By BARRY SANKEY
bsankey@phoenixvillenews.com

PHOENIXVILLE — Optimism is running high for the Phoenixville Area High School football team as it starts training camp for the 2009 season.

Five starters return on offense and six on defense for the Phantoms, who finished in third place in the Pioneer Athletic Conference at 7-2 (8-4 overall) last season, trailing only Pottsgrove and Owen J. Roberts in the final standings. Some other players also saw valuable playing time a year ago when the Phantoms fell to Upper Moreland, 26-20, in the opening round of the District 1 Class AAA playoffs.

Bill Furlong begins his seventh season as head coach of the Phantoms with his staff of assistant coaches intact.

"Our O(ffensive) line should be a strength with experience and our linebackers," said Furlong following the opening session Monday morning. "They are pretty important areas. We have (junior quarterback Thomas) Romano coming back. Last year Sam McQuiston was a spot guy. Ricky Yenchick was our leading rusher in yards per carry even with the number of yards the other two guys (Abdul Kelly, Anthony Nattle) got. (Vince) Ciaverelli was a second team all-league tight end."

The offensive line returns four of five starters with senior center Steve Carter (5-11, 255), senior guard Matt Viscuso and junior Ken Cenci (5-11, 235) at guard and senior Kevin Bohl (6-4, 260) and junior Marcus Stokes (6-4, 270) at tackle. Viscuso was an honorable mention all-league guard last fall.

Stokes is in the mix for the one vacated offensive tackle spot with junior Craig Brock (6-1, 235), Ernie Knight and senior Brandon Johnston.

Ciaverelli and Yenchick earned second team honors on defense at linebacker with a solid group that also includes McQuiston and Viscuso. Senior Derek "Duckie" Ryan made honorable mention at outside linebacker but will be used more at safety this year.

Romano completed his sophomore season with 64 completions in 136 attempts (47.1 percent) for 1,074 yards with 11 touchdowns and naine interceptions ofr a 126.9 quarterback rating. He also rushed 83 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Yenchick rushed for 333 yards on 50 tries (6.7 avg.) with four TDs. McQuiston gained 133 yards on 16 rushes.

Ciaverelli was the ballclub's third-leading receiver with 15 catches for 204 yards (13.6 avg.) and five scores. He will be counted upon as a blocker in the running attack and as a pass receiver in the throwing game.

The Phantoms averaged 21.6 points per game last season, which ranked

sixth in the circuit, while allowing just 14.9 points per outing, second only to Pottsgrove's 14.8 in the least number permitted.

Phoenixville averaged 194.3 yards rushing per game while allowing 147.2. In passing, the Phantoms averaged 89.5 yards per game and gaveup 125 yards per game through the air. They totaled 283.8 yards per game on offense and gave up 272.2 yards per game on defense.

Sophomore Travis Andrews figures to break into the mix as a running back and defenseive back or linebacker. The wide receivers will be Ryan, junior Dan Kain and possibly newcomer Dan Ward. Ciaverelli is joined at tight end by senior Greg Porter, who returns at one defensive end position.

Defensively, sophomore Denis Kelly saw some time at nose guard and will be joined at tackle by Stokes and Cenci. Porter's mate at defensive end will be Knight or Johnston.

Romano will double in the secondary with Kain. John McInally will be in his third varsity season as the team's placekicker and the Phantoms are still searching for a punter. In two years, McInally has booted 63 placements and four field goals for 75 points.

"Our wide receivers are unproven," said Furlong. "Kain started a few games there and we will move Derek Ryan there. Our D(efensive) line has some experience. Our secondary is up in the air and that is a pretty important spot. We have some holes, but we have some experience too. It is a pretty good way to start the year."

The Phantoms spent Tuesday through Thursday practicing at the Variety Club near Methacton High School. They scrimmage at West Chester Henderson High School Saturday morning at 10 a.m., followed by a home scrimmage against Wissahickon Friday night, Aug. 28, at home at 6 p.m. The first non-league contest is on the road against Great Valley Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m.

"Some other teams have bigger marquee players than we do," said Furlong. "But I like our depth and how sound we are. If we play as a team, we should have a good year and at least be in the hunt (in PAC-10). We would also like to move on in districts."