August 30 football tab by Mary Beth Eastman

I2 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

FOOTBALL P R E V I E W

Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

2 0 1 5

Which teams will make the grade this season? Who’s the smart pick to play for a WPIAL title? We’ll try to answer those questions, but we’re also spotlighting PERCENT OF THOSE the stories of some of the area’s ON 2014 ROSTERS top student-athletes. Football is OF LOCAL TEAMS important around these parts, WHO APPEARED ON AT LEAST ONE OF HIS but too often players are branded RESPECTIVE SCHOOL’S with unflattering labels that inHONOR ROLLS. sinuate they aren’t good students. OF THE SCHOOLS WHICH We’re out to disprove the myth of REPORTED HONOR ROLL STATISTICS (12 OF 18) the ‘dumb jock’ with page after page of future lawyers, doctors, teachers and so on. We hope you enjoy The Times’ latest edition of the High School Football Preview.

56.8

COVERS BEAVER FALLS’ DONOVAN JETER PHOTO BY SALLY MAXSON

BEAVER’S DARIUS WISE

WESTERN BEAVER FOOTBALL PRACTICE

ALIQUIPPA’S KAEZON PUGH

PHOTO BY SALLY MAXSON

PHOTO BY SYLVESTER WASHINGTON JR.

RIVERSIDE’S JASON DAMBACH

PHOTO BY SYLVESTER WASHINGTON JR.

INSIDE THE SECTION TEAM PAGES

FEATURES

Aliquippa

Ambridge

Beaver

Beaver Falls

Blackhawk

Central Valley

Ellwood City

Freedom

Hopewell

Moon

New Brighton

OLSH

Quaker Valley

Riverside

Rochester

South Side

West Allegheny

Western Beaver

COVER STORY

Brains and brawn

Hard work in the classroom can also pay off on the football field. So says Mark Lyons, who coached Central Valley to the PIAA Class AAA title game last year. “They were a very dedicated bunch academically and as football players. To me, I think that’s another ingredient in success.” Central Valley hardly is alone when boasting its team’s academic merits, and a well-rounded student-athlete is becoming the norm rather than the outlier in today’s area football. PAGE I5 COVER STORY TWO

Matriculate down the field

For a few select athletes, Division I-FBS schools will be their destination after this season or next. Four of them (Beaver’s Darius Wise, Beaver Falls’ Donovan Jeter, Aliquippa’s Kaezon Pugh and Riverside’s Jason Dambach) spotlighted here have an excellent chance to continue their football and academic careers at some of the top schools in the country. PAGES K5-6 ADVANCED SCOUTING

The metrics system

Recruiting

It isn’t a Moneyball revolution like baseball witnessed about 15 years ago, but video- and information-sharing site Hudl is turning scouting by today’s football coaches into more than sending an assistant to a different game. PAGE J10

Traveling Trophy

THE CHANGING PLAYBOOK

DEPARTMENTS WPIAL Preview

I8-9

Spread it around

No more three yards and a cloud of dust. Today’s offenses are varied and intricate, and local teams are running them more often. PAGE L10

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | I3

TIMES10

PRESEASON

RANKINGS

WE’RE ALL OVER THE GRID

With last season’s final record and ranking

CLASS AAAA

1. Pittsburgh Central Catholic 11-2

2. Woodland Hills

8-3

3. North Allegheny

8-3

4. Penn-Trafford

11-1

5. McKeesport

10-2

6. Pine-Richland

15-1

7. Penn Hills

7-3

8. North Hills

6-4

9. Mt. Lebanon

5-5

10 Bethel Park

6-4

CLASS AAA

1. Central Valley

15-1

2. West Allegheny

11-2

3. Thomas Jefferson

11-1

4. Ringgold

10-2

5. Mars

7-4

6. Hampton

9-2

7. Montour

7-3

8. Franklin Regional

7-4

9. West Mifflin

6-4

10. Ambridge

3-6

1. South Fayette

16-0

2. Aliquippa

12-1

3. Beaver Falls

7-3

4. Seton-La Salle

10-2

5. Washington

11-1

6. Highlands

10-1

7. Beaver

7-3

8. Mt. Pleasant

8-3

9. Steel Valley

6-4

10. Freeport

5-4

1. Clairton

15-1

2. North Catholic

11-1

3. Avonworth

11-2

4. Neshannock

11-1

5. Riverside

6-5

6. Greensburg Central Catholic 5-5

7. Frazier

8-2

8. South Side

7-4

9. Jeannette

9-2

10. Beth-Center

9-1

CLASS AA

CLASS A

od Thi Luck Sea s son !

VIDEO SHOW SCHEDULE

ast year, The Times unveiled a few new ways for local fans to get their football fix during the high school season. This year, we’re doing even more. Game On will return once again in Week 1, and it’s bringing a few new friends along with it. Here’s what you can expect from the Times this football season. New episodes of Game On will air every Thursday on timesonline.com, with Mike Bires and Andrew Chiappazzi returning as hosts. The show will once again spotlight local players with interesting stories, feature interviews with the week’s headliners and analysis of the week’s biggest games. Also back this year is our video version of Beat the Experts. The companion piece to the print contest will air every Tuesday as Mike and Andrew offer their picks to win a few notable games. Every Friday, we’ll take you around the region to preview that night’s key games with our new pregame show, Game On Flash Preview. Andrew and Mike will analyze the night’s featured contest, and other Times reporters will offer the latest news and updates from other key sites to get you up to speed before kickoff. Beginning Sept. 8, Mike Bires will host a weekly podcast that will be on timesonline. com and also available to download via iTunes and Stitcher. The podcast will feature interviews and special guests as Mike leans on his years of knowledge and professional relationships to give an added insight into some of the major contributors to local high school sports. Another big addition will be the ability to follow live updates from around the region. Our revamped high school site

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at timesonline.com/gameon will feature live game trackers at select games each week. The game tracker is mobile friendly and provides a play-byplay look at your favorite school’s game that night. You’ll also be able to view our daily content in more ways this season. Along with our website at timesonline.com/gameon, you’ll be able to get all of your scholastic sports news via our new, dedicated Game On: Beaver County app. And, of course, our Twitter, Facebook and other social media pages will be updated frequently with the latest content. It’s all part of the quest to give you the most comprehensive coverage of your favorite high school teams. We hope you’ll follow along as the 2015 season kicks off.

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I4 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

ALIQUIPPA CLASS AA MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 12-1, 8-0 COACH: MIKE ZMIJANAC

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Mohawk

Sept. 11

at Laurel

Sept. 18

Ellwood City

Sept. 25

Quaker Valley

Oct. 2

at New Brighton

Oct. 9

at Beaver

7:30

Oct. 16

Freedom

Oct. 23

at Mt. Pleasant

Oct. 30

at Beaver Falls

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 327.8 Passing Offense 139.8 Total Offense 467.6 Rushing Defense 72.9 Passing Defense 86.9 Total Defense 159.8 Scoring Offense

51.8

Scoring Defense

10.2

Based on nine-game regular season

ROSTER NAME

Pos

Allison, Isiah

OL/DL

Anzio, Robert

RB/LB

Banks, Richard

WR/DB

Barnat, Xiyrial

RB/LB

Beasley, Laturne

TE/DE

Bronaugh, Dimantae

RB/LB

Brooks, Antwan

WR/DB

Cashaw, Bobby

TE/DB

Crute, Deoveon

WB/DB

Devonshire, Marlin

WR/DB

Durham, Chase

OL/DL

Fisher, Dajour

OL/DL

Fisher, Xavier

OL/DL

Fooks, Kyon

RB/LB

France, Mecca

QB/DB

Gardener, Darnell

OL/LB

Gevod, Tyson

WR/DB

Gilbert, Ahmad

WR/DE

Gilliam, Draper

WR/DB

Gipson, William

QB/DB

Gordon, Jaeden

RB/DB

Harmon, Raekwon

OL/DE

Harvey, Xavier

WR/DB

Hodge, Roscoe

TE/DE

Jeter, Sheldon

QB/DB

Jordan, Jassir

WR/DB

King, Izayah

OL/LB

Kosanovich, Eli

QB/LB

Mason, Ethan

OL/DL

McAllister, Jeremiah

WR/DB

McCoy, William

WR/DB

McIntyre, Tavion

OL/DL

McKenzie, Avante

RB/DB

Moreland, Solvaughn

OL/DL

Perry, Ahmir

WR/DB

Perry, Thomas

WR/DB

Pugh, Kaezon

RB/DB

Raines, Michael

WR/DB

Raines, Kwantel

QB/DB

Rainey, Kenneth

OL/DL

Riggins, Alexander

TE/LB

Sly, Amer

RB/DB

Soloman, Jelani

WR/DB

Stevenson, Omar

OL/DL

Tates, Canard

WR/DB

Tigner, Marcus

RB/LB

Tucker, Isiaha

OL/DL

Turner, Tyaun

WR/DB

Walker, Larry

QB/DB

Washington, Antwar

OL/DL

BOBBY CASHAW

UPHOLDING

A TRADITION FAMILY LEGACY IS IN ACADEMICS AS WELL AS ATHLETICS, AND THE SENIOR CARRIES ON BOTH Story by Jim Equels Jr. Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

here are many legacies to uphold when one is an athlete at Aliquippa. For the majority of the players on the Quips’ football roster, there are fathers, brothers, uncles and cousins who played on previous teams and helped make Aliquippa one of the premier programs in the state. But the legacy that Bobby Cashaw must uphold at Aliquippa is twofold. Not only is he a standout on the football field, like many relatives before him, he has also upheld a family tradition of excelling in the classroom. “Being a great student and a great athlete are in his bloodlines,” Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac said. “He’s a Gill.” Cashaw’s mother is a Gill, a family that has produced tremendous

student-athletes at Aliquippa and parlayed that into major-college scholarships. Three of Cashaw’s uncles earned scholarships for their academic abilities and football prowess: Greg Gill played at Northwestern, Darrell Gill played at Arizona State and Chuck Gill played at Temple. “My parents have always preached about the importance of grades,” said Cashaw, a junior who started a year ago at tight end and defensive end but will move to safety this season. “No grades, no sports. It’s that simple. The classroom always comes first. My education is the most important thing.” Football is pretty important, too. Cashaw started both ways a year ago as Aliquippa advanced to the WPIAL championship game for the eighth consecutive season. In the classroom, Cashaw is a high-honor student who is involved with the Academics in Motion program, which is run by longtime Aliquippa assistant Sherman McBride, and also tutors other students. “This is a remarkable young man who comes from a great family,” Zmijanac said. “He’s very bright on

OFFENSE Is the success of a backfield dependent on the offensive line in front of it, or can a pair of stud running backs make a line look good? That’s the question that will be answered at Aliquippa, at least in the early part of the season, as the Quips must replace four two-year starters on the line. Making the adjustment for the newcomers a little easier is the fact that Aliquippa has two outstanding running backs, one of whom is one of the premier players in the state. Kaezon Pugh, who rushed for 1,626 yards last season, recently narrowed his college choices down to Pitt, West Virginia and Maryland. He is complemented by DiMantae Bronaugh, who added 1,262 yards a year ago. Aliquippa has an embarrassment of riches at receiver, which should only be enhanced by the return of Draper Gilliam, who transferred from Moon. Who will get the ball to them remains a question because the Quips must also replace two-year starter Darrien Fields at quarterback. Sheldon Jeter and Jassir Jordan are the prime candidates, but Kwantel Raines could work his way into the lineup. DEFENSE It is highly unlikely that any team has the depth in its defensive backfield that Aliquippa does. The Quips have at least seven quality corners, led by Jordan and Thomas Brooks, who emerged as one of the WPIAL’s fastest track athletes last year. Alex Riggins and Darnell Gardner return at linebacker and will be joined by Pugh. Bobby Cashaw moves from defensive end to safety. SPECIAL TEAMS The kicking game is always interesting at Aliquippa. Jeter will handle both punting and kicking, but the Quips certainly have the firepower to go for two points if necessary. The return game is not an issue.

the field. You don’t start on both sides of the football as a sophomore at Aliquippa if you don’t know what’s going on.” Cashaw says his classroom I.Q. helps his football I.Q. “It absolutely helps,” Cashaw said. “Maybe not in an athletic sense, but in terms of knowing my responsibilities and where I need to be in certain situations.” Zmijanac and defensive coordinator Dan “Peep” Short feel Cashaw’s future on the next level lies on the defense, hence the move to safety. The recruiting process should heat up with a solid junior season. Cashaw said he is considering majoring in engineering in college, or possibly computer technology or entrepreneurship. Cashaw says the influences of his family, as well as the experience of the coaching staff with previous college prospects, will help in the recruiting process. “I’m blessed,” Cashaw said. “I’m playing for a team that has put out many college players, and the emphasis my parents have had me put on the classroom has put me in a position to hopefully get a college scholarship.”

BREAKING DOWN THE QUIPS

Aliquippa has played in the last seven WPIAL title games, and an eighth trip to Heinz Field is not out of the question. Chances are very good that Aliquippa may not be challenged until its Week 9 matchup at Beaver Falls. BY JIM EQUELS JR.

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | I5

DEBUNKING THE MYTH OF THE DUMB JOCK

SHATTERING THE

STEREOTYPE OFTEN, FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARE TYPECAST INTO A ROLE OF GOOD ATHLETE BUT BAD STUDENT. BUT THAT DOESN’T SEEM TO BE A SMART ATTITUDE. MANY PLAYERS ARE ACADEMICALLY SAVVY, AND MANY COACHES CHALLENGE THEIR PLAYERS TO BE. Story by Lauren Kirschman

Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

hen Andrew Podbielski walked into classrooms in high school, he knew exactly what went through his teachers’ minds. They took one look at his full beard and looming 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame and immediately saw a football player and nothing else. Then, they started making assumptions. Such as, as Podbielski put it, “There is a dumb football player.” “That one hurt,” he said. It never took very long, though, for Podbielski, a Blackhawk graduate, to prove those stereotypes wrong. He took academics seriously -- still does -- and had a GPA higher than 4.0 in high school. He was engaged and active in the classroom, and he took pride in turning his skeptics into believers. Now, he’s a sophomore at Bucknell, a place that has provided a different kind of environment, one not so filled with assumptions about the academic capabilities of athletes, especially football players. Those looks he used to get when he walked into a classroom are gone now. But that doesn’t mean he forgot about them. “All of the other football players didn’t look like football players,” he said. “I got that stereotype right off the bat. (Teachers) grew to like me over time. I could see in their face, they were a little scared. I changed their minds over the course of the year.” It’s not easy to shatter the mold. It’s especially difficult when the idea of the ‘dumb jock’ is so firmly rooted in society and pop culture. But high school coaches have seen players distance themselves from that stereotype time and again. Take the two teams that met last season in the WPIAL Class AAA championship game at Heinz Field: Central Valley and West Allegheny. Central Valley, the eventual PIAA runner-up, had 38.6 percent of its 57-man roster on the honor roll for all four marking periods during the 2014-15 school year, while 52.6 percent were listed at least three times and 61.4 made it at least twice. West Allegheny had even higher numbers, with 43.5 percent of its 85-man roster making the honor roll four times, 55.3 percent making it at least three times and 71.8 percent listed at least twice. Both schools placed just more than 75 percent of their rosters on the honor roll at least once. That’s no surprise to Central Valley coach Mark Lyons or West Allegheny coach Bob Palko. Both said that achievements on the field and in the classroom go hand-inhand. A similar discipline is needed, and the same kind of dedication. Lyons’ 2014 squad was one of the best academic groups he can remember, and it also happened to be his best team. To Lyons, that was no coincidence. Among the academic leaders were starting quarterback John George, who made the honor roll three times, and Jordan Whitehead, one of Pennsylvania’s top recruits who is now a freshman at Pitt. Whitehead, one of the few high school players in the area with a chance to make a career out of football, made the honor roll all four quarters. Several other Times 22 honorees could be found on the honor rolls for four marking periods, including West Allegheny’s Chayse Dillion, Sean Orsini and Armand Dellovade; New Brighton’s Scott Florence; Ambridge’s Austin French and Beaver Falls’ Alec Nocera. “You always have a group you come across that not only has the football I.Q. but has the academic I.Q. in the classroom,” Lyons said. “That was the case with last year’s group. They were a very dedicated bunch academically and as football players. To me, I think that’s another ingredient in success. “In order to be successful in the classroom and play a sport, you have to have great time management skills. You have to have some quality goals, a good foundation and support

from home. Understanding that is the important thing. Guys that have a great academic base understand there are times they have to stay at home and work on their school work instead of going out with their friends or to the movies.” Palko knows exactly the kind of athlete Lyons is referring to, players such as Chris Morosetti, who was a four-year starter at Cornell, and Derek Javarone, who attended to Princeton and led the Ivy league in scoring one season. Then there’s Tory Delmonico, who went to the Naval Academy in 2014. Palko had a few players that fit similar descriptions on last year’s team, and there more headed down the same path this year. “You get a guy that can carry more on his plate,” Palko said, “and that’s important.” Those kind of athletes can be found across the WPIAL and in this area. They can be found at Moon, where brothers Alexsei and Niko Yaramus, who graduated last year, went to Navy. They can be found at Hopewell, where David Posluszny signed with Notre Dame in 2008. And they can be found at Aliquippa, a team that made it to the WPIAL Class AA championship last season before falling to South Fayette. Coach Mike Zmijanac and his staff have high expectations when it comes to the Quips’ academic performance. Aliquippa is involved with the Athletes in Motion program, which aims to help student-athletes boost their academic performance. Last year, seven players were honored during Steelers’ home games. “Our grade point average for our team last year was well over 2.7, which was better than the average of the school, which people wouldn’t believe,” said Zmijanac, also the Quips’ athletic director. “We have several kids that are academically inclined and do very well. It’s extremely important to us, and the thing I like about it is, because it is, the football players are the best behaved students in the school.” Last year, Aliquippa graduated 14 seniors and just two had a GPA less than 2.0. It’s important, Zmijanac said, for the parents to know the coaches care, because that makes academics more important to the parents, too. And starting this month, the NCAA will hold potential student-athletes to a higher academic standard. They will need to have a 2.3 GPA in order to play immediately. It all counts starting in ninth grade, and that’s something that’s understood across the board, from coaches to parents to athletes. Academic achievement is more important than ever. “We have many more kids that go off to college and play football than we have professionals,” Zmijanac said. “We have many, many of these guys that have graduated from places as far away as Hawaii and as close as Edinboro. We’re just as proud of those guys, it’s important to us.” “The chances of these guys making their living playing as professional athletes is such a small percentage,” Palko said. “We tell these guys that the next five years determines the next fifty. If you got a kid that can go to Carnegie Mellon and graduate, he’s going to pay back those loans, and because of the rate of employment that those guys get, he’s going to get a job.” Podbielski is one of those players, but he’s certainly not alone. And while he might be one of Blackhawk football’s biggest academic success stories, the program performs well as a whole. The Cougars saw 63 percent of their players make the honor roll once and 35.4 percent make it four times. Several other schools had at least half of their players make the

honor roll at least once, including Beaver Falls (50 percent), Hopewell (56.9), New Brighton (57.1) and South Side (65.1). Often, carrying over that kind of academic success means one class passing it on to the younger groups. Last season’s Central Valley team was as impressive in the classroom as on the field. Lyons hopes to see that achievement become a trend. “You always want to have guys that set the standard and be role models,” he said. “We try to implement that in our daily approach, too, stress the importance of academics and how it goes together.” That’s all part of raising the standard, which is something Zmijanac has successfully done at Aliquippa. When he was a teacher, he was often told that the only reason his players behaved in his class was because they played football. That, he said, was simply not the case. They were just doing what was expected of them. “Kids will behave and do what they are expected to do if you do one thing, and that’s insist,” he said. “Insist that they behave, insist that they pay attention, insist that they achieve and have some expectations. I think part of the problem with bad grades and bad behavior is low expectations. People need to expect more from their children and their students instead of less.” Often, as Palko noted, starting those high expectations at home makes a difference. If parents place an importance on academics, so will their children. That’s where it all began for Podbielski. As he grew up, his parents reminded him that he wasn’t going to go to the NFL and make millions. They told him it was important to focus on academics and get a job. Podbielski listened. Now, he’s well on his way. “My dad worked in the steel mill, and he was always preaching to me that you don’t want to end up here, you want to be a doctor or a lawyer,” said Podbielski, who originally planned to major in nursing at Bowling Green but has yet to select a major after switching to Bucknell, “Get the education, get a job. Football is just something extra that will help you through college.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS A LOOK AT HOW MANY PLAYERS, BY SCHOOL, ON 2014 ROSTERS OF LOCAL TEAMS WHO APPEARED ON AT LEAST ONE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOL’S HONOR ROLLS. A FURTHER BREAKDOWN OF THE HONOR ROLL STATS APPEAR ON THE RESPECTIVE TEAM PAGE. NOTE: OF THE SCHOOLS WHICH REPORTED HONOR ROLL STATISTICS (12 OF 18)

Ambridge 18/35 Beaver 17/46 Beaver Falls 22/44 Blackhawk 41/65 Central Valley 43/57 Hopewell 29/51 New Brighton

20/35

Riverside

22/38

Rochester 9/33 South Side

24/39

West Allegheny 64/85 Western Beaver

8/30

Now, Blackhawk grad Andy Podbielski is a sophomore at Bucknell, a place that has provided a different kind of environment, one not so filled with assumptions about the academic capabilities of athletes, especially football players. Those looks he used to get when he walked into a classroom are gone now. But that doesn’t mean he forgot about them. ‘All of the other football players didn’t look like football players,” he said. “I got that stereotype right off the bat. (Teachers) grew to like me over time. I could see in their face, they were a little scared. I changed their minds over the course of the year.’

I6 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

AMBRIDGE

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 4 of 35 (11.4%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 9 (25.7%)

At least 2 honor rolls 14 (40%)

At least 1 honor roll 18 (51.4%)

CLASS AAA PARKWAY CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 3-6, 3-5 COACH: DAN BRADLEY SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Baldwin

7:30

Sept. 11

at Hopewell

Sept. 18

Moon

7:30

Sept. 25

West Allegheny

7:30

Oct. 2

at Central Valley

Oct. 10

Montour

Oct. 16

at New Castle

7:30

Oct. 23

Blackhawk

7:30

Oct. 30

at Chartiers Valley

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 118.8 Passing Offense 154.6 Total Offense 273.3 Scoring Offense

23.3

Scoring Defense

30.2

Based on nine-game regular season; Defensive statistics were not available

BREAKING DOWN THE BRIDGERS

In a conference that has been dominated by West Allegheny, Central Valley and Montour recently, Ambridge could be ready to take the next step into the upper echelon of the Parkway this season. The Bridgers have experience, depth, size and speed. After so many years being down, the Bridgers must prove they have the confidence to take advantage of the possible winning hand they’ve been dealt.

PAT GREGORY

HOPING HE HAS

THE ANSWERS BRIDGERS’ POTENTIAL COULD EQUAL A POSTSEASON BERTH, AND GREGORY WILL HELP PUT THEM ON THE CORRECT PATH Story by Jim Equels Jr.

Photo by Sally Maxson

BY JIM EQUELS JR.

OFFENSE Several key players return for Ambridge, including its entire offensive line, starting quarterback and several dynamic receivers. Guard Pat Gregory was all-Parkway a year ago and will be joined by Jake Morotti, Micah Jarrett, John Prentice and Tim Tindall. Dual-threat Austin French returns at quarterback, and the Bridgers have speed to burn at receiver with Isaac Elliott. He’ll be joined by Jamay Wellington, Isaiah McNair, Davion Jones and tight end Nate Scott. DEFENSE Ambridge returns 10 starters on defense, led by Scott and Jarrett up front, along with linebackers Tre Thomas, Tariq Jones and Davion Jones. Elliott leads the secondary along with McNair, Romnn Shell and Jordan Taylor. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicking and punting are still a work in progress. The speedy Elliott will return kicks.

ROSTER ON PAGE I7

Pat Gregory always seems to be playing games. It’s not that Gregory isn’t a serious individual. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound behemoth is an honor student at Ambridge who also excels on the football field, where he was named first team all-conference as an offensive lineman in the Parkway Conference. But when Gregory isn’t playing games on the football field, he spends time playing games of the academic variety. Gregory, a guard and defensive tackle for the Bridgers, is an active participant in the Academic Games League of America, which conducts a series of academic competitions on both the local and national levels. Gregory began competing in elementary school and has continued to participate through high school. “It was something I started doing when I was younger and I really enjoyed it, so I kept going,” Gregory said. “I still do very well at it.” Participants compete in one or more of six different academic games events. Mathematics, language arts and social studies are the core subjects for the various games.

