John Beale, Post-Gazette North Allegheny coach Jim Rankin is hungry for a winning record. Click photo for larger image.

It's likely this will be Jim Rankin's final season as North Allegheny's coach. He is considering retiring as a teacher and coach at the end of the school year.

But hearing his words and the tone of his voice, this is definitely not a man coasting into retirement.

When asked if his 2004 team seems hungry, Rankin said, "Yes, and I'm at the head of the pack."

We're not talking the food line, either.

"I think these kids are excited about this year and I know the coaches are excited," Rankin said. "We all feel the same way. We want to get back on the map with all the teams that are traditionally strong."

What is motivating Rankin is the 2003 season, when Rankin's string of 16 consecutive winning seasons was retired. North Allegheny was 3-7 last year. This from a team that had never won fewer than six games in Rankin's previous 16 seasons. This from a team that had the second-best winning percentage (.799) in the WPIAL in the 1990s.

"Last year was a total disaster, from top to bottom," said Rankin, who has a record of 140-56-2 at North Allegheny. "Personally, I want to get back to where we were."

Although North Allegheny might not be one of the top two or three teams in Class AAAA this season, there is reason to believe the Tigers could challenge for the Quad North Conference title. Last year was only the third time they missed the playoffs under Rankin.

"I think last year affected the kids, especially the seniors on this team," he said. "A number of them started when they were sophomores and they don't want last year to happen again. They've had a great summer in preparation, the workouts have been great and the morale has been terrific."

Eighty-seven players came out for the team, the most in Rankin's 17 seasons.

"The parents have been very supportive, too," he said. "Other years, we might have been 10-2 and some people were still complaining. There is a very positive atmosphere right now."

Rankin is turning back the clock in an effort to recapture the glory days. Offensively, the Tigers will use the wing-T offense more, which was a staple of Rankin's teams in the 1980s and '90s.

"We changed a lot," Rankin said. "Heck, when you're 3-7, obviously what you're doing is not the answer. We've changed some kids' positions. We've changed some coaches' positions. We've adopted some new things and some of those things we had when we were pretty good. I think the differences will be pretty noticeable from the last two years."

North Allegheny features two of the top players in Class AAAA. Senior fullback/linebacker Andrew McMillen (6 feet 1, 230 pounds) rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. Some Division I schools are interested in him.

Defensively, nose guard Wade Wolowiec (6-1, 245) was a first-team all-conference selection last year.

"You know who he reminds me of is Mark Hondru from Upper St. Clair years ago," Rankin said. "Hondru was a great player. Wade is like him because he's just relentless and has great strength."

Andrew Krewatch (6-4, 217) returns for his second season as the starting quarterback. Other senior returning starters are linebacker Joe Apel (5-11, 210), guard/linebacker Bill Borlick (6-1, 220), center/linebacker R.J. Parks (6-1, 205) and running back/defensive back Craig Howarth (6-1, 185).

"We have to have a really improved defense this year," Rankin said. "Our defense was terrific in the 1990s and for the first part of last year our run defense was good. But the second part of the year, we were poor in all areas."

What also helps North Allegheny's plight this season is the Quad North does not seem to have a dominant, overpowering team. The Quad East appears much stronger.

As for his possible retirement, Rankin is not totally sure and said he won't decide anything until after the season.

"I'll be on my thirty-fifth year of teaching. In teaching, that's the magic number when you can retire," he said. "I love what I'm doing, I love kids and I love North Allegheny. But there are other things involved.

"This may or may not be my last year. I wouldn't be saying that if it wasn't possible."

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North Conference data

TEAM TO BEAT
North Allegheny -- It's hard to pick the favorite in this conference because there is no overly strong team. But North Allegheny has some talent and is determined to bounce back from last season's 3-7 record. The Tigers, though, might have to get along without their top player for the first few games. Senior running back/linebacker Andrew McMillen (6-1, 230) has a shoulder injury from the first preseason scrimmage He was a 1,000-yard rusher last season.

CONTENDERS
North Hills -- If the Indians can find a competent running back, they will definitely challenge for the conference title. Junior Ryan Lehmeier (5-9, 190) is one of the conference's best quarterbacks. He completed 74 of 141 for 949 yards last season and rushed for 328. Also back is senior lineman Eric Norris (6-2, 250). Junior Jordan Leviere (6-0, 210) is a force at linebacker.

Upper St. Clair -- The Panthers move from the Quad West to the Quad North, and they feature one of the WPIAL's best players in running back/linebacker Sean Lee (6-3, 220). It didn't help, though, that all-conference lineman Rob Rankin decided not to come out for the team.

Mt. Lebanon -- Finding a quarterback will be one of the keys to the Blue Devils' season. Senior Jim Mullen (5-9, 175) was the team's second-leading rusher last season with 624 yards.

Bethel Park -- Jeff Metheny is one of the most underrated coaches in the WPIAL.

THE OTHERS
Butler -- Nate Hartung (6-3, 410), Adam Pritts (6-6, 255) and Josh Wachter (6-6, 265) help make Butler one of the biggest teams in the WPIAL.

Shaler -- Junior Tom Neiman (5-10, 170) was a first-team all-conference receiver last year. Brandon McNearney rushed for 525 yards.

Seneca Valley -- Only six starters return for first-year coach Ron Butschle, who guided Sto-Rox to the WPIAL Class A title game last season.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nate Hartung, Sr, Butler, C/NG, 6-3, 410; Sean Lee, Sr., Upper St. Clair, RB/DB, 6-3, 220; Andrew McMillen, Sr., North Allegheny, RB/LB, 6-1, 230; Tom Neiman, Sr., Shaler, WR/DB, 5-10, 170; Wade Wolowiec, Sr., North Allegheny, OL/DL, 6-1, 245.

GAME OF THE YEAR
North Allegheny at North Hills, Oct. 22.

-- By Mike White