MERCER COUNTY AREA —
FORMER LAKEVIEW standout Cory King was in the news recently and in an age when almost all news is bad news, King’s foray into the news is quite positive.
For him, that is.
University of Pittsburgh offensive linemen have been coming up gimpy left and right and has led new coach Paul Chryst to shuffle his o-line to put experienced bodies in starting positions.
King, a redshirt junior, is one of those experienced bodies.
Instead of competing with sixth year senior Chris Jacobson for a starting spot at right guard, the Panther coaching staff have moved King to left tackle.
“Every day I’ve been focusing on something to improve on,” King said on the official Panther football website. “This is a big opportunity for me and I’m going to do everything that I can to maximize it. When I first got here I played tackle, but the left side is a bit harder to play. It’s transitioning pretty well and I’m picking some stuff up. I just have to keep focusing on getting better.”
The former Sailor, though, is battling through an adjustment period at tackle, especially considering he has spent most of his college days at guard.
“There is a lot more responsibility (protecting) the blind side of the quarterback,” King told the Tribune-Review reporter Jerry DiPaola. “I think the pressure is really going to help me.”
Jacobson, for one, has faith in King, who started five games at guard in 2011.
“Cory is a guy who works hard, and I believe in Cory,” Jacobson told DiPaola.
With the offensive line being virtually rebuilt this year – only center Ryan Turley back in the same spot this fall – there’s a lot of pressure on the offensive line to get to work and gel quickly.
“There are a lot of young kids right now who are running second team who need to step up; they need to hit the film room,” Jacobson told DiPaola.
King credited uber strict offensive line coach Jim Hueber for helping the Panther linemen come together.
Hueber, Chryst and Co. kind of had an idea they would need King to change positions this fall.
“We had an idea that something could happen with Cory (moving positions),” said Hueber, who formerly coached the offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings. “We kept talking to him about it over the summer. We had a plan. We told him to keep thinking about the guy next to you. Keep thinking about that position and watch what he does.”
Sports
COLLEGIATE NOTEBOOK: Former Lakeview star Cory King doing well at Pitt
- Sports
-
-
Hickory boys edge WM for D-10 Class AA Track team title
HARBORCREEK — Hickory High co-head coach Mark Slezak referenced the term “exponential” in explaining the four-fold heart-felt feeling of having a relay team qualify for the PIAA Championships.
That sentiment seemed to summarize Mercer County’s performance during Saturday’s annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships. -
5 area teams qualify for D-10 baseball playoffs
Five area baseball teams have qualified for the District 10 playoffs — Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wilmington.
In the Class A semifinals, Kennedy Catholic faces Cochranton at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Northwestern High School. Rocky Grove faces Eisenhower in the other semifinal game. -
Hickory, WM boys to collide at D-10 AA Track & Field Championships
For the 2nd time this week, a District 10 track & field team title could be decided by a pair of Mercer County contingents.
Just as Hickory and Grove City girls contested the Class AAA crown Wednesday night, so, too, are the Hickory and West Middlesex boys anticipating vying for Saturday’s AA title. -
Roundup: Reynolds baseball tops GC; Sharpsville, Wilmington softball teams win
ä Reynolds 4, Grove City 1 — At Transfer, Neal Engstrom fired a complete-game 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks in lifting the Raiders (9-8) past the Eagles (14-6).
Ryan Grace was tagged with the loss for Grove City. He struck out 6 batters, issued no walks and gave up 7 hits in going the distance. -
GC girls 3-peat at District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
HARBORCREEK— Some athletes seeded 1st in four events would feel pressure. For Grove City High senior Daniel Jaskowak, it’s an opportunity for name recognition.
“I kind’ve like it. It’s cool, because people know who you are,” related Jaskowak, who won 3 events during Wednesday’s District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships. -
Hickory, GC girls collide at D-10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships
If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Cliché though that is, it will be borne out today at the annual District 10 Class AAA Track & Field Championships.
Hickory High girls — the defending PIAA Class AA titlists — will test the best from the biggest. And the Lady Hornets hope to give as good as they get from the 6-county competition. -
Local tune up for districts at Mercer County Invite
There’s a difference between a warm-up and a warning.
If Saturday’s annual track & field invitational is any indication, Mercer County’s contingent issued a warning for the remainder of District 10: This could be a big year in area annals. -
Roundup: Grace, GC beat Sharon, 4-0, in 5 innings
With an impending storm blowing in above Johnny Pepe Field time was limited, so Ryan Grace greedily gobbled up putouts.
Grove City High’s Grace gave up only 3 base hits, and the visiting Eagles eased to an abbreviated 4-0, 5-inning win over Sharon Friday afternoon. -
HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP: County track meet set Saturday at Hickory
The annual Mercer County Track & Field Invitational will be held at Hickory High’s Hornet Stadium Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.
Competing are all Mercer County teams, Class AAA and AA, as well as Slippery Rock. The meet serves as a warm-up to the District 10 championships set next week at Harbor Creek High. -
Roundup: Sharon baseball squad edges Sharpsville, 5-4
It was a tense Tuesday in Tiger-town.
Twenty-four hours removed from a 1-run Region 2-AA loss at New Wilmington, Sharon High’s baseball team could not afford another setback, otherwise its postseason aspirations were alleviated.
Conversely, region pacesetting Sharpsville could have secured the crown with a win, and the Blue Devils dashed to an early 3-0 lead. - More Sports Headlines
-