Players first learn to play at their schools, and then compete against students from other schools in their local area. Winners move up to regional events and the national tournament. Gregory has competed in national events in Orlando and Cincinnati. “Academics have always been emphasized in our family,” Gregory said. “My dad always made sure I was putting the work in.” “That’s a unique student-athlete,” Ambridge coach Dan Bradley said. “He’s the type of kid who applies himself 100 percent no matter what he’s doing.” At the moment, Gregory is applying himself to help the Bridgers reach the WPIAL playoffs in Bradley’s second year as coach. Ambridge was 3-6 a year ago but ended the season with two consecutive victories. “I’m working out a lot,” Gregory said. “I’m going to the gym about five times a week trying to get stronger. Our team got better and better every week last year, and we want to try and pick up where we left off. We’re better this week than we were last week. We’re definitely jelling as a team.” “He’s the glue on the offensive line,” Bradley said. “He’s very versatile. We can move him from guard to center to tackle if we needed to, and that flexibility is invaluable.” Gregory would like to be a physician assistant, and is getting feelers from several Division II and Division III schools such as Seton Hill, Baldwin Wallace, Wooster and Shippensburg. He has secured his college future academically, and Gregory feels his experience in the Parkway Conference has prepared him for the athletic rigors of college football. “I don’t think there is a better conference,” Gregory said. “We’ve played against guys like (Alabama’s) Robert Foster and (Pitt’s) Jordan Whitehead and a lot of other Division I players. That can only prepare you. It’s a grind in our conference, but you push yourself and you do it and it just makes you better.”

AMBRIDGE QB AUSTIN FRENCH Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | I7 AMBRIDGE ROSTER

RECRUITING INSIDER

SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Gorman, Austin

K/P

5-11 165

Gregory, Pat

OL/DL

6-3 255

ALIQUIPPA RB KAEZON PUGH

Jarrett, Micah

OL/DL

6-6 336

Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

Marotti, Jake

OL/DL/LS 6-7 280

Prentice, John

OL/DL

6-1 233

Scott, Nate

TE/LB

6-1 211

Stuebgen, Dru

OL/DL/LS 5-10 200

Thomas, Edward III

TE/LB

5-11 179

Tindall, Tim

OL/DL

6-1 282

Wellington, Jamay WR/CB

6-3 166

JUNIORS

CLASS OF 2016 Kaezon Pugh, Aliquippa Pitt, WVU, Maryland Terence Stephens, West Allegheny Committed to Bowling Green Jason Dambach, Riverside Pitt, New Hampshire, YSU, Villanova Chris Callaghan, Central Valley Lafayette, Bucknell Others to watch (according to ESPN) Ryan Clemens, G, Moon; Nick Ioanilli, LB, Ellwood City; Matt Dunning, RB, Moon; Laturne Beasley, TE, Aliquippa; Draper Gilliam, DB, Aliquippa; Justin Buckley, G, Moon. CLASS OF 2017 Donovan Jeter, Beaver Falls Ohio State, Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Nebraska, Michigan State, Maryland, Tennessee, Temple, Toledo, Syracuse Darius Wise, Beaver Brigham Young, Ohio State, Pitt, WVU

Pos Ht Wt

Airhart, Tyus

OL/DL 5-11 208

Elliot, Issac

WR/S

5-11 163

French, Austin

6-4 205

Hopkins, Cole

K/P

5-11 160

Jones, Deontae

WR/CB 5-10 185

Jones, Davion

RB/LB

5-11 184

Morelli, Vince

TE/LB

5-10 173

Raha, Kaleb

OL/DL 5-10 290

Scott, Josh

OL/DL

6-0 205

Shell, Romnn

RB/S

5-9 170

Shepherd, Taeon

RB/LB

5-8 197

Shotter, John

OL/DL 5-11 237

Zikefoose, Joe

RB/LB

SOPHOMORES

6-0 172

Pos Ht Wt

Crumb, Dozhay

WR/CB

6-1 144

Duzicky, Dillon

OL/DL

5-6 170

Elliot, Daniel

RB/S

5-7 148

Jones, Tariq

RB/LB

6-1 228

King, Brenden

WR/S

5-8 134

King, Maleke

OL/DL 5-10 160

McNair, Isaiah

WR/S

5-9 150

Paleani, Luigi

WR/S

5-6 121

Revis, Eric

WR/S5-11 164

Robinson, Mahki

RB/LB

5-8 150

Seymour, Laconia

WR/CB

5-8 128

Taylor, Jordan

RB/S

5-6 161

Thompson, Rob

WR/S

5-5 94

Zaraspe, Marco

RB/LB

5-9 163

FRESHMEN

Pos Ht Wt

Campalong, Noah

QB/LB 5-11 185

Cunnard, Dillon

OL/DL

5-7 157

Dunlap, Jacob

RB/S

5-0 107

Ellis, Dwain

OL/DL 5-10 200

Flannigan, Omarri

OL/DL 5-11 196

George, Keanoe

WR/CB

Harmon, Torrel

OL/DL 5-10 308

Jarret, Montell

RB/CB

5-5 124

5-8 150

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TO ALIQUIPPA Go Bridgers! QUIPS’ FERTILE RECRUITING GROUND GIVES UP ANOTHER BLUE CHIPPER Story by Jim Equels Jr.

College recruiters have come to know the way to Aliquippa High School. In the last decade alone, the school has produced three players -- Darrelle Revis, Jonathan Baldwin and Tommie Campbell -- who have gone from Aliquippa to college football and on the NFL. Once again, Aliquippa has the top college prospect in The Times’ coverage area. Running back/safety Kaezon Pugh received numerous college offers and has narrowed his choices to Pitt, West Virginia and Maryland. He will announce his choice on Oct. 19, his mother’s birthday. “Being from Aliquippa has helped me through the process,” Pugh said. “All of the coaches have been through it before, and so were my stepbrother and my cousin.” Revis, who played at Pitt and is now an All-Pro with the New York Jets, is Pugh’s stepbrother, while his cousin is West Virginia safety Dravon Henry. Obviously, each has a vested interest in Pugh’s decision. “They both want me to go to their schools,” Pugh said. “But they also want me to pick the place that’s the right fit for me.” The area’s other top senior prospect is West Allegheny running back Terence Stephens, who has made a verbal commitment to Bowling Green. After Pugh and Stephens, however, the area’s Division I prospects drop off significantly. The player poised to potentially make a jump with a good season is Riverside quarterback Jason

Dambach. A 6-foot-2 senior, Dambach’s size alone could lead a larger school to consider making an offer. As a junior, Dambach put himself in the Division I conversation, passing for a single-season school record of 2,324 yards. He also shattered four additional school records: touchdown passes in a season, 18; longest touchdown pass (to Logan Sheridan), 99 yards; career passing yardage, 3,194 yards (with one season left to play); and yards passing in a game, 377. Dambaugh has also been selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-Star Game in Tampa in January. Another senior quarterback who could become a significant recruit is Central Valley’s Chris Callaghan, who passed for more than 1,000 yards last season as the Warriors’ backup quarterback. As for the Class of 2017, the area boasts two of the top players in the state, one of whom has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in the country. Beaver Falls defensive tackle Donovan Jeter has 11 offers, including one from defending national champion Ohio State. Jeter is the brother of Pitt basketball player Sheldon Jeter. The other top junior prospect is Beaver athlete Darius Wise. Wise has an offer from Brigham Young, and has also heard from Ohio State, Pitt and West Virginia. “This is an exciting time,” Wise said. “It hasn’t gotten crazy yet, but I’m sure it will. But I look at it as a blessing. God gave me some abilities that will allow me to have an opportunity to play football and get a college education. It’s up to me to make the most of that.”

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I8 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

INSIDE THE WPIAL We were doing so well. We picked 39 of last season’s 48 playoff teams from Classes AAAA, AAA and AA, but only picked nine of the 16 in Class A. That brought us down to 70.3 percent, a little below last year’s 79.7 percent success rate. We’ll try to do better this time. COMPILED BY BILL ALLMANN

Class AAAA Northern Eight 2015

2014

Pittsburgh CC

7-0

11-2/6-1

North Allegheny

6-1

8-3/5-2

Pine-Richland 5-2 15-1/7-0 North Hills

4-3

6-4/4-3

Fox Chapel

3-4

4-6/3-4

Seneca Valley

2-5

2-7/2-5

Butler

1-6 2-7/1-6

Shaler

0-7 0-9/0-7

Hopewell

4-4 0-9/0-8

Moon

3-5 4-6/4-4

New Castle

3-5

Blackhawk

1-7 3-6/2-6

Chartiers Valley

0-8

4-6/4-4

2-7/2-6

McKeesport

7-1 10-2/7-1

Plum

5-3 6-5/5-3

Norwin

4-4 5-5/4-4

Hempfield

4-4 3-6/2-6

Altoona

4-4 8-3/6-2

INSIDE THE LEAGUE > Central Valley and West Allegheny have been the best in Class AAA for a few years now. Although graduation hit both hard, the weeks of extra practice during the playoffs will help the players who are called on to fill in. ... The rest of the conference struggled defensively last year, so Ambridge could benefit behind junior quarterback Austin French, who passed for more than 1,400 yards last season. ... Montour will benefit from the running of David Haseleu. The Spartans will still be solid despite an injury to starting quarterback Randall LaBrie. ... Hopewell, Moon and Blackhawk have new coaches, so which team adjusts quickest could have a playoff impact.

Latrobe

3-5 1-8/1-7

Greater Allegheny 2015

Kiski Area

1-7

Mars

7-1 7-4/5-3

Connellsville 0-8 3-7/3-5

Hampton

6-2 9-2/7-1

Southeastern

2015

2014

Gateway

5-3 4-6/4-4

Woodland Hills

7-0

8-3/6-1

Franklin Regional 5-3

Penn Hills

6-1

7-3/6-1

Knoch

4-4 4-6/4-4

Mt. Lebanon

5-2

5-5/4-3

Indiana

3-5 7-4/5-3

Bethel Park

4-3

6-4/5-2

x-Armstrong 2-6 --/--

Upper St. Clair

3-4

4-6/4-3

Hollidaysburg 2-6 4-5/3-5

Baldwin

2-5 3-6/2-5

Greensburg Salem 1-7

Peters Twp.

1-6

Big Nine

Foothills

2015

2014

Penn-Trafford 8-0 11-1/8-0

0-9/0-8

2-7/1-6

2014

7-4/6-2

3-6/2-6

2015

2014

Canon-McMillan 0-7 0-9/0-7

Thomas Jefferson 9-0

Class AAA

Ringgold

8-1 10-2/7-1

West Mifflin

6-3

6-4/5-3

Parkway

2015

2014

11-1/8-0

Central Valley

8-0 15-1/11-0

Belle Vernon

6-3

5-5/5-3

West Allegheny

7-1

Laurel Highlands 4-5

4-6/4-4

Ambridge

5-3 3-6/3-5

Trinity

Montour

5-3 7-3/6-2

Elizabeth-Forward 3-6 3-6/3-5

11-2/7-1

4-5 4-5/3-5

Ruin Your Bank Account!

CENTRAL VALLEY WON THE WPIAL TITLE IN CLASS AAA LAST SEASON, AND COACH MARK LYONS AND HIS WARRIORS ARE THE FAVORITES TO WIN THE PARKWAY CONFERENCE AGAIN THIS SEASON.

Century

Photo by Sally Maxson

Uniontown

3-6 1-8/1-7

Albert Gallatin

1-8

y-Yough

1-8 0-9/0-8

0-9/0-8

Class AA Midwestern

2015

2014

Aliquippa

8-0 12-1/7-0

Beaver Falls

7-1

Beaver

6-2 7-3/6-2

Ellwood City

4-4

4-5/3-5

y-Quaker Valley

4-4

5-5/5-4

New Brighton

4-4

6-4/6-2

Laurel

2-6 4-5/4-4

Freedom

1-7 2-8/1-7

Mohawk

0-8 2-7/2-6

7-3/6-2

INSIDE THE LEAGUE >Aliquippa has been to the championship at Heinz Field so many times, most of the students in the district’s elementary school have never known anything else. With Kaezon Pugh and DiMontae Bronaugh in the backfield, they can return again. ... Beaver Falls is still young but very talented and will threaten the Quips with Donovan Jeter up front and Derrell Carter in the backfield. ... With Darius Wise,

Stop in and See the Professionals Today! UNION BUILDING

Beaver is in scoring position anytime there is a football on the field. ... One of the most interesting battles of the season will be for fourth place in the conference. Ellwood City has Nick Ioanilli, New Brighton has playoff experience and Quaker Valley was solid last year. The wild card is that Quaker Valley is coming from the Century Conference so it has no experience with these teams. Then again, these teams don’t have experience with the Quakers, either. ... Laurel was hit hard by graduation and Mohawk was the last team to get a new coach. ... Freedom has more experience than last year but is still playing catch up with the rest of the conference.

2015

2014

South Fayette

8-0

16-0/9-0

Deer Lakes

3-5

1-8/1-8

Seton-La Salle

7-1

10-2/8-1

y-Summit Acad.

2-6

0-9/0-8

Steel Valley

6-2

6-4/6-3

Burrell

1-7 0-9/0-9

South Park

5-3

8-3/7-2

West Shamokin

0-8

5-5/4-5

Sto-Rox

4-4 1-8/1-8

Interstate

2015

2014

East Allegheny

3-5

4-6/4-5

Washington

8-0 11-1/8-0

Keystone Oaks

2-6

3-6/3-6

Mt. Pleasant

7-1

South Allegheny 1-7

2-7/2-7

McGuffey

6-2 7-3/6-2

Waynesburg

5-3 6-4/5-3

Carlynton Allegheny

0-8 0-9/0-9 2015

2014

Apollo-Ridge 4-4 9-2/8-1

8-3/7-1

Burgettstown 4-4 3-6/3-5

Highlands

8-0 10-1/9-0

Southmoreland 3-5 4-5/4-4

Freeport

7-1 5-4/5-4

Charleroi

2-6 2-8/1-7

Derry

1-7 4-6/2-6

Brownsville

0-8 1-9/0-8

Shady Side Acad. 6-2 Valley

6-4/6-3

5-3 3-6/3-6

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | I9

Class A Big Seven

2015

2014

playoffs despite being outscored by 150 points. ... OLSH was young last year and offense was a challenge, but experience can put the Chargers right back into the mix.

Neshannock

7-0 11-1/7-0

Riverside

6-1 6-5/4-3

South Side

5-2

Rochester

4-3 3-6/1-6

Beth-Center

8-0 9-1/8-0

Vincentian

3-4 2-7/2-5

Frazier

6-2 8-2/7-1

Shenango

2-5 7-4/6-1

Carmichaels

5-3 3-6/3-5

Western Beaver

1-6

Avella

4-4 5-5/4-4

Union

0-7 1-8/1-6

7-4/5-2

2-7/2-5

INSIDE THE LEAGUE > Neshannock was the only team last year with a winning season the year before and the Lancers made the most of the experience. Now they have even more winning experience. ... Riverside’s Jason Dambach was fifth in the WPIAL in passing last year and the four ahead of him graduated. Plus, his leading receiver -- Ricky Wass -- is back. ... South Side was the surprise team of the WPIAL last year, and although Nathan Block graduated, the team’s confidence and coach Glenn McDougal return. ... Rochester started its comeback last year behind a strong running game, and Montrail Strozier returns to lead the Rams. ... Vincentian was in the playoff hunt until the final week last year and should be in the running again. ... Shenango was strong last season but graduated a number of key players. ... Western Beaver and Union are in similar situations: They were once high-level programs, but smaller enrollment numbers have made it difficult to have the depth to compete for a nine-game season. Black Hills

2015

2014

North Catholic

7-0

11-1/7-0

Avonworth

6-1 11-2/6-1

Chartiers-Houston 4-3 5-5/4-3 Brentwood

4-3 6-4/5-2

Northgate

3-4 4-6/2-5

OLSH

3-4 1-8/1-6

Fort Cherry

1-6

3-6/2-5

Bishop Canevin

0-7

2-7/1-6

INSIDE THE LEAGUE > The top of the Black Hills Conference is the best in Class A. Avonworth reached the WPIAL title game a year ago, and North Catholic has as much talent as any team in the class. ... This is probably North Catholic’s last year in Class A since its new school has opened since the last reclassification. ... After those two teams, though, the conference is very balanced. All six teams had negative point differential, and Chartiers-Houston reached the

Tri-County South 2015

2014

Jefferson-Morgan 4-4 4-5/4-4 Mapletown

4-4 7-3/6-2

Bentworth

4-4 3-6/3-5

California

1-7 1-9/1-7

West Greene

0-8

1-8/0-8

2015

2014

Eastern Clairton

8-0 15-1/8-0

Greensburg CC

7-1

Jeannette

6-2 9-2/7-1

Springdale

5-3 6-4/5-3

Monessen

4-4 4-5/4-4

Leechburg

3-5 2-7/2-6

Riverview

2-6 4-5/3-5

Wilkinsburg

1-7 1-8/1-7

Serra

0-8 1-8/1-7

5-5/5-3

x-First-year team y-Played in a different conference in 2014

2014 WPIAL Playoffs CLASS AAAA Championship Pine-Richland 21, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 13 Semifinals Pine-Richland 42, McKeesport 7 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 52, PennTrafford 34 Quarterfinals Pine-Richland 49, Altoona 7 McKeesport 20, Plum 5 Penn-Trafford 35, North Allegheny 31 Pittsburgh CC 28, Woodland Hills 0 First Round Pine-Richland 63, Connellsville 6

Altoona 27, Bethel Park 17 Plum 17, Penn Hills 6 McKeesport 35, Mt. Lebanon 10 Penn-Trafford 40, Fox Chapel 13 North Allegheny 24, Upper St. Clair 0 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 42, Norwin 7 Woodland Hills 41, North Hills 2 CLASS AAA Championship Central Valley 35, West Allegheny 28 Semifinals Central Valley 41, Ringgold 13 W. Allegheny 41, Thomas Jefferson 7 Quarterfinals Central Valley 41, Indiana 14 Ringgold 21, Hampton 20 (OT) Thomas Jefferson 28, Mars 13 W. Allegheny 37, Franklin Regional 14 First Round Central Valley 48, Laurel Highlands 26 Indiana 42, West Mifflin 12 Hampton 33, New Castle 14 Ringgold 24, Gateway 14

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CLASS AA Championship South Fayette 31, Aliquippa 22 Semifinals South Fayette 35, Seton-La Salle 21 Aliquippa 44, Washington 26 Quarterfinals South Fayette 39, South Park 21 Seton-La Salle 28, Highlands 21 Aliquippa 40, Mt. Pleasant 0 Washington 58, Apollo-Ridge 30 First Round South Fayette 65, Waynesburg 6 South Park 21, Beaver 20 Highlands 24, New Brighton 19 Seton-La Salle 20, McGuffey 0 Aliquippa 55, Kittanning 20 Mt. Pleasant 38, Shady Side Acad. 0 Washington 34, Steel Valley 7 Apollo-Ridge 58, Beaver Falls 40

Photo by Sally Maxson

CLASS A Championship Clairton 46, Avonworth 14 Semifinals Avonworth 28, North Catholic 21 Clairton 48, Neshannock 42 Quarterfinals North Catholic 20, South Side 6 Avonworth 31, Riverside 14 Clairton 68, Shenango 7 Neshannock 46, Jeannette 32

First Round North Catholic 69, Avella 13 South Side 26, Frazier 12 Riverside 21, Beth-Center 20 Avonworth 34, Mapletown 0 Clairton 62, Chartiers-Houston 3 Shenango 35, Springdale 7 Neshannock 48, Greensburg CC 3 Jeannette 50, Brentwood 19

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Thomas Jefferson 49, Moon 14 Mars 42, Montour 27 West Allegheny 38, Knoch 0 Franklin Regional 20, Belle Vernon 0

BOBBY CASHAW (88) AND HIS ALIQUIPPA TEAMMATES WEREN’T THRILLED WITH THE RESULT OF LAST YEAR’S WPIAL CLASS AA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (THEY LOST TO SOUTH FAYETTE), BUT IT WAS THE TEAM’S SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE APPEARANCE IN THE TITLE GAME.

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I10 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

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J2 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

BEAVER

HONORABLE MENTION All four honor rolls 7 of 46 (15.2%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 10 (21.7%)

At least 2 honor rolls 14 (30.4%)

At least 1 honor roll 17 (37%)

CLASS AA MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 7-3, 6-2 COACH: JEFF BELTZ

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Easton, Drew

OL/DL

Karas, John

OL/DL 5-10 205

Mamone, Chase

6-1 255

WR/OLB 6-2 165

Neeley, Alex

OL/DL

Sweed, Brandon

WR/DB 5-11 170

Talorico, Sam

WR/ILB 5-9 165

Valent, Mike

WR/ILB 6-1 185

JUNIORS

6-2 295 ROSTER

Pos Ht Wt

Adams, John

OL/DL 5-11 205

Anzevino, Dante

RB/OLB 5-8 155

Apsokardu, Jason

RB/ILB

5-9 140

Beyer, Dave

WR/OLB 5-11 175

Cable, Chris

OL/DL 5-10 175

Gutierrez, Michael WR/OLB 5-9 155 Hyrb, Christian

WR/DB 5-10 160

Lampadarios, Nick

OL/DL 5-11 255

Patton, Hayden

WR/OLB 6-1 165

Pontoli, Landon

QB/DB

Stewart, Astian

WR/DB 5-10 145

Sullivan, Pat

OL/ILB

Wallace, Karter

OL/DL 5-11 275

Weaver, Micah

WR/OLB 5-11 185

5-9 165

6-1 190

Williams, Te’Vierre

RB/DB

Wise, Darius

QB/DB 5-11 170

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Alexander, Deante WR/DB Allen, Rashaad Barker, Brad Benard, Zach

5-9 155

6-1 155

OL/DL 5-11 220 WR/OLB 6-0 170 RB/DB

5-8 135

Bullian, Jeff

WR/OLB 5-8 135

Cable, Travis

OL/DL 5-10 170

Connelly, Will

PK/WR

Grundberg, Nick

WR/OLB 6-2 175

Horne, Mike

WR/DB 5-10 150

Ledbetter, Ben

WR/DB

5-9 145

Leichliter, Jake

RB/ILB

5-9 160

Mateer, Dustin

WR/DB

5-9 140

Neish, Oliver

WR/DB 5-10 155

Nuzzo, Dom

RB/DB

Pittner, Seth

WR/DB 5-11 150

Ramer, Bryce

OL/DL

Rowse, Nik

QB/DB 5-10 145

Singleton, Justin

OL/DL 5-10 190

Wallace, Tyler

WR/DB 5-11 150

Williams, Te’Vonn

RB/DB

FRESHMEN

6-2 165

5-7 135

6-3 210

5-7 135

Pos Ht Wt

Bates, Chuck

OL/DL

5-8 170

Carr, Ed

WR/ILB 5-8 135

Charlier, Louis

OL/DL 5-11 190

Davis, Derrick

WR/DB 5-10 130

Harper, Bailey

WR/DB

5-8 130

Hansen, Zack

WR/DB

5-9 160

Kelly, Ronan

OL/DL

6-2 265

Lipinski, Matt

WR/DB

5-9 135

List, Brodie

QB/ILB

6-0 165

Mavero, Gino

RB/DB

5-8 145

Naber, Abe

OL/DL

5-9 185

Peroni, George

WR/DB 5-10 150

Pontoli, Harrison

QB/DB

5-9 155

Rose, Mason

WR/DB

6-1 145

Slipko, Shane

OL/DL 5-10 160

Yates, Noah

WR/ILB 5-9 160

Zorich, Charlie

WR/DB

5-9 145

LANDON PONTOLI

OPERATING

THE SYSTEM JUNIOR WILL MOVE INTO ROLE AS A SLOT RECEIVER, AND HE BELIEVES IT’S A WISE MOVE Story by Jim Equels Jr.

