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Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers
Are you tired of numberness, tingling, burning, balance issues, loss of sleep due to your peripheral neuropathy?
Barb M
Are you like most people with this diesease and have taken Gabapentin, Lyrica, Neurotin or other medications without results or improvements? Do your symptoms continue to get worse?
I am 100% better and looking forward to starting to go for walks again.
Wayne L
I am back cutting the grass, walking through the neighborhood and doing more things.
An end-of-summer tradition continues
Chris Dugan
When you see this 56page publication in your newspaper, or online, it should signal two things. One of those is good news. The other is, sadly, bad. First, the bad news.
When you see this football preview edition, you know summer is almost over. The Pony League World Series and county fairs have been completed, the Wild Things have only a few games remaining in their regular season and the kids will be returning to school in a few days.
The good news is, it’s football season.
That’s where this publication comes in handy. It’s a joint production between the Observer-Reporter and The Almanac, along with help from sister publications the Herald-Standard in Uniontown and the Mirror in Altoona and our correspondents. This is the 49th year the O-R has produced a football edition.
We preview and give you all the information about 26 local high school teams, six colleges and, of course, the Steelers. So keep this publication nearby all season.
From our observations, interviews and reports, it appears that this season should be another very good one. Don’t be surprised if multiple teams from the local area make it to Acrisure Stadium and play for a WPIAL championship in November. That has been the trend in recent years.
There are many great stories to follow this year,
We have done the heavy lifting for the 2025 football season so you can get all the upto-date information with the Observer-Reporter’s 48th annual preview edition.
including at Fort Cherry, where the Rangers will try to become the first school in the coverage area of the O-R or Almanac to win three consecutive WPIAL titles. O-R sports writer Jerin Steele wrote our cover story about Fort Cherry’s recent run of excellence and what needs to happen for the Rangers to complete a three-peat.
We will also follow the area’s new coaches, Scott Bryer (Belle Vernon), Tim Trump (Beth-Center), Scott DeUnger (Charleroi) and Steve Spence (Chartiers Valley). Joe Kuhns, meanwhile, returns for his second stint at Waynesburg, and at some places the names never change. George Messich will be spending his 43rd season as a head coach, all at Mapletown, his alma mater.
Brian DeLallo, the former head coach at Bethel Park, will be the interim head coach at Canon-McMillan while Mike Evans recovers from a battle with cancer.
There are no changes to the high school football conferences because this is the second season of a two-year cycle. Realign-
ment will happen for 2026.
In the colleges, Penn State has lofty goals, an experienced team and begins the season ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The pressure is on head coach James Franklin, who is 3-16 against teams ranked in the top 10.
Rich Rodriguez is back at West Virginia after walking away from the job in 2007 for what he thought was a better spot at Michigan. Pitt has what could be a very good offense led by quarterback Eli Holstein.
Here’s betting the banter back and forth between the Mountaineers and Panthers will be entertaining ahead of the Backyard Brawl in Morgantown on Sept. 13.
California and Washington & Jefferson will try to get back to the NCAA Division II and III playoffs, respectively. Both teams will be starting new quarterbacks. The Vulcans’ quarterback will benefit from playing only one road game before Oct. 11.
Meanwhile, Waynesburg University has been improving in recent seasons and seeks to join the upper
echelon in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.
The Steelers, with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, promise to be interesting, win or lose.
The high school football season kicks off Friday.
That’s Aug. 22.
If that date seems early, well, that’s because it is. The earliest possible date that the high school football season can begin in any year in Pennsylvania is Aug. 22.
More than half of the regular season this year will be completed by the end of September. If you don’t like cold weather, or hot chocolate with your football, then this season is for you.
The opening weekend includes several rivalry games, including McGuffey at Washington, Upper St. Clair at Mt. Lebanon, Canon-McMillan at Peters Township, Monessen at Charleroi and West Greene at Waynesburg. So, are you ready for some football?
Observer-Reporter sports editor Chris Dugan can be reached at dugan@ observer-reporter.com
Chris Dugan, Jerin Steele, Eleanor Bailey, Rob Burchianti, Jonathan Guth, Neil Rudel, Bob Hertzel, Jim Wexell, Bill Hughes, Joe Tuscano, John Sacco, Mark Marietta, Lori C. Padilla
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
TRIPLE THREAT
Fort Cherry has chance to join elite with WPIAL three-peat
BY JERIN STEELE jsteele@observer-reporter.com
McDONALD — The Friday before heat acclimatization got underway Fort Cherry, football coach Tanner Garry gave his players the day off.
But Matt Sieg, Eli Salvini and a group of their teammates got together anyway to get some extra work in.
That’s a glimpse into what has made the Rangers so successful over the last two years.
Even when given a chance to take a break, they refuse to do so.
Instead, they were out getting in some reps on the baseball field, which has a football grid painted on the outfield and has become the temporary practice spot while new turf is installed at Jim Garry Stadium.
Led by Sieg, a Penn State recruit, the Rangers have already made school history by winning their first WPIAL football title in 2023 and backing it up last year with another one.
Now they’ll try to do something no football team in the coverage area of the Observer-Reporter and The Almanac has ever done.
Win three in a row.
Nine local teams have won two WPIAL championships in a row. Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair did it twice and Belle Vernon was the most recent school to accomplish it in 2022 and ’23. McDonald, one of the three schools that eventually merged to become Fort Cherry, did it in 1951 and ’52.
No one has cracked the code for three in a row, and the Rangers are the latest team to have a shot at it.
WPIAL ELITE
Schools that have won at least three consecutive WPIAL championships:
Aliquippa (1987-89 and 2021-23)
Blackhawk (1991-93)
Braddock (1954-59)
Central Valley (2019-21)
Clairton (2008-12 & 2014-16)
North Allegheny (2010-12)
Penn Hills (1976-78)
Rochester (2000-02)
Thomas Jefferson (2006-08 & 2016-18)
Wilkinsburg (1914-16)
“That’s pretty crazy,” Sieg said. “I didn’t know that. That’s a lot of football history, so it would be pretty cool to do it.”
The elites
In the entire WPIAL, 10 schools have won three or more titles in a row.
It’s been mostly achieved by perennial powers like Aliquippa, North Allegheny, Thomas Jefferson and Clairton, the team Fort Cherry beat in the WPIAL Class A championship last year.
Loaded with skill
Fort Cherry has plenty of talent returning in its quest to join that exclusive company.
That starts with Sieg, who has been the catalyst and has put up eye-popping statistics since he first became the Rangers’ quarterback. That includes accounting for 52 touchdowns as a junior, 20 passing and 32 rushing.
His top two targets, Shane Cornali and Braydon Cook graduated, but there’s plenty of receivers returning with experience as well as all three of Fort Cherry’s running backs, Salvini, Ryan Huey and Christian Yanosko.
Photos: Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Matt Sieg and Fort Cherry have carried the championship trophy out of Acrisure Stadium in each of the last two seasons. No local school has ever won three consecutive WPIAL football championships.
Each one of them has experience playing in big time games, a trait that is invaluable for a team with lofty goals like the Rangers.
“Any type of experience you can get in that type of environment is obviously going to pay dividends on your program,” Garry said. “The seniors and juniors are out there playing, but the freshmen and sophomores have seen the work that was put in to get to that point. It helps set you up for success, but at the same time every year is different.”
Building the line
What will be different this season is the offensive and defensive lines. Four of the five starters on the offensive line and three of the four defensive linemen graduated.
Garry said there’s a young group ready to step in and who steps up will show themselves in training camp.
It’s not an unfamiliar spot for the Rangers, however. They had an entirely new offensive line last season after all five starters did not return.
Raising the WPIAL championship trophy at Acrisure Stadium has happened in each of the last two football seasons for Fort Cherry. The Rangers will attempt to become the first school from the area to do it in three consecutive years.
LOCAL 2-TIMERS
Local schools that have two consecutive WPIAL football championships, and the years:
Belle Vernon (2022-23)
Bridgeville (1948-49)
Chartiers-Houston (1971-72)
Donora (1944-45)
Jefferson-Morgan (1973-74)
McDonald (1951-52)
Mt. Lebanon (1980-81 and 1983-84)
South Fayette (2013-14)
Upper St. Clair (1974-75 and 1988-89)
the sports. The track program, baseball and softball teams can get out there on the turf for practice. It’s a major benefit for the entire community.”
Stay locked in
Any time a team has the type of success Fort Cherry has enjoyed, questions of complacency can arise.
Garry isn’t too concerned that his team will rest on its laurels or expect to show up and win.
Part of that is because of the conference they play in.
Black Hills Conference opponents have not only challenged the Rangers in the regular season, but in the playoffs as well.
ry games. It makes it so you can’t look ahead, which is good for us because it keeps us grounded.”
The other factor is leadership, which is spearheaded by Sieg and other seniors.
It’s been ingrained in them by their predecessors, and they are ready to carry the torch.
New turf
Another new feature for Fort Cherry this year is the synthetic turf field that’s being installed. It creates a minor inconvenience as training camp will start on the baseball field, but that’s outweighed by the long-term benefits.
“We were a school that prided itself on being one of the few teams that played on grass, but this is a big deal for the district,” Garry said. “It’ll benefit all
“We feel confident enough in the skill we have returning that we have something to build around, but like anybody will tell you, you can’t really build anything until you build up front,” Garry said. “Just getting those guys up to speed and better every day has been our main goal. It’s something that we had to go through last year and we’re trying to do something similar again.”
Two years ago they beat Bishop Canevin in the semifinals and last year Cornell was a quarterfinals opponent. The Rangers won both times, but each game was tight.
Bishop Canevin has been a Class A semifinalist each of the last two years.
The expectation is to be tested again this season.
“Our conference makes it very easy to stay focused, because of how loaded it is,” Garry said. “You have Cornell, Bishop Canevin, Monessen and Serra Catholic and Chartiers-Houston and Burgettstown are always fierce rival-
“The program we have and the culture that the coaches have set forth with us has led us,” Sieg said. “We have had a lot of older guys through the years who have graduated and the way they led has been able to help the younger guys step up and lead the same way. It’s something we’ve been able to carry over. We have guys who just love football and want to work hard. That’s taken us far.”
As Garry put it, each player and season is different.
The molding process for this season begins with training camp.
“Some teams are filled with hard-working kids who want to be better and other ones that you have to work with a little more,” Garry said. “We’re excited to see this group get into the season and see what their makeup is. There’s a lot of kids we haven’t had a chance to see day in and day out, what they’re able to do, so that’s part of the excitement of it.”
Avella Eagles
Experienced Avella could be in Rush to win
BY JOE TUSCANO newsroom@observer-reporter.com
AVELLA — Armed with most of its starters back from last year, Avella High School's football team is looking to make some noise in the Tri-County South Conference.
Coming off a 3-7 season and with 15 starters returning, the Eagles might be preparing for a WPIAL playoff appearance. It would be their fifth in the last 16 seasons.
"I've got a lot of players returning, eight on offense and seven on defense," said Avella head coach Ryan Cecchini. "We'll have a veteran team that has seen a lot in the past."
None more important than junior Chas Rush, who plays quarterback. Last year, Rush accounted for more than 1,000 yards running and throwing the football.
"He started off really good but then he broke his hand," said Cecchini. "We had to adjust the offense because we're normally under center. So we moved to the shotgun and he had to catch the snap and pin it against his leg. That sort of disrupted the timing of our whole offense. Now that he's back, we can take advantage of having him healthy."
Rush accounted for nine total touchdowns last season and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.
