By CRAIG PHILLIPS Derrick writer It has been 20 days since Oil City's football team closed its season with a 32-14 triumph over Franklin to finish with a 7-2 record in Bill Heber's first year as head coach. The final victory solidified what already had been accepted as fact. The transition from the coach Paul Stamm era to the Heber era was smooth and successful. "I thought it went pretty smoothly," Heber said. "I had been part of the program already, so it wasn't that big a deal for the kids. But, it was a big transition for me because there was a lot of extra things I had to do ... like the budget." Heber's Oilers, who displayed marked improvement as each week passed, were a work in progress. Oil City, which opened the season with a 28-16 win over Erie East, traveled to Warren during the second week of the season. The Oilers took a 13-6 lead over the Dragons only to drop a 41-13 verdict as both the offense and defense self-destructed in the second half. It was that performance and one later in the season that haunted Heber. "I thought we played well expect for two halves," he said, evaluating the campaign. "The second half of the Warren game and the first half of the Titusville game." Oil City reversed its field the next week by erasing a 19-6, third-quarter deficit on its way to a 20-19 win over Erie Central at Veterans Memorial Stadium. "In my opinion the Central game was the turning point in the season," Heber said. "When we came out and ran the football in the second half, that changed our team. It changed everything." The Oilers responded with a 12-0 victory over Strong Vincent and a 27-12 triumph over Meadville. Then, eventual Northwest Football Conference champion Titusville paid a visit to the Oil Field and handed the Oilers a 26-8 loss. Oil City outplayed the Rockets in the second half, holding an 8-6 advantage on the scoreboard with Titusville's only touchdown coming on an interception return. The Oilers, relying on their defense and running game, followed with wins over Brookville (22-13), DuBois (38-13) and Franklin. "The win over Brookville was big, it was similar to the Central game," Heber said. "It was interesting this season because we played three different teams we haven't played in the past - Central, Brookville and DuBois. Next year, we play five home games, including the first three. "I think our coaching staff did a great job this season," he continued. "Dave Skinner, in his first year as defensive coordinator, did a great job. Ritt Smith and Mario Fontanazza did a great job with the offensive line. Mark Cochran and Chris Delmonaco put together a good secondary. We did a good job defensively." Heber also had praise for offensive coordinator Ray Beers. "Ray does a great job calling the offense," Heber said. "Everyone should know he calls 95 percent of the plays. I only poke my nose in there in certain situations. He deserves all the credit. He's my eye in the sky." Heber and his coaching staff are excited about the team's prospects for next season. Oil City returns many key offensive performers and will welcome an influx of players from its unbeaten, untied freshman team. The offensive line will be a veteran unit. "We have five kids returning on our line who started at least half of the games this season," Heber said, referring to center Nate Vogan, guards Corey Tarr and Chris Szabat, tackle Matt Dempsey and tight end Nate Sickler. "We're going to have experience coming back," he continued, adding, "Ian Bialo got in some games at split end." Seniors-to-be in quarterback Cody O'Brien and halfbacks Corey Schwab and Jamail Jackson will line up behind the offensive line. Schwab rushed for 800 yards on the season while Jackson had 604 yards and an outstanding average of 8.1 yards per carry. "Having Corey and Jamail, plus Cody, and also running backs Ryan Stack and Josh "Bronco" Cherish will be a strength," Heber said. "Cherish really opened some eyes during the second half of the season." O'Brien, who will need to improve his passing statistics, combined poise and leadership to guide the Oilers to their seven victories. He also survived several bouts of criticism from outside the program. Heber was aware that not everyone - particularly some fans - approved of his choice as starting quarterback. "Everybody has their opinion," Heber said. "At the beginning of the season, I talked to all of the kids who were going to be quarterbacks and decided on Cody." Oil City's offense appears to be in good hands next season, but Heber's passion - defense - will have to be addressed. Defensive returnees include Vogan and Szabat at tackles, Mason Marsh and Jackson at ends and Schwab at free safety. Stack and Bialo also have varsity experience on defense. "We have something to build on," said Heber, mindful the team must replace its linebacking corps, both cornerbacks and its strong safety. One or more of those positions could be occupied by upcoming freshmen. "By having an undefeated season, the freshman team showed how much talent it had," Heber said. "It's a big jump from ninth-grade football to varsity football, but I think there are some kids who can step in and contribute. It was great what they did, but now they have to work for it again. They have to dedicate themselves to the offseason program." Heber mentioned Nick Stallone, Charles Zimoski, Adam Brozeski and David Graham as freshmen who impressed the varsity staff. Looking back on his first season, he felt the team's philosophy helped carry it through difficult times. "We found an identity with our bird formation," he said. "We stuck with our running game and it came around. I was really pleased with the way our kids powered the ball this year ... I really was. Our style isn't flashy, but it works. We wear people down. That's the way we play." Heber distinctly remembers a hit senior linebacker Eric Sabin made on Central quarterback Donnell Tangle. The Falcons had control of the game at the time, but didn't score a point afterward. "That hit ignited our kids ... they knew they could play then." Sabin will be joined by 13 departing seniors, who Heber says he will miss. "They were a nice group of kids," he said. And, they went out winners. Posted: 11.14.02