Photos by Kevin Lorenzi

ver the past few seasons, Beaver has employed a complex, multi-dimensional offense, producing mind-boggling numbers that would seemingly take a computer to decipher. Or, at least a computer-like mind. Landon Pontoli has such a mind. Pontoli plays an instrumental role in Beaver’s Student Technology Assistance Program, an innovative one-to-one iPad initiative that is beginning its third year in the district. In the program, students manage wireless networks and support the iPad initiative from troubleshooting to repair. Students also conduct community, parent, peer and staff training on myriad subjects. Pontoli sees the correlation between his academic and athletic lives. “It’s definitely helped from a leadership perspective,” Pontoli said. “It keeps your mind sharp.” Despite being an accomplished athlete at Beaver, academics has always taken precedence. “Absolutely,” Pontoli said. “My parents wouldn’t have it any other way.” While Pontoli spends much of his time trouble-shooting computer issues, things don’t get much easier in the athletic arena. That’s because Pontoli is going to play various roles in Beaver’s complex offense. Pontoli’s abilities on the football field are in his bloodlines at Beaver. His father, Joe, played quarterback and in the secondary for the Bobcats in the mid-1980s and was named to The Associated Press all-state team as a defensive back in 1984. Pontoli’s uncle, Jason Stacy, was also a quarterback at Beaver in the mid-1990s. Father and son played in vastly different eras. While Landon plays in coach Jeff Beltz’s wideopen spread offense, his father played for the legendary Pat Tarquinio, who preferred the running game. “The biggest thing I know about my Dad as a quarterback was that he didn’t get to pass much,” Pontoli joked. Pontoli was in a position to possibly continue that family

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time

legacy because he was Beaver’s backup quarterback last season as a sophomore. But Beaver has one of the best players in the WPIAL on its roster in Darius Wise, and Beltz moved him to quarterback in an effort to get the ball in his hands as often as possible. That being the case, Pontoli will take on somewhat of a “Slash” role for Beaver, moving to the slot receiver while also taking snaps as the Bobcats’ backup quarterback. “He’s in a unique situation,” Beltz said. “He grew up as a quarterback, but now he finds himself on a team with a tremendously diverse athlete in Darius who has a unique skill set. Landon understood that and was more than

Sept. 4

at Brownsville

Sept. 11

at Quaker Valley

Sept. 18

Beaver Falls

Sept. 25

New Brighton

Oct. 2

at Mohawk

Oct. 9

Aliquippa

Oct. 16

at Laurel

Oct. 23

at Freedom

Oct. 30

Ellwood City

7:30

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 211.8 Passing Offense 152.9 Total Offense 364.7 Rushing Defense 169.4 Passing Defense 102.0 Total Defense 271.4 Scoring Offense

40.2

Scoring Defense

19.4

Based on nine-game regular season

PONTOLI, PAGE J3

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | J3

Beaver’s Pontoli shows he can operate the system PONTOLI, from J2

willing to play receiver and also take reps at quarterback. He found his niche on this team. He’s been so impressive to the coaching staff that we have to get him on the field. Essentially, we’re going to have two quarterbacks

on the field at the same time, which open up a lot of possibilities.” “I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team,” Pontoli said. Beltz has seen another impressive aspect of Pontoli in addition to his academic skills and athletic prowess.

“Competition always brings out the best in players, but it also shows their character,” Beltz said. “That’s been true with Landon on both counts. I’ve never seen him work harder than he has this year, but he’s also shown what a tremendous young man he is.”

BREAKING DOWN THE BOBCATS

Darius Wise could put up video game-like numbers this season, at least against teams that aren’t Aliquippa and Beaver Falls. Beaver has qualified for the playoffs eight consecutive years and should be in a position to do so again. The Bobcats are also laying the groundwork for 2016, as Beaver has just seven seniors on its roster.

OFFENSE Beaver will truly have the opportunity to score on any play from anywhere on the field with Wise at quarterback. Wise has proven to be one of the more dynamic players in the WPIAL over the past two seasons and now will touch the ball on every play. He will be complemented in the backfield by returnees Te’Vierre Williams and Dante Anzevino. Beaver will also be dangerous at receiver with Chase Mammone, Christian Hyrb and Landon Pontoli. Six-foot-two, 295-pound Alex Neeley anchors the offensive line.

Year

Class

Champion

Opponent (District)

Score

1988

AAAA

Pittsburgh CC

Cedar Cliff (3)

14-7

1989

AAAA

Upper St. Clair

Wilson (3)

12-7

1990

AAAA

North Allegheny

Ridley (1)

21-14

1991 AA Aliquippa

Hanover (2)

27-0

1993

AAAA

North Hills

Central Bucks West (1)

15-14

1993

Duquesne

South Williamsport (4)

24-21

1994

AAAA

McKeesport

Downingtown (1)

17-14

1995

AAAA

Penn Hills

Lower Dauphin (3)

35-14

1995

Farrell

Southern Columbia (4) 6-0

1996

Farrell

Southern Columbia (4) 14-12

1997

South Park

South Williamsport (4) 20-0

1998 A

Rochester

Southern Columbia (4) 18-0

1999 A

South Side

Southern Columbia (4) 27-2

2000 A

Rochester

Southern Columbia (4) 22-14

2001 AAA West Allegheny

Strath Haven (1)

28-13

2001

Washington

Pen Argyl (11)

19-12

Rochester

Southern Columbia (4) 16-0

2001 A

2002 AAA Hopewell

Strath Haven (1)

21-10

2003 AA Aliquippa

Northern Lehigh (11)

32-27

2004

AAAA

Pittsburgh CC

Neshaminy (1)

49-14

2004

AAA

Thomas Jefferson

Manheim Central (3)

56-20

2005

AAAA

McKeesport

Liberty (11)

49-10

2005

AAA

Franklin Regional Pottsville (11)

23-13

2005

South Park

Wilson Area (11)

28-17

2006

AAAA

Upper St. Clair

Liberty (11)

47-13

2007

AAAA

Pittsburgh CC

Parkland (11)

21-0

2007

AAA

Thomas Jefferson

Garnet Valley (1)

28-3

2007

Jeannette

Dunmore (2)

49-21

2008

AAA

Thomas Jefferson

Archbishop Wood (12) 34-7

2009

Clairton

Bishop McCort (7)

15-3

2010

AAAA

North Allegheny

La Salle College (12)

21-0

2010

Clairton

Riverside (2)

36-30

2011

Clairton

Southern Columbia (4) 35-19

BEAVER QB/DB DARIUS WISE

2012

AAAA

North Allegheny

Coatesville (1)

63-28

Photo by Sally Maxson

2012

Clairton

Dunmore (2)

20-0

2013

North Catholic

Old Forge (2)

15-14

2013

South Fayette

Imhotep (12)

41-0

2014

South Fayette

Dunmore (2)

28-16

DEFENSE Beaver returns seven players who saw considerable playing time a year ago, led, of course, by Wise. He will be joined in the secondary by Williams. Anzevino and Micah Weaver return at linebacker, while Neeley will be joined by Karter Wallace and Drew Easton on the defensive line. SPECIAL TEAMS Will Connelly, who was 10 of 10 in extra points in a limited role last season, will kick for Beaver. The punting chores are a work in progress, according to Beltz, while Wise and Williams will return kicks.

BY JIM EQUELS JR.

STATE CHAMPS FROM THE WPIAL

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J4 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

BEAVER FALLS

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 9 of 44 (20.4%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 11 (25%)

At least 2 honor rolls 13 (29.5%)

At least 1 honor roll 22 (50%)

CLASS AA MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 7-3, 6-2 COACH: RYAN MATSOOK SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Freedom

Sept. 11

at Southmoreland

Sept. 18

at Beaver

7:30

Sept. 25

Mohawk

Oct. 2

at Laurel

Oct. 9

Ellwood City

Oct. 16

Quaker Valley

Oct. 23

at New Brighton

Oct. 30

Aliquippa

ROSTER

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 286.7 Passing Offense 88.9 Total Offense 375.6 Rushing Defense 150.9

SHAWN CONWAY

Passing Defense 114.8

SINGING A

Total Defense 265.7 Scoring Offense

32.9

Scoring Defense

25.8

WINNING TUNE

Based on nine-game regular season

SENIOR HOPES TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE Story by Bill Allmann

ing,” said Conway, who is competing for playing time along both the offensive and defensive lines for the Tigers. “I like the competition in football but definitely playing in front of a lot of people is more nerve-wracking for me.” No matter how nervous it may make Conway, though, he and his teammates plan on playing in front of a lot of big crowds this season and would like to include a trip to Heinz Field. The Tigers are blessed with a lot of size and skill up front on the lines, led by prized recruit Donovan Jeter. Even with five players who started

Photos by Lucy Schaly

t didn’t bother Shawn Conway to sing multiple solos in the Beaver Falls High School musical presentation of “Godspell” last spring. He played the role of John the Baptist. But playing in front of big crowds at football games ... that makes the junior nervous. And excited at the same time. “I don’t even notice the people when I’m sing-

BEAVER FALLS COACH RYAN MATSOOK Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

CONWAY, PAGE J5

Good Luck

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& HAVE A

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | J5

ROSTER SENIORS

Conway, Tigers sing winning tune

Blair, Ryder

WR/OLB 5-8 150

Denbow, Jim

WR/CB 5-10 170

Gardner, Will

RB/CB 5-10 150

Jackson, Chuckie

TE/OLB 6-2 155

Langston, Mike

OL/DT 5-11 230

Koch, Cade

RB/MLB 6-0 175

Moore, Akari

RB/MLB 5-11 170

Thompson, Dalton

T/DT

5-10 250

Whaley, Malique

TE/DE

6-4 220

JUNIORS

BREAKING DOWN THE TIGERS

The Tigers are deep and talented but young, as well. Playing in the same conference as Aliquippa sets up an epic battle between the two teams at Reeves Field on Halloween weekend. “The Quips are on top until we beat them,” Tigers coach Ryan Matsook said. “It’s been a good off-season. We’ve had the best off-season attendance we’ve had, but we still have to show improvement.”

CONWAY, from J2

on the line a year ago, the competition for playing time is intense. “We have a lot of big bodies, and the best five will start,” said coach Ryan Matsook. “The same guys competing on the offensive line are competing on the defensive line. Shawn is in the mix both ways.” Conway has some catching up to do because he didn’t play youth football because of weight limits and only began the sport in eighth grade. Then, he didn’t play in ninth grade because his mother didn’t want it to affect his grades. He convinced her to try again, and his grades haven’t suffered. He’s maintaining a 3.9 GPA while taking advanced placement classes that included homework over the summer. In addition, he is on the swimming team in the winter, and there is the play and track and field in the spring. “There’s no free time,” said Conway, who has found the time to be class president and the junior rep to the National Honor Society. “But the grades have to come first. Usually, we lift right after school and then practice until 6 o’clock. Then, it’s on to homework because I get a ton. In the spring, it’s tough. I qualified in track in the shot and discus last year but didn’t go because of the schedule. “It feels great to be playing football. It’s a little harder for me because I have to keep up with guys who have been playing longer – that’s my goal to keep learning the fundamentals to keep up because everyone is bigger, faster, and stronger.” That’s not Conway’s only goal. Eventually, he’d like to be a surgeon, possibly a neurosurgeon. But, before that, there’s football this year. “I’m excited to be working hard and see what we can do this year.”

Pos Ht Wt

BY BILL ALLMANN

OFFENSE After averaging more than 33 points per game last season, the Tigers have plenty of weapons and, more importantly, a strong line returning. Five players with starting experience return up front. Competing for playing time inside will be Seth Gosseck, Matt Gandy, Raquan Crowder, Mike Langston, Shawn Conway, Mark Wildes and Jacarri Cleckley. The Tigers will also use two tight ends, where Malik Whaley, Nate Stratton and Division I prospect Donovan Jeter played extensively last year. “We’ve used two tight ends for a while and there is no need to deviate,” said Matsook. “We have big bodies to choose from. Staying healthy will be a bug thing for us.” Behind those big bodies, Beaver Falls will have a number of weapons. Injuries last year allow for returning experience, led by running backs Derrell Carter and Torian Leak. Carter rushed for more than 600 yards last year and averaged 9.8 yards per carry and 16.3 yards per reception. Leak averaged 12.3 yards per carry. Last year’s starting quarterback, Dalton Cleckley, is now in the mix at wide receiver. Malik Shepherd, Adam Brady and Neshaud Akins are competing at quarterback. DEFENSE After allowing 58 points in a playoff loss to Apollo-Ridge last season, Matsook won’t have any trouble getting his players to focus on improvement. Jeter will be the player opponents will game-plan around, but he’s not alone. “We did lose two seniors from the defensive line but all those competing along the offensive line will be competing for time on the defensive line, too, except Jacarri (Cleckley),” Matsook said. “Donovan can play anywhere along that defensive line, you could see when he was in middle school that he’d be a football player. He has good feet and such athleticism.” The reason Cleckley isn’t competing along the line is that he is the top returning tackler at linebacker. Others expected to see time at linebacker include Mason Carothers, Cody Long, Wildes, Dante Collins, Cade Koch and Caiden Cook. In the secondary, Carter returns at free safety after picking off four passes, returning one for a score. The corners also return in Leak and Akins. Also expected to see action in the secondary are Shepherd, who picked off three passes, Cleckley and Amen Cottrill.

Pos Ht Wt

Akins, Neshaud

RB/CB 5-8 155

Brown, Jacey

T/DT

5-8 170

Burrell, Dwayne

WR/CB 6-0 150

Carothers, Mason

RB/OLB 5-9 175

Carter, Derrell

RB/FS 5-11 150

Cleckley, Dalton

QB 5-11 170

Cleckley, Jacarri

TE/MLB 5-11 190

Crowder, Raquan

T/DE

Gosseck, Seth

OL/DE 6-0 270

Gandy, Malcolm

TE/MLB 6-0 170

Gandy, Matt

T/DE

6-3 270

6-3 280

Hill, Daunte

QB/OLB 6-0 170

Howard, Devon

TE/MLB 5-8 140

Jeter, Donovan

DE/TE

Long, Cody

RB/OLB 5-10 160

Stratton, Nate

TE/OLB 6-2 175

Wildes, Mark

OL/MLB 5-9 200

6-5 280

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Ciriello, Leslie

G/DE

5-6 150

Karczewski, Sean

WR/CB 5-7 140

Johnson, Jon

RB/CB 5-5 130

Leak, Torian

RB/CB

5-7 160

Pisano, Joe

T/DT

5-10 270

Shepherd, Malik

WR/FS 5-11 160

Waybright, Jeremy

T/DE

SPECIAL TEAMS When the need arises, Koch and Shepherd have punted in the past and will be called upon again. Carothers has handled the placekicking duties at times in each of the past two years and he, Brady or Shepherd will do so again. Kicking at Beaver Falls is a little more of a challenge since its home field is Geneva’s Reeves Field and the goal posts are narrower. The return game is in the capable BEAVER FALLS hands of Carter, Leak, Shepherd and RB DERRELL CARTER Cottrill.

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J6 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

BLACKHAWK

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 23 of 65 (35.4%)

At least 3 honor rolls 33 (50.7%)

At least 2 honor rolls 35 (53.8%)

At least 1 honor roll 41 (63%)

CLASS AAA PARKWAY CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 3-6, 2-6 COACH: JOE LAMENZA SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

at Moon

Sept. 11

Central Valley

7:30

Sept. 18

New Castle

7:30

Sept. 25

at Chartiers Valley

Oct. 2

at Hopewell

Oct. 9

West Allegheny

Oct. 16

at Montour

Oct. 23

at Ambridge

7:30

Oct. 30

Canon-McMillan

7:30

7:30 7

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 142.1 Passing Offense 80.2 Total Offense 222.3 Rushing Defense 144.6 Passing Defense 112.3 Total Defense 256.9 Scoring Offense

12.8

Scoring Defense

31.4

AUSTIN JAVENS

DETERMINE A

Based on nine-game regular season

DIFFERENCE

BREAKING DOWN THE COUGARS

Blackhawk has some athletes, and new coach Joe Lamenza said his team is deep at the skill positions. The fact that Blackhawk plays in one of the WPIAL’s strongest conferences, the Parkway, doesn’t lend itself to on-the-job training, so how fast the Cougars adjust to the new coach and a new system will tell the tale of this season.

NEW COACH MAKES SEASON DIFFERENT, BUT SENIOR’S PHILOSOPHY HASN’T CHANGED Story by Jim Equels Jr.

OFFENSE This is where Blackhawk will be noticeably different. Gone is the pro-style offense that former coach Joe Hamilton employed, replaced by a spread, no-huddle attack that Lamenza favors. Kyle Price and Mike Savilisky are splitting the snaps at quarterback until a starter emerges. Austin Javens will be the tailback but will also be used in a variety of spots. A pair of seniors return at wide receiver in Tristan Stewart and Justin Strecker. Two senior starters return along the offensive line: Brendan Deluca and Brandon Butcher.

SPECIAL TEAMS The kicking game is a question mark. Lamenza is auditioning several of Blackhawk’s soccer players in the role. Stewart will punt for the Cougars. Javens, who has three 80-plus yard kick returns in the last two years, will be the primary returner. ROSTER ON PAGE J7

Photo by Lucy Schaly

ustin Javens has seen the correlation between athletic and academic success. “Whether its been in sports or in school, the work I’ve put in to it has had an effect on the results,” Javens said. A high-honor student at Blackhawk with his sights set on the Ivy League after graduation, Javens has also been a contributor to the Cougars varsity since his freshman season. In fact, Javens has set the bar high since his first year at the high school. He has lettered in three sports each year — football, hockey and track — while maintaining a 3.7 grade-point average. Entering his senior year, it’s all routine for the 5-foot-10, 170-pound running back/defensive back. “I definitely work hard at it,” Javens said of his success in the classroom and in athletics. “But its not a burden. You make time for both, and you get the work done. You learn how to cope and do well at both.” His senior year will be remembered at Blackhawk. It will be Year 1 of the Joe Lamenza era. Lamenza takes over for longtime coach Joe Hamilton, who stepped down after 39 seasons of leading the Cougars. “It’s definitely different, but we’re getting used to it,” Javens said. “Different conditioning, different preparation, differ-

BY JIM EQUELS JR.

DEFENSE Six starters return for Blackhawk, which will be led by its secondary. Javens and Strecker return at the corners, and Stewart will play safety. Deluca returns at inside linebacker, and Alex Desmond is back on the outside. Butcher will anchor the defensive line.

BLACKHAWK QB KYLE PRICE Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

ent offense and defense. He relates well and he brings a lot of new elements. It’s an exciting time.” Javens also feels he and his fellow seniors have an additional leadership responsibility in the coaching transition. “A lot of the younger guys have no idea what to expect, but in a way it’s going to be new for all of us,” Javens said. “But this is definitely a situation where the upperclassmen, espeBLACKHAWK cially the seniors, have to step up COACH JOE and lead. I try to be a leader by example, and I’ve done that since my LAMENZA freshman year. I’ve always been one Photo by Kevin Lorenzi to get out an do it, and hopefully others feed off that.” Last season, Javens did a little bit of everything for Blackhawk in various roles. He rushed for 321 yards and had 247 yards receiving. He is also a dangerous kick returner. In 2013, he returned back-to-back kickoffs 85 and 81 yards, respectively, against New Castle and added a 90-yard kickoff return for a score last season. Javens’ success on the field and in the classroom has resulted in several opportunities at the next level. Javens favors schools from the Ivy League and has attended prospect camps at many of those institutions. Javens’ grandmother is long-time Beaver County treasurer Connie Javens, and his uncle, Mark Javens, won WPIAL and PIAA championships as the basketball coach at Lincoln Park and a junior college national championship as the coach at CCBC. Javens knows his last name, coupled with his athletic abilities, doesn’t exactly make him anonymous, at least not in Beaver County. “I’m just trying to live up to my family’s legacy and maybe add a little something to it,” Javens said.

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TIMES TRAVELING TROPHY

LAST YEAR’S WINNER RETURNS, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ALIQUIPPA’S DiMANTAE BRONAUGH REPEATS Story by Bill Allmann

For the last couple of years, The Times Traveling Trophy hasn’t had to travel too far. Aliquippa’s Dravon Henry earned the title in 2013 before taking his talents to West Virginia, but the trophy stayed at Aliquippa after DiMantae Bronaugh scored 134 points in the regular season last year for the title. Bronaugh returns to defend that title, but it won’t be without competition and some of the toughest will come from the Aliquippa backfield. Kaezon Pugh scored 86 in the regular season (ninth-best in the area) before a strong postseason push. Given the Quips’ strength in the backfield, Aliquippa likely will score a lot this year, but with this pair potentially splitting scoring opportunities, it’s possible that both cold have good years and the Traveling Trophy could still find a new home. The most obvious threat will come from Beaver’s Darius Wise, who scored 126 points last season (fourthbest) as he scored on offense, defense and special teams. Moving to quarterback this season will mean fewer receiving touchdowns, but the ball will be in his hands more often. Another player who will threaten because of his versatility is Ellwood City’s Nick Ioanilli. He also scored on offense, defense and special teams last season as he totaled 94 points to finish sixth locally. Three other local players also finished in the top 20 in The Times’ coverage area and could challenge for the title this year. Rochester’s Montrail Strozier finished 13th with 72 points last year, when he and Ishmael Tucker each gained 1,000 yards. Tucker has graduated, so Strozier may get more opportunities. West Allegheny’s D.J. Opsatnik was 18th last year with 54 points and is as strong a kicking candidate as ever, but, in the regular season, field goal opportunities just aren’t that plentiful. The final member of the top 20 to return is Derrell Carter of Beaver Falls, who scored 50 points as a sophomore last year despite being limited by injuries. Healthy and running behind a big line, Carter is a definite threat. Others darkhorse candidates are some top receivers on teams with outstanding returning quarterbacks -- Ricky Wass of Riverside, Isaac Elliott of Ambridge and Zacchaeus Humphries of Quaker Valley -- and players because of the natures of their offenses -- New Brighton’s R.J. Debo and Ambridge’s Romnn Shell.

BLACKHAWK’S ALEX DESMOND (LEFT) AND BRENT GARDNER AT A RECENT PRACTICE Photo by Kevin Lorenzi ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Bailes, Eric

Hunter, Spencer

OL/DL

OL/DL 5-11 300

Jaszear, Carl

Butcher, Brandon

OL/DL 5-10 232

Ceriani, Frank

OL/ILB

Kaszer, Dillon

WR/DB 5-11 159

TE/OLB 6-1 196

Rose, Bobby

WR/DB

5-8 150

Kincaid, Jeremy

TE/ILB 5-11 195

Scanlon, Eric

OL/DL

5-8 130

Krut, Jordan

WR/DB

6-0 175

Shroads, Danny

RB/DB

5-7 179

Deluca, Brendan

OL/ILB 5-11 226

McGee, Makyah

OL/DL

6-0 270

Stewart, Payton

QB/DB

5-7 134

Gardner, William

WR/DB 5-11 135

McKenna, Mark

WR/DB 5-11 143

Thayer, Ian

TE/ILB

6-0 173

Javens, Austin

RB/DB

Naper, Jacob

OL/DL

Yonlisky, Hunter

RB/OLB 6-0 175

Mihalko, Taylor

WR/DB 5-10 163

Peterson, Kyle

RB/OLB 5-9 188

FRESHMEN

Price, Kyle

QB/DB 5-10 164

Petti, Christian

WR/DB 5-11 177

Blinn, Hayden

RB/DB

5-6 129

Spratt, Colin

OL/DL

Pritchard, Aaron

OL/DL 5-10 206

Brown, Dylan

TE/ILB

5-8 170

Stewart, Tristen

WR/DB 5-10 181

Reichenbach, Andrew RB/OLB 5-9 174

Conforti, Nick

OL/DL

5-5 155

Strecker, Justin

WR/DB

Savilisky, Danny

WR/DB

5-7 135

Deluca, Chris

OL/DL

6-1 236

Tarr, Robert

WR/OLB 5-8 158

Savilisky, Michael

QB/DB

5-7 131

Fitzgerald, Tristan

WR/DB

5-9 151

Schaly, Colin

OL/DL

6-1 196

Frazier, Khalil

OL/DL 5-10 302

Smith, Dalton

WR/DB

6-0 153

Fye, Thaddeus

OL/ILB

5-8 225

5-5 188

Strati, Matt

WR/OLB 6-2 205

Gawley, Kenny

RB/DB

5-9 148

OL/DL

6-0 189

Wright, Caleb

Hildebrand, Dylan

OL/ILB 5-10 172

Campagna, Trentyn OL/DL

6-3 258

SOPHOMORES

Imler, Noah

WR/DB 5-10 142

Canon, Daizon

OL/DL

6-1 232

Adrian, Brett

OL/DL

5-4 152

Liptak, Chance

QB/OLB 5-10 195

Cerbus, Ryan

6-0 175

Bellia, Matt

RB/DB

5-8 150

Nicely, Austin

RB/ILB

Comley, Aaron

OL/DL

5-7 162

Butcher, DJ

OL/DL

6-0 280

Paliwoda, Damon

TE/OLB 6-0 170

Desmond, Alex

TE/OLB 5-11 200

Calior, Cole

RB/DB

6-0 160

Riggle, Brandon

TE/OLB 6-1 158

Dudo, Mick

OL/DL

6-0 330

Covney, Joey

5-8 150

Summers, Tyler

OL/DL 5-10 157

Gardner, Brent

RB/OLB 5-8 178

Dillon, Austin

OL/DL

5-5 186

Wade, Adam

TE/ILB

Greco, Mike

OL/DL

6-0 285

Gailey, C.J.