"I see myself as no better than anyone else on the team," Rush said. "I'm going to try the best I can to win football games. I hope everybody gets along well. I see myself as being a captain on the team and pulling the team together."
Rush said he is more of a runner than a passer but he can do both.
Last year, he rushed for 620 yards and passed for 384 yards.
"I am a lot better running the football," said Rush. "During the offseason I worked on my vision on the field and my strength."
Rush said the Eagles can be as good as they want to be.
Cody Clegg launches to take down the tackle wheel in a preseason drill for the Eagles.
"We know some teams are good and some teams not as good," said Rush. "We have to play every team with confidence."
Helping Rush and the Eagles along will be Bryce Wright, who ran for 182 yards and caught four passes for 52 yards.
"We're going to try to open it up a little more because Bryce is an excellent athlete," Cecchini said.
Noah Kimberland, who transferred in from Weirton Madonna, is the other running back.
Holden Fisher (6-4, 280) will start at left tackle and Eddie Craigo (5-9, 230) will settle in at left guard. Sawyer Kramer (6-1, 210) will center the line. Right guard is up for grabs in camp and right tackle is Cody Day (62, 210).
"I feel like we have a lot of
guys back on the line," Cecchini said. "They're not necessarily the biggest but we do a lot of pulling and I feel our guys are athletic enough to do that."
The defensive front will include Fisher, Craigo, Kramer and Day.
Rush will slip into linebacker on defense with Kramer and Isaiah Stokes (5-9, 210). Wright. Kimberland and Darren Rus-
chel will fill up the secondary. Cecchini is wary of the same teams in the conference and says its top two from last year could be there again this fall.
"The two teams at the top of the list are Cal and Jeff-Morgan," Cecchini said. "Those are the two we were fighting for first place. If you want to make a move, then you've got to knock one of those guys off."
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Belle Vernon Leopards No easing into Bryer era at Belle Vernon
BY JOHN SACCO newsroom@observer-reporter.com
In the case of the Belle Vernon Leopards, don't judge a book by its cover – or its first five games.
First-year head coach Scott Bryer and Belle Vernon start this season with games against Aliquippa (home), at Central Valley, McKeesport (home), at South Fayette and then host Thomas Jefferson. Bryer just chuckled when asked about the Leopards’ first five challenges after playing a second scrimmage against West Allegheny rather than a Week Zero game.
"We're not easing into anything," Bryer said.
Belle Vernon's offense will be led by senior quarterback Curtis Wade and senior running back Deaubre Lightfoot (5-10,165).
Adding experience at receiver senior Nick Mahalko (6-2, 177).
“Offensively, skill-wise, with Curtis coming back and Lightfoot we'll have two there who have experience and production. We have three back on the offensive line," Bryer pointed out.
Those three players who saw significant playing time up front include senior Jude Minniti (6-3) – a starter last year – junior Ethan Barron (started a few games) and junior guard Dalton Daumit (6-1).
Defensively, Bryer thinks the Leopards will have a strong linebacking corps. That unit will include senior David Bergstedt and junior Jace Gedekoh (6-0, 173).
Belle Vernon, after winning consecutive PIAA championships in 2023 and 2024, went 4-5 overall last season. The Leopards finished 3-2 in the Class 4A Big Six Conference, losing to Thomas Jefferson, 42-14, and to Trinity, 31-21, to finish in third place. The Leopards were eliminated from the playoffs by McKeesport, 34-11.
Belle Vernon will again contend with Chartiers Valley, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, TJ and Trinity in conference play.
"We have a lot of new guys in terms of people filling in and in starting positions," Bryer explained. "We’re looking at improvement every week. We'll see progress through the effort and that's needed on a daily and weekly basis. I'm
looking for them to show up every day with the right attitude, wanting to get better every day and being in it for the long run.
“Obviously, the beginning of our season is very difficult. I think our first five or six games are against teams that are legit contenders for winning WPIAL championships and playing even deeper into playoffs. We have our work cut out for us and that just adds to the challenge. I know we have five new starters on offense and six new starters on defense, so I'm putting some young and inexperienced guys out there in some tough situations right off the bat."
The top two teams in each Class 4A conference, plus two at-large wild cards, will be selected to represent an eightteam postseason field.
"You're always going to put Thomas Jefferson at the top until someone knocks them off," Bryer said. "Cherp (Jaguars' Coach Bill Cherpak) does a great job and they obviously had a great year last year. They return another strong team this year and you look at them to be up at the top again. Yeah, we battled with them the last year and with Trinity. I think they're going to have another really solid team as well."
Bryer is eager to start his first campaign as Belle Vernon’s head coach. He is an elementary principal in the Mount Pleasant School District and succeeds Matt Humbert.
Prior to being a Belle Vernon assistant, Bryer was assistant head coach/ defensive coordinator at Mount Pleasant from 2001-2008. He is a South Allegheny graduate and earned his teaching degree from Robert Morris University and a master’s degree from PennWest California University.
Bryer previously coached at Belle Vernon under former head coach Aaron Krepps.
“It's very exciting,” Bryer said. “It's more. It's an honor to be able to do it.
I'm glad that people think high enough of me to give me this opportunity. To be able to have so many good coaches come on staff just reinforces that excitement.
“I've known these kids for a long time and this program has meant so much to me and my family the last 10 to 15 years.
I'm excited to keep it moving forward and I look forward to all the challenges that come with it.”
Bentworth Bearcats
With Hays, Bentworth should be strong in TCS
BY JOE TUSCANO newsroom@observer-reporter
If dedication means anything, then Bentworth High School should have a pretty good football season.
All summer long, one passing the weight room could hear the music blaring and the sound of iron slapping the floor.
"I'm not saying we'll be the best team in the conference, but we'll be mid-level," said Bentworth head coach Dave Pordash. "We lost a few players from last year and our numbers are a little low. We have a couple guys returning. But they all came to lift in the offseason and they were pretty dedicated. They wanted to be here, they weren’t just putting in their time."
One of the guys returning is senior running back Ben Hays, who had a spectacular season last year and was one of the best players in the Class A Tri-County South Conference. Hays rushed for 1,358 yards. He is now within about 1,100 yards of passing school leader Tom Lapcevic, who played in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Hays did a little of everything for the Bearcats. He also caught 16 passes and was credited with 18 pass completions in 20 attempts for 340 yards and six touchdowns.
"He meant a lot to the team last year," Pordash said of Hays. "He led the team in rushing and scoring (17 touchdowns). He put on about 20 pounds and now weighs 190. In the offseason, he did a lot of lifting. He's one of the better talents in our conference. We'll get him the ball. Ben ran a lot of wideout and we'll have him do it again this year."
Ty Watson returns at quarterback after a solid 2024 season. Watson completed 51 of 113 pass attempts, threw six touchdowns and had six interceptions.
"Ty worked hard in the offseason," Pordash said. "He also put
on 20 pounds.
"We had a good lifting program this year. The kids were on it and the kids were dedicated.”
Jaquay Preston and Alex Leichty will join Hays in the backfield. Preston rushed for 253 yards and scored three touchdowns and Leichty gained 79 yards on 21 carries in an injury-shorten season.
Pordash used Hays on halfback passes and he was quite effective. Kaden Ayers and Timmy Bassich will be the main targets for Watson and Hays. Chris Harper is back after missing all of last season, but the Bearcats do need to find a replacement for Lucas Burt, who was the team’s leading receiver a year ago.
Pordash also has to find a replacement for offensive and defensive tackle Alex Rusilko, a 6-5, 318-pounder who took his skills to PennWest California. Cameron Krejci (6-0, 185) will start at left tackle and Brayden Taggart (5-9. 220) is at left guard. Levi Urcho (6-3, 300) will center the line.
Right guard will be Lucas Malanosky (6-0, 270) and manning the right tackle spot will be Gavin Haynes (6-4, 223).
"We do have some nice size," Pordash said. "We're looking for them to step up."
ABOVE: Quarterback Matt Behanna looks to evade defender Chris Harper (3) in a preseason offensive drill.
LEFT: Cameron Krejci targets the blocking sled.
Quincy Brown (5-11, 250) joins Haynes at defensive tackle and Urcho and Krejci will man the defensive end positions. Taggart and Jaquay step in at middle linebacker and Watson and Hays will be on the outside.
"Since I've been here, this is one of the strongest teams I had," Pordash said.
Pordash feels the Bearcats will have to watch out for California, Jefferson-Morgan and West Greene if they want to improve on their 6-5 record and take a step up in the WPIAL Class A playoffs. The Bearcats lost to Bishop Canevin at Dormont Stadium in the first round of the playoffs last season.
Photos: Mark Marietta/
Beth-Center Bulldogs
Beth-Center trying to piece together a winner
BY JOE TUSCANO newsroom@observer-reporter
Any high school football coach will tell you that putting together a team is like finding the pieces to a puzzle, especially when it comes to smaller classifications.
Just ask Tim Trump, the first-year head football coach at Beth-Center High School. The Bulldogs went 1-8 overall last year but a few missed opportunities and some better play could have easily pushed that record closer to .500.
The biggest piece to find is at quarterback, where Jonah Sussan graduated. Sussan led the Bulldogs in passing yardage and was a capable runner, and that's the first piece to the offensive puzzle Trump must find during camp.
"We have a lot of youth and lack depth," Trump said. "A lot of the guys got playing time so I'm banking on that this year. Some of them have to mature. Once they mature, I'm really looking forward to that because they are going to be really good. I hope it happens this year. I do think we're going to surprise some people."
Chase Bebout, who played sparingly last year, will get first shot at replacing Sussan. Bebout passed for 80 yards last year.
"Bebout is pretty accurate," Trump said. "He throws a nice tight spiral. When he's on, he's on. In some 7-on-7s, he threw some nice passes."
Bebout, who will run multiple sets, will have Danny Duncan, Cincere Cruse and Deasean Whipkey to throw to when he drops back.
In the backfield, Trump has Whipkey, a sophomore who led the team with 612 yards rushing and nine touchdowns last year, He will be joined by Teagan Veatch, who is the only senior in the backfield, and Homer Headlee, who will play fullback. Cruse has a chance to be an effective runner and receiver if
he can stay healthy.
Trump said he won’t deviate from what has long been a Beth-Center offensive tradition.
"Right now, we are trying to split the carries up evenly," he said. "Whoever has the hot hand will carry the load. We tell the kids we want to win. We don't have selfish players. These kids don't go around saying, 'I'm the man.' They are going to do whatever it takes."
Brody Bebout will handle left guard and Blake Stopko will play left tackle. Luciano Ruscitto, whose grandfather is former Bulldogs head coach Tony Ruscitto, will center the line. Bradley Detrick will be at right guard and Dominick Minucci will be at right tackle. Jax Taylor and Evan Miller will be the tight ends.
On defense, Brody Bebout, Stopko, Ruscitto, Detrick and Minucci will grab spots on the line. Cruse, Whipkey and Veatch will play either linebacker or defensive back.
Trump sees California and Jefferson-Morgan – the top two teams in the league a year ago –as the teams to beat again in the Tri-County South Conference.
"I'm really excited to get this show on the road," said Trump, who played at Beth-Center and Waynesburg University. "That's what I'm really excited about, to work with the kids.
"We're trying to get kids to come out but it's difficult. I talked to everybody and they are struggling with numbers. (California head coach) Ed Woods told me he only has 28 kids out. Right now, I have 26. But I had 37 kids sign up. I think the cellphone is messing up these kids. You don't see them out in the neighborhood like you used to. I learned a lot (of football) on the street. I learned to tackle, to run. I think technology is screwing things up."
