W-b Twp. Officials Clash Over Budget Cuts

Anthony Gorka 
Dec. 5, 1992 
Anthony Gorka, 69, Of Harveys Lake, Died Saturday Morning In Nesbitt Memorial 
Hospital, Kingston.

By BOB NOCEK; Times Leader Sports Writer
 Monday, December 07, 1992 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





BERWICK -- For all the winning that goes on at Berwick, for all the
success, a shot at a state championship isn't something the Dawgs take for
granted. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This means a lot to us," said senior Jason Soboleski. "It's good to be in
this position." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "When I came up here, I always wanted to win a state championship," said
Ryan Mason, a senior who grew up in Manheim, which is Berwick's opponent in
today's Class AAA Eastern Championship. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's a great feeling." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's been four years since the Bulldogs won their only state championship,
in the inaugural PIAA Football Championships in 1988. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Since then, the Dawgs have been in this position -- the state semifinals --
twice. In 1989, they lost the Class AAA championship game to Perry Traditional
Academy of Pittsburgh. Then, in 1990, they lost the Class AAA Eastern
Championship to Bethlehem Catholic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 These Bulldog seniors know today's game -- the PIAA Class AAA Eastern
Championship -- is their last chance for a state title. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And they're not about to let it pass them by. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This is what we wanted," said quarterback Ron Powlus. "Our goal was to go
undefeated and to get a state championship. So we're real pleased with this." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Dawgs have spent the last decade collecting trophies, at every possible
level. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They've won 11 league titles. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They've won the Eastern Conference championship seven times. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Twice in the five years of the PIAA Football Championships, the Dawgs have
won the Eastern Championship. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They were state champions in the first year of Pennsylvania's playoff
system, winning the 1988 Class AAA state title. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And they were national champions in 1983, according to USA Today 's weekly
Super 25. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This year, they have a chance to do it all in one season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We've wanted this our whole lives," said center Jim Whitmire. "Every since
we understood Berwick football. And now we're in a position to do it." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We wanted to win states, and for us that would be a dream," said Manheim
Central Coach Mike Williams. "Berwick expects that. Their whole football
program is predicated on getting to states and winning states every year,
where as we're not in the same situation." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is Berwick, where championships come with regularity. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But that doesn't mean these guys take them for granted. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We did it in 1988," said senior Chris Orlando, "and we want to repeat."

5c, 12-5-92 Dawgs Hungry For Another Championship