RB/OLB 5-10 151

Wright, Jarett

TE/OLB 6-0 171

Haney, Noah

RB/ILB

5-9 194

Haney, Tanner

WR/DB

5-9 150

Wright, Jordan

QB/OLB 6-0 192

Hartline, Stone

OL/DL 5-10 227

Hughes, Tanner

WR/ILB

6-0 158

Hill, Tyler

WR/DB

Johanson, Johan

OL/DL 5-10 243

Young, Scott JUNIORS

OL/DL

6-0 215

5-9 168

6-2 250

6-2 170

6-0 189

Pos Ht Wt

Antonini, Noah Brutout, Austin

OL/ILB

5-9 149

OL/DL

5-7 192

6-1 332

6-5 285

Pos Ht Wt

5-9 178

ALIQUIPPA RB DiMANTAE BRONAUGH

5-8 129

Photo by Lucy Schaly

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J8 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

CENTRAL VALLEY

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 22 of 57 (38.6%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 30 (52.6%)

At least 2 honor rolls 35 (61.4%)

At least 1 honor roll 43 (75.4%)

CLASS AAA PARKWAY CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 15-1, 8-0 COACH: MARK LYONS SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Montour

Sept. 11

at Blackhawk

7:30

Sept. 18

at Penn Hills

7:30

Sept. 25

Moon

Oct. 2

Ambridge

Oct. 9

at New Castle

Oct. 16

Chartiers Valley

Oct. 23

Hopewell

Oct. 30

at West Allegheny

7:30

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 222.0 Passing Offense 201.6 Total Offense 423.6 Rushing Defense 126.2 Passing Defense 60.1 Total Defense 186.3 Scoring Offense

47.8

Scoring Defense

13.8

Based on nine-game regular season

BREAKING DOWN THE WARRIORS

Coach Mark Lyons doesn’t necessarily like to use the term “rebuilding” to describe Central Valley. But semantics aside, the 2015 Warriors hardly resemble last year’s dream team. Gone via graduation are close to 20 seniors who had the right mix of talent and chemistry that carried them to a 15-1 record, a WPIAL Class AAA championship and a berth in the state final. Among those graduated seniors was all-state star Jordan Whitehead, who consistently made splash plays on offense, defense and in the kick return game. “There are expectations. There’s accountability when you put that helmet on,” Lyons said. “For these 60 guys who are ready to put that helmet on this year, we just want to do things the right way.” BY MIKE BIRES

OFFENSE Whitehead, who’s now at Pitt, will obviously be missed. So will seven other seniors who started on a potent offense that averaged 42.9 points per game last season.The centerpiece of this year’s offense will be quarterback Chris Callaghan, who threw for 1,358 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He’s a strong-armed senior who got plenty of snaps last year primarily when starting QB John George sat out with injuries. “Chris could have started for a lot of teams in the Parkway Conference last year,” Lyons said. “So we’re excited to see what he can do for us this year.” Replacing Whitehead, who rushed for 1,849 yards and 24 TDs last season, will be Kyle Vreen and a cast of other promising RBs who didn’t play much last year. Nick Mowad has the inside track on replacing rock-solid fullback Preston Johnson. At wide receiver, Kurt Reinstadtler returns after ranking second on the team last year with 24 receptions for 475 yards and five TDs last year. On the offensive line, center Preston Cron and tackle Brian Fleming are returning starters. WARRIORS, PAGE J9

JOHN MALY

HE’S ON QUITE

A STREAK MALY LOOKS TO BUILD HIS IMPRESSIVE ACADEMIC RESUME WITH A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE WARRIORS’ DEFENSE Story by Mike Bires

Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

ohn Maly has been a straight-A student for so long that he can’t remember the last time he received even a B on his report card. “I know I never had anything lower than a B,” he said. “Actually, I don’t think I ever had a B.” Maly, a tight end/outside linebacker on Central Valley’s football team, intends to keep that straight-A streak intact throughout his senior year of high school. “Academics have always been important to me,” said Maly, who, with a 4.0 grade-point average, ranks fourth in his class. “I like to challenge myself in the classroom. I try challenging myself by taking hard classes.” Maly will do that again this year by taking two Advanced Placement courses: Calculus and Physics 2. Advanced Placement is a program that offers college-level curricula and exams to high school students Maly is a member of the robotics club that builds small robots out of aluminum and titanium. He also plays saxophone for Central Valley’s marching band and concert band. “John is a great kid who’s very well-rounded,” said principal Tony Mendicino. “He’s so strong and so focused in the classroom. He challenges himself by taking the most rigorous classes we offer.” Maly enjoys all the classes he takes, but he especially likes math. He’s not sure where he’ll attend college, but plans on majoring in either chemical or mechanical engineering. He said that some of the keys to his academic success are paying close attention to what his teachers are teaching and getting as much homework done in study periods instead of “saving it all for when you get home. Get it done when you have time at school.” As far as football, Maly lettered last year on the Warriors’ 15-1 that won the WPIAL Class AAA title and didn’t lose until the PIAA final in Hershey. He got playing time as a reserve and on special teams. Maly, who’s 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, will split time this season with Adam Scassa at tight end and at one of two outside linebacker spots in Central Valley’s 3-4 defense. “John is a very dedicated young man,” said CV football coach Mark Lyons. “You have to be dedicated to get the kind of grades he gets in the classroom. “He bided his time last year as one of the reserve players on our football team. This year, he’s going to get the chance to play a lot of football for us. We’re glad he’s on our team.”

CENTRAL VALLEY WR KURT REINSTADTLER Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | J9

COACHES WHO TEACH ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Callaghan, Chris

QB/DB

6-3 188

Fleming, Brian

T/NG

6-2 265

Hodgetts, Grant

TE/ILB

6-0 185

Jaber, Saad

WR/OLB 5-11 170

Knox, Derrick

WR/DB

Maly, John

5-9 150

TE/OLB 6-3 185

Meckling, Scott

T/NG

Mowad, Nick

FB/ILB 5-10 190

Reinstadtler, Kurt

WR/DB

6-0 175

G/DE

6-2 223

Ross, Tyrone Scassa, Adam

6-1 265

TE/OLB 6-1 200

Schmidt, David

Sims, Maurice

6-0 170

WR/DB 5-10 180

Stewart, Brandon

T/NG

5-10 301

Vreen, Kyle

RB/DB

5-11 165

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

SOPHOMORES Battisti, Nico Cron, Preston

Pos Ht Wt QB/OLB 6-1 176 C/NG

5-10 245

Jugan, Brendan

5-10 155

Latshaw, Curtis

QB/DB

5-9 155

Livingston, Warren

G/DE

6-1 225

Lovy, Matthew

WR/ILB 6-0 170

Medina, Lorenzo

WR/DB

6-0 145

Moldovan, Chris

WR/DB

5-7 125

Neill, Eric

C/G/DE 6-2 245

Nichol, Alex

WR/OLB 5-9 150

Santia, Danny

RB/OLB 5-8 180

Schafer, Michael

C/G/ILB 5-8 210

Sloan, Luke Thomas, Micah

T/DE

6-0 220

WR/DB 5-10 140

Verrico, Vinnie

G/DE

6-0 197

Wagner, Cole

RB/ILB

6-0 207

Walker, Tyler

WR/DB

5-8 145

Bradley, Deante

WR/DB

6-0 160

FRESHMEN

Pos Ht Wt

Drake, Cameron

WR/DB

6-1 155

Covert, Isaac

T/NG

Fabianich, Blake

G/DE

5-9 210

Martin, Tyler

TE/OLB 5-9 155

Goff, Matt

G/DE

5-10 265

McClelland-Quick, Hunter G/NG

5-7 220

C/G/DE 6-1 285

Mendicino, Anthony WR/DB

5-9 155

Halfhill, R.J. Kendrick, Fredrick

200

T/NG

6-0 375

Ramsey, Matthew

TE/OLB 5-8 155

WR/DB

6-3 155

Schad, Nathan

WR/DB

5-7 127

Kunselman, Robbie RB/ILB

5-8 175

Shively, Jesse

RB/ILB

5-9 168

Nichol, Kyle

G/DE

5-8 195

Southwick, Damian WR/DB 5-10 155

Parise, Josh

WR/DB

5-8 150

Thompson, Noah

Preda, Zach

G/DE

5-10 222

Toth, Joey

T/DE

5-1 275

Reese, Andrew

QB/DB 5-11 160

Troy, Brice

G/NG

5-8 190

Tatalovich, Aris

WR/DB

5-9 158

Watkins, Devin

G/DE

5-9 195

Turkall, Ryan

T/DE

6-4 289

Woods, Terry

RB/ILB

6-0 235

Kostosky, Keith

TE/OLB 5-7 160

‘WE’RE TEACHING ...

LIFE LESSONS’ FOOTBALL COACHES STILL TEND TO BE SCHOOL TEACHERS OR ADMINISTRATORS, WHICH IS A BENEFIT TO THE ATHLETES Story by Joe Sager

Teaching is synonymous with coaching for most local football coaches. For many, the field is only an extension of the classroom. Around the county, most high school head coaches are active or retired teachers or administrators. That’s how it is at South Side, where Glenn McDougal has taught physical education for more than 20 decades at the elementary, middle and high school level. “Football or any high school sport is an educational process,” McDougal said. “We’re teaching not just football, but life lessons, discipline, responsibility and commitment. All those things carry over in the classroom and in life. “Our job is to take these boys and turn them into men and prepare them for life in the real world. Yeah, I want them to learn the Xs and Os of football, but it’s more important to teach them about life lessons and belonging to something that’s bigger than them. We have a hard time with that in our society with all this individualism now.” And being around the football players during the school day gives teachers/coaches an advantage. “Being in school, you get to have more input in the overall education process. You get a chance to see the kids as students and are able to talk to them about their classes, staying on their grades and pushing them in the classroom. I can talk to other teachers who have them and they can talk to me,” McDougal said. “Yeah, you can have an impact as a football coach, but I think we can have an impact on the kids so much greater than the game of football. “A lot of schools are hiring outside people and a lot of them are great coaches. I just don’t know how they do it. The discipline, the grades, everything, it’s hard to keep up. You show up to practice, someone has to communicate to you what is going on in the school when you’re an outside coach.”

New Blackhawk football coach Joe Lamenza has been a teacher and a coach for more than a decade. He’s coached at West Mifflin, Slippery Rock and Mohawk and spent time at Riverside, Beaver and Ellwood City as an assistant. He’s experienced teaching both inside and outside the district where he coaches. “When you’re in the school, you can interact with the players day in and out,” Lamenza said. “If problems come up, you can put out little fires throughout the day. If the players need you, they can find you. If the principal or teachers need to talk to you, they can find you. “When I wasn’t in the building, it just meant there was another layer to the communication and the communication process was slower. It typically wasn’t an issue with the players. Most of the things that came up could be handled by my assistant coaches in the school. It was mainly the administrative stuff that the athletic director or principal needed to get a hold of me for.” During the past four years, when he was the coach at Mohawk, Lamenza taught at Beaver. Now, as an English teacher at Blackhawk, he’s back in the school where he coaches. “It’s become harder to get a job in the same district where you coach,” he said. “Not all that long ago, if you got hired as a head coach, especially in football or basketball, school districts would see to it that you had a job in the school district. Schools are held accountable more than ever now.” Longtime football coach Tom Liberty taught and coached in the same school districts during his stints at Beaver Falls, Titusville and Quaker Valley. He spent many of his 35 teaching years as a coaching “outsider” at other locations as well. Heading into his fifth season at Riverside, he can appreciate both sides. One of his biggest challenges was getting to practice on time from his teaching job at Quaker Valley. “I was very fortunate when I got the job at Riverside, my principal at Quaker Valley during football season would allow me to move my prep period to the end of the day, so I went straight through with no breaks,” he said. “I did some bus duty and then was able to leave. If I didn’t have that privilege, it would be very difficult.”

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J10 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

A N A LY Z I N G F O O T B A L L AT T H E S C H O L A S T I C L E V E L

VIDEO REVIEW ADVANCED METRICS HAVEN’T PERMEATED HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL. YET. BUT VIDEO-SHARING SITE HUDL HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY COACHES PREPARE. Story by Andrew Chiappazzi

eruse a sports website these days and inevitably you’ll stumble across a statistics page that more closely resembles a bag of scrambled Scrabble

tiles: WAR. FIP. DVOA. CORSI. Stats have been around sports since the beginning, but their advanced analysis is rapidly expanding. It’s penetrated every major sport; even golfers can break their games down to numbers like greens reached in regulation and strokes gained-putting. Where baseball is the standard bearer in the pros, basketball fully embraced a more analytical approach at the college level, with other sports slowly following suit. That leaves the high school level as the last frontier of the analytical revolution. Sites like Maxpreps and applications like GameChanger have helped put basic statistical information in the hands of team personnel, but there hasn’t been a full analytical explosion. Even without the creation of new statistics like those found at FootballOutsiders.com, high school coaches are leaning on a new tool to analyze the game. Hudl, which was founded in 2006 but has rapidly grown at the high school level over the last few years, is a web service that allows coaches to upload, break down, annotate and share film with just a few clicks. Nearly every school in the WPIAL participates on some level. “It’s the best tool that has been created right now for high school and college coaches, our level and what we need,” Quaker Valley coach John Tortorea said. “I don’t know how we lived without it.” During Quaker Valley’s time in the Century Conference the last few years,

Tortorea noticed many of the Quakers’ opponents relying on technology to find an edge. Hudl was a major component of that technology. “Some teams in our old conference had technologies that gave them a significant advantage during the game,” Tortorea said. “It’s all legal. They’re just smarter than everyone else, and they used it.” The system is relatively inexpensive -Quaker Valley’s subscription plan runs $900 per season, though other plans creep closer to $3,000 -- yet it allows coaches to break down plays to specific parameters, produce lengthy reports on play-calling, and even annotate plays for player review. “When I was up at Robert Morris with (former coach) Joe Walton and (former assistant Dan Radakovich), I got exposed to those systems that the pros use,” Blackhawk coach Joe Lamenza said. “You can’t get any better than what Hudl

gives you. It’s essentially a pro system.” Lamenza said the system helps him understand what plays are ultimately used in games, speeding up the installation process in the off-season. New Brighton coach Joe Greco said that by understanding what his team does particularly well, he can fine tune his teaching in practice, a crucial element in the Lions’ no-huddle offense. “You have to be flexible (with the offense) in-game, and I like that better,” Greco said. “The preparation becomes more about you than the opponent.” Tortorea quipped that someone will eventually come up with a new set of stats at the high school level. It’s seemingly inevitable. But for now, the advanced analysis at the high school level isn’t about the numbers. It’s about understanding the game at a different level. “It’s not just the statistics,” Lamenza said. “It’s the statistics in relation to what you’re doing.”

NEW BLACKHAWK COACH JOE LAMENZA TOOK MUCH OF HIS GAME PREPARATION TECHNIQUES FROM HIS TIME AS AN ASSISTANT COACH AT ROBERT MORRIS UNDER JOE WALTON. Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

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K2 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

ELLWOOD CITY

BREAKING DOWN THE WOLVERINES

Ellwood City has optimism with some of its top players back from last year’s 4-5 team. The squad features two strong running backs in Nick Ioanilli and River Kelly as well as mobile quarterback D.J. Barrett. However, the Wolverines are in a tough MAC race once again. “I have a great senior group with great leaders. They are taking the bull by the horns. Their enthusiasm is contagious and they’re getting the young kids involved. We have a great, great mental approach right now,” coach Don Phillips said.

CLASS AA MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 4-5, 3-5 COACH: DON PHILLIPS SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Quaker Valley

Sept. 11

at New Brighton

Sept. 18

at Aliquippa

Sept. 25

Freedom

Oct. 2

at Burgettstown

Oct. 9

at Beaver Falls

Oct. 16

Mohawk

Oct. 23

Laurel

Oct. 30

at Beaver

7:30

BY JOE SAGER

2014 STATS

OFFENSE Barrett, a senior, is back to direct the offense. The Wolverines don’t pass much, but are capable. Barrett is not afraid to keep the ball in the option game. He rushed for more than 300 yards last year. “He brings a whole year of experience and he is stronger and quicker. He has shown a lot of good leadership,” Phillips said. Ioanilli and Kelly form a strong backfield. Ioanilli ran for more than 1,000 yards last year and led the team in receptions. Kelly can block or run.“Those two kids present quite a challenge for teams we will play. They are a good one-two punch,” Phillips said. The Wolverines have depth at running back with Norman Ballard, James Cunningham, Andrew O’Brien, David DeLoia, Toby Kelly and Colton Cunningham among those who could see carries. Carlo Agostinelli, Logan Gibbons, Justin Baney, Alex Marshall, O’Brien and Ballard are the other top receivers. The Wolverines are trying to develop depth on the offensive line.

Rushing Offense 244.8 Passing Offense 38.9 Total Offense 283.7 Rushing Defense N/A Passing Defense 94.7 Total Defense N/A Scoring Offense

26.5

Scoring Defense

28.2

Based on nine-game regular season

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Agostinelli, Carlo

WR/DB

5-8 150

Barrett, D.J.

QB/DB 5-11 170

Ballard, Norman

RB/DB 5-10 160

Baney, Justin

WR/DB

6-4 195

Brown, Shawn

OL/DL

6-2 280

Cortez, Devin

5-8 188

Cunningham, James RB/LB

5-9 170

Deloia, David

RB/LB

5-11 182

Foreman, Adam

OL/DL

6-3 270

Gibbons, Logan

WR/LB

6-0 170

Ionilli, Nick

RB/LB

6-2 210

Jefferson, Keanu

OL/DL

6-0 180

Kelly, River

RB/LB

6-0 230

Romanio, Vincent

WR/DB 5-11 160

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Agostinelli, Anthony OL/DL

5-9 205

Alberts, Tyler

WR/DB

5-8 177

Fraser, Mitch

OL/DL 5-10 217

Keally, Max

WR/DB 5-11 150

Marshall, Alex

WR/LB 5-10 162

Reece, Jordan

QB/DB 5-11 170

Russo, Nate

WR/LB 5-11 160

Stevenson, D-shon OL/DL SOPHOMORES

5-8 245

Pos Ht Wt

Ables, Joel

OL/DL

5-8 230

Battaglia, Angelo

RB/DL

5-9 155

Bender, Josh

WR/DB 5-10 140

Borison, Noah

OL/DL 5-10 210

Botti, Luca

WR/DB

6-1 150

Confer, Logan

OL/DL

5-9 175

Jefferson, Jonathan RB/LB

6-0 195

Kelly, Toby

RB/LB

5-10 190

O-Brein, Andrew

RB/LB

6-0 165

Reisinger, Shane

QB/DB

5-9 155

Spadafore, Dominick OL/DL

6-2 220

Sturgeon, Seth

OL/DL 5-10 170

Wright, Dylan

RB/DB

FRESHMEN

RIVER KELLY

EVERYTHING

HE’S GOT CEREBRAL FULLBACK’S EXAMPLE SHAPING WOLVERINES’ QUEST TO RETURN TO POSTSEASON Story by Joe Sager

Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

s a fullback, River Kelly helps Ellwood City’s other running backs by clearing a path as the lead blocker. In the classroom, he makes sure to tackle the books, too. “I have been really trying to set myself up for success in the future,” he said. “I have been trying to work hard on the field as well.” Wolverines coach Don Phillips is not surprised that Kelly thrives on the field and in school, where the senior has a 3.5 GPA. “He’s not a very vocal kid, but he does lead by example,” he said. “The kids see someone working very hard and devoting himself to his teammates and learning to be the best football player he can be. Also, he is a very strong academic student.” Kelly also plays linebacker for Ellwood City, a position that Phillips thinks is a perfect fit for Kelly’s mentality. “He wants to play and gets to the ball and he is a good tackler,” Phillips said. “The heart, desire and passion are there. He never short-changes his teammates. He plays snap to whistle. When you leave the field, you know you have everything he’s got.” Kelly will be a key part of the team’s offense this year after rushing for 255 yards last year. “In some of the option game, he is a power runner up inside. If the read is there and he gets the ball, he’s got it. He is a very good blocker, too,” Phillips said. “He is a big, physical kid. He put on extra 10 pounds in the form of muscle and power. With Nick Ioanilli and D.J. Barrett, those three give us some weapons. I am excited to see the things they will be able to do this year.”

5-8 140

Cunningham, Coulton RB/LB

5-6 165

Gatto, Keyshawn

RB/DB

5-9 140

Pitrelli, Rick

RB/LB

5-8 165

Sesti, Rocco

WR/LB

5-9 155

Ellwood City

s e n i r e v l o W

GOOD LUCK WOLVERINES!

Pos Ht Wt

Chambers, Donavin RB/DB

Kelly enjoys playing both sides of the ball. “It’s really hard to choose a favorite position,” he said. “I really like tackling and I like to have a chance to run through the line and be able to help the team out in any way. He excels in the weight room, too. Part of MAC weightlifting championship teams the past two years, Kelly is a force for Ellwood City. “He is a great kid and a powerhouse. He is very powerful,” Phillips said. “He is a pleasure to coach.” Kelly has found a way to devote himself to academics and athletics. “I really strive for doing my best in everything. I really try my hardest in school. Without school, you can’t really do much,” he said. “Trying to balance it gets chaotic. I have a good system of how I get through everything. Just recently, I got inducted into the National Honor Society. The second I saw that, I was so happy. There was a lot of emotion.” Kelly hopes to continue his education next fall. Phillips knows he will succeed. “There are a lot of doors open to him and he can go to whatever direction he chooses,” he said.

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DEFENSE River Kelly and Ioanilli return at linebacker, which is a position of strength for the Wolverines. Jonathan Jefferson, James Cunningham, Keanu Jefferson and DeLoia could see time as well. Luca Botti, Agostinelli, Baney, Ballard, O’Brien and Barrett are in the secondary. Barrett did not play defense last year. Ellwood City is using different players to help build some line depth. “The kids have been gracious to go down and work on the line. I am very proud of that attitude,” Phillips said. SPECIAL TEAMS Devin Cortez returns at kicker, while Gibbons and Baney are working at the position as well. Ioanilli punted last year and could handle the duties again. The team has depth at long snapper, with six different players capable of handling it.

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | K3

FREEDOM CLASS AA MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 2-8, 1-7 COACH: TIM DUBOVI SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

at Beaver Falls

Sept. 11

Mohawk

7:30

Sept. 18

Laurel

7:30

Sept. 25

at Ellwood City

Oct. 2

at Quaker Valley

Oct. 10

New Brighton

Oct. 16

at Aliquippa

Oct. 23

Beaver

Oct. 30

Charleroi

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 37.7 Passing Offense 138.9 Total Offense 176.6 Scoring Offense

17.0

Scoring Defense

39.7

Based on nine-game regular season; Defensive statistics were not available

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Borgman, Erich

QB/OL 5-11 180

Handyside, Kenny

TE/FB

6-1 190

Hartley, Joe

FB/LB

5-8 170

Johnson, Cole

OL/DL 5-11 165

Libinati, Cory

OL/LB 5-11 180

Petracelli, John

TE/LB

5-11 180

Pinkerton, Jake

RB/LB

5-8 190

Prosek, Tyler

OL/DL

6-1 265

Simoni, Dominic

OL/DL

6-3 215

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Alford, Austin

TE/FB

6-2 240

Crawley, Warren

OL/LB

5-10 215

6-1 165

Henderson, Nick

RB/LB

6-0 180

Herzog, Jordan

K/LB

5-6 170

Kraus, Christian

RB/LB

5-8 150

Komara, Kody

RB/DB

5-6 155

Lazarus, Scotty

TE/DB

6-1 180

Leasha, Austin

OL/DL

5-9 225

Simmons, Randy

OL/DL

6-0 200

Sweesy, Evan

OL/DL 5-11 230

Trombetto, Noah

OL/DL 5-11 180

Ward, Dean

OL/LB 5-10 165

Wolf, Noah

QB/DL 5-10 165

Greene, Zach

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Blinn, John

OL/DL

6-1 205

Borgman, Kyle

OL/DL

5-9 185

Conforto, Shawn

OL/DL 5-10 230

Heavens, Callum

OL/DL

5-9 156

Johnson, Brett

WR/DB

5-9 145

Keith, Michael

OL/DL 5-10 145

Muron, Michael

RB/DB

Norman, Jason

5-7 155

BREAKING DOWN THE BULLDOGS

IT’S A NEW

After a two-win season in 2014, the Bulldogs are ready to take the next step. Four three-year starters will be returning to the defensive side while there are plenty of skill players on offense to put some points on the board. Coach Tim Dubovi said after a few years of being pushed around, his players are ready for a change.