Beth-Center opens its season Saturday at Riverview and plays its first home game Aug. 29 against Leechburg.
ABOVE: Freshman Shane Cronin leads teammates through an agility drill during a Bulldogs practice.
LEFT: Sophomore tackle Blake Stopko and his defensive linemates drive the blocking sled as they prepare for play in the Class A Tri-County South Conference.
Photos: Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter
Bethel Park Blackhawks
Bethel Park expects to uphold standards
BY ELEANOR BAILEY ebailey@thealmanac.net
BETHEL PARK — Bethel Park coach Phil Peckich agrees with the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin. For the Black Hawks, the standard is the standard, too.
Despite heavy losses to graduation, including the school’s alltime leading passer, a 2,000-yard rusher as well as two all-state performers, the Black Hawks anticipate vying for championships this fall.
“Our goals are to win a conference, beat our rival (Upper St. Clair) and when the playoffs roll around win the WPIAL championship. That’s the standard,” Peckich said.
“We graduated a lot of guys who played a lot of football but they taught the younger guys how to compete and they now understand what it takes to be competitive in this league and what it takes to win on Friday nights.
“We have things to figure out, question marks and a long way to go to get there,” Peckich continued. “This is a group that is hungry and excited to get there.
They have a bad taste in their mouth from last year.”
In 2024, the Black Hawks posted a 10-3 record and reached the semifinals in the Class 5A playoffs, falling to eventual WPIAL champion Pine-Richland, 28-7.
Defensively, Bethel Park ranked among the top units in the WPIAL, allowing just 16.3 points per game. While the Black Hawks lost all-state defensive end Clancy Orie to the Naval Academy and all-conference defensive back Mitch Paschl, they return seven starters on defense.
Will Sabatos, Kahanuola Kuewa and Santino Nowozeniuk headline the veteran corps.
Sabatos was an all-conference defensive back last year as a sophomore. A versatile athlete, the 6-1, 185-pound safety will also play receiver on offense. Sabatos already has multiple Division I scholarship offers.
“Will is one of our most experienced players with play-making abilities,” Peckich said. “When you have a special player like him, you have to figure out how to get him involved. You will see him moved around a lot.”
A three-year starter, Kuewa is BP’s other safety next to Sabatos. The 5-11, 185-pound senior is also a receiver on offense.
“KK will have success,” Peckich predicted. “We expect him to have a big year.”
While Nowozeniuk is a returning cornerback, David Dennison is transitioning from the secondary to outside linebacker. Tim Ondo and Charlie Simmons are returnees at inside linebacker. Jovian Smith and Ryan Bergia return at end and tackle to anchor the line.
New additions to the defense are Brady Bruckner at cornerback, Tyler Miller in the secondary and Nate Cirincione.
“For many of those guys, it’s their third year in the system. So there’s a level of comfort,”
Peckich said. “Fundamentally we’re sound and we have done a lot to improve. It all started at the line of scrimmage and trickled down. We think their experience will pay dividends.”
With three starters back on the offensive line, Bethel Park hopes that experience pays off and the Black Hawks continue to be explosive. They averaged 40.6 points per game.
While Bergia and Nate Purcell return at guard, Santino LaMolinare anchors the line. The 6-4 senior is a three-year starter at right tackle. An all-conference performer, he has several FCS scholarship offers.
“Up front was a big part of last year and we have competent people looking to fill some shoes,” Peckich said.
Competing for the open slots at center and left tackle are Bryan McGuire, Gavin Baluh, Zach Hultz and Corey Gerber.
“I think it’s imperative to have a good offensive line because we are a run-first team,” Peckich
than 1,000 yards in returns. He scored 44 career TDs.
“The guys we graduated had major roles but the younger guys got to practice and compete against them. We have seen them in summer practices and 7-on7 camps exhibit a great deal of skill but once the pads come on and the Friday Night lights are turned on, they need to prove it,” Peckich said. “I think some of them are going to surprise a lot of people.”
Senior Evan Devine is battling Bruckner for the quarterback spot.
“Evan is a pure passer with the mentality of a quarterback and leadership ability. He understands the system and has learned under Tanner but Brayden has had a ton of success in three sports. He has a lot of versatility and his ceiling is high,” Peckich said.
said. “Our offense moves through the run game.We like who we have back and those who are competing for spots. It’s going to be one of our bigger lines in sheer size. That’s a benefit.”
While BP’s skill players have little experience, they have benefited from those who have gone before them, especially Tanner Pfeuffer, Ja Vaughn Moore and Ryan Petras.
A Frostburg State recruit, Pfeuffer became the school’s most prolific passer with more than 6,000 career yards, throwing for 2,656 yards last fall. He tossed 31 touchdowns.
A Robert Morris freshman, Moore ranked as the WPIAL’s No. 4 runner with 2,084 yards. He also was No. 3 in scoring with 196 points. He added 398 yards on 26 pass receptions. He led the Hawks with 32 touchdowns.
A Duquesne freshman, Petras was a multiple all-state performer that played 38 games and amassed 1,983 receiving yards, 1,260 rushing yards and more
Bruckner has experience as a wide receiver and he could be a leader at that spot along with Sabatos.
“Camp and our first few games will decide a lot of positions, including quarterback,” Peckich said.
The Black Hawks know Dennison’s capabilities in the backfield. He was last year’s starter before incurring an injury that opened the door for Moore. Peckich noted the 6-1, 205-pound tailback gained 140 yards rushing as a sophomore against USC.
“He’s a versatile, capable back. A pure runner,” Peckich said. “We expect him to pick up where he left off before being injured.
“If we are successful and stay healthy, we will be multiple in what we do. At Bethel Park, we line up and run the ball and play defense. We are unique in that we have young athletes but we expect production. That’s where the standard is now. It’s not going to be dropped just because we graduated people. Those guys last year were pillars of the program but our expectations are to continue to be successful. We embrace that.”
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Bethel Park players work on agility and tackling drills during preseason workouts.
Burgettstown Blue Devils
Blue Devils leaning on grit for turnaround
BY CHRIS DUGAN dugan@observer-reporter.com
BURGETTSTOWN —
At one end of the football practice field at Burgettstown there is a one-of-a-kind goal post. The uniqueness is that it’s turned backward – the neck extends toward the field – and the crossbar rests noticeably higher than the standard 10 feet.
In some ways, that goal post is a symbol of the Burgettstown program.
Like the goal post, the Blue Devils, who are coming off a 1-8 season, are in need of a turnaround. And with a bevy of experienced skill-position players returning, the bar has been set higher for Burgettstown this fall.
“We are going to be better,” head coach Mark Druga says firmly. “We’re going to be a better football team.”
The reasons for Druga’s optimism are the returning players at the skill positions on offense and something you can’t measure or feel, but all coaches can see.
“The mindset is different. We have grit,” Druga said. “We learned a lot from losing last year. There is a strong core of athletes here who have taken to the offseason workouts and conditioning. There is something about moving that iron in the weight room that makes you mentally tougher.”
The Blue Devils have to be mentally tough because they play in the Class A Black Hills Conference, which has produced three of the last four, and four of the last seven, WPIAL champions. And the nonconference
schedule includes defending conference champions Jefferson-Morgan and Neshannock.
“We played three conference champions last year. That’s not an excuse, it’s just the way it worked
out,” Druga said. “Even the one game we did win, it came against a playoff team: Bentworth. Our conference is as good, if not better, than last year. Fort Cherry still has Super (Matt) Sieg, Bishop Canevin has three potential Division I recruits, Cornell has a running back who will be going to William & Mary, Monessen has two good running backs and you never know what Serra has. Our conference, top to bottom, is the best conference in Class A.”
If Burgettstown is to accomplish a turnaround, it will start with the skill-position players. The Blue Devils return every wide receiver from a year ago,
the ball where it needs to be and he’s developed a nice raport with the receivers,” Druga said of his quarterback.
Druga raves about the athleticism and potential of sophomore wide receiver Michael Carrozza. “He catches everything,” Druga said.
Also back at wide receiver are senior Danny Smith, junior Bryce Speer and Stevenson.
“I think we’ll be throwing more, but with Mark Druga football we’re not going to be throwing 70 passes a game. We have to control the ball, though we did see improvement in the passing game during 7-on-7s,” Druga said.
If there is a concern at Burgettstown it’s in the trenches. Only two offensive linemen are back, senior Adam Baloga and senior Riley Dhans. Baloga is a two-year starter at center and Dhans plays tackle.
their top three pass catchers, their top two quarterbacks and their two leading rushers.
The offense should be more dynamic than last year, when the Blue Devils averaged only 9.3 points per game.
Colton County is back at tailback after averaging 5.3 yards per carry a season ago. His backup, sophomore Dom Stevenson, also returns.
Blake Neal was the Blue Devils’ quarterback a year ago until he suffered a season-ending collarbone injury at midyear. He has put on 20 pounds and grown a couple of inches since last year.
“This year, he’s placing
The defense and tackling must improve after the Blue Devils surrendered an average of 33.5 points per game last year. Druga is hoping to have more experience in the secondary and players more committed to the weight room will help in that area.
“We don’t have the size we had last year, but the grit is there,” Druga said. “We might not be the strongest team, but we pride ourselves in being the toughest.
“There’s not an easy game on our schedule. The teams we play, they all have the potential to break a big play. We don’t have that potential, so we have to control the football. We will have to piece things together, but we’ll be a better football team.”
ABOVE: Riley Dhans (72) and Owen Bailey (62) break through the line in a defensive simulation. LEFT: Colton County (18) catches a practice pass in front of defender Blake Neill during preseason practice.
Photos: Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter
California Trojans
Expectations haven’t changed at California
BY JOHN SACCO newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Consistency has been a key to Ed Woods’ high school coaching career.
That’s how he likes it and it remains the cornerstone of his and the California Trojans’ success.
“My expectations are the same every year,” Woods said. “I mean, I expect us to win the conference and I expect us to have success in the playoffs as well. I mean expectations don't change, only players do.
“I'll tell you what I'm very excited about the group this season. The kids are working hard in the weight room and we're going to (continue). I saw some nice results in there this year, and on the field the kids are working hard.”
The Tri-County South Conference will again feature Avella, Bentworth, Beth-Center, Carmichaels, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene, in addition to the Trojans.
In 2024, California finished 8-4 overall and 6-1 in conference play. The Trojans finished as the TCS runnerup after a narrow loss late in the regular season to Jefferson-Morgan.
The Trojans upended Laurel in the first-round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs before bowing out in the quarterfinals.
California had a high-powered offense, averaging 37.5 points per game. The Trojans allowed 18.2 points per game.
The Class A playoff system remains the same as last season. Sixteen playoff spots are available. Playoff berths will be based on team records using conference games, the top three teams in each section qualify for a playoff spot plus four at-large bids, determined by the football committee.
The Trojans are expected to again battle Jefferson-Morgan for the top spot and last season’s loss to the Rockets is a huge motivation.
“Well, it's definitely motivation,” Woods said. “That's been discussed already.”
California’s roster isn’t huge but it is dotted with talent and possibilities.
One of the main attractions is senior Malachi Peak (6-0, 231), a running back-defensive end. Peak was a complimentary running back a year ago to the Trojans’ Lee Qualk, a 2,000-yard rusher. Peak ran for 436 yards and averaged 8.9
yards per carry. He should get a larger workload this fall.
“Malachi has been known for defense but he’s on both sides of the ball now,” Woods said. “He played some fullback last year and played a little tailback. So far, his strength has been defensive end but I think that he's going to have a breakout year as a tailback this year for us. He looks great and is working hard.”
