Honor Roll Student at Upper Perkiomen... also participated in track and field and wrestling for Coach Tom Hontz.

Frank Marin
OL, 6-5, 295, Whitestone, N.Y./Holy Cross High School
A four year starter at offensive and defensive line for Coach Tom Pugh... selected to play in the CHSFL All-Star Game... achieved Second Academic Honors his junior and senior years at Holy Cross.

Jeff Martindale
DL, 6-1, 250, Forest Hill, Md./Bel Air High School
A four year starter at offensive and defensive line for Coach Dave Huryk... named 2^nd Team All-Conference in 2011... selected to the Upper Chesapeake Bay Area Conference Senior All-Star Team... an Honor Roll student who received the "Minds in Motion" Scholar Athlete Award in 2011... also participated in track and field for Coach Mike Burke.

Tyler Marvel
DB, 6-1, 165, Timonium, Md./Dulaney High School
A three year starter at multiple positions for Coach Chris Fallon... participated in baseball and soccer for Coach Ryan Wolfschiemer... a four year starter in baseball, and helped lead Dulaney to the 2010 and 2011 4A Division County Championships.

Alex McLemore
DL, 6-0, 225, Phoenixville, Pa./Phoenixville High School
A two year starter at defensive line and offensive line for Coach Bill Furlong... helped lead Phoenixville to a 9-5 record, their best record since 2005, and a AAA playoff bid.

Kyle Moody
DB, 5-9, 160, New Windsor, Md./Linganore High School
A two year starter running back and defensive back for Coach Rick Conner... helped lead Linganore to a 7-4 record in 2011... received the Character Athlete Award... received High Academic Honors as a student at Linganore... also participated in track and field for Coach Alvin Pridgeon.

Luke Navin
LB, 6-0, 190, Bel Air, Md./The John Carroll School
A two year starter at defensive and offensive line for Coach Rich Stichell... named 2^nd Team MIAA All-Conference at defensive end in 2011 and was elected team captain... recipient of the Ironman Award and was a nominee for the McCormick Unsung Hero Award... helped lead John Carroll to a 7-4 record in 2011... an Honor Roll Student at John Carroll... also participated in rugby for Coach Brian Hickey.

Kwe Parker
LB, 5-10, 200, York, Pa./Central York High School
A two year starter at linebacker and defensive end for Coach Brad Livingston.... named 1^st Team All-County and Honorable Mention All-State in 2011... named to the District III Players to Watch List and earned multiple Player of the Week Honors... helped lead Central York to a 10-3 record in 2011 and a playoff bid... an Honor Roll Student at Central York and received the Stellar Student Award. 

Jonah Plymire
LB, 6-0, 205, York, Pa./Central York High School
A three year starter at safety and linebacker for Coach Brad Livingston... named 1^st Team All-County in 2011... helped lead Central York to a 10-3 record in 2011 and a playoff bid... a member of the National Honor's Society and was an Academic Excellence Letterman at Central York.

Jake Presley
DL, 6-3, 205, Richboro, Pa./Council Rock South High School
A two year starter at defensive line and tight end for Coach Vince Bedesem... named 3^rd Team All-Suburban One at defensive end... received the Coach's Defensive Award for Council Rock South in 2011... selected to play in the 2012 Buck's County All-Star Game... a member of the National Honor Society... also participated in lacrosse for Coach John Hiron. 

Paul Russell
QB, 6-1, 215, Annapolis, Md./Annapolis High School
A two year starter at quarterback for Coach Brian Brown... named to the 2011 Super 22 Baltimore Touchdown Club... elected team captain for Annapolis... an Honor Roll student at Annapolis and was the Senior Class President... also participated in lacrosse for Coach Dustin McConnahey.

Colin Schaeffer
LB, 5-11, 195, Newport, Pa./Newport High School
A three year starter for Coach Mike Gunkle at multiple positions... named Honorable Mention All-Conference at defensive end in 2010 and 2011... selected as the Defensive MVP and Offensive Lineman of the Year for Newport in 2011... recipient of the Tri-Valley Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award... an Honor Roll Student at Newport... also participated in wrestling for Coach Mike Capozzoli and track and field for Coach Tom Magill.

Nathan Shaffer
OL, 5-11, 250, Dalmatia, Pa./Line Mountain High School
A two year starter at offensive and defensive line for Coach Mike Carson... named 1^st Team All-League at offensive line in 2011... recipient of the Line Mountain Coach's Award... selected to play in the District 4 All-Star Game... helped lead Line Mountain to the 2010 and 2011 Tri-Valley League Championships... a Distinguished Honor Roll student at Line Mountain.

Jordan Shroyer
Ath., 5-11. 185, Hollsopple, Pa./Conemaugh Township High School
A four year starter at wide receiver and running back for Coach Sam Zambanini... named 2011 SAFCA Offensive MVP, 1^st Team All-Conference, 1^st Team All-County, and was named player of the week multiple times... selected to play in the Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Game... named Weight Room MVP for Conemaugh Township... compiled over a 1,000 yards rushing, receiving, and returning kicks during his time at Conemaugh Township... helped lead Conemaugh Township to a 33-11 overall record during his four years there... an Honor Roll Student and a member of the National Honor Society... also participated in baseball for Coach Sam Zambanini and track and field for Coach Melissa Wilson.

Gabe Skelley
OL, 6-5, 240, Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area High School
A three year starter on the offensive line for Coach Tom Palfey... in 2011 he was named 2^nd Team All-WPIAL, 2^nd Team All-Area, and 2^nd Team All-County... named Honorable Mention All-WPIAL, 3^rd Team All-Area, and 2^nd Team All-County following the 2010 season... recipient of the Otto Kneidinger Football Scholarship Award in 2011... member of the National Honor Society... recipient of the Presidential Scholarship Award... also participated in basketball for Coach Paul Hasson.

Jon Smeal
DL, 6-3, 185, Big Run, Pa./Punxsutawney High School
A three year starter on the defensive line for Coach Allen Nichol... helped lead Punxsutawney to the 2009 District Championship and an undefeated regular season in 2010... an Honor Roll student... participated in track and field for Coach John Smith.

Charles Sweigert
DB, 6-0, 180, Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic High School
A two year starter at defensive back and wide receiver for Coach Bruce Harbach...  named 1^st Team All-State at defensive back and 3^rd Team All-State at wide receiver while helping lead Lancaster Catholic to the 2011 AA State Championship... also helped lead Lancaster Catholic to the 2009 AA State Championship and an overall record of 42-2 from 2009-2011... participated in baseball for Coach Chris Kiehl and was a 2^nd Team All-League centerfielder in 2011... helped lead the baseball team to 2009 and 2010 section championships.

Tom Weidle
DB, 5-9, 165, Fairview, Pa./Fairview High School
A three year starter at quarterback and defensive back for Coach Jim Bringling... named 2^nd Team All-Region at defensive back in 2010 and had multiple Player of the Week honors... helped lead Fairview to the playoffs in 2008, 2009, and 2010... also participated in baseball for Coach Joe Spinelli and wrestling for Coach Ben Corbin.

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