DIMENSION FOR FREEDOM, THE ADDITION OF A KICKING SPECIALIST STRENGTHENS THE SPECIAL TEAMS Story by Steve Brenner Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

ne shot was not enough, so Zach Greene is trying again. The Freedom soccer star who saw immediate success on the football field wants

more. Greene was named the MAC’s all-conference punter and secondteam kicker. As a junior, he wants to make it a clean sweep. Even after a stellar sophomore season, Greene has spent the offseason learning how to turn the punting game into a weapon for the Bulldogs’ defense. While kicking success should come this season -- Greene converted 19 of 21 extra point tries and made all four field goal attempts last season -- the punting game has made a lot of strides thanks to the extra work he has put in. Greene has spent a good portion of the off-season under the tutelage of Sam Watts, a kicking instructor based in Buffalo. He has made trips to receive lessons, and Watts has made trips to the area to give Greene personal lessons. “I’ve changed my steps, the workouts I’ve done to get stronger,” Greene said. “He’s changed my whole technique.” And for a team that is looking to improve on defense, the kicking game can help. Freedom is no longer a team that employs one of its better athletes to simply punt the ball as far as they can. Greene has an array of punts he can use in any situation to help put his defense in the best position possible. All of which he has picked up

after just a year in the game. “Punting can be a weapon because I can lock them down inside the 20, and they have a longer drive to the end zone,” said Greene, who is also still playing on Freedom’s soccer team. “A lot of teams don’t have a specialist as good as he is,” said coach Tim Dubovi. Dubovi doesn’t see much of his kicker during the week but said he knows he is putting in the required work. Greene is typically at football practice from 2:30 until 4:15 to work on special teams, individual work and some conditioning, then it’s off to soccer, where he is also a standout on a team that is making strides to improve. With a few years left to develop his game, Dubovi said Greene has the chance to kick at the next level but may have to make the ultimate decision between soccer and football. And while soccer is his first passion, football has become a part of Greene’s life, and while he is able, he will continue to enjoy both. “I really enjoy it,” said Greene. “This is my second year doing it, the coaches talked me into it last year, but I really enjoy it. It’s a lot more than I thought it would be. But it’s a lot of fun. It’s my goal to be all-conference for both this year.”

BY STEVE BRENNER

OFFENSE Noah Wolf will handle the snaps for the Bulldogs and will have plenty of options once the ball is in his hands. Erich Borgman, Jake Pinkerton and Dean Ward will all see time in the backfield because the team will employ a running back-by-committee. Allconference receiver Nick Henderson and Cole Johnston will line up on the outside, and Austin Alford will see some time at tight end. Randy Simmons, Austin Leasha and Tyler Prosek will anchor the offensive line. DEFENSE The strength of the Freedom defense will be the linebackers. Pinkerton, Ward and Henderson are all returning starters. Noah Trombetto and Kyle Borgman will round out the fiveman group. Erich Borgman and Cole Johnston will see time in the secondary. Randy Simmons, Kenny Handyside and Austin Alford are projected impact players on the defensive line. SPECIAL TEAMS Zach Greene will handle the kicking and punting responsibilities. Erich Borgman and Nick Henderson will be the team’s primary returning threats.

FREEDOM WR NICK HENDERSON Photo by Dave Miller

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Schoedel, George

OL/DL 5-10 210

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OL/LB

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White, Daniel

OL/DL

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FRESHMEN

ZACH GREENE

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Freedom

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OL/DL

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K4 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

HOPEWELL

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 16 of 51 (31.3%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 19 (37.2%)

At least 2 honor rolls 25 (49%)

At least 1 honor roll 29 (57.9%)

CLASS AAA PARKWAY CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 0-9, 0-8 COACH: MARK WASHINGTON SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Chartiers Valley

Sept. 11

Ambridge

Sept. 18

at West Allegheny

Sept. 25

at Montour

Oct. 2

Blackhawk

Oct. 10

at McKeesport

Oct. 16

Moon

Oct. 23

at Central Valley

Oct. 30

at New Castle

ROSTER

7:30

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 168.7 Passing Offense 64.8 Total Offense 233.4 Rushing Defense 293.2 Passing Defense 113.3 Total Defense 406.6 Scoring Offense

12.3

Scoring Defense

45.3

Based on nine-game regular season

BREAKING DOWN THE VIKINGS

Mark Washington comes from Moon to help rebuild the Vikings, who have gone 1-17 the past two seasons. “We’re just working hard right now. That’s the main thing. We’re trying to rebuild the program and we have a long way to go. We’re getting used to each other and the players are buying in. We’re a really young team and we’re just trying to get everything in line,” Washington said. One advantage for Hopewell is that Washington is familiar with the program and Parkway Conference after spending the past four years directing the Tigers. BY JOE SAGER

OFFENSE Hopewell looks to get more going on offense as it averaged 12.3 points per game last year. “Our offense will be similar to what they had here, but we’ll probably throw the ball a little more than in VIKINGS, PAGE K5

A.J. TEMPALSKI

NOT LOSING

HIS FOCUS BALANCING A NEW COACH, A LEADERSHIP POSITION AND A RIGOROUS CLASS SCHEDULE IS NO PROBLEM FOR SENIOR Story by Joe Sager

Photos by Sally Maxson

djusting to a new head coach, a new offense and a new defense can be overwhelming for any high school football player. For A.J. Tempalski, the transition to first-year Hopewell coach Mark Washington and his systems has been a little less painful since he’s been able to transition his success in the classroom to the football field. “It’s been a lot different from getting a new coach and just starting all new. I know it’s been pretty hard for our team. Just the little things are different from coach to coach. We just have to clear our minds completely and listen to our coaches and focus,” he said. “Everything is flowing really easily for me, just from always focusing in in the classroom and just keeping my head straight. I’ve just been focusing when coach Washington talks. I am happy; it’s been coming easy for me.” Tempalski, a junior with a 3.98 GPA, has been doing his best to step in when his teammates have questions. “I have been trying to help everybody, even if they are not the same positon as me,” he said. “I try to listen up and help everybody and try to get the whole defense and offense on the same page.” Washington appreciates Tempalski’s willingness to pay attention and help out in the field. “He is a very smart kid and a hard worker. He will go 100 mph all the time,” Washington said.

“He is a leader for us on offense and defense. He is a really good kid. He’s a solid football player and a solid person.” A wide receiver and defensive back, Tempalski and his teammates are hoping a change works wonders for Hopewell, which is 1-17 over the past two seasons. “We are actually really excited. It’s hard having the past two seasons not go so well,” he said. “We’re all looking at this season as a positive. We’ve been working hard.” Also a standout hurdler, Tempalski hopes to maintain that balance between athletics and academics. “I take academics really seriously. I know once football is over, academics determine the rest of my life,” he said. “It is really rewarding to do well. It just feels good when you lay down at night and think about what you did that day. If something bad happens, you don’t try to dwell on it. I have a lot to be grateful for and I just work hard every day and look forward to the future.”

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | K5

COVER STORY T WO

THE NEXT

LEVEL HOPEWELL WR GRIFFIN CURRY (8) Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

VIKINGS, from K4

the past. We’re just a young team trying to find our way. We just want to be able to compete every week,” Washington said. Billy DePaul, an OLSH transfer, and Eli Loncar are battling for the quarterback job. Mirko Loncar returns at running back and will split time with Aliquippa transfer James Kimbrough and others “They are all pretty similar backs. We’ll just see who wants the football. After going 0-9 last year, we want to compete and show we have a heartbeat at Hopewell,” Washington said. … Leading receivers Griffin Curry, Chaz Bruce and A.J. Tempalski return. Kyle David, Tim Sabo and Austin Nuccetelli will see time at tight end. Jake Bible, Gino Cary, Devin Vorderbrueggen and Anthony Falletta are returning starters on the line. Noah Drudy is competing for snaps as well. DEFENSE The Vikings hope to shore up a defense that gave up 45.3 ppg, the most in the Parkway Conference last year. “We are running a similar defense. They are picking up. There’s a lot of teaching right now,” Washington said. Jake Bible, Cary, Vorderbrueggen and Falletta could see time on the line as well as Brandon Bible, Zeke Berner, Kimbrough, Nuccetelli and Drudy are rotating between the line and linebacker. “We have a lot of guys competing, so we’ll see who will rise to the top,” Washington said. Curry, Tempalski and Bruce all bring experience to the secondary. SPECIAL TEAMS Chase Morales returns as the team’s kicker. Curry punted last year. Derek Szymkowski could punt, as well. Curry, Tempalski and Loncar were the team’s top kickoff and punt returners last season and should see action once again.

ROSTER Pos Ht Wt

Jones, Chris

WR/DB

6-4 200

Batuinskes, Josef

WR/DB 5-10 160

Loncar, Eli

QB/WR

6-2 190

Berner, Zeke

RB/LB

5-6 170

Morales, Chase

6-0 170

Bible, Brandon

FB/LB

5-7 140

Roush, Eathan

OL/DL

6-3 290

Bruce, Chaz

WR/DB

6-1 185

Sabo, Tim

TE/DE

6-2 175

Cary, Gino

OL/DL

5-8 225

Sabo, Tyler

DE/LB

6-0 190

Conley, Shae

OL/DL

6-1 270

Salvati, Colton

RB/LB

5-10 190

Croll, Chas

OL/DL 5-11 185

Serapiglia, Brandon OL/DL 6-1 250

Curry, Griffin

WR/DB

6-2 175

Smith, Wes

David, Kyle

TE/DE

6-1 200

Drositis, Derek

WR/DB

5-7 150

Eichler, Neal

OL/DL

6-1 185

Grier, Ryan

WR/DB 5-11 170

Kimbrough, James

RB/LB

5-11 205

Krobot, Zack

TE/LB

5-11 155

Loncar, Mirko

RB/CB 5-11 185

SENIORS

SOPHOMORES

RB/DB

5-9 160

Pos Ht Wt

Bumgardner, Matt

OL/DL

5-7 151

Drudy, Noah

OL/DL

6-3 200

Marchionda, Chris

WR/DB

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Pifer, Alec

WR/DB 5-11 135

FRESHMEN

McElhaney, Robbie OL/DL 5-10 240

Bertucci, Frank

Nuccetelli, Austin

TE/LB

Capone, Andrew

Szykowski, Derek

RB/DB 5-11 170

Tembalksi, A.J.

WR/DB

Pos Ht Wt OL/DL

5-7 151

N/A

N/A N/A

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QB/DB

5-9 150

6-6 170

Forrest, Conner

OL/DL 5-11 180

Vorderbruggen, Devin OL/DL

6-4 290

Gilligan, Jake

WR/DB

5-8 120

Willis, Emmitt

5-8 160

Kovcic, Michael

RB/DB

6-0 180

Pos Ht Wt

Nichol, Garrett

N/A

5-9 190

JUNIORS

RB/DB

6-0 185

Bible, Jacob

OL/DL

6-2 230

Sanders, DeShawn RB/DB

6-0 170

DePaul, Billy

6-4 200

Swogger, Dillon

RB/LB

5-6 147

Falleta, Anthony

OL/DL

6-0 230

Ware, Brian

RB/LB

5-7 140

Hines, DeSeanTic

RB/DB 5-11 195

White, Zachary

WR/DB

5-8 138

Last year in his first season as a full-time starter, Dambach rewrote Riverside’s record book. He set five records: most passing yards in a season, 2,324; most touchdown passes in a season, 18; most passing yards in a game, 377; longest TD pass, a 99-yarder to wide receiver Ricky Wass; and career passing yardage, 3,194 yards. Liberty believes Dambach, who’s 6-foot-2 1/2 and 190 pounds, can be an even better quarterback this year. “I’ve watched Jason mature from sophomore to senior,” Liberty said. “We were at Pitt’s seven-on-seven (competition) earlier this summer and one of their coaches asked me, RIVERSIDE’S JASON DAMBACH ‘What’s the biggest thing you noticed that’s STORY BY MIKE BIRES different about him this year?’ “I said, ‘Maturity. His maturity and his knowledge of our offense.’ I mean, learning all that stuff is tough. We run South Fayette’s Unlike the NFL, star passers on the high offense. It’s called the ‘Air Raid.’ You have to school level aren’t referred to as “franchise” know your stuff, and he does. When we are at quarterbacks. But at Riverside, Jason Pitt’s seven-on-seven, we played a lot of Dambaugh fits the description. Quad-A teams. And Jason would say, ‘Coach, For as much as Tom Brady means to the they’re in four quarters (pass coverage). New England Patriots and Ben Coach, they’re in three quarters. Coach, Roethlisberger to the Pittsburgh Steelers, so, they’re playing a lot of man.’ too, does Dambach mean to Riverside. “Then he’d say, ‘We can run this pattern and He’s a talented athlete who zings the ball beat ‘em.’” with accuracy and consistency. He has the Dambach, who also plays basketball and maturity and leadership to handle the debaseball at Riverside, didn’t rest on his mands of his position. His football I.Q. is laurels when the 2014 season ended. off the charts. He worked so hard to get ready for “He loves being a quarterback,” said 2015. coach Tom Liberty. He grew a half-inch and added 15 Dambach, who’s been playing the pounds of weight during Riverside’s position since youth-league football, off-season strength and conditioning already holds several Riverside passprogram. He attended football camps ing records. If he picks up where he left at Pitt, Cornell, Villanova and off last year, he has a Youngstown State. He chance to become excelled at the Bluethe all-time Grey Mid-Atlantic leader in passSuper Combine in ing yards in Richmond, Va. The Times’ “I watch a lot of circulation film. I went to a lot of area. camps trying to get my More imporfootwork down. I worked tantly, he out with my teammates,” wants to lead said Dambach who’s being the Panthers recruited by a number of deep into colleges, including the playoffs. Division I-FCS members “I made it Cornell and Villanova. “I’m a goal when just trying to be the best I was a quarterback I can be. freshman that “I like our spread offense,” when I would eventually become Dambaugh added. “I got my a starter, that I’d get at least first taste of it my sophomore some of those records,” year when I started a few Dambach said. “Last year, I was games. It gives everyone able to set a lot of them, but I touches. Everybody gets the couldn’t have done it without our ball. It’s become second receivers and our line. They nature to me. Since I’ve catch and run with the ball. been with it now for three They block and give me time to years, I feel very confident throw. with the offense.” “But team comes first more Riverside graduated two than anything. We would like to productive skill players win a conference championfrom last year in running ship, a WPIAL championship back Marcel Cleckley, who and a state championship. We rushed for 680 yards and have high expectations.” caught 26 passes for 250 Last year in its first season yards, and wideout Logan in Class A, Riverside finished Sheridan, who caught 32 6-5 after qualifying for the passes, including 13 for playoffs as the fourth-place touchdowns. team in the Big Seven Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr. But the Panthers will Conference. After a thrilling 21-20 surround Dambach will a upset of unbeaten Beth-Center in strong cast of skill players, a first-round game, the Panthers including Wass, who led The Times’ circulawere eliminated in the quarterfinals when tion area last year with 52 receptions. they lost to Avonworth, 31-14. “They are all good,” said center Mark For everyone associated with Riverside Glevicky of Riverside’s arsenal of offensive football, experiencing the thrill of victory six weapons. “Jason is the leader. He directs times and contending for a playoff spot and them. He always knows what they’re doing. He clinching one was so uplifting. It sure beat knows exactly how to direct them, and they suffering through back-to-back 1-8 seasons in always follow his lead.” the Class AA ranks, as the Panthers did the “Jason is a great leader,” said Garrett previous two seasons. Bishop, a senior guard/linebacker. “Having “It was a great morale boost for the team him on our team gives us the confidence we and the community,” Dambach said of the can score every time we have the ball. That’s 2014 season. “It gave our school and communihow much faith we have in him.” ty hope for our football team. We did struggle the years before. So, just to win games was a great feeling.” LEVEL, PAGE K6

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K6 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

THE NEXT LEVEL LEVEL, from K5

If Dambach stays healthy and Riverside makes a deep playoff run, there’s a chance he can finish his career as one of the most prolific passers ever from the Beaver County area. Can he match the magical season Beaver’s Alex Rowse had in 2013 when he threw for 2,749 yards, which is believed to be a Beaver County record? Can he surpass former West Allegheny star Tyler Palko, whose 5,553 yards (1998-2001) is the most by any QB from The Times’ circulation area? “If that happens, that would be nice,” said Dambach, an honor student with a 3.8 grade-point average. “But, like I said, team first. I just want to help us win games.” Liberty believes he has the right quarterback to lead the way. “He’ll tell you that there are times when I’m on him worse than any coach can get on a player,” Liberty said. “But Jason listens. He’s coachable. With him, it’s always, ‘Yes sir.’ He has the wisdom, the poise, the aggressiveness, and he loves playing the position. “I’m looking for great things. I hope great things happen for him. He’s a great kid. Any head coach would love to have him. The main thing is that when he’s out there (on the field), he competes and he leads. I’m glad he’s our quarterback.”

BEAVER FALLS’ DONOVAN JETER STORY BY MIKE BIRES

Donovan Jeter has been and will continue to be a two-sport athlete. But he knows football will open the door for so many opportunities in his future. He’s always loved basketball. It’s in his genes. In Beaver Falls’ hoops tradition, the Jeter name stands for greatness. His father, brother, uncle, aunt and cousins once starred for the Tigers. Even last year as a sophomore power forward, Jeter earned all-state honors in basketball (third-team in Class AAA). He did not make all-state in football. But now that he’s entering his junior year at Beaver Falls, football clearly has become Jeter’s top priority. A 6-foot-5, 271-pound tight end/defensive end, Jeter proved that during the off-season by quitting his AAU basketball team. He concentrated on football. In the past, he’d waver when asked if football or basketball was his favorite sport. “When it’s football season, it’s football. When it’s basketball season, it’s basketball,” he’s said previously. But not anymore. “I’ve always liked football,” he said. “When I was little, football was the first sport I played. Then I started to play basketball. So I guess football was my first love.” As for giving up AAU basketball, it was a tough decision but the right call. “I don’t want to say AAU was almost like wasted time. But I know I won’t be going to college for basketball,” he said. “I have to be preparing myself for the next level.” “Donovan did summer league and some things with our basketball team, but speaking with his dad, his dad knows he’s a football player,” said Beaver Falls football coach Ryan Matsook. “That doesn’t mean he isn’t a basketball player, too. But certainly football is his future. Pulling him out of AAU has allowed him to work on his craft.” On the basketball court, Jeter is a powerful post player. He also runs the court well and shoots the ball well enough that he’s not afraid to shoot beyond the 3-point arc. Someday, he may get scholarship offers for basketball. But he doesn’t have any yet. Besides, any interest he’d get for basketball would pale in comparison to the attention he’s getting in football. Already, he has 12 football scholarship offers from schools such as Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Maryland, Nebraska and Tennessee. He’s one of the most heavily recruited juniors in Pennsylvania. By this time next year, there figures to be intense recruiting war waging between finalists who hope Jeter one day plays for them. Based on his performance last year, most college recruiters project Jeter as a defensive end or defensive tackle. “Right now, he’s playing D-end for us,” Matsook said. “Some schools see him as an inside guy. I see him getting up to 295 or 300 at the next level. He’s got an (NFL) Sunday-like body. Just talking to Ohio State, they compare him to Adolphus Washington, a D-tackle they have. They say Donovan has the same measurables, and (Washington) is an inside guy.” Even though he’s still 16 -- he’ll turn 17 in December -- Jeter knows a little bit about the recruiting process. As a seventh-grader, he looked on as older brother Sheldon Jeter pondered his college choices. Sheldon accepted a basketball scholarship to Vanderbilt but wound up transferring to Pitt. “I understand what it’s about,” Jeter said. “I went through the recruiting process with my brother. So this isn’t new to me. Obviously, back then it wasn’t about me. Now it is for me. “Really, I try not to think about it right now. It might take away from me doing the things I need to do to help this team win because the focus right now is winning a championship ... a WPIAL championship and a state championship. So I’m honestly not thinking about any offers I have right now. I’ll figure it out by the time I’m a senior.” Jeter sees no reason why the Tigers, who were 7-3 last season, can’t end Aliquippa’s strangle hold on the Midwestern Athletic Conference championship and make a deep playoff run. He knows the Quips haven’t lost in the MAC since 2009 (it was Beaver Falls who beat them). He knows the Quips crushed the Tigers last year, 56-6. But he believes Beaver Falls can end that five-game losing skid to Aliquippa. Jeter believes Beaver Falls has the skill position athletes and the size and strength up front to qualify as a bona fide championship contender. “A lot of people fear Aliquippa. But I’m not scared of them. Not us,” he said. “I really feel like we’re the team to beat (in the MAC). Everything is in place for a championship. We can’t wait to play.”

As Beaver Falls tries to make it back to Heinz Field for the WPIAL championship game for the first time since 2008, the Tigers need Jeter to keep progressing as he’s done in each of the past two seasons. They want him to dominate from his position at left defensive end, stuffing the run, and harassing and sacking the quarterback. “I have to play like a real savage,” he said. Offensively, Jeter wants to play a bigger role that he did last year, when he caught eight passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns. “I want to be big target for my quarterback and catch more passes, especially down near the goal line,” he said. “Just split me out and throw me a fade. I want to open up lanes for our running backs. We have great running backs. Give them daylight and they can do a lot of things.” Based on how hard Jeter has worked during the off-season, Matsook expects him to elevate his game several notches. “He made a big jump from his freshman year to sophomore year,” Matsook said. “He was doing things that other Division I linemen we’ve had weren’t doing until their senior year. Last year, we realized he was really special. Donovan doing the types of things he was doing as a sophomore, with his size and weight, that was really an eye-opener. You just don’t see kids his size who can move like that “Basically what we worked on this year is his speed and his strength. He’s a lot faster. He’s a lot bigger. He’s put on some weight. Good weight. He’s actually leaned down from last year. You can see a distinct difference from last year to this year just in the way he moves and changes direction. “What we’re expecting from him this year is being even more consistent with his techniques on both sides of the football. With the strength he added and how hard he’s worked, we’re hoping for a distinct difference. He has a chance to be a really great football player.”

ALIQUIPPA’S KAEZON PUGH STORY BY LAUREN KIRSCHMAN

There was a faraway look in Kaezon Pugh’s eyes as he took a moment to imagine what he wanted out of his senior season at Aliquippa. It didn’t take him long, though, to come up with an answer. “I just want to see Hershey again,” Pugh said, his face breaking into a smile as he stood on the sideline of the Quips’ practice field after a morning practice. He went there as a freshman, when Aliquippa lost to Wyomissing in the 2012 state championship game, but he’s never been back. The Quips lost to South Fayette in the WPIAL championship in 2013 and 2014. There’s little doubt Pugh will play a vital role as Aliquippa attempts to return to Hershey, just as there’s little doubt he would want to leave for the final time with a better result. After all, this is his last chance. It will be tough to top the individual season he put together last year as a junior. Pugh rushed for 1,621 yards, averaging more than 10.5 yards per carry, and led the Quips in sacks. But Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac knows exactly what to expect. “Putting on an Aliquippa uniform,” he said, “and doing what an Aliquippa tailback does.” It’s true that Pugh is the latest in a long line of standouts at Aliquippa, and he had to wait his turn, but he’s become the player everyone envisioned. “He’s had a good opportunity to play behind a couple of great players when he was a freshman and sophomore and learn the work ethic and learn how to do it and to mature and grow while there wasn’t a whole lot of pressure on him,” Zmijanac said. “Everyone knew he was going to be a good player. Sometimes it’s hard to wait, but he’s handled it well and he’s a big-time player now.” A big-time player and a highly sought-after Division I recruit. Whether this season ends with a trip to Hershey, it won’t be the last time Pugh steps on a football field. He has offers from more than 20 schools across the country, but has narrowed his list to three -- Pitt, West Virginia and Maryland -- and will announce his decision on Oct. 19. “The coaches, just the atmospheres,” Pugh said of what made the three schools stand out, “the way they approached me, telling me they don’t want me just for football, they want me to get my degree. Just little things like that makes me feel good about the schools that I chose.” He has connections to both Pitt and West Virginia. His stepbrother, NFL cornerback and former Quip Darrelle Revis, went to Pitt, and his cousin, Dravon Henry, also a former Quip, is a sophomore defensive back at West Virginia. “(Henry) taught me a whole lot,” Pugh said. “Ever since we were little, we’d be fighting a lot. We were always competing all the time. ... He left me with a lot of messages. He told me just to keep working.”

Despite the family ties, Pugh isn’t feeling any pressure one way or the other. “They just want me in school, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “As long as I’m in school, that’s all that matters.”