Others who could shine for the Trojans are sophomore fullback/linebacker Brayden Crockett (5-9,205), junior wide receiver/linebacker Elijah Carpenter (6-1, 212), junior offensive lineman-linebacker Colton Lowden (6-1, 212), senior fullback-linebacker Landon Abercrombie (5-10, 191), senior quarterback-defensive back Logan Hartley (6-3, 190) and senior offensive lineman-defensive end Noah Layhue (6-5, 240).
“Noah has really come a long way in one year in the weight room,” Woods said. “He put on a lot of weight and he's a wrestler, too. So, it's kind of tough for him, with his weight. I think he really decided that he wants to try and play college football. It shows by the way that he's taking care of his body. I'm looking for big things from him on both sides of the football.”
Hartley had to attempt only 71 passes a year ago in the Trojans’ run-oriented offense. Nine of those attempts went for touchdowns.
Woods also identified junior running back-linebacker Chase Shemansky (6-0, 165), sophomore running back-defensive back Alan Dennis (6-0, 180) as potential key contributors this season and beyond.
Woods pointed to Abercrombie, who plays fullback and inside linebacker. And to Hartley, the Trojans’ quarterback as plays who could take on larger roles.
“I’m expecting Abercrombie to have a solid year on both sides of the ball, and then we have our returning quarterback back, Logan Hartley, and we're expecting him to improve this year,” Woods said. “Chase Shemansky is another guy who has played a lot of slot receiver but also plays an outside linebacker position. I think he's going to have a nice year. Eli Carpenter, another receiver-outside linebacker kid who played a lot last year. We’re expecting a lot out of him. Colton Lowden, who we moved from tight end to offensive tackle, is also playing linebacker.”
Canon-McMillan Big Macs
Canon-Mac determined to play hard ‘For Ev’
BY JERIN STEELE jsteele@observer-reporter.com
Ty Jansma admitted the first time he met Canon-McMillan coach Mike Evans he was a little intimidated.
“In our freshman year, I wouldn’t say we were scared of Coach Evans, but he’s a big guy and he yells a lot,” Jansma said.
Jansma, Canon-McMillan’s starting quarterback, quickly learned how much Evans cared about his players, and that caring was reciprocated.
Some players would eat lunch with him in his office and talk football.
When they found out Evans wouldn’t be coaching this season because he’s battling liver cancer, it hit the locker room hard.
They want to give everything they have to honor him this fall.
“We want to play for him, because it’s tough on him not being here with us,” Jansma said. “At the end of practice when we break down we say, ‘For Ev.’ It’s a huge motivation for us.”
Evans took a one-year medical sabbatical.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Ty Jansma (1) is back for his second season at quarterback for Canon-McMillan. The Big Macs believe they can improve upon last year’s 3-7 record and make the Class 6A playoffs.
Former Bethel Park coach Brian DeLallo has stepped in to coach the Big Macs. He’s a longtime friend of Evans and said Evans is doing well, but
it’s hard on him not being at the football field. He talks with him nightly about how practice went.
“In 10 games last year, from Week Zero against Peters Township to the last one against Central Catholic, I made massive improvements,”
Gottschalk said. “There’s not a lot of high school coaches in the country that could help me do that. He’s a college-level O-line coach with college-level schemes and it shows. He’s been a great mentor for me.”
The coaching transition has been smooth because DeLallo spent 2023 as an assistant with the Big Macs.
DeLallo has plenty of returning starters to work with, including Jansma and tight end/defensive lineman TJ Sabatucci, a Buffalo recruit.
He’s really excited about the offensive line. It’s an intriguing camp battle where multiple players could earn a starting job.
“Other than Ben being at left tackle and TJ being the starting tight end, I couldn’t tell you who’s going to be in the other four spots,” DeLallo said. They are all up for grabs.”
DeLallo said. “We’ll probably have to throw the ball a little more than we thought, but we like what we have at wide receiver.
“Ty started as a sophomore last year and that comes with some growing pains. He is doing a good job taking care of the ball in camp.”
Canon-McMillan finished 3-7 last year and missed the playoffs in Class 6A. The Big Macs were in a lot of the games they lost, but mistakes, whether it be an ill-timed penalty or turnover or a missed assignment that led to a big play, cost them.
North Allegheny, Central Catholic, Mt. Lebanon, Seneca Valley, Hempfield and Norwin are the other Class 6A teams.
The Big Macs believe if they play clean football, then they’ll compete for a playoff berth.
“We have to take a step forward in terms of fundamentals and mental toughness,” Gottschalk said.
“The kids ask about him all the time,” DeLallo said. “I wish he could have more contact with him. With a medical sabbatical, part of the agreement is you can’t come to work. He’s really limited in how much he can see the kids. I think it’d be good for him and the kids if he could come around a little more. He can come to games to watch, which is good.”
Ben Gottschalk, a senior offensive lineman, said Evans had a major impact on his development and is determined to make him proud.
Troy Stimpson, last year’s running back, is not playing this fall to focus on baseball.
DeLallo has options at running back and he likes the wide receiver trio of Ethan Campoli, Roman Cimarelli and Braelon Wingfield. The passing game will be leaned on with Jansma being much more comfortable going into his second season as the starting quarterback.
“We feel like we have three really good receivers, so we should be able to spread the ball around offensively, which will help with the absence of Troy,”
“There wasn’t a first half of a game last year where we were overmatched. Upper St. Clair we were right in it. We led Peters Township at halftime … North Allegheny, Central Catholic … all of those games we were either in it or leading in the first half. We just have to finish out games. We’ve been running Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday since May. We do champions workouts on Fridays which are our hardest workouts of the week. Sled pushing, hill running, high intensity drills … those kinds of things. It starts with conditioning, mental toughness and our bond. All of those factors are better right now than they’ve ever been.”
Carmichaels Mikes
Senior QB Bubka leads the way for Mikes
BY ROB BURCHIANTI newsroom@observer-reporter.com
CARMICHAELS — Carmichaels has had a string of successful dual-threat quarterbacks in recent years and Cannon Bupka fills the bill for the Mikes in 2025 after a solid junior season.
“In terms of a playmaker we’re going to be relying on, that’s Cannon,” Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull said. “I’ll say this about Cannon, he’s the most physically gifted athlete that we’ve had here in my time. Cannon is every bit of 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, and he can run and jump.
“To have a kid that big and that athletic, I’ve not coached a kid like that before. He’s put on 15 to 20 pounds since last year. He looks really good and it’s not just by coincidence. He’s worked really hard in the offseason. I have to give credit where credit is due and he’s put in the time to change his body.”
With Bupka leading the way, the Mikes put together a winning record at 5-3 last year, including a 4-3 mark in the Class A Tri-County South Conference. That left Carmichaels in a three-way tie with Bentworth and West Greene for the third automatic playoff spot out of the conference which the Bearcats earned on a tiebreaker.
The Mikes then were at the mercy of the WPIAL, which had to choose a wild-card team and took Brentwood, a fifth-place team out of the Eastern Conference, over Carmichaels. This despite two of the Spartans’ victories were over winless teams and they had one less win (4-6) than the Mikes, who played two fewer games.
Krull, in the third year of his second stint as Carmichaels coach and 10th overall, didn’t want to dwell on the past.
“The unfortunate reality of it is, we didn’t do enough last year,” Krull said. “We can sit here and whine and complain but that’s not doing us any
good. We haven’t talked about it, we haven’t been disgruntled about it. We’re just OK, we’ve got to get better and that’s been our goal, to try to improve.”
The Mikes will again rely on a host of running backs led by senior Will Murray.
“As in years past we’ll have a bunch of guys touch the ball,” Krull said. “Right now, Will Murray will be our starting tailback. He’s another guy who’s done a good job for us this offseason. He’s looked quicker than he has in years past. He got a good bit of playing time as a sophomore and that continued over into his junior year. He was one of our go-to backs last year.
“Gage Kundly is a senior and he’ll see carries from different spots in the backfield for us.”
When it comes to throwing the ball, Stephen Lewis is the Mikes’ top target.
“Stephen is a guy who played receiver for us last year and he’s a junior this year,” Krull said.
“What a hard-working kid he is. We expect him to be a major contributor for us on offense.
“We have a young guy who’s going to be a sophomore this year, K.C. Shook, who has put in a lot of hard work in the offseason too, and changed his body. We look for him to get some touches and make some key contributions.”
Carmichaels has some holes to fill in the trenches.
“We did lose three seniors on the offensive line,” Krull said. “But the guys that we have returning on the offensive line did get to play a good bit last year. So it’s not like this is their first time starting.”
Carmichaels’ offensive style won’t change.
“We like our quarterback to be able to run it and throw it and we like to get multiple guys touches just to keep the defense honest,” Krull said.
Senior nose tackle Maddix Connelly anchors the Mikes’ de-
“We tell our younger guys just because you’re a freshman or a sophomore doesn’t mean you can’t contribute. We’re hoping they do all the things we’re asking them to do so that they can contribute on Friday night and be a legitimate player, whether it’s being a key special teams player or a backup. We’re going to need them all.”
One goal Krull’s team met last year was his plea for an increase in toughness.
“I was really proud of the way our guys responded last year from a physicality standpoint,” Krull said.
Carmichaels held conference champion Jefferson-Morgan, which went unbeaten during the regular season, to its lowest point total in a 21-6 loss.
“The Jefferson game, I know we lost but I thought our guys played hard and played tough,” Krull said. “It was 21-6 and it was 14-6 for a good bit of the game. We were able to hang with them.
fensive line.
“He’s a big guy, about 6-3, 330,” Krull said. “We’re expecting him to be a good, solid player up front and give these linebackers a little bit of freedom and time to find the football.”
Junior Job Smith is another player Krull is counting on.
“Job played a good bit last year and was definitely a contributor,” Krull said. “He was the first guy to back any of our linebackers up and he did start a couple games. We’re expecting him to make a significant impact this year.”
Like most Class A schools, the Mikes will be using plenty of two-way players.
“We do not have great depth,” Krull said. “This is the smallest roster we’ve had since I’ve been here. We’ve got 25 guys currently on the roster. I don’t know how many of them are going to work themselves into position where they can see significant playing time on Friday nights.
“That’s a credit to our guys believing in our coaches and buying in to what we’re selling in terms of if you’re going to play football, it’s a contact collision sport and if you’re not willing to have collisions then it’s going to be darn near impossible for us to have consistency. I thought our guys last year significantly improved from the physicality standpoint.”
Krull again sees Jefferson-Morgan and California, the only conference team to win a playoff game, as the frontrunners again in the TCS.
“California and Jefferson-Morgan were the best two teams in the conference last year and I think both teams have good players returning,” Krull said. “Until somebody knocks them off, I’d look at them as the two favorites.”
Krull will continue having his team play during Week Zero. The Mikes open their season at home against Sto-Rox during Week One.
Rob Burchianti/For the Observer-Reporter
Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull goes over instructions with Brayden Rayle during heat acclimation week.
Charleroi Cougars
Charleroi winning numbers game on roster
BY BILL HUGHES newsroom@observer-reporter.com
CHARLEROI — One of the key aspects new Charleroi football coach
Scott DeUnger wanted to hit upon when hired to take over the program was to build roster numbers back up during his first year.
Last season, the Cougars finished with barely enough players to field a team, but this year the numbers game is one that DeUnger and his staff shouldn’t have to worry about.
“We are getting good numbers,” the former Charleroi standout athlete said. “Sometimes it is hit or miss, but some guys have jobs.
“For the most part, it has been pretty good. We have done a ton of installs, and I feel we are ahead of the ballgame.”