BEAVER’S DARIUS WISE STORY BY ANDREW CHIAPPAZZI

If only Darius Wise had more time. Granted such a luxury, Wise would shift his competitive focus to a stage or a court room and commence the art of persuasion in a mock trial. But there simply aren’t enough hours in the week for the Beaver junior. Not with classes, football, basketball and track all demanding his attention. So instead of dueling fellow students, Wise occasionally uses Beaver football coach Jeff Beltz as his personal foil. “There will be some aspects of the team that he tries to persuade coaches to do or try,” Beltz said with a laugh. “He does it with that smile, and so it’s a little more receptive than someone who does it in a dominating fashion.” It’s no surprise that there are multiple facets to Wise’s personality. Part law fanatic, part quiet and even shy, part uber-confident star athlete, Wise is as versatile off the field as he is on it. Through his first two years at Beaver, the early returns on that versatility are remarkably positive. He scored 22 total touchdowns and had four interceptions as a sophomore in football. He followed that up by averaging just shy of 20 points per game in basketball, and capped it off with a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash at the WPIAL finals and a seventh-place finish at states. “In my freshman year when I started doing it, I thought it would be too much for me,” Wise said of the hectic schedule. “But by my sophomore year and now going into my junior year, I feel like it’s what I need to do and what’s going to keep getting me better in the long run.” Beltz added that sometimes a non-stop schedule can be a good influence for later in life. “It’s the same habits that you hope to have,” he said. “That’s the great thing about sports: they instill things like discipline and things you have to prioritize.” Everything is about balance and management for Wise. With little down time, he has to be able to transition between sports seamlessly. This past summer, Wise juggled a few trips to the beach and some time with friends in between stops at football camps and trips on the AAU basketball circuit. “It’s a challenge, but the most important thing is schoolwork,” Wise said. “So I make sure -- and people help me make sure -- that I have my homework done. I try to get it done in school (in study halls) so I won’t have to do it as much after school and after practice when I’m usually tired.” On the field, Wise is making another transition. Previously a running back, receiver and defensive back for the Bobcats, Wise is now the starting quarterback. He’ll still serve as a playmaking threat and play in the secondary, but now he has a new set of responsibilities. “For the past two years, I’ve been running the offense. So I know the offense already,” Wise said. “This year, I just need to focus on my reads and getting everybody the ball. They’re all playmakers.” Shortly after school ended in June, Wise made a trip to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The Cougars have already offered Wise a football scholarship, and the school has a special appeal for him. “It was really beautiful out there. I liked it a lot,” Wise said. “They’re really nice people, and obviously since I’m Mormon, I like what they believe. It was a nice place to be.” The recruiting process has just begun, but it’ll add another area of responsibilities for Wise. College coaches can pick up the pace on their contact of Wise and other juniors on Sept. 1. That’s more time demanded of Wise and more energy required. The balancing act will get harder. It’ll require poise and maturity, coincidentally two things Beltz also wants to see from Wise on the field and in the locker room. “He’s ready for the next maturity phase,” Beltz said. “That’s just something that everyone has to learn. So I’m looking for him to grow that way and as a young man.” Darius Wise and Kaezon Pugh photos by Sylvester Washington Jr. Donovan Jeter photo by Carly Kolodziej

Good Luck

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2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | K7

MOON

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 3 of 33 (9.1%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 6 (18.1%)

At least 2 honor rolls 7 (21.2%)

At least 1 honor roll 9 (27.3%)

CLASS AAA PARKWAY CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 4-6, 4-4 COACH: BRENDAN HATHAWAY SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Blackhawk

Sept. 11

Mt. Lebanon

Sept. 18

at Ambridge

7:30

Sept. 25

at Central Valley

Oct. 2

New Castle

Oct. 10

Chartiers Valley

Oct. 16

at Hopewell

Oct. 23

at West Allegheny

Oct. 30

Montour

ROSTER

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 170.7 Passing Offense 124.0 Total Offense 294.7 Scoring Offense

23.8

Scoring Defense

28.0

Based on nine-game regular season; Defensive statistics were not available

AUSTIN KONIECZKA & TOM LaBRIE

BREAKING DOWN THE TIGERS

After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season by Thomas Jefferson, Moon looks to stay competitive despite a new head coach in the Parkway Conference. BY ROB LONGO

OFFENSE After installing a tripleoption attack at Slippery Rock High School, Brendan Hathaway elected to keep the same pro-style offense Moon ran under Mark Washington, who left for Hopewell in the off-season. Austin Konieczka will take over at quarterback. DEFENSE The Tigers will run a multiple-style defense, but will be mostly based out of a four-man front. Hathaway said he did not watch much film from last season and told his players that all positions were an open competition, including the 11 on defense. SPECIAL TEAMS Nick Trella will handle all of the kicks, and Konieczka will punt, posing as a threat to throw the ball on fake attempts. Josh Burns can be a play-maker on returns with his elusive speed.

Moon gers Ti

HOW TWO CAN

GO INTO ONE THE MOST IMPORTANT EQUATION IN THE COACHING TRANSITION HAS BEEN THE CHEMISTRY OF THE TIGERS’ QUARTERBACK AND CENTER Story by Rob Longo

Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

ransitions can be difficult, especially when it comes to learning a new system under a new head coach. At Moon, however, that transition has been mostly seamless under Brendan Hathaway, which brings his 11-1 mark from Slippery Rock High School last season to the Tigers. It doesn’t hurt that Hathaway has a cerebral duo at quarterback and center in seniors Austin Konieczka, who carries a 4.0 GPA, and Tom LaBrie. “We have a lot of bright young guys, but the first two that come to mind are Austin and Tom,” said Hathaway. “They are two very cerebral guys that get it done in the classroom.” Although this will only be the second year the two will be playing together after Konieczka transferred from Pittsburgh Central Catholic, the chemistry is already there. “I’m always asking (Konieczka), ‘Hey, are the

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snaps all right? Is the blocking all right?’” said LaBrie. “I have to make sure he’s comfortable with how I’m doing. If he’s not, I have to adjust to him.” Konieczka feels as if he already has a solid grip on the offense, considering he’s been learning the new system since spring. “The coaches make it easy for us and they’ve really helped us out,” Konieczka said. “We started during baseball season. After baseball practice was over, I’d go right to football and we were learning plays in the gym. They’ve really prepared us for this season, and we’ve been learning them over the summer.” Hathaway kept the same coaching staff as last season, not bringing a single coach with him. In addition to the staff, Konieczka credits his academic background for helping him prepare and learn the new system. “School has taught me that you have to be really focused, just like in football,” said Konieczka. “As a quarterback, you have to know every single position, what every person is doing. School helps out so much because in the classroom, I’m learning how to learn. When I come to football, I’m already in that mindset, and it just makes it so much easier.”

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K8 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015 MOON ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Angelo, Noah

RB/DB/R 5-9 175

McKee, Jake

TE/LB

5-10 180

Conley, Kenton

RB/LB

5-10 175

Myers, Brenden

WR/DB

5-8 160

Cunningham, Jacob OL/DT

6-1 320

Berenda, Craig

RB/LB

6-0 200

Romah, Ben

TE/LB

5-10 185

Dean, Ramone

WR/DB 5-11 160

Buckley, Justin

OL/DE

6-0 250

Snyder, Dylan

WR/DB

5-6 125

Forkey, Richie

WR/DB 5-10 140

Casper, Brian

RB/LB

5-11 185

Yochym, Alec

TE/DE

6-2 185

Glover, Rayquin

Clemens, Ryan

OL/DT

6-0 245

SOPHOMORES

Dean, Thomas

RB/LB

5-10 200

Cyrilla, Joseph

RB/DB

Demary, Brendon

OL/DT 5-10 200

Deloe, Bryce

Doerr, Maxwell

TE/LB

6-0 180

Dunning, Matthew RB/DB Fisher, Tavon

TE/DB

Hytla, Shawn

OL/DT 5-11 195

Jensen, Tyler

RB/LB

5-7 130

OL/DT 5-10 255

Miller, Brandon

WR/DB

5-1 105

Duncan, Marques

OL/DE

5-6 190

Morman, Matt

RB/LB

5-7 135

6-1 180

Dunning, Jake

RB/DB

6-1 160

Morrison, Robert

OL/DE

6-1 160

6-0 160

Fisher, Torry

TE/DE

6-0 150

Parsons, Anthony

OL/DT

5-5 150

Konieczka, Cole

QB/DB

5-8 154

Piccolo, Luke

Kotok, Nick

OL/DT

6-3 225

Sunday, Brady

RB/LB

5-11 165

Kuminkoski, Kyle

OL/DE

6-1 180

Tanner, Christian

TE/LB

5-9 150

MOON PLAYERS PRACTICE ON THE SLEDS

Latimore, Josh

WR/DB

5-8 175

Taylor, TaeShaun

TE/DE

6-2 180

Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

McKay, Kimo

RB/LB

5-11 180

Thomas, William

WR/DB

5-9 125

Morrow, Nick

6-0 220

Tollan, Jack

TE/DB

6-0 165

Ortiz, Anthony

WR/DB

5-5 143

Truxel, Cameron

OL/DT

5-7 180

Panucci, Anthony QB/DB/R 5-9 130

Williams, Trace

WR/DB

5-9 127

Robes, Nicholas

WR/DB 5-10 135

Unis, Simon

OL/DT

6-1 220

Konieczka, Austin QB/DB/P 6-2 174 Kouvaras, Christos

RB/DB

5-8 170

LaBrie, Thomas

OL/DT

6-0 235

Meszaros, Ryan

TE/DE

6-3 210

McConaghy, Luke

RB/DB

5-9 165

Puhalla, Jared

OL/DT

5-9 205

Rankin, Josh

WR/DB

6-0 160

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Pos Ht Wt 5-9 180

Bennett, Zack

OL/DT 5-10 225

Robinson, Matt

WR/DB 5-10 145

Bolden, Dominic

OL/DE

6-1 210

Sampson, Alex

RB/LB

5-5 175

Bonner, Nicholas

RB/LB

5-11 173

Sebastian, Nick

6-2 150

Steratore, Frankie

TE/DE

6-2 190

OL/DT 5-11 370

Burns, Josh

WR/DB/R 5-10 165

Cochenour, Ryan

OL/DT 5-11 225

Stewart, Parker

Doughty, Dawson

OL/DT

6-2 290

Trella, Nick

Falligan, Lupe

WR/DB

5-3 135

William, Trenton

Farbo, Matt

OL/DT

6-1 195

Geohring, Dave

WR/DB 5-10 140

McConaghy, Austin RB/LB

WR/DB/R 5-4 140

5-11 185

5-10 160

WR/DB

5-7 148

FRESHMEN

Pos Ht Wt

Bolden, Mario

OL/DE 5-11 165

Brennan, Sean

RB/LB

RB/DB/R 5-5 125

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NEW BRIGHTON

Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | K9 A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 8 of 35 (22.9%)

At least 3 honor rolls 11 (31.4%)

At least 2 honor rolls 14 (40%)

At least 1 honor roll 20 (57.1%)

BREAKING DOWN THE LIONS CLASS AA MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 6-4, 6-2 COACH: JOE GRECO

After a disappointing end to the 2014 season, New Brighton is faced with replacing a lot of skill positions both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Coach Joe Greco said the pieces are in place to put points on the board, but it will be up to his defense to create some turnovers and get off the field on third down if the team wants to be competitive in the MAC. BY STEVE BRENNER

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

at Laurel

Sept. 11

Ellwood City

Sept. 18

at Quaker Valley

Sept. 25

at Beaver

Oct. 2

Aliquippa

Oct. 10

at Freedom

Oct. 16

Washington

Oct. 23

Beaver Falls

Oct. 30

at Mohawk

OFFENSE Justyn Francona will be given the majority of the snaps at quarterback for the Lions’ spread offense. Troy Mittner will handle most of the work in the backfield after both being primarily defensive players last season. Darrion Gilmore will do a lot for the Lions as Greco said he will play the running back, receiver and slot end positions this season. Gavin Pritchard will be the team’s featured receiver with R.J. Debo slotted as the team’s fullback. Seniors Ryan Spealman, Isaiah Hunter and Micah Marshall will primarily make up the offensive line.

ROSTER

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 243.8 Passing Offense 140.4 Total Offense 384.2 Rushing Defense 240.4 Passing Defense 84.9 Total Defense 325.3 Scoring Offense

35.7

Scoring Defense

29.2

Based on nine-game regular season

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Francona, Justyn

QB/DB

6-1 180

Gilmore, Darrion

RB/DB

5-6 165

Gorrell, Doug

RB/DB

5-8 160

Hunter, Isaiah

OL/DL

6-0 255

Marshall, Micah

OL/DL

6-1 265

Mittner, Andrew

RB/DL/LB 5-9 200

Monac, Landon

OL/DL 5-10 231

Moon, Troy

RB/LB

5-10 185

Pritchard, Gavin

WR/DB

6-0 180

Shoaff, Jacob

OL/DL

6-4 315

Speelman, Ryan

OL/DL

6-0 220

Stock, Casey JUNIORS Debo, Ronald Hall, Matt Hoffman, Chase

WR/OLB 6-0 155 Pos Ht Wt FB/TE/LB 6-2 230 OL/DL

6-5 265

FB/TE/LB 5-11 190

Janectic, Nik

WR/DB

Johnson, Janson

OL/DL 5-10 290

Main, Seth

OL/DL

5-9 240

Martin, Jonah

FB/LB

5-9 180

McCarthy, Chris

WR/LB

6-0 160

Strapp, Pat

OL/DL

6-3 255

Weathers, Steven

OL/LB

6-1 205

SOPHOMORES

5-9 140

Pos Ht Wt

Clark, Deshawn

WR/DB

6-0 145

French, Chase

OL/LB

5-8 190

George, Austin

WR/DB

5-9 120

Hall, Gage

OL/DL

6-1 210

Jackson, Alonzo

RB/DB

5-8 145

Rombold, Nick

OL/DL

6-0 175

Sheets, Burke

OL/DL

6-1 185

Spooner, Kegan

RB/LB

5-9 165

Williams, Tylar White, Darrian FRESHMEN

ATH/DB 5-10 155 WR/DB

5-9 130

Pos Ht Wt

Cade, Dakota

WR/LB 5-10 170

Cervi, Josh

QB/LB 5-10 160

Cinicola, Zach

WR/LB 5-10 160

Fath, Ashton

RB/LB

Filbert, Emanuel

OL/DL 5-10 250

Lewis, Jerrod

WR/LB 5-11 140

McDaniels, Keith

FB/DB

5-3 115

Rossi, John

WR/LB

5-7 120

Sessie, Donald

FB/DL

6-0 165

Shaffer, Anthony

OL/DL

5-8 160

Shuler, Caleb

WR/DB

5-9 130

Simmons, Nico

RB/LB

5-5 150

Smith, Nate

OL/DL

5-9 170

Stock, Alex

QB/LB

5-7 130

Upshor, Tre

RB/LB

5-10 175

5-8 145

GAVIN PRITCHARD

PLAYING A

DUAL ROLE A NEED FOR SPEED HAS THE SENIOR LEARNING A NEW POSITION AND A NEW SPORT Story by Steve Brenner Photo Illustration by Kevin Lorenzi

ew Brighton’s Gavin Pritchard has been a New Brighton starter for three seasons. Yet, the senior spent the off-season immersing himself in the playbook, hoping to absorb as much knowledge as possible. The reason for Pritchard’s off-season education isn’t as much about changing positions than it is about adding one. Pritchard has been the Lions’ kicker since his freshman year -- he was named all-conference kicker as a freshman -- but the necessity to fill holes at the receiver position gave him the chance to broaden his athletic horizon. While he plans to continue to kick for the Lions and play on the soccer team, Pritchard has basically learned a new sport in the off-season. The transition was difficult, but coach Joe Greco said his kicker’s tenacity has been on display for the last three years. “I knew we were short on people, but I really had to think it over because I wanted to continue to play soccer,” said Pritchard. “But once I got the green light (to play both), I just went full tilt.” “He’s on the kickoff team, but instead of being the safety, he was running down and making tackles,” said Greco. “He’s a kid that wants to try and do both, more power to him. There’s so many kids that aren’t doing anything, and here’s a kid who wants to do everything. “He’s put the effort in. He’s been to every work out this summer, and he goes to soccer practice. He’s been on the field varsity-wise for three years. But he wants to be out there with his buddies.” Greco said at 175 pounds, Pritchard is the top power-cleaner on the team. Pritchard has all the physical tools, and Greco said Pritchard’s hands are above average, as well. Pritchard spent the winter in the gym and the spring on the field learning routes and plays. “He’s made some great catches this summer. And he’s fast and he has good feet, it’s all good things for a receiver to have,” said Greco. While soccer is a contact sport, Pritchard said he has thought about the first big hit he is going to take as a receiver. But the time in the weight room has helped fill out his body, and Pritchard is of the mindset that worrying about being hit is when bad things happen on the field. Pritchard said he is good at managing people and managing his time, which is going to be even harder now. But he’s managed to be a high-B, low-A student by studying during breaks in his schedule. He is taking some classes he is more interested in this year (more college prep course, such as anatomy and calculus), and he thinks if he’s more interested in the subject matter, he will be more willing to study and put in the time. That mirrors his interest in tackling a new position.

DEFENSE Troy Moon and R.J. Debo will anchor the Lions’ defense at the inside linebacker position with Andrew Mittner and Casey Stock on the outside. Junior Jonah Martin will also see time at the outside linebacker position. The secondary is a young group with Sophomores Deshawn Clark and Nick Janectic in a position to see time along with senior Darrion Gilmore. Alonzo Jackson and Doug Gorrell will line up at the safety positions. Micah Marshall and Steve Weathers will anchor the defensive line at the defensive end position with Seth Main, Janson Johnson, Jake Shoaff and Matt Hall all providing depth on the defensive line.

On the field, what Pritchard is looking forward to in his senior season is what a lot of players from New Brighton think about during football season: The chance to play Beaver Falls. The Lions dropped last season’s game against the Tigers, but finished with the same 6-2 record in the MAC, earning another playoff berth. “I’m really excited for that one. It’s a big game, and it kind of makes or breaks the whole season for New Brighton, so I’m excited to be a part of it on the field,” said Pritchard. “We’re coming along really well. Justyn (Francona) is a good quarterback, he’s throwing the ball all over. Our defense is shaping up. We have some experienced guys. Overall, I think we’re going to have a good season.”

SPECIAL TEAMS Gavin Pritchard will handle most of the kicking duties for New Brighton with a few players in position to be returners.

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L2 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

ROCHESTER

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 3 of 33 (9.1%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 6 (18.1%)

At least 2 honor rolls 7 (21.2%)

At least 1 honor roll 9 (27.3%)

CLASS A BIG SEVEN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 3-6, 1-6 COACH: GENE MATSOOK SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Union

7:30

Sept. 11

at South Side

Sept. 18

Shenango

Sept. 25

at Riverside

Oct. 2

Brentwood

7:30

Oct. 9

Western Beaver

7:30

Oct. 16

at Neshannock

Oct. 23

Vincentian

Oct. 30

at OLSH

7 7:30

7:30 8

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 230.6 Passing Offense 35.7 Total Offense 279.6 Rushing Defense 155.4 Passing Defense 124.0 Total Defense 279.4 Scoring Offense

23.8

Scoring Defense

28.0

Based on nine-game regular season

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Coleman, Christian OL/DL

6-0 220

Henry, Nick

RB/LB

5-9 190

Manderson, Donovan SE/LB

6-3 195

Smith, Zach

OL/LB 5-11 205

Strozier, Montrail

RB/CB

6-1 195

Thompson, Dalton OL/DL 5-11 210

MONTRAIL STROZIER

CRUNCHING

THE NUMBERS

Thurmond, Andrew OL/DL

6-2 225

ROCHESTER WILL TRY TO REBOUND BEHIND THE RUNNING BACK

Vreen, Christian

QB/CB

6-0 170

Story by Steve Brenner

Waxler, Jared

RB/LB

5-8 190

Winchester, Elijah

OL/DL 5-10 180

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Borzyn, Tyler

OL/DL

5-9 190

Foster, Ron

OL/DL

6-0 240

Grossi, Nic

SE/CB

5-9 170

Hayes, Chris

TE/LB

6-0 205

Kouba, Ian

QB/LB

6-2 180

Massey, Andrew

OL/DL

6-0 205

Milligan, Matt

OL/DL

5-9 215

Morehouse, Dakota OL/DL

5-8 180

Pfeuffer, Brendon

OL/DL

6-1 240

Seybert, Jacob

SE/CB

5-11 165

Sherod, DeSean

SE/CB

5-10 165

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Collins, Caleb

RB/SS

5-9 175

Goosby, Elijah

TE/LB

6-0 195

Strozier, Mahlik

SE/CB

6-2 170

Waybright, Jeremy OL/DL

6-1 200

FRESHMEN

Pos Ht Wt

Eaton, Declan

TE/LB

6-1 190

Goosby, Darius

TE/DL

6-0 215

Hauser, Jeremiah

SE/CB

5-9 160

Mersing, Kadin

OL/DL

5-9 220

Sherod, Tyreek

QB/CB

6-0 160

Shrum, Tanner

OL/DL

5-9 235

Whiteleather, Noah

RB/S

5-7 150

Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

ontrail Strozier excels at thinking critically and analyzing data, and he prefers an environment where he needs to be right when he is off the field. With a grade point average better than 3.7 and an SAT score on the better side of 1,000, the Rochester senior has started thinking about life after football. “It’s (academics) real important to me,” said Strozier. “I know what I want to go to school for. I know football isn’t there forever. I know (school) comes first and football comes second.” A passion for math, numbers and statistics has swayed him toward a career in accounting. While it is early in the process, Strozier has a few colleges in mind to pursue the degree, one of which is Robert Morris, which has a notable business program. But before he can make any decisions regarding the future, Strozier has an important year ahead of him on the field for the Rams.

The self-described power back will be the featured playmaker for a Rochester team that is looking to rebound from a season in which it won only one section game and three overall. At the center of the rebuild is Strozier, who coach Gene Matsook said has accepted his leadership role. “What catches me is his character,” said Matsook. “A kid can have all the talent in the world, but when they have the character, that’s what it’s all about. He’s polite and he has an excellent work ethic. “Last year he was thrown in there for the first time and he learned a lot. I’m hoping this year he understands he’s a senior and knows what it’s all about. We’re going to rely on him a lot.” Matsook and Strozier both put an emphasis on conditioning in the off-season in an effort to turn the running back into a three-down back. The more Strozier is on the field, the more it will benefit the Rams. And with two games lost in the final seconds, the margin for error will be small all season. And that’s the way Strozier likes it. “You need to get over your mistakes quickly. If you mess up one little thing, everything can become messed up. If you can master that, it helps a lot.”

BREAKING DOWN THE RAMS

Defense will be key for the 2015 edition of the Rochester Rams. While the team was able to score last season, the problem was keeping opponents off the scoreboard. Even though the record did not measure up to the program’s standards, the coaching staff and players said the team is putting in the work to become better. The Rams are returning some key players at key positions on both sides but have a lot of ground to make up to be competitive in the Big Seven. BY STEVE BRENNER

OFFENSE Ian Kouba and Christian Vreen both saw time at quarterback last season while Chase Long recovered from injury. Senior Montrail Strozier will be the feature running back, and DeSean Sherod, Donovan Manderson and Mahlik Strozier will see time at the receiver position. Elijah Goosby is expected to contribute at tight end. Seniors Zach Smith and Christian Coleman will anchor the line, with Ron Foster and Tyler Borzyn also slated as starters. DEFENSE Rochester is returning a wealth of talent to a defense that has plenty of room to improve. Montrail Strozier and Zach Smith will anchor the defense while Ian Kouba, Drake Goosby and Andrew Massey will provide depth at the defensive skill positions. SPECIAL TEAMS Donovan Manderson is slated to handle the punting for the Rams, but a few different players could handle the kicking duties. Nick Grossi and DeSean Sherod will be the primary returners.