Depth, according to DeUnger, factors into his expectations this season.
“I expect us to be more competitive,” he said. “They were in a lot of the games last year but didn’t have the numbers.
“We have a lot more players out this year. We will have the numbers and I think we can be a little bit surprising. They finished with 13 last year, but we currently have 38.”
Depth a year ago would have helped keep players fresh and possibly win a few more games. The Cougars lost three one-score games en route to a 1-9 record.
Numbers, alone, won’t change things for the Cougars, whose only win a year ago was against winless Sto-Rox.
DeUnger, a 1997 Charleroi graduate, is re-
alistic about where the program is and knows getting things back on track will take time.
“We aren’t where we need to be as a football program, and hopefully community support will be where it was before as we build high expectations,” he said.
“Can I be realistic and say a goal is to make the playoffs? We have a long way to go. These kids are coming in, working hard, and buying into stuff. You never know when that happens. We want to be more competitive and want people to see a change in what is going on.”
When asked to discuss the players who will be starting, DeUnger did not hesitate to respond.
“All starting jobs are open,” he said. “We have to pencil kids in, but they have to earn it.”
DeUnger did mention four seniors who started a year ago and should play significant roles again this fall.
Jamael Payne started at wide receiver and at different positions on defense.
Drake Lilley and Jerimiah Kerns both started on the line, and Nate Rock started at running back and was the Cougars’ leading rusher.
DeUnger also mentioned juniors Bradin Lunger and Brayden Todaro.
“(Lunger) runs track meets and is super fast,” DeUnger said. “He will be at receiver and cornerback.
“(Todaro) could potentially be at quarterback or tight end, and he will be at linebacker. He is raw, but he will find his way onto the field because he is athletic and plays
three sports.”
An influx of 23 freshmen helps Charleroi’s roster numbers, and they will learn from trial by fire. There is talent in the class.
“That class has had a lot of success (at younger levels), but they have to start over,” DeUnger said. “It is the ‘what have you done for me lately?’ approach. But they hit the weight
room hard and are giving their all.”
Three freshmen DeUnger mentioned were Jaxon Klinger, Brody DeUnger, and Elijah Allah.
The Cougars will again play in the Class 2A Century Conference with
Washington, Waynesburg, Carlynton, Keystone Oaks, Seton LaSalle and Sto-Rox. Charleroi opens the season against cross-river rival Monessen on Friday night.The conference opener is Sept. 12 at Seton LaSalle.
Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter
ABOVE: Senior Drake Lilley and Charleroi linemen attack the blocking sled as they grind through practice. TOP RIGHT: Junior Breadin Lunger hands off to senior Jamael Payne as the Cougars drill their offense in preparation for the 2025 season. BOTTOM RIGHT: Payne bursts past defenders.
Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers
Chartiers-Houston seeking continued progress
BY JERIN STEELE jsteele@observer-reporter.com
HOUSTON — When
Chartiers-Houston coach Dan Lis looked back at last season, he thought maybe he went a little overboard trying to be perfect with every little detail.
It was his first time as a head coach and there was progress made going from a winless 2023 to three wins last year, but he senses his team has more in it.
But with how hard, and sometimes long, they practiced, he could tell everyone was worn out both physically and mentally by season’s end.
So, the team shortened some of its spring and summer workouts to be fresh and ready to take another step forward.
“I learned that high school kids want to enjoy their life, but at practice they are here to work hard and we’re seeing that right now,” Lis said.
“We do leadership meetings in the offseason, and we invited the entire varsity team to those meetings. One of the things we stress is that we want to be player-led where we can sit back and our kids are going to get the drills
“AARON (WALSH) IS SOMEONE THAT ANY COACH WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE.HE’S THE KIND OF GUY THAT WILL ASK WHAT HE CAN DO TO HELP THE TEAM.”
— CHARTIERS-HOUSTON COACH DAN LIS
going themselves and get the pads out here for practice. At the end of the day, I think those things win games. I learned that it’s more of a process than just results right away.”
Lis has a large group of seniors mixed with a promising sophomore class.
There are a dozen seniors on the team, including Aaron Walsh, a three-year starter at quarterback.
Walsh and his fellow seniors went through the growing pains together, especially in that winless season when they were sophomores. They came out of it calloused and more experienced.
“It’s really exciting because I’ve played with all these guys growing up,” Walsh said. “It’s our chance to be the seniors on the team and really lead everyone else how we wanted to be led growing up.”
He was at practice with the Bucs’ basketball team that made the state playoffs, did preseason workouts with the baseball team and went to track and field practices.
“Aaron is someone that any coach would be lucky to have,” Lis said. “He’s the kind of guy that will ask what he can do to help the team. Do you need me to go safety or cornerback or get some scout team reps at receiver to get a good look at an opponent that week? It’s hard to find a kid like that.”
Walsh hopes to play collegiately as a wide receiver and is following a similar path to Lis.
Lis played quarterback at Chartiers-Houston and went on to be a receiver at Washington & Jefferson. Lis said he’s been working with Walsh on some receiver drills when they have time between preparing for him to be the starting quarterback.
Lis is impressed with the natural football instincts of his sophomore class, which includes Dominic Andreolli (running back), Teegan Bogden (quarterback), Brody Lynch (wide receiver/defensive back) and Tommy Dzura (defensive back), among others. Borden will line up at multiple positions this year while Walsh is the quarterback.
“They are kids that really know football. It’s one thing when a kid wants to be really good at football and you have to teach them certain things about football and it’s another when they just know it and can pick it up.”
Of the three wins Chartiers-Houston had last season, only one was in the Class A Black Hills Conference, that against Burgettstown.
The goal is to have a better showing in conference play and fight for a postseason berth. The Bucs know that won’t be easy, with the likes of Fort Cherry, Monessen, Cornell, Bishop Canevin and Serra Catholic in their path.
Nobody should question Walsh’s work ethic. That was on display in the spring when he was practicing three different sports in one week.
Walsh was all-conference as an athlete last season.
Fort Cherry is the twotime defending WPIAL champ.
Bishop Canevin has been a semifinalist the last two years.
The Bucs will have an experienced line in front of Walsh with four senior starters: Cam Durkacs, Jacob Lyle, Owen Straight and Jonathan Louden. Most of them will play on both sides of the ball. Other seniors expected to make a big impact include Jake Luba (tight end/running back/linebacker), Dadrien Walls (wide receiver), and Austin Mruk (middle linebacker).
“I think we wanted to compete last year, but now we really want to compete more in some of those bigger games, especially in our conference,” Lis said. “We have a hard conference. It’s no secret that it’s one of the toughest in all of the six classifications. We want to make the playoffs. That’s the goal, but to get there we just have to take it one day at a time.”
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Aaron Walsh gives Chartiers-Houston a three-year starter at quarterback in the rugged Class A Black Hills Conference.
Chartiers Valley Colts
Chartiers Valley looks to Spence to turn around program
BY ELEANOR BAILEY ebailey@thealmanac.net
BRIDGEVILLE — Chartiers Valley
football fans will get a glimpse of what type of team the Colts will be in 2025 if they attend the home opener at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 against South Fayette.
“Truth always finds you on the football field. There’s no hiding,” said Steve Spence. “You get the result for which you prepared.
“Your hard work or lack of it, your preparation and doing the right thing yields the right result. If you’re not doing those things, then that shows also. It’s clear cut.”
Since Spence was hired as CV’s new football coach in January after having spent 15 years as an assistant at Washington & Jefferson College, his approach has been clear cut. He’s devising a plan to transform the Colts into winners on and off the field. It’s a step-by-step process.
“Our goal right now is to do the little things right every single day and see where that leads us. Be disciplined. Work hard,” Spence emphasized.
Eventually Spence hopes the Colts will contend for state championships but immediately the aim is to turn around a program that was 8-22 in the three previous seasons under Aaron Fitzpatrick.
Last fall, CV posted a 3-6 overall record but a 1-4 mark in the Class 4A Big Six Conference that features Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold and Trinity. Thomas Jefferson is the defending WPIAL Class 4A champion and PIAA runner-up.
“There are a lot of good teams in the conference and the classification but no one jumps out like TJ. They have been
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Steve Spence draws up a play on the whiteboard in the coach’s room at Chartiers Valley High School. Spence is in his first season as coach for the Colts.
one of the most dominant programs in the WPIAL,” Spence said.
That being stated Spence announced his goals for the Colts and what is necessary to accomplish those objectives.
“We have not placed a number as a goal for wins and losses,” he said. “We truly talk about, and I know this sounds cliche, but we preach about doing the little things right every single day. One week at a time. Play and work as hard as we can. We’ll see where that leads us.”
Spence expects his 17 seniors will dic-
tate CV’s slate.
“Every successful team is led by their seniors and we have an outstanding group,” he said.
Tayshawn Lewis spearheads the class. A veteran free safety, Lewis is drawing interest from college recruiters at different levels. He’s also the team’s top returning rusher with 922 yards on 97 carries for 9.5 yards and 12 touchdowns.
abilities and work ethic. He’s one of our most talented, hardest working players. He’s all you want in a quarterback,” Spence said.
“Mike will never leave the field for us.
Whatever his role is, he is one of our best all-around players. Mr. Everything. Mike’s a can’t-miss player with an incredible future.”
According to Spence, Efthimiades will be a “great complement” to Lewis. A junior, who excels on CV’s championship hockey club, he is a “tough kid” with “great” speed. “He will be a big part of our offense,” Spence predicted.
While Braedyn Stern and brothers Seth and Keegan McCabe will also factor into the backfield, Best headlines the receiving corps which includes Lawrence, Damian Holloway, Jack Czarnecki and Nico Hines, who started on defense last year as a freshman.
“Julius has tremendous athleticism,” Spence said “He jumps off the charts, is very coachable, a great route runner with great hands.”
Terhune is the team’s tight end but will be spelled by John Papariella because Terhune is also CV’s top returning middle linebacker along with Seth McCabe.
“Justin is the anchor,” Spence said. “He’s a leader for us.”
Efthimiades and Papariella also have experience at linebacker and Tyler Hughes, who is back from a broken ankle suffered in baseball, strengthens the middle as well as the defensive line, which is replete with two-way performers.
Noah Harris figures to play both ways, as does Brady Schaming.
Tristan Mayo moves to center from guard while Daylyn King and Joel Buerkle hold down the guard slots. Destyn Zrelak and Anthony Mousessian, as well as Nick Cirsanti, are the tackles.
“Before I decided to take the job, I watched No. 4 on film and was intrigued,” Spence said. “He’s one of the best players in Western Pennsylvania. He brings it all – speed, power, great vision, great feet. He’s smart and a wonderful defensive player, too.
“We’ll go as Tayshawn goes,” Spence predicted. “He will play an enormous role in what we do. He’s one of many guys who will play both sides of the ball. We have a lot of players like that.”
Among others whom the Colts will depend on fiercely are Luke Miranda, Michael Lawrence, Zach Efthimiades, Julius Best and Justin Turhune.
Miranda will start at quarterback while Lawrence moves to wide receiver and will start at strong safety.
“Luke has incredible leadership
“You win games because of the O-line,” Spence said. “Those guys are the tip of the spear. We want them to be in attack mode and do damage. We’ll live and die by them.
“Defensively, we want to control the line of scrimmage because games are won and lost there too,” Spence added. “Physicality is a strength, particularly at linebacker. We have sure tacklers who play physical and downhill.”
In addition to Best and Hines, Aiden McGettigan, Lawrence, Czarnecki, Lewis round out the cornerbacks while Stern, Keegan McCabe and Owen Weagraff complete the safeties.
Fort Cherry Rangers
Sieg ready for final ride as Fort Cherry QB
BY JERIN STEELE jsteele@observer-reporter.com
McDONALD — Matt Sieg has felt like his high school football career has gone by quickly.
Fort Cherry fans probably feel the same way, but there’s been plenty of moments to savor along the way.
The Rangers have won the last two WPIAL Class A titles and Sieg, a Penn State recruit, has been at the forefront of the success as the team’s do-it-all quarterback.
Now he’s aiming to make it three titles in a row in his final season.
“It’s flown by,” Sieg said. “It’s kind of sad that it’s almost over, but I have to make what I have left count.”
Sieg has certainly made the last couple years count in both individual statistics and overall team success.
He followed an outstanding sophomore year by accounting for more than 3,100 yards of offense and 52 touchdowns. He had 20 passing touchdowns and 32 rushing.
Sieg also plays in the secondary on defense, which is what he was recruited for by Penn State.
Fort Cherry running back Eli Salvini has shared a backfield with Sieg for a long time and he knows as long as they have their quarterback, they have a chance to do damage.
“It’s amazing seeing how much he’s done,” Salvini said.
“I’ve never known an athlete that’s been able to do that. He’s very skillful and humble. I’m really happy to be his friend and teammate.”
There haven’t been many that have done what Sieg has in the WPIAL.
In fact, there’s only one.
Last season, Sieg became only the second player in WPIAL history to pass and rush for 4,000 yards in a career, joining former Jeannette star Terrelle Pryor. He’s a two-time
Observer-Reporter Player of the Year and has made the all-state team the last two seasons.
Fort Cherry coach Tanner Garry said it’s hard to find the words to describe what Sieg has done for the Rangers in his career.
“Fort Cherry has had some fantastic football teams and some really special players that have come through here and Matt throws himself right into that category,” Garry said.
“He’s been able to do something that no one else has done at Fort Cherry, which is not only win a WPIAL championship, but two
of them. It’s uncharted territory for Fort Cherry. I’m definitely excited to see what his senior year brings.”
Fort Cherry’s top two receivers, Shane Cornali and Braydon Cook graduated, but Garry said they have four returning players who saw a lot of time at wideout last year, so Sieg will have some experienced options.
Evan Rogers had 15 receptions and three touchdowns last season to lead the returning players. Nick Massey, Nate Wolfe and Gavin Grace are other returners with experience.
The Rangers return all three
of their running backs in Ryan Huey, Salvini and Christian Yanosko.
Huey (749), Salvini (506) and Yanosko (358) combined to rush for 1,613 yards and 15 touchdowns a season ago.
It gives Sieg plenty of weapons to choose from.
“Skill-wise we look really good,” Sieg said. “It’s probably the fastest team we have had. As far our line goes, we have some younger guys, but they’re working hard and they look good right now. We’re confident.”
In his final season, Sieg will have a new surface to play on at
There’s new turf being installed on the field, replacing the old grass field. In the summer, Fort Cherry has had workouts on the baseball field, but the new turf should be ready for the start of the season.
“That’ll be awesome,” Sieg said. “It’s going to be really nice. Fort Cherry having nice facilities is a big step up. It’s a huge upgrade.”
The Rangers are in the Class A Black Hills Conference with Bishop Canevin, Burgettstown, Chartiers-Houston, Cornell, Monessen and Serra Catholic.
Jim Garry Stadium.
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Eli Salvini is one of three experienced running backs returning for what should be a high-powered Fort Cherry offense.
Jefferson-Morgan Rockets
J-M in search of TCS championship repeat
BY JONATHAN GUTH jguth@heraldstandard.com
JEFFERSON — In coach Shane Ziats’ first three seasons at Jefferson-Morgan, the team has improved in wins each year, and finished last season undefeated in the regular season at 10-0 as the Rockets won the Class A Tri-County South Conference championship.
Jefferson-Morgan also capped its first undefeated regular season since 1989 before a 39-30 loss to South Side Beaver ended the Rockets’ campaign in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.
The conference title and undefeated regular season were quite an accomplishment, but Ziats and his team know a repeat will be a much stiffer challenge as J-M has gone from the hunter to the hunted.
“There are going to be expectations the next season when you win a conference championship, and we are aware of that,” Ziats said. “You never know what is going to happen week in and week out in conference play.”
Jefferson-Morgan also must replace quarterback Houston Guesman, who with wide receiver Deakyn DeHoet formed one of the best 1-2 punches in the WPIAL.
DeHoet will return for his senior season after pulling in 52 receptions for 1,038 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns. DeHoet returned three kickoffs and one punt for scores.
DeHoet, who also plays baseball, worked on his speed this offseason by participating in track and field. Despite having to com-
guy, but he is getting better at being more vocal,” Ziats said.
In addition to Guesman, the Rockets will be looking to find replacements for four other key cogs that were seniors a year ago in Ryan Baker, Jase Bedilion, Ethan Crowe and Johnny Gilbert.
“Those seniors that we lost are going to be hard to replace,” Ziats said. “Hopefully, we have guys that are going to fill those shoes. We had 30 kids at our first day of practice. We will see how many stick around, but so far, so good.”
Junior Triton Farabee has been getting reps at quarterback, and will have a tall order in replacing Guesman, but Ziats is confident in his signal caller.
“I am pretty pleased with what he has done so far,” Ziats said. “He has been here all summer, and is learning what he has to do on offense.”
Senior John Woodward is back at running back, but as a former lineman himself, Ziats knows that the offensive line drives the vehicle.
Twins Landon and Levi Heath and Eli Hill are four-year starters on the offensive and defensive lines. Fellow senior Remington Broadwater will also get the nod. Sophomore Jeremiah Rodriguez rounds out the line.
proach when it's on defense, but playing solid, fundamental football will be key.
“We want the kids to learn the technique and fundamentals and to do their job,” Ziats said. “We don’t want them to do anything that we don’t ask them to do. Just do what is required.
“Stopping the run is always key, and in this conference, probably more so with the amount of running that teams do. We must wrap up and be a solid tackling team.”
J-M defeated California, 28-27, in the regular-season finale to win the Tri-County South, and the Trojans are looking for someone to try and fill the shoes of Lee Qualk, but Ziats expects another solid team in Coal Center under veteran head coach Ed Woods.
“He always has a solid team,” Ziats said. “They are a tough team with a great coaching staff, but I don’t want to overlook any team. As a team, we have promise, but when it comes down to it, all that matters is what happens on Friday night.”
pete for Beth-Center as part of a co-op, and not having a track to regularly work out at, DeHoet placed fifth in the 100-meter dash in Class 2A at the PIAA Track & Field Championships by running 11.17 in the final. He has a personal record of
10.95 in the event.
DeHeot is still penciled in at wide receiver, but Ziats and his staff plan on doing whatever is necessary to get the talented athlete the ball.
“We are going to try and get Deakyn involved as much as we can,” Ziats
said. “It could be inside or outside. We just don’t know yet, but we will see what puzzle pieces fit best.”
DeHoet is not a rah-rah guy, but his work ethic is noted.
“Deakyn is more of a lead-by-example type of
“If the line doesn’t go, the offense doesn’t,” Ziats said. “It’s as simple as that. We have our three four-year starters, and Remington has had a little bit of an injury bug for a couple of years, but he is back and ready to go.”
Jefferson-Morgan will bring a simplistic ap-
Ziats is assisted by Tom Corazzi, Ron Gallagher, Jacob Nace, William Rogers, Tony Ruscitto, Jake Rush and Alan Yanak. Corazzi and Ruscitto come over from Beth-Center, where Ruscitto was the head coach last season.
As a former Bulldog, Ziats is eager to have both coaches on his staff.
“Coach Tony has a lot of experience and tutelage, and Coach Corazzi is also from Beth-Center,” Ziats said. “We are bringing in a mix of old school with the new.”
Lori Padilla/For the Observer-Reporter
Speedy wide receiver Deakyn DeHoet and Jefferson-Morgan have high hopes after winning the Tri-County South Conference championship a year ago.
Mapletown Maples
After two injury-riddled seasons, Maples hope for progress
BY CHRIS DUGAN dugan@observer-reporter.com
MAPLETOWN — It has been a very painful – literally – twoyear fall for the Mapletown football team.
Since winning a school-record 11 games in 2022, the Maples have won only four of 20 contests and are coming off a 1-9 season. The common thread in both of those forgettable campaigns was an incredible and unlikely series of injuries that decimated the lineup at the WPIAL’s third-smallest football-playing public school.
At this time last year, Mapletown’s veteran head coach George Messich said, “In all my years of coaching, I never saw so many injuries” as he did in 2023.
Last month, however, Messich, who is in his 43rd year as Mapletown’s head coach, said, “Last season, the injuries topped 2023. It was just a freak thing. For example, we’re playing West Greene in the fifth game of the season. West Greene kicks off to begin the game and our starting running back returns the kick for a touchdown. He’s also our kicker, and we tell him to squib the ball down the field. He miss-hits the ball and was running downfield trying to cover it and a guy takes out his knee. That’s how the season went.
“We had linemen with sprained ankles and knees. One game, we had seven starters out. When you’re a Class A team and you lose seven guys in one week, you’re teaching young guys to play positions they have never played before, and you’re doing it during the week.
“You look back three years ago, when we were undefeated, we didn’t have one injury that hurt us,” Messich continued.
“In Class A, I don’t care who you are, if you lose two of your top three players then you’re not the same football team. All those guys we had hurt last year
were starters. You tell somebody this and they say there’s no way that’s happening. Heck, I was thinking this can’t be hap-
pening. It was crazy.”
This year, Mapletown is hoping for a healthy dose of wins. After all, the Maples had plenty
the line. Also back are seniors Coltin Halbert and Cam Shaffer, who will be three-year starters, and junior Kaeden Lotspeich, who Messich says has much potential.
The Maples have four players battling for the one open line spot. Two of those players are freshmen, Josh DeBolt and Landon Walker.
Juniors Carson Vanata and Ashton Walker are returning starters in the backfield, but where each player lines up Messich is not ready to say. He did say each player has looked good during summer work. Vanata was the team’s leading rusher last year with 441 yards.
Messich has praised two young players who will get time at running back, sophomore Matthew Howard and freshman Landon Johnson.
ABOVE: Carson Vanata (15) returns in the backfield for Mapletown, which is trying to bounce back from a pair of injury-filled seasons. LEFT: George Messich is back for his 43rd season as Mapletown’s head coach and has four returning starters on the offensive line, including Chase Taylor (55).
Seniors Colton McKnight, Wyatt Downs and Kaden Pauley give the Maples three experienced targets at wide receiver. Each receiver, like the linemen, will be two-way starters. McKnight, a defensive back, was Mapletown’s leading tackler last season. When a defensive back is your top tackler, it shows you must improve on that side of the ball. Mapeltown gave up an average of 44.7 points per game last year.
“We have to find a linebacker and defensive end, but the rest of the guys had a lot of playing time -- when they were healthy,” Messich said.
of players who gained valuable playing experience over the last two years, some of them out of necessity. That valuable playing time leads to maturity, which is never forfeited.
“We had a lot of kids get playing time and hopefully it will help them this year,” Messich said.
Back on offense are four returning linemen, each of whom Messich says “should be pretty good.” Chase Taylor is a 6-3, 275-pound senior who anchors
Messich’s only goal for his team is to show steady improvement in the Class A Tri-County South Conference.