ROCHESTER QB CHRISTIAN VREEN Photo by Lucy Schaly

Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | L3

NEW NCAA ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

HIT THE BOOKS EARLY CHANGES IN THE COLLEGE QUALIFYING STANDARDS HAVE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE COACHES URGING ATHLETES TO NOT WAIT TO TAKE ACADEMICS SERIOUSLY. Story by Andrew Chiappazzi

“Here’s the kid who I worry about: The kid that’s a freshman who doesn’t really care about school, but all of a sudden finds out, ‘Hey, man, I’ve got a chance,” West Allegheny football coach Bob Palko said. “The kid finally gets it as a junior, but academically they were just so poor in their freshman and sophomore year.” The changes have also pushed college coaches to be more proactive. “One of the things we talked about as a staff this spring was that when we go and see someone we like, more than ever we have to get their transcript right away,” Robert Morris men’s basketball coach Andy Toole said. Pitt men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon said he can see more potential prospects enrolling in summer school earlier as they try to make up for poor core course grades. “It’s problematic for kids who get off to a slow start in their freshman year and who may not know what their goals are and what they have to do,” Dixon said. “Freshman year, if you don’t get on the right track, it will be tough to recover.” College basketball coaches have a longer period to interact with recruits. With a shorter time frame to work with potential recruits and correct academic flaws, Pitt’s football staff had to speed up its process. “We’ve had to get stuff earlier than we have in the past,” Pitt recruiting coordinator Dann Kabala said. “We’ve tried to use this summer more than we have in the past because now classes are locked in after their junior year. I think that’s going to change for a lot of kids.” Many recruits on the fringe of qualifying could end up as academic redshirts. But even the use of the academic redshirt could create

Photo courtesy of pixabay.com

or years, Mike Bariski heard the same questions from college coaches early in the recruiting process. But recently, he noticed a change. “First question I used to get out of all of the college coaches who call me asking about our kids was, ‘How’s his attitude and does he work hard?” the Lincoln Park athletic director and boys basketball coach said. “Now they want to know, ‘Is he a good student and is he a qualifier?’” New NCAA standards for academic eligibility have created an atmosphere of uncertainty in high schools and college athletic departments. The NCAA announced the new standards in 2012 to allow high schools and colleges to adapt, but many are still wary. “It’s going to be an education process,” Duquesne football coach Jerry Schmitt said, “and it’s going to take some time for everybody to be on the same page here.” Athletes enrolling in college in August 2016 must now have a 2.3 GPA -- up from a 2.0 -- and a corresponding SAT/ACT score on a sliding scale. They also must complete 10 of 16 required core courses before the start of their senior year. Those 10 courses are locked in and cannot be replaced after their senior year starts. Athletes who have the proper GPA and SAT/ACT score but do not have the required number of core courses are eligible for an academic

redshirt. They can practice with the team on scholarship but would not be eligible for games. Coaches and administrators at both levels are cautiously optimistic about the changes, but there is still fear about the long-term impact. Much of the criticism has centered on the late development of prospects, educational development and a lack of resources for high schools. “You get some smaller schools where the coach is doing everything,” Schmitt said. “He’s doing strength and conditioning, teaching a full load, handling parent clubs and fundraising and preparing a whole football team.” Local high school coaches stress that the focus has to be on at least providing the opportunity for student-athletes. And that, they emphasize, requires a coordinated effort. “It’s not just the football coach’s job from the recruiting standpoint when it comes to the academic side of it,” Beaver Falls football coach Ryan Matsook said. “Out of our kids who have gone away, 90 percent of those kids’ parents were actively involved in their process, meeting with our guidance counselors. We encourage them to do that.” Local coaches all identified the same potential at-risk group of athletes. Those with excellent grades or extremely poor grades have very clear paths. But those in the middle with a mixed academic performance will have the most headaches.

THE REQUIREMENTS A LOOK AT THE NEW ATHLETIC QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, FROM THE NCAA: A full qualifier must: 1. Complete 16 core courses. Ten of the 16 core courses must be completed before the seventh semester (senior year) of high school. Seven of the 10 core courses must be English, math or science. 2. Have a minimum core course GPA of 2.300. Grades earned in the 10 required courses required before the senior year are “locked in” for purposes of GPA calculation. A repeat of one of the “locked in” courses will not be used to improve the GPA if taken after the seventh semester begins. 3. Meet the competition sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/SAT score (this is a new scale with increased GPA/test score requirements). 4. Graduate from high school. An academic redshirt must: 1. Complete 16 core courses. 2. Have a minimum core course GPA of 2.000; 3. Meet the academic redshirt sliding scale requirement of GPA and ACT/SAT score. 4. Graduate from high school.

challenges across various sports, even those with large rosters like football. “Are you going to risk taking kids who can be there, but can’t play? Especially with so many freshman playing now,” Kabala said. “I think it’s going to be interesting to see how some schools recruit to that.” The issue could also be different for FBS schools compared to FCS schools. Where Pitt has 85 scholarships to use, Youngstown State only has 63 and Robert Morris and Duquesne can hand out a maximum of 40 scholarships in the Northeast Conference. The roster juggling could create a backlog in compliance offices as coaches try to find a way to petition for full eligibility rather than have an automatic redshirt. And that could leave recruits without options. “I hope to not be sitting here next year with dozens of potential waivers on my hands,” Robert Morris associate athletic director for compliance Ryan Fleischer said. “But I don’t think it’s a stretch that most schools in the country will be asking their compliance officers if they can get a kid in who meets the sliding scale but is under where they need to be with their cores (classes).” The adjustments will likely both help and hurt. Division I-caliber players whose poor grades dropped them to a Division II school may now get a chance to play higher level college athletics, even if they have to sit a year. Others, though, may miss out on an initial scholarship, further filling up prep school rosters and spiking junior college enrollment. The long-term impact likely won’t be felt for several years. Additional developments could raise more questions, and how everyone handles the process will vary around the country. Through it all, coaches like Matsook stress the need to start early initiate that coordinated effort. “Those parents who think their kids are good enough to play college athletics, the first thing they need to do is go sit down with their child’s guidance counselor,” Matsook said. “It’s not about highlight films and Hudl. If you’re good enough, they know about you. What it comes down to is making sure they’re academically eligible.”

A nonqualifier is a college-bound student-athlete who fails to meet the standards for a qualifier or for an academic redshirt.

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L4 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

QUAKER VALLEY CLASS AA MIDWESTERN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 5-4, 5-4 COACH: JOHN TORTOREA

SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

at Ellwood City

Sept. 11

Beaver

Sept. 18

New Brighton

Sept. 25

at Aliquippa

Oct. 2

Freedom

Oct. 9

Waynesburg

Oct. 16

at Beaver Falls

Oct. 23

at Mohawk

Oct. 30

Laurel

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 136.9 Passing Offense 157.1 Total Offense 294.0 Rushing Defense 117.7 Passing Defense 126.7 Total Defense 244.3 Scoring Offense

31.0

Scoring Defense

22.3

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Ditorro, Kevin

OL/DT 5-10 240

Gordon, Chris

RB/LB

5-9 165

Hill, Colin

OL/DL

6-2 200

Humphrey, Zacchaeus W R/C

6-0 160

Kolessar, Robert

RB/LB

5-9 160

Russoniello, Peyton RB/LB

6-0 170

Dillard. Derrick

TE/DE

6-4 180

Williams. Oneida

WR/C

5-9 135

Yaworski, John

OL/N

5-11 190

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Gordon, Gabe

OL/DE

5-9 165

Harkins, Owen

5-11 160

Jenkins, Marcus

RB/LB

6-0 170

Lipke, Blake

WR/FS

6-3 170

Losacco, Dom

RB/FB 5-10 145

Magera, Nick

OL/LB

Martin, Jaylen

OL/DL 5-10 190

Martin, Jordan

WR/C

6-1 160

Westwood, Jack

OL/DT

6-0 265

5-7 165

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Bridges, Michael

G/NG

5-8 185

Corbett, John

OL/DE

5-8 130

Funk, Oliver

RB/LB

6-0 200

Glass, Clayton

G/DE

5-11 195

Guss, Ricky

QB/LB

6-1 170

Hess, Joey

WR/C

5-8 120

Kolessar, Jacob

OL/DE

6-0 250

Losacco, Jaxon

WR/LB 5-10 170

Luptak, Amos

QB/FS 5-10 160

Magee, Josh

OL/DL

6-1 205

Peduzzi, Joe

RB/DB

5-8 130

Pesicka, Jake

C/DE

6-0 200

Semour, Andrew

RB/LB

6-0 180

FRESHMEN

Pos Ht Wt

Cook, Dominic

TE/DE 5-10 150

Fadeley, Bradley

OL/DE 5-10 190

Fitchel, Sam

TE/DE 5-11 160

Groves, Owen

RB/C

5-11 165

Guss, Issac

RB/LB

5-8 150

Hill, Quinn

RB/LB

5-10 160

Jackovic, Ryan

WR/LB

6-1 160

Johns, Corey

OL/DL

5-6 180

Johnson, Smith

RB/LB

5-10 140

Kazalas, John

WR/C

5-7 135

McCoy, Jeremy

OL/LB

5-8 165

Moore, Ethan

QB/DB

6-0 165

Mull, Jino

OL/DL

5-3 175

Nelson, Cameron

WR/C

5-10 145

Walsh, Justin

RB/C

5-6 135

Wigley, Austin

RB/LB

5-11 175

ZACCHAEUS HUMPHREY

A CHANGE

OF SCENERY SENIOR’S TRANSFER OPENED HIM UP TO A WHOLE NEW WORLD Story by Steve Brenner Photo by Sally Maxson

he artificial turf turned out to be greener on the other side. Three years after transferring from Sto-Rox to Cornell, Zacchaeus Humphrey has found his way both on and off the field thanks to support in the classroom and on the football field. Humphrey said he was always a bright student, but didn’t take education as seriously as he should have during his time at Sto-Rox. But once he arrived at Cornell, the atmosphere the school has cultured was what led to a necessary change in the way he looked at school. “Cornell is a smaller school, a lot less drama. You don’t have to worry about a lot of things, (and) they’re a little more laid back,” Humprhey said. “You can get better connections with the teachers. You’re able to focus more in class.”

He also latched on to the opportunity to play football at Quaker Valley through the schools’ co-op program. The winning atmosphere and first-class facilities gave Humphrey a reason to keep his grades up and stay on the field. “I like meeting new people. You meet some good people,” said Humphrey. “Bigger team, better resources, nicer field. It was pretty cool to come out here. (The coaches) care a lot. If we ever need them, they’re there. It’s a nice program to be a part of.” Now in his senior year, Humphrey is a captain and is going to be counted on by coach John Tortorea to make an impact at running back. While he isn’t sure about what he wants to study in college, Tortorea said Humphrey will play at the next level and receive the education that comes with it. “If you had a poster child for how well this co-op has worked for both schools, from exposing a kid to a different lifestyle to enriching his opportunities and how well the schools have worked together, (Humphrey) is the poster child for this co-op,” said Tortorea. “What Cornell did for him was unbelievable, and we feel we assisted the

district to give him another set of tools to flourish in.” Through four years of the co-op between Quaker Valley and Cornell, players like Humphrey and Dane Jackson -- who’s now at Pitt -- are prime examples of the benefits of giving Cornell students the opportunity to continue to play football. “Since we’ve been doing this, it instantly meshes together. We’ve never had a split (of groups),” Tortorea said. “When the freshmen come over, our freshmen embrace them. There’s no transition. It’s pretty special.” This 2015 season will mark the fourth season of the co-op, and in the prior three years, the Quakers have compiled a combined record of 16-13, including a playoff appearance in 2013, when the Quakers lost in the second round to Aliquippa. Regardless of how his senior year unfolds, Humphrey’s path has forever been altered thanks to a new set of coaches and teachers. “I just needed that switch,” Humphrey said. “This is a new start, so I better work hard and make sure I get the best out of everything. I did what I had to do to keep my grades up, and this is much better for me. It feels good.”

BREAKING DOWN THE QUAKERS OFFENSE Amos Luptak is in line to see most of the snaps at the quarterback position, and Ricky Guss is available as a backup. The Quakers will feature a wealth of unproven talent at running back, including Zacchaeus Humphrey, along with seniors Chris Gordon and Peyton Russoniello. Three-year starter Blake Lipke returns at the receiver position, and Derrick Dillard will see time at tight end. Jack Westwood, John Yawoski and Colin Hill will anchor the Quakers offensive line. DEFENSE The Quakers will be another defense that will feature the 3-5-3 formation with Westwood, Yaworski and Hill slated to be starters on the defensive line. The secondary will feature Austin Wigley and Humphrey and Jordan Martin at cornerback with Gordon and Russioniello at the safety positions. Andrew Seymour, Oliver Funk and Guss will be counted on as inside linebackers. SPECIAL TEAMS Amos Luptak will handle the punting and kicking duties to begin the year. Russoniello and Humphrey are slated to be the returners.

It’s one thing to graduate a few seniors at major offensive skill positions, it’s another when one of the graduating seniors is current Pitt freshman Dane Jackson. The do-everything quarterback was one of a handful of graduating players who have forced Quaker Valley and coach John Tortorea to search for replacements. BY STEVE BRENNER

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OLSH CLASS A BLACK HILLS CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 1-8, 1-6 COACH: BILL DANIELS SCHEDULE

Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | L5

ANDREW IEZZI

WRITING HIS

OWN FUTURE

Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

at Fort Cherry

7:30

Sept. 11

Avonworth

Sept. 18

at North Catholic

Sept. 25

at Neshannock

Oct. 2

Northgate

Oct. 9

Chartiers-Houston

Oct. 17

at Bishop Canevin 7:30

Oct. 23

at Brentwood

Oct. 30

Rochester

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 131.1 Passing Offense 137.4 Total Offense 268.6 Scoring Offense

15.9

Scoring Defense

35.0

Based on nine-game regular season; Defensive statistics were not available

ROSTER SENIORS

Ht Wt

Dabot, Ryan

6-2

225

Dickey, Jacob

5-11

170

Iezzi, Andrew

5-8

160

Trello, Jeremy

5-11

190

Truskowski, John

N/A

215

JUNIORS

Ht Wt

DiPerna, Evan

5-7

165

Foister, Brady

5-11

165

DeAngelis, Joe

5-11

200

DeSalle, Chris

5-9

175

Gamcik, Nick

5-8

155

Kim, Jonathan

5-10

185

LeClaire, Cam

N/A

Lentz, Jimmy

5-8

220

Mikush, Mike

N/A

180

Murray, Christian

N/A

Roberts, Weston

6-1

240

Schnarre, Matt

5-9

165

Slattery, Jared

N/A

Trumbetta, Dante

6-1

190

SOPHOMORES Ht Wt Aubrey, Andrew

5-11

205

Cyrilla, Joe

5-9

175

Graff, Jack

5-6

150

Reeves, Kalil

5-11

185

Shipman, Biagio

6-1

185

Slattery, Jacob

5-8

165

White, Connor

5-10

195

Young, Jacen

5-7

185

BY HELPING CLASSMATES, SENIOR IS SHAPING HIS PATH Story by Megan Woodward

Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

English may not be Andrew Iezzi’s best subject, but at OLSH’s Writing and Learning Center, he uses his writing talent to help other students improve theirs. The senior running back/ cornerback for the Chargers was handpicked by faculty members to tutor students online with 15-20 minute sessions on thesis revisions, outlining and basic essay organization. Iezzi’s passion for helping others shows, and he considers his contribution to the Writing Center his biggest accomplishment. “I honestly didn’t think I would be chosen to do it, but surprisingly I was picked,” he said. “All teachers keep files of their students’ writing from freshman year, and when the faculty who run the Writing Center were searching for students to help teach, they went to all the English teachers for the files to pick those who were decent writers and who could best help these other students.” Tyler Rodgers, an instructor in the Writing and Learning Center at OLSH, knew Iezzi would be an excellent candidate for the program from the start. “He’s always very serious when he’s working as a tutor,” Rodgers said. “He knows what’s expected of him and always arrives on time and brings his best effort. “So many students feel comfortable approaching him for help, no matter the subject, and traits like this make him very mature for his age.” Balancing academics and athletics is no easy task, but Iezzi manages to do so successfully. He maintains a 4.3 grade point average while also working part-time at a restaurant. When he started playing football in his freshman year, he knew he would have to develop a routine to keep his academics in order. “It was a rough adjustment at first,” he said. “Going from practice every day after school then right home to do homework and study was a huge adjustment I had to make.” Once he developed a

BREAKING DOWN THE CHARGERS

Coach Bill Daniels is entering his fifth year at the helm of the Chargers, and his team has yet to make a playoff berth. The Chargers were 1-8 last season, its lone win a 42-21 victory over Bishop Canevin. They face a difficult 2015 schedule as the first half of the season will see matchups against Fort Cherry, Avonworth and North Catholic. With five seniors on this small roster, Daniels will be looking for leadership. BY MEGAN WOODWARD

OFFENSE After the losses of quarterback Joey Sebes, wide receiver Cedric Gray and tight end Eric Hall to graduation, the Chargers will look to establish themselves as more of a running team. Seniors John Truskowski (RB) and Ryan Dabot (TE) will key the offense. DEFENSE OLSH needs to improve a defense that allowed at least 40 points in six games last season. The Chargers have a stable defensive backfield with Nick Gamcik, Truskowski and Dabot. SPECIAL TEAMS Christian Murray will be the Chargers’ primary kicker.

strategy, he learned to keep himself disciplined. Football became a privilege, not a right. Rodgers isn’t at Iezzi’s football practices to judge his work ethic on the playing field, but knows he brings the same determination to his tutoring sessions and classwork. After all, the Writing Center wouldn’t have been able to continue for a second year if it wasn’t for Iezzi and the 21 students who helped make it possible. “When students joined last year, we didn’t have enough information to give them right away,” Rodgers said. “They relied on us purely by trust so I give credit to them all for doing so, especially Andrew.” On the field, Iezzi played sparingly last season, rushing for 28 total yards and recording six tackles. The Chargers are heading into their sixth season and have yet to make a postseason berth, and Iezzi, who will have an increased role, wants his team to make history. “I try to lead best by example,” he said. “I’m not too talkative, so I just try to do my best work and my hardest to try and show the younger guys how it’s done.” With college on the horizon, Iezzi hopes to focus on a degree in finance or engineering. Football is a possibility, although it may be on an intramural basis. But, with Iezzi, anything seems possible. “You can have the best of both worlds if you really want it,” he said. “You just have to be willing to work at it.”

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L6 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

WEST ALLEGHENY CLASS AAA PARKWAY CONFERENCE

Pritchett, David

LAST YEAR: 11-2, 7-1 COACH: BOB PALKO

OL/DL

5-9 195

Ricketts, Sebastjan OL/DL

6-2 230

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 37 of 85 (43.5%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 47 (55.3%)

Rosen, Seth

OL/DL 5-10 215

Weber, Will

RB/DB 5-11 170

Date Opponent Time

Simko, Tanner

WR/DB

Sept. 4

New Castle

Stout, Kolbe

WR/DB 5-10 160

Sept. 11

at Chartiers Valley

Tautkus, Anthony

OL/DL

Sept. 18

Hopewell

White, Kenny

RB/DB 5-11 180

Sept. 25

at Ambridge

7:30

Wiechelt, Will

OL/DL

Oct. 2

Montour

FRESHMEN

Oct. 9

at Blackhawk

7:30

Cercone, Sylvio

RB/DB

5-7 160

Oct. 16

at Woodland Hills

7:30

Colliers, Elijah

WR/DB

5-9 150

Oct. 23

Moon

Dale, Brandon

WR/DB

5-3 120

Oct. 30

Central Valley

Diven, Jamie

QB/DB

5-8 140

Downing, Shea

FB/ILB

5-9 165

Faulk, Nick

OL/DE 5-10 175

Fidell, Nate

WR/DB

6-0 145

Firment, Keaton

OL/DL

6-2 275

Flati, Dante

RB/OLB 5-7 150

Guilfoil, Kyle

RB/DB

5-4 135

Keast, Logan

OL/DL

5-9 150

Longstreth, Isaac

TE/DE 5-11 180

Malatak, Logan

RB/DB

5-9 155

McBain, Ian

OL/ILB

5-9 160

Metz, Zach

OL/DL 5-11 210

THE LEADER OF LINE SHOWS AN INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Nadzam, Justin

OL/DL

5-9 180

Story by Steve Brenner

Norman, Michael

FB/ILB

5-7 145

Rossi, Logan

OL/DL

6-1 245 5-8 140

erek Clontz is not your typical, old-school offensive tackle. The 6-foot-4 senior is one of many high school lineman who are redefining the position and what it takes to excel at it. He’s also one of the smartest to play in the trenches. Entering his final year of high school, Clontz is currently a 4.5 student and is looking into studying engineering at schools such as Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and Case Western. Clontz has always enjoyed mathematics and said he took to building things at a young age with his father, who he described as a handyman who loved taking on projects around the house. While the career goals are not completely in focus yet, Clontz said he has thought about majoring in biomedical engineering or mechanical engineering. “A lot of our kids up there are smart,” said coach Bob Palko. “They’re just great kids. (For Derek), we have to decide if it’s Patriot

SCHEDULE

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 214.6 Passing Offense 116.0 Total Offense 330.6 Rushing Defense 65.8 Passing Defense 62.7 Total Defense 128.4 Scoring Offense

44.7

Scoring Defense

13.9

Based on nine-game regular season

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt 6-2 295

5-9 210

6-0 240

Pos Ht Wt

OL/DL

Burke, Tom

FB/ILB 5-10 200

Scheider, Logan

WR/DB

Clements, Max

RB/ILB 5-10 190

Stalling, Trent

TE/OLB 5-10 170

Clontz, Derek

OL/DL

6-4 300

Stokes, Tristin

WR/DB

Cunningham, Jake QB/OLB 6-0 175

Visloski, Nate

RB/ILB 5-10 180

Hammers, Sam

OL/DL

6-3 230

Vandamia, Mateo

HB/LB 5-11 180

Kadlecik, Luke

WR/DB

5-9 165

Vargo, Cody

WR/DB

5-4 130

Loniero, Nick

OL/DL

6-3 285

Weems, Jason

OL/DL

5-8 170

Mason, Skyler

WR/DB 5-10 180

Stephens, Terence

RB/DB

6-0 200

White, Whitney

RB/DB

5-9 185

Pos Ht Wt

Bower, EJ

RB/OLB 6-0 165

Clarkin, Mike

FB/LB

5-8 185

Cornell, Kamren

RB/LB

5-9 175

Diven, Joey

WR/DB

6-0 160

Firment, Kieran

OL/DL

6-4 275

Fullard, Mitch

TE/DE

6-0 185

Gluzman, Joe

TE/ILB

6-2 205

Holmes, Matt

TE/DE

6-1 225

Kadlecik, Nick

WR/DB

5-6 150

Longstreth, Dustin OL/DL 5-11 210 Maximovich, Alex

WR/DB

5-8 150

Norman, Carlos

FB/ILB

5-8 175

K/P

5-7 150

Opsatnik, DJ Prozzley, Nick

TE/OLB 9-0 180

Ross, Nick

QB/OLB 6-1 180

Rule, Alec

TE/ILB 5-11 200

Shearer, Ryan

OL/DL

5-9 200

Sheehy, Logan

OL/DE

6-1 205

Simmons, Brennen OL/DE

6-3 220

Wesley, Jake

OL/DL

5-8 210

Vadella, Erik

OL/DL

6-1 260

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Clements, Danny

WR/DB

5-9 150

Davis, Jake

QB/DB

5-9 145

Dellovade, Anthony TE/OLB 6-1 190 Demus, Rayejon

RB/DE

5-9 170

Downing, Brock

WR/DB

5-9 155

Gallant, Tyler

QB/OLB 5-8 175

Gluzman, Joe

TE/ILB

6-2 205

Hoge, Zach

OL/DL

6-0 210

Johnsen, Connor

WR/OLB 5-11 185

Ledford, Noah

WR/DB

Lipford, Brandon

WR/DB 5-11 160

Mangold, Brent

OL/DL 5-11 195

Manley, Bryce

OL/DL

6-0 205

Mason, Spencer

OL/DL

5-7 185

5-7 150

At least 1 honor roll 64 (75.2%)

5-7 140

Baker, Justin

JUNIORS

At least 2 honor rolls 61 (71.8%)

5-6 130

BREAKING DOWN THE INDIANS

After another stellar season that fell one win short of a WPIAL championship, West Allegheny finds itself with some unknowns on both sides of the ball. The holes that need filled include quarterback, running back and linebacker, just to name a few. But as Bob Palko has proven in the past, the players that step into important roles for their junior and senior seasons have been properly groomed and often excel. BY STEVE BRENNER

DEREK CLONTZ

BUILDING

FROM WITHIN n

Photo by Connor Mulvaney

OFFENSE Nick Ross is slated to be the main quarterback for West Allegheny with Jake Cunningham providing depth at the position. The Indians’ run first offense will feature Terence Stephens and Whitney White -- both of whom saw plenty of carries last season -- along with Kenny White and Will Weber. Luke Kadlecik and Connor Johnson are two receivers who will look to make an impact, but Palko said his staff has their eyes on a few more who could as well. Tight end will be a position of strength for the Indians as Anthony Dellovade, Matt Holmes and Joe Gluzman are big bodies who can also be a threat with the ball in their hands. Max Clements, Mike Clark and Kamren Cornell will be featured at full-

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League, Ivy League, there’s so many different ways to look at it. Academics will play a huge part for him. Does he get the shot? Does Northwestern or Duke come? We’ll just have to wait and see.” On the field, Clontz will be an anchor for an offensive line that will be counted on to solidify the Indians’ offense. West Allegheny is breaking in a new quarterback, and with its top two running backs lost to graduation, the offensive line’s play will go a long with in determining offensive success. And as a senior, Clontz is a leader for the line and for the offense as a whole. “I’m a lot more vocal than I use to be,” said Clontz. “You have to start taking charge of what the younger guys are doing and make sure they’re doing it right and make sure everyone is on the same page.” The line will be an integral part of the Indians’ run-first offense, and the smarter the linemen are, the most diverse the offense can be. “But the smarter they are, the more we can install. And we’re good on that front,” said Palko.