“In our conference, I think California, Jefferson-Morgan and Bentworth are going to be the top three teams,” he said. “If I had to pick a fourth, I’d say Beth-Center. Everybody else in the conference is pretty even. A realistic goal for us is to go .500. That would get us in the mix for a playoff spot, which is what we’re hoping for. We have to be better.”
Photos: Above, Rob Burchianti / For the Observer-Reporter; Left: Observer-Reporter
McGuffey Highlanders
Rugged conference awaits young Highlanders
BY JOE TUSCANO newsroom@observer-reporter
CLAYSVILLE — The celebratory dinner has been put on hold for too long for Nate Parry.
Parry, who took over for Ed Dalton as head football coach at McGuffey High School last year, went through the season without a win to celebrate and Parry wants to change that as soon as possible.
Part of the problem was the move up to Class 3A and into a conference that touted Avonworth and Central Valley, which finished first and second, respectively, in the WPIAL playoffs. Avonworth went on to the PIAA Class 3A finals only to lose 36-33 to Northwestern Lehigh.
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To build a program that can gather that much success, a coach needs experienced players and Parry is a little short this year when it comes to that.
“We’re very young," said. Parry. “We lost a lot of seniors last year and we do not have a lot of people in our junior and senior classes. The ones we have are returning starters. Our numbers are really good in our sophomore and freshman classes. There is a lot of talent in those groups.”
“He missed about half the season,” Parry said. “He really made a difference for us when he was in there.”
Brodie Wagner and Denny Furmanek.
"Down the road, they're going to be special," said Parry.
injury shelved Farabee's 2024 season.
ple-A. Our nonconference schedule is tough as well.
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Parry will depend on a junior, Dakota Reedy, to handle the quarterback position. Reedy replaces the graduated Logan Carlisle, who went through another injury-filled season.
That left the door open for Reedy, “He played some games for us,” Parry said. "He started against Trinity. He’s as good a practice player that we ever had. He just needs to turn that over into the actual games and I believe he can do that. He got better over the summer with the passing camps. Some of the things we’re going to adjust will help him out.”
McGuffey lost their entire backfield to graduation.
Filling the gap are Caleb Simmons, Gage Clayton, Dristan McAnallen,
"We're still going to run a three-running back offense," Parry said. "Furmanek has had a great offseason and I think he's going to be a really good player. I'm really excited about the whole sophomore class.”
When Reedy throws the ball, he'll look for Wyatt Fisher, Riley Salisbury and Gabe Shriver.
Aaron Supler, who received playing time last year, centers to the offensive line. Cooper McKee and Kahne Segers will be at the guards and Matt Furmanek and Jaydon Farabee the tackles. An
On defense, Evan Conklin joins Supler, McKee, Segers, Matt Furmanek and Farabee along the line.
Clayton, Denny Furmanek, Wyatt Hildreth, Gio Gadani and Supler are available at linebacker.
"Gage is one of the toughest kids I know," Parry said.
Parry believes the Western Hills is one of the toughest conferences he's seen.
"It's very difficult," he said. "Avonworth made the state championship game last year. When you have four of the top teams in the state, it's tough to handle, especially when you are moving up to Tri-
"But we have to focus on the process and not worry about anything else. Focus on practice each day. Try to get better as a team each week. Hopefully, that will get some wins for us. There were some games last year where we shot ourselves in the foot: Washington, Hopewell, Highlands. We were in those games, then we'd get 15-yard penalties, or turn the ball over. If we eliminate those mistakes, then the wins will come.”
McGuffey opens the season Friday at Washington and follows that a week later with a home game against Trinity. The conference opener is Sept. 12 at Central Valley.
Mark Marietta / For the Observer-Reporter
LEFT: Canon Scott (16) gets the jump on defender Wyatt Leichliter (22) to pull in a practice pass in a route-running drill. ABOVE: Colton Allen (25) gets position in front of Scott.
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Monessen Greyhounds
Monessen has skill, but must be road warriors
BY BILL HUGHES newsroom@observer-reporter.com
MONESSEN — Now in his fifth season at Monessen, head coach Wade Brown is happy to see where his football program is today compared to his first year.
“When I first started, I finished the season with 13 players in the playoff game,” he said. “Getting the roster up to 25 to 30 players, getting them to participate is big.
“When you have limited access at a small school, it is what it is, and you try to put our best foot forward.”
Brown didn’t hesitate when asked about his goals for the team this season.
“The goals are always to win a conference championship and WPIAL championship regardless of numbers,” he said. “If we want anything less, the players won’t think we are trying to get the best out of them.”
Brown seamlessly transitioned from his goals to the expectations he has for the team.
“Our expectations are the same, and we have some talent,” he said. “Like I tell them every day, we have the skill, but do we have the will? That’s what it boils down to every year. We have to fight through the tough times. Can we come back if we are down? We started building some of that last year. It is an on-going process.”
Monessen has plenty of returning starters, with a handful of other players also getting key experience last year.
On offense, the Greyhounds have eight returning starters with a pair of four-year starters leading the way in seniors Rodney Johnson and Torrence Taylor.
some carries this year.
Senior Darion Price started some games last season on the line, and sophomore Jacob Dell, who wrestles for Ringgold as part of a co-op, will be the center. Sophomore Daniel Towler had some spot starts a year ago at fullback.
The Greyhounds will be able to do a lot of things defensively because of the experience coming back.
Johnson, Torrence Taylor, Desyl, Payne, and Prince will all see time on the defensive line.
Hines played cornerback and defensive end last season, but he will be at linebacker this year, joining junior Jaequon Craggette, who returns after missing last season because of injury.
Johnson, Tavian Taylor, Jeffries, and Towler will play linebacker.
Tavion Taylor anchors the secondary, with Kolbeck and sophomore Kezjere Butler in the defensive backfield.
The Greyhounds play in the Class A Black Hills Conference along with favorite Fort Cherry, Beth-Center, Cornell, Chartiers-Houston, Burgettstown and Serra.
Johnson will play tight end, fullback and H-back on offense while Taylor is a stalwart up front on the line.
Senior Tavian Taylor is a three-year starter at running back.
Sophomore linemen Roodly Destyl
and Xavier Bell and junior receivers Jayvionne Jeffries and Kayden Kolbeck also return plenty of starting experience, as does junior Kaier Payne, although his athleticism is bringing on a position change.
“He has played center, and he is now our quarterback,” Brown said. “He is that good of an athlete that he can pull it off. We have other quarterbacks, but he played there in midgets. He did what we asked, and he can throw the ball.”
Brown said Payne’s flexibility is a great example of football at the smallschool level.
“That’s why I think Class A football is some of the best football, and the players learn more than one position,” he said. “Schools see that. Being on the field the whole game, it gives them character and diversity knowing a lot of positions.”
Junior Michael Hines returns at wide receiver and running back, and Brown pointed out that he wants to get Hines
“Fort Cherry is probably the favorite, and as long as they have that guy behind center, how can you pick against them?” Brown said about the Rangers’ Matt Sieg. “Cornell has power, is tough, and is physical. Bishop Canevin has talent galore and will be there at the end, Serra will come on strong after a down year, Chartiers-Houston has a lot back and Burgettstown was a tough out last year. It is always a meat grinder.”
What will constitute a successful season for the Greyhounds is something that has been elusive in recent years.
“It will be successful if we win a championship,” Brown said. “My kids don’t want to hear anything else, so I won’t say anything less.”
Monessen opens the season Friday at bitter rival Charleroi and it opens conference play in Week 3 at Serra.
Brown noted the schedule is opposite of what the Greyhounds played last season, when they opened with four of their first five games at home.
“Four of our first five are on the road this year, then four of the last five at home,” Brown said.
Dating back to Week 5 of last season, and including the first five games of this season, the Greyhounds will have played nine of 11 games on the road.
Observer–Reporter
Rodney Johnson, a four-year starter, is a versatile player on Monessen’s offense, capable of playing three positions.
Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils
Developing depth key to Mt. Lebanon’s success
BY ELEANOR BAILEY ebailey@thealmanac.net
MT. LEBANON — Although Greg Perry has accumulated a wealth of wisdom coaching football for more than 30 years, he picked up some pointers during his first season at the helm at Mt. Lebanon High School. This recently acquired knowledge will benefit the Blue Devils as they seek to turnaround a 3-7 record compiled in 2024.
For starters, Perry threw new offensive schemes at the Blue Devils who have played for three different coaches in the past three seasons.
“I think last year we were getting acclimated to the kids and they to us,” Perry said. “We threw a lot of different things at them and we have a better knowledge of what we are doing. I believe we will be better on both sides of the ball as a result.”
Perry, who previously coached at Seton-La Salle, Keystone Oaks and Canon-McMillan as well as Duquesne University, has also adjusted to managing a team that competes at the highest level in the WPIAL. Mt. Lebanon plays Class 6A football in the Quad County Conference with perennial powers Central Catholic and North Allegheny.
“Every week you are getting great competition,” he said. “There are no weeks off.”
Even Lebo’s pre-conference tuneups come against Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, Penn-Trafford and Penn Hills. All made long playoff runs last season with Peters Township competing for the WPIAL Class 5A title.
“When you play the schedule we do, you have to have quality depth,” Perry said. “During the duration of a season, players get nicked up. You have to have viable backups or you will struggle. We all have the numbers but the key is finding quality guys who can fill in because it’s not easy, especially on Friday nights.”
The Blue Devils boast quality veterans. They return eight starters on offense and six on defense. However, Mt. Lebanon had a hole to fill even before training camp commenced.
Grayson Beck tore his ACL while running a pass route. Although he had successful surgery after the Memorial Day weekend, Beck is lost for the season. An
all-conference linebacker, Beck is committed to playing football at Princeton.
“If we didn’t have that power outage,” Perry said of the late-spring storm that caused school cancellation, “I love the effort of the kids to go out and play, but Grayson should have been in math class.
“He’s an Alpha dog,” Perry added. “He was the dude for us.”
Instead, Lebo looks to another linebacker, who also happens to operate the offense from the quarterback slot. Patrick Smith will be the main man.
A 6-2, 220-pound senior, Smith completed 132 passes for 1,610 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 1,091 yards and 15 more scores. Sophomore Grant Everhart is Smith’s backup.
Perry expects Smith’s numbers to increase because he is more familiar with the system that produced prolific WPIAL passers, including NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.
“Patrick has demonstrated progress and understanding of the offense. He’s more relaxed,” Perry said.
Perry also noted Smith’s leadership skills, especially on defense where he is a returning starter at outside lineback-
er. Smith is a University of Pennsylvania recruit.
“There’s an aura around him,” Perry said. “The kids look up to him. He’s such a tireless worker.”
Perry has a plethora of those players. Another among them is Kris Kambitsis, who like Smith is one of the team’s captains. He is a two-year starter at inside linebacker and a veteran running back. A standout lacrosse player, who helped Lebo win a WPIAL title in the spring, he is being recruited to play both sports.
“He’s athletic enough to do both and he’s another of our high academic students,” Perry said of Kambitsis.
“We think he will be a great complement to Patrick. Kris gives us that great burst of speed and he’s a strong kid. We are hoping for a great year from him on both sides of the ball.”
Joe Malone is another two-way starter that is expected to be a top performer for the Blue Devils. He’s a tight end on offense and an end on defense. Plus, he does the punting. A team captain, he’s bound for Cornell upon graduation.
“Joe’s the ultimate team player. He runs our weight room and controls the
environment,” Perry said.
Though top receiver Noah Schaerli is gone, the Blue Devils have a talented, yet inexperienced, receiving corps. In addition to Malone, Smith will also rely upon returning starter Colin Cramer. His other targets include a pair of juniors, Kevin King and Maxton Siegel.