School Teams!

back. The offensive line will feature some newcomers but will be anchored by Derek Clontz, Sam Hammers, Justin Baker and Nick Loniero. Kieran Firment could also see time. DEFENSE West Allegheny has a lot of holes to fill, particularly at the linebacker position. Tommy Burke, Clements and Gluzman will be counted on at linebacker. Whitney White and Stephens will anchor the secondary, but Palko is still waiting for the other starters to emerge. SPECIAL TEAMS DJ Opsatnik will once again handle the kicking duties, and Skyler Mason is a possible punting option. The main returners will be Stephens and Whitney White.

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SOUTH SIDE

Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | L7 HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 6 of 39 (19.4%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 13 (33.3%)

At least 2 honor rolls 17 (43.5%)

At least 1 honor roll 24 (61.5%)

CLASS A BIG SEVEN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 7-4, 5-2 COACH: GLENN McDOUGAL SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 5

at Neshannock

Sept. 11

Rochester

Sept. 18

at Fort Cherry

Sept. 25

at Union

Oct. 2

Vincentian

Oct. 9

Shenango

Oct. 16

at Riverside

Oct. 23

Avonworth

Oct. 30

Western Beaver

7:30

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 203.3 Passing Offense 82.7 Total Offense 286.0 Rushing Defense 127.4 Passing Defense 86.8 Total Defense 214.2 Scoring Offense

26.7

Scoring Defense

21.1

Based on nine-game regular season

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Cox, Hunter

C/LB

6-0 205

5-8 140

McLaughlin, Kyle

OL/DL

5-11 220

Milliken, Corey

OL/DL

6-1 157

Smith, Cameron

OL/DL

5-8 150

Tellish, Caleb

OL/DL

6-2 180

Thompson,Quae’Shawn RB/DB

5-9 150

Hubbard, Brett

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Berger, Tyler

RB/DB 5-10 165

Campbell, Cole

RB/DB

5-8 150

Crider, A.J.

OL/DL

6-2 215

Hample, Cody

TE/LB

6-2 205

Heberle, Robbie

QB/DL

6-0 167

Johnson, Zach

WR/DB

5-8 160

Jones, Logan

OL/DB

6-3 195

McCool, Mike

OL/DL 5-10 155

McCoy, Collin

RB/DB

5-7 190

O’Keefe, Kyle

OL/DL

6-0 190

Ozenbaugh, Ryan

OL/DL

6-3 281

Roach, Matt

RB/DB 5-10 150

Seik, Austin

RB/DB

5-5 120

Temple, Trevor

OL/DL

6-0 275

Williams, Trevor

OL/DL

6-0 140

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Bargerstock, Brandon OL/DL 5-11 140 Bloom, Cordell

WR/DB

5-9 148

Bobish, Nicholas

OL/LB

5-7 146

Doran, Rigdon

QB/DB

5-8 155

Goodlan, Keith

TE/LB

6-0 158

Fortunato, Chase

OL/DL

5-9 226

McCoy, Bishop

OL/DL 5-10 265

Navarra, Jake

OL/DL 5-11 175

Reilly, Austin

RB/DB 5-10 180

Tellish, Jared

OL/DL

FRESHMEN

6-0 150

Pos Ht Wt

Botkin, Jake

RB/LB

5-9 167

Bruce, Jordan

QB/DB

5-8 137

Cooper, Ajay

RB/LB

5-6 145

Franche, Derrick

OL/DL 5-10 137

Hillard, Josh

OL/DL 5-11 165

Locke, David

OL/DB

Messenger, Dustin

OL/DL 4-11 180

Myak, Nick

OL/LB

6-1 166

Olszewski, Jon

OL/DL

5-7 170

Roy, Nate

OL/DL

5-3 110

Smeltzer, Tom

OL/DL

5-9 165

Weaver, Nick

OL/LB

5-7 160

Windsor, Marshal

OL/DL

5-8 170

5-7 187

KYLE McLAUGHLIN

DIVERSIFYING

HIS RESUME RAMS’ SENIOR CAN PLAY ANYWHERE, BUT HE GLADLY GOES WHERE HE’S NEEDED Story by Joe Sager Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

ou can usually find Kyle McLaughlin in the trenches. But that doesn’t mean he’s all brawn and no brains. The South Side senior, who carries a GPA around 3.0, could play almost any position for the Rams. But they need him most up front. “He is a really good athlete. Kyle could play fullback for us and in the wing-T offense we run, the fullback is like the tailback,” South Side coach Glenn McDougal said. “He has been messing around throwing and he can really throw the ball, too. He could play tight end or fullback for us, but he sacrificed for the team and plays offensive guard for us, because guards have to be very athletic in our offense, and

he doesn’t get a lot of notoriety.” When McLaughlin lines up in the trenches, he doesn’t just block. He has a million things running through his head before the snap. “A lot of people think our offense is a little more complex, and he has to make a lot of offensive calls up there depending on what the defense is doing,” McDougal said. “Depending on what kind of front they are in, he has to make a lot of calls, and we give him a lot of leeway to do that. There’s not always a set way we’re going to block a play. The guys are deciding at the line of scrimmage. He does very well with that and picked it up very well. Going through all those scenarios in his head has become second nature.” McLaughlin enjoys the mental challenge in addition to the physical battles football provides. “If you stay focused on what you need to do and what you have to accomplish, you can always push through,” he said. As a defensive end, he doesn’t get a break either.

“You have to pick up on the offense to see where they’re going. Defensively, you have to be able to read where the ball is going or what’s going on,” he said. He’s been able to apply his focus and anticipation in the classroom, too. “It works both ways. In sports, you learn to be focused and strong to get through everything,” he said. “And you have to get down to business and focus in the classroom and just push through the long days and weeks of school. It feels real good knowing you’re accomplishing something in athletics and academically.” McLaughlin takes on the role of instructor when he’s out on the field, too. “You’re on a team and you have to know how everyone on a team works. You have to really pay attention. It’s not just about you; it’s about the team,” he said. “If you know every position, you can help. I think of myself as leader and so does my team. Being a leader, you have to know what’s going on and be involved in everything.”

BREAKING DOWN THE RAMS OFFENSE Replacing running back Nate Block, who rushed for more than 1,800 yards, is not going to be easy.“I was flabbergasted when he carried the ball 40 times in the regular season and against Frazier in the playoffs. He also put himself in position to do that through hard work. However, we’ll spread the ball around and be more balanced this year,” McDougal said. Cole Campbell and A.J. Crider could share the load, and Quae’Shawn Thompson and Matt Roach could share time. McDougal hopes to work younger players into the mix as well in the wing-T offense. Rob Heberle returns at quarterback, and leading receiver Cameron Smith is back, but he could move around in the offense, including taking some snaps at QB. Ryan Ozenbaugh, Cody Hample (tight end), Jake Navarro, Hunter Cox, Caleb Tellish, Logan Jones, Bishop McCoy and McLaughlin will see time on the line. DEFENSE On the line, Navarro returns at nose guard. McCoy will battle for time on the line, while McLaughlin is back at

end. The other end spot is an open battle. Crider and Cody Hample are back at linebacker. Cameron Smith and Thompson are the cornerbacks. Campbell and Roach will see time at safety, while the free safety spot is open. The Rams had the Big Seven’s second-best defense at 20.2 points per game.

have to battle others to retain the position. Block punted for the team, so that leaves a hole to fill. “That’s a question mark. Our kicking game and punting game were strengths last year. They really helped us in the field position battle. We have to get our special teams on par quickly because you can’t SPECIAL TEAMS The kicking give good teams bonus field game may have new looks position. That’s a big concern, this year. Brett Hubbard did probably the biggest concern I some kicking last year, but will have,” McDougal said.

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South Side responded from a winless season two years ago with a 7-4 mark and a berth in the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals last fall. “The excitement is back in the school. We have some kids playing who should have been playing and haven’t. They want to be part of the excitement,” coach Glenn McDougal said. BY JOE SAGER

L8 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

RIVERSIDE

HONORABLE MENTION All 3 honor rolls 13 of 38 (34.2%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 2 honor rolls 15 (39.5%)

At least 1 honor roll 22 (57.9%)

Riverside only had three marking periods available.

BREAKING DOWN THE PANTHERS

Riverside reached the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals last year. The Panthers hope to take another step this year. With a lot of talent back, Riverside believes it can do just that. The Big Seven Conference should offer some tough challenges this year, too, as the teams that finished ahead of the Panthers (Neshannock, Shenango and South Side) return a lot, as well.

CLASS A BIG SEVEN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 6-5, 4-3 COACH: TOM LIBERTY SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

Bishop Canevin

Sept. 12

at Western Beaver 12:30

Sept. 18

at Neshannock

Sept. 25

Rochester

Oct. 2

at North Catholic

Oct. 9

Union

Oct. 16

South Side

Oct. 23

at Shenango

Oct. 30

at Vincentian

BY JOE SAGER

OFFENSE The Panthers scored 30 or more points three times last season. Their spread offense could be more explosive this season. “We’ve been doing all the right things. We went to a ton of 7-on-7 passing scrimmages. The kids have been lifting all winter and spring. It was fun last year, and the kids are excited about this year,” Liberty said. Riverside features one of the WPIAL’s top quarterback recruits in Jason Dambach. He threw for more than 2,000 yards last year. “I have high hopes for him. He’s done a really nice job getting better and had a great summer. He has a lot of schools looking at him. He’s more mature,” Liberty said. Top receivers Ricky Wass, Austin Dambaugh and Vinny Loccisano return. The team’s top three rushers graduated, but Lance Fisher takes over as the main back. H-back Hunter Paff returns, as well. Mark Glevicky anchors the offensive line at center. He is a fouryear starter. Guards Brandon Speer and Bishop are back.

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 150.8 Passing Offense 209.8 Total Offense 360.6 Rushing Defense 238.9 Passing Defense 79.0 Total Defense 317.9 Scoring Offense

26.6

Scoring Defense

25.1

Based on nine-game regular season

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Bishop, Garrett

OL/ILB

5-9 215

Dambach, Jason

QB/S

6-6 190

Glevicky, Mark

C/DE

6-4 265

Loccisano, Vince

WR/CB

6-2 155

Paff, Hunter

TE/OLB 6-0 200

Taylor, James

OL/DL

6-0 195

Weber, Blake

WR/CB

6-0 155

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Baust, Justin

WR/CB

Fisher, Lance

WR/OLB 6-0 198

Knight, Jared

OL/DL 5-10 176

Speer, Brandon

OL/DL 5-11 243

Thumm, Conor

TE/DE

Vignolini, Dylan

RB/OLB 5-9 160

Wass, Ricky

WR/FS 5-10 165

SOPHOMORES

6-0 150

6-1 195

Pos Ht Wt

Blair, Steven

WR/CB

5-8 130

Braymer, Kyle

OL/DL

6-1 125

Catalano, Noah

RB/CB

5-8 143

Connolly, Max

RB/S

6-0 155

Dambach, Austin

WR/CB

6-3 180

Durr, Joey

RB/CB

5-4 100

George, Brandon

WR/CB

5-7 150

Gunn, Billy

OL/ILB

5-6 165

Gunn, Jimmy

OL/ILB

5-6 170

Harris, Noah

RB/CB

5-7 150

Hughes, Mikey

OL/DL 5-10 170

Hughes, Woodrow QB/OLB 6-1 185 Kirkham, Shane

TE/ILB

Lemanski, Damon

OL/DL 5-10 182

Marweg, Kyle

RB/CB

5-6 142

5-6 140

Saunders, Adam

5-9 190

Shannon, Dylan

WR/CB 5-10 160

Wass, Dirk

WR/CB 5-11 135

Zellem, Joel

OL/DE

FRESHMEN

6-2 230

Pos Ht Wt

Altman, Deegan

OL/DL

5-4 150

Boots, Adam

OL/DL

5-6 190

Brosenitsch, Michael OL/DL 5-10 151 Cleckley, LeMarcus RB/OLB 5-7 150 Glevicky, Lucas

QB/CB 5-10 145

Graham, Lucas

OL/DL

Kopp, Dylan

OL/DL 5-11 180

Mark, Nathaniel

OL/DL 5-11 249

Rippy, Gerard

RB/DL

Speer, Jarrett

5-7 180

5-8 230

OL/DL

5-8 207

Theadore, Matthew WR/CB

5-3 110

Weckerly, Ben

5-8 300

OL/DL

GARRETT BISHOP

COACH ON

THE FIELD PANTHERS COACH TRUSTS SENIOR TO LEAD THE WAY Story by Joe Sager Photo by Sylvester Washington Jr.

arrett Bishop can do a little bit of everything for Riverside. The senior’s combination of strength, speed and intelligence allows him to be a key cog in the Panthers’ offensive and defensive attacks. “He’s the strongest kid on the team and the players respect him,” Riverside coach Tom Liberty said. “He does everything I ask. He never misses a practice and he’s always on time. This kid loves football, and that’s what I like about him.” There’s much more for Liberty to like, as well. On offense, Bishop plays guard and can run the ball as well. On defense, he is an all-conference linebacker. “On the defensive side, he is my inside linebacker and he is the commander-in-chief of the defense,” Liberty said. “On offense, I guess my word to describe him is ‘unselfish.’ In most offenses, with his size, he’d probably be playing in the backfield. He’d be one heck of fullback. Because we run a spread offense, he plays offensive guard. Probably in his heart, he would like to get some more touches with the ball. “He knows his roles as far as how he can help his team succeed. I trust him a ton and I respect him a ton. He is basically the glue that helps keep us together because of who is and where he plays.” Bishop, who carries a 3.96 GPA, tries to act as a coach on the field and help out his teammates. “If someone doesn’t know exactly what is going on, I can help give them that confidence,” he said. “I try to help them so they’re not guessing. Confidence is a big part of football and academics. It’s just that mindset you need to have.” Bishop explained that one key to gaining confidence is getting ready to face any situation. “Preparation is huge. If you prepare yourself for school, you’ll prepare yourself for games as well. I feel like that helps a lot,” he said. “It can be tough at times. That’s when you have to put other things aside and focus on what’s important to you. Going out and doing stuff, you might not be able to do that as much if you’re playing sports and working hard to get good grades.” Preparation and anticipation helped Bishop get the 2014 season

DEFENSE Riverside improved its defense, which went from giving up 41 points per game in 2013 to 25.2 last year. Glevicky and Speer are back on the line. Ellwood City transfer James Taylor could see some time on the line. Bishop quarterbacks the defense from inside linebacker. Paff will move inside to join him. Woody Hughes and Fisher will be at outside linebacker. Austin Dambach and Loccisano are at corners, and Wass is at free safety.

off to a good start for the Panthers. He stepped in front of a pass on the game’s second play and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to give the team a quick lead in the opener. “He’s smart and fast,” Liberty said. “He blows people up. I wouldn’t want to get hit by him.” Bishop would like to continue playing football in college, but he knows he’ll have to maintain his academics. “You want to play football for as long as you can, but you have to get the grades go along with it to help you after football,” he said. “Right now, it’s up in the air. I could do a lot of different things, but it’s just a matter of figuring out what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’d like to keep playing football. I love the game. I just think playing football in college would be a great experience.”

SPECIAL TEAMS The Panthers lost a threat when kicker Cortney Harden graduated. “She was pretty awesome,” Liberty said. Riverside hopes another soccer player will fill the role. Austin Dambach and Wass could return kicks.

Riverside

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Sunday, August 30, 2015 | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | THE TIMES | L9

WESTERN BEAVER

HONORABLE MENTION All 4 honor rolls 4 of 30 (13.3%)

A BREAKDOWN OF PLAYERS’ APPEARANCES ON THE HONOR ROLL IN 2014 At least 3 honor rolls 5 (16.7%)

At least 2 honor rolls 5 (16.7%)

At least 1 honor roll 8 (26.7%)

CLASS A BIG SEVEN CONFERENCE LAST YEAR: 2-7, 2-5 COACH: MATT GRAY SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Sept. 4

at Shenango

Sept. 12

Riverside

Sept. 19

Chartiers-Houston 12:30

Sept. 25

at Vincentian

Oct. 3

Neshannock

12:30

Oct. 9

at Rochester

7:30

Oct. 16

at Northgate

Oct. 24

Union

Oct. 30

at South Side

12:30

12:30 7

2014 STATS Rushing Offense 149.1 Passing Offense 52.2 Total Offense 201.3 Scoring Offense

14.3

Scoring Defense

30.3

Based on nine-game regular season; Defensive statistics were not available

ROSTER SENIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Chaffee, Corey

OL/DL

6-1 260

Cusano, Nick

OL/DL

5-8 225

Holava, Connor

TE/DL 5-10 175

Pike, Rob

WR/DB

5-9 120

Trent, Dan

TE/LB

6-0 195

Chandler, Micah

WR/DB

5-9 120

Ward, Anthony

OL/DL 5-11 230

Smith, Gary

OL/LB 5-10 235

JUNIORS

Pos Ht Wt

Gailey, Brett

RB/DB 5-10 170

Anthony, Turner

QB/DB

6-0 150

Hoffman, Nate

WR/LB

5-9 150

SOPHOMORES

Pos Ht Wt

Hapach, Louie

WR/DB 5-11 150

Chandler, Kai

WR/DB

5-5 110

Shank, Conner

RB/LB

5-10 155

Young, Jeddy

RE/LB

5-10 185

Gray, Nate

WR/DB 5-10 145

Frioni, Luke

WR/LB

5-8 125

Henderickson, Logan RB/LB

5-6 145

Greene, Roman

OL/DL 5-10 260

Jones, Austin

OL/LB

5-8 145

Plumley, Chad

OL/DL

6-2 220

Styen, Dylan

OL/DL

6-2 290

Altenbaugh, Cody

OL/DL 5-10 185

FRESHMEN

Pos Ht Wt

Hawkins, Tyler

TE/LB

6-4 185

Quigley, Harrison

WR/DB

5-5 135

Mitchell, Tyler

WR/DB

5-3 105

Loncar, Hunter

WR/DB

5-5 105

Chandler, Raven

RB/DB

5-9 135

Oldaker, Marcus

TE/DL 5-11 165

Ours, Jason

WR/LB

Menich, Chad

5-9 145

OL/DL 5-10 225

COREY CHAFFEE

KEEPER OF THE

WISDOM

TEAMMATES LOOK UP TO GOLDEN BEAVERS’ KEY LINEMAN Story by Rob Longo Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

ith lack of experience at the skill positions, the strength this year for Western Beaver will be in the trenches. Every starter on the line returns. And even though skill players are the ones that score the points, senior Corey Chaffee, who is consid-

BREAKING DOWN THE GOLDEN BEAVERS

Western Beaver brings back every starter on the offensive and defensive line, but has a lot of young players at skill positions, which can hinder a playoff push in a tough Big Seven Conference with the likes of Riverside and South Side, as well as Neshannock and Shenango. BY ROB LONGO OFFENSE Brett Gailey will have his hands full trying to replace quarterback Hunter Roknich, who did it all last season for the Golden Beavers. Look for more of a power running game, however, to build off the strength of the offensive line and to help ease the pressure off Gailey, among some traditional spread formations. DEFENSE No personnel or alignment changes are expected. With returners at every position, the defensive line once again is the staple. Skill players in the secondary are young and can be vulnerable against teams that can throw the ball. SPECIAL TEAMS Offensive lineman Gary Smith will handle kicks for Western Beaver, and Jeddy Young will handle the punting duties. Young could also see some time returning kicks.

WESTERN BEAVER OL/LB GARY SMITH Photo by Kevin Lorenzi

ered one of the brightest players by Coach Matt Gray, can provide a plenty of leadership using more of his brains rather than his skill. “He’s very smart,” Gray said of Chaffee. “He’s always teaching the young kids, telling them and reminding them what to do.” Even though some of his fellow linemen may not necessarily agree that Chafee is the smartest one of them all -- especially after going the wrong way during practice on that particular day -- he politely reminds them who they went to last year in search of advice. Presumably, Chaffee’s words of wisdom have become even more

streamlined after a 2-7 season last year. Western Beaver sought some sort of resurgence, something that would give the Golden Beavers that extra push to make the postseason for the first time since 2011. It didn’t pan out the way Western Beaver had hoped, even with a dangerous player like Hunter Roknich at quarterback. Rocknich has graduated, leaving a large hole at quarterback and on defense that Western Beaver will try to fill while keeping the same goal from last year in place. “You can’t replace a player like (Roknich),” said Gray. “He was a guy that could go the distance any play, and we don’t have anyone like that this year. Hopefully (junior) Brett Gailey can be that next year, but it’ll be very hard to replace him this year.”

Western Beaver

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L10 | THE TIMES | BEAVER NEWSPAPERS INC., PENNSYLVANIA | Sunday, August 30, 2015

T H E E V O LV I N G P L AY B O O K S

SPREAD IT OUT AS TEAMS THROW THE BALL MORE AND BALANCE OUT OFFENSES THAT USED TO RUN ON ALMOST EVERY DOWN, COACHES TRY TO KEEP THE STRATEGIES SIMPLE. Story by Steve Brenner

There was only one way for coach Joe Greco to describe his offenses of old with New Brighton 13 years ago. It was “Beaver County football.” The run first, run second and then run again mentality was the offense of choice for many teams in this area for years. That is, until recently. Offensive philosophies are gradually changing in the area, the most noticeable change coming in the passing game. Different formations and philosophies are starting to become commonplace for local teams -think no huddle at New Brighton, the spread at Beaver and the wildcat at West Allegheny. And the statistics over the past five years show offense is becoming more diverse. Teams from the coverage area averaged 73 passing yards per game in 2009. Only three teams averaged more than 100 yards per game while seven averaged less than 60 passing. Last season, the average jumped up to about 116 passing yards per game. Eleven teams passed for more than 100 yards per game. Riverside averaged more than 200 yards a game. Such large passing totals can be hard to digest for some of the coaches who have been in the area for a while. “We’re used to the Monacas and Farrells and where we just beat each other’s brains out. Now, quarterbacks are throwing for 200 yards. I’ve been coaching for 30 years, (and) I don’t think a quarterback threw for 200 yards in my first 25 years. But you have to adjust to it,” said Rochester coach Gene Matsook. Where are these aerial attacks coming from? Look up ... to the next level. “The college game has filtered down to the high school game,” said Greco. “Those offenses are so efficient and so potent, and you watch it as a coach and say that’s what I want to happen, be-

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cause it’s fun. You aren’t going to hand the ball off to one kid 40 times a game and the kids aren’t just going to pound all game. You try to interest the kids and create space.” “Every coach sits down and watches college games. We go to all these clinics, and it’s spread all over the place. But you have to have the kids to do it,” said Quaker Valley coach John Tortorea. If asked, most coaches will say establishing the running game is still a top priority, and the stats corroborate that. The average rushing yards per game was 195 yards a game last season, up 17 yards from five years ago. But it’s the balance of an offense that differs from years past. Offense is what attracts players, but the challenge lies in tailoring an offense to the available players. West Allegheny is an example of the evolution of an offense based on players. Three seasons ago, the Indians were primarily a wildcat offense, but last season with senior quarterback Andrew Koester, the team featured more of a pro-style offense. With Koester’s graduation, West Allegheny will return to a run-heavy offense because it has plenty of talent in the backfield to prioritize. “We’ve always tried to be on the cutting edge of things and put things in perspective for the kids,” said West Allegheny coach Bob Palko. “I feel good that when our kids go to college, they’re not lost. We coach them hard and have high expectations. We do a lot more film work. We’re extensive with our kids doing film study and teaching

NEW BRIGHTON, LED BY QUARTERBACK PEYTON FATH, WAS ONE OF SIX AREA TEAMS TO AVERAGE AT LEAST 140 PASSING YARDS PER GAME LAST SEASON. Photo by Lucy Schaly

from practices. We think that has a lot to do with our success.” The evolution of scouting has also played a role in how offenses are progressing. Coaching staffs and available footage leave no secrets among teams in terms of what the offense is trying to do and how the defense is trying to stop it. “It’s getting to a point where some teams will sit in a base defense (no matter what), and some teams will play in different formations,” said Matsook. While offense changes and the defense struggles to catch up, the idea of simplicity is the biggest key to success. Palko said the playbook remains pretty much the same year-in and year-out because overhauls to the

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system will do nothing but hurt the players who have to learn multiple ones during their high school career. Instead, wrinkles are introduced to tailor to the personnel and the opponent. The illusion of complication is something that teams spend years working on, and only a few can perfect it. Greco pointed to summer workouts and seven-on-seven camps as ways to develop the quarterback position and attract athletes to the receiver position. “If someone ran the wing-T, they knew all the intricacies of a wing-T and that’s all they did. If they run the veer, that’s all they ran. Some of these teams that run these passing offense, they know every coverage, every blitz they’re going to get, and so the kids get it. They know where to sit in zones, they know how to beat man coverage,” Greco said “We use to worry about a million blocking schemes, blocking this, blocking that. The more you spread, the less guys in the box you can get. The linemen still have to be the smartest players, but I don’t think it’s more complicated.”

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