“We have guys who can catch the ball,” Perry said.
Jackson Craemer, a Villanova recruit, anchors a solid offensive line. He is the right tackle. Center Mickey Murphy and guards Jackson Steiner and Adam Hagins are also returning starters. At left tackle is Whitaker Patriguin, who started midway through last season.
“O-line should be a strength. We have experience and guys who have had a lot of reps,” Perry said. “We are happy with the development of the line. Those guys have put the work in.
“We still need to develop some underclassmen and get them ready to break through the barrier of playing under the Friday night lights. At this level that could be frightening for some kids. Our biggest concern on the offense is depth.”
Experience in the back half is the concern of the defense as the corps group is all juniors. The Blue Devils are replacing both cornerbacks and a safety in the secondary.
“It’s a hard position to play at any level,” Perry said. “We are young and athletic but again not much experience there. We like the athleticism.”
Colin Cramer is the lone veteran in the secondary although Sam McAuley started half a season at safety.
Sophomore Jacob Zaber, who was the starting point guard of the basketball team as a freshman, looks to play one of the cornerback positions. Sebastian Corleone, Henry Lahore are also competing in the secondary.
Malone and Craemer are returning starters at end and Steiner is back at tackle. Joining Smith and Kambitsis at linebacker is Chris Friedel.
Although he conceded it’s a cliche, Perry said the Blue Devils need to “stay healthy” if they are to be successful. “We have the pieces,” he added. “We are happy with what we have to put out there every week. We just have to get some of the younger kids ready to play because depth is so important at this level. We have a lot of players going both ways and that’s tough.”
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon head football coach Greg Perry has a chat with quarterback Patrick Smith during a break in a preseason practice.
Peters Township Indians
Peters Township outworking competition to thwart bad dreams
BY ELEANOR BAILEY ebailey@thealmanac.net
Nightmares plague Peters Township football coach TJ Plack.
“I wake up thinking someone is outworking us,” he said.
In 2025, opponents indeed are working hard to beat the Indians because they return a plethora of players from last year’s WPIAL runner-up club. After an 11-2 overall showing, Peters Township is the team to beat in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference.
However, the Indians are laboring to stay on track and focused on the program’s primary goals. The trite, but true, one day, one game at a time approach.
“We focus on what’s in front of us. This day. Tomorrow night. Going 1-0 each week. Be a champion every day. Put the work in,” Plack said. “That’s how you win conference titles and championships.”
This fall, the Indians will battle for their second WPIAL title in three years and attempt to reach the Class 5A final for the fifth time since 2019 with eight returning starters on offense and six veterans on defense, not to mention three players already committed to NCAA Division I colleges.
Nolan DiLucia will attend Villanova University. Lucas Shanafelt decided on Stanford. Reston Lehman picked Pitt.
DiLucia will be a four-year starter at safety. He also returns at quarterback on offense, having passed for more than 6,000 career yards.
Last fall, he passed for 2,525 yards and rushed for 506 more. He tossed 25 TD aerials and scored five times on the run.
“We look for Nolan to continue to be the leader he has been on and off the field,” said Plack. “He’s the Alpha Male. He wants to win.”
Shanafelt, who also had offers from Pitt and West Virginia, and Lehman, who had offers from
Penn State, WVU, Oklahoma, Missouri, UCLA and Wisconsin, start as outside linebackers. Both are tight ends on offense. Both stand 6-4 and they weigh in at 230 and 220 pounds, respectively.
Plack said Lehman is one of the “best players” the program has ever had and predicted that Shanafelt will be a “menace” on both sides of the ball.
“I love having marquee players. We have been able to do good things because we have had great kids who are diligent. They are fantastic to have not just because they have enabled us to reach the top but because the younger kids look up to them. They want to be like them and keep the program at a high level.”
Keeping the Indians at the forefront will also be returning starters James Spratt at middle linebacker, Lucas Rost at safety and PJ Luke at cornerback from a defense that recorded two shutouts and allowed just 10.7 points per game.
“If you ask the defensive guys,
they would say ‘yes’ they could lower that average,” Plack said.
“I do like where we are,” he added. “My only concern is we may not have the burners and outside speed guys we had and cornerback is a concern,” Plack continued because Nick McCullough matriculated to Carnegie Mellon.
On offense, the skill positions other than quarterback are question marks because Cole Neupaver is the lone returning starter at running back. He rushed for 325 yards and two touchdowns on 66 carries before being sidelined by a hand injury in midseason.
Behind McCullough, who had more than 1,000 yards on 54 receptions, Shanafelt, Lehman and Rost were PT’s top receivers last year along with Jeremy Poletti, who will help at tailback and on defense this season.
Poletti had 16 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns last season while Rost caught 14 passes for 147 yards and three TDs.
Tight ends like Lehman and Shanafelt, Jackson Hardcastle and Spratt will also be targets in PT’s revamped offense.
“We’ve switched up the offense a bit,” Plack said. “When you have one of the best quarterbacks in the state, it’s not going to be run-heavy. We are going to take advantage of what the defenses give us and because we have guys that can stretch the field. We are excited about our matchup possibilities.”
Plack is thrilled about the offensive line. It’s a team strength because the Indians return starters Max Cortes and Cole Camiletti at the guard slots, Brady O’Connor at tackle and Alex Klein at center. A senior like Cortes, Klein is starting for the third year. Camiletti and O’Connor are juniors.
“We have guys with a lot of starts under their belt and who are battle-tested,” Plack said. “So the line should be one of our strengths.
“We know we have one of the
better quarterbacks in the state and our defense is stronger. So there’s a target on our back but my target is on everybody’s else’s back,” Plack said.
With that in mind, Plack strives for Cs to accomplish the task at hand, which is to challenge Upper St. Clair, the defending conference champion, as well as Bethel Park, Moon, South Fayette and Baldwin for the title.
“At Peters Township we talk about commitment, consistency, connection, culture and care,” Plack said. “We have to be ready to go because Bethel and USC may have lost good senior classes but they have great coaches and Moon has been powering up to make a run.
“We are just as motivated but we are focused on what’s in front of us. That’s going 1-0 and getting that first win. We have a game against
and I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t watching films on them in July.”
Canon-McMillan
Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
LEFT: Lucas Shanafelt and Reston Lehman are two of the top outside linebackers in the WPIAL. They will also play tight end on offense for Peters Township. Shafelt is a Stanford recruit while Lehman is a Pitt commit. RIGHT: Nolan DiLucia is one of several starters returning from Peters Township’s 11-2 team that reached the WPIAL Class 5A championship game last season. The Villanova recruit enters the 2025 campaign having passed for over 6,000 yards in his career.
Ringgold Rams
Rams on rise, believe they can contend for playoffs
BY BILL HUGHES newsroom@observer-reporter.com
MONONGAHELA —
For Robert Heller and the Ringgold High School football program, one year has made a lot of difference.
When Heller was hired to return to take over his alma mater as head coach in January of 2024, the Rams were in the midst of what would end up being a 27-game losing streak.
The team was hurting for players, and it led to Heller and others to begin looking for players.
“Going into it, the team had the longest losing streak in WPIAL,” Heller said. “Last year, we had to go through the halls recruiting, mainly trying to get into that win column and get that zero out of there.”
How is the climate today, a year after having to look for players?
“This year it is different,”Heller said. “The 10th-grade class is special and I didn’t recruit. They (the players) recruited kids. I went after numbers last year.
“This year, whether it is 30, 40 or 50 kids, I want who is there. If I have to chase you, this probably
Mark
Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Ringgold wide receiver Demitri Lowe has been getting Division I recruiting interest.
isn’t for you.”
The Rams impressed many with their 7-on7 performances during the offseason, and Heller hopes the hard work when no one was watching carries over to success on the field during Friday nights.
“I think we have pieces that no one knows about,” he said. “They keep quiet and are hard workers.”
The Rams played a lot of young kids, including quite a few freshmen, last year. Heller hopes the bumps and bruises the team had to endure were lessons and experience that will help the team this year.
Ringgold had a 2-8 record last year and ended its long losing streak with a 21-19 win over Yough in the third game of the season. The Rams also beat Chartiers Valley in the season finale.
“We played a lot of freshmen last year, and if you are going to rebuild, get them young,” he said. “They were thrown into the fire.”
think he is our first player from here in 20 years to get a D1 offer. A year from now, he will have 20 offers.
“You might think I am biased, but he is the best receiver in the WPIAL. People don’t give him the credit he deserves. He is a stud.”
Senior Amani Ward returns at quarterback, and he will have one of the taller wide receiver corps to throw to in the WPIAL.
Lowe is 6-3 while junior Dennis Hawkins is 6-4 and senior Xavion Thomas, who is playing his first season, is 6-2½.
“Amoni is built like a running back, but he is one of the most versatile athletes in the WPIAL and he can sling it with the best of them,” Heller said of his 5-10, 200-pound signal caller. “It is hard to stop receivers that size.”
Other key receivers are junior slot Ashton Mincin and senior Drayvon Everly.
ing about Connick, said, “This kid is going to be special.”
The linebackers will consist of a quartet of seniors in Ward, Anderson, Curtis Watkins, and Meyontae Jordan.
Lowe will be at one cornerback with either Mincin or Everly starting opposite of him. Hoskins and sophomore Dezire Satterfield will be in the mix at cornerback.
Junior Bill Cameron will handle the kicking and punting, while Heller mentioned Gavyn Lowe, Demetri’s younger brother, as a freshman who could see playing time, possibly as a kick returner.
What goals and expectations does Heller have for this year’s team?
“I want us to be competitive, and through our first five games last season, we could have been 4-1 or 3-2,” he said. “You always want to say playoffs, and that is our goal, crazy as it sounds.
Leading the way for the Rams will be junior wide receiver Demitri Lowe, an explosive talent who recently received his first Division I scholarship offer, from Akron, and Heller says the future is bright for him.
Sophomore Nick Stasko and senior Curtis Watkins are the running backs while sophomore Cole Konek and senior Ty Anderson will be the tight ends.
“I think we have some of the best skilled players, and we will have a successful season if our line leads us.”
“It starts with Demitri,” Heller said. “He was top10 in yards last year, and I
The offensive line is still being ironed out. Junior Tyler Jones will play either center or guard, sophomore Keenan Anderson will be at guard, senior Gordon Altamare is at tackle and a pair of juniors, Mason Harris and Taveyon Webb, will fill out the other positions on the line.
On the defensive side, the Rams will have a mix of two-way starters.
Up front, Altamare, Anderson, and Jones are the defensive tackles while Connick and sophomore Dom Fonzi are the ends.
Heller, when speak-
The Rams are again in the Class 4A Big Six Conference with Thomas Jefferson, Trinity, Laurel Highlands, Belle Vernon, and Chartiers Valley.
“I think Trinity will be right up there with Jonah Williamson at quarterback, and TJ will always reload,” Heller said. “We are still on our way up and still have a lot of young kids. We only have a handful of seniors who will play.”
Ringgold opens at South Allegheny on Friday and opens conference play Sept. 26 when it hosts Trinity.
South Fayette Lions
Lions looking for postseason success
BY ELEANOR BAILEY ebailey@thealmanac.net
McDONALD — South Fayette owns six WPIAL football titles. The Lions won two championships at the Class A level in 1936 and 1964; a pair of back-to-back banners in Class 2A in 2013 and 2014 and the latest in 2018 in Class 4A.
However, since the Lions moved up a classification to 5A, they have experienced little if any success. Hence, the aim is simple at South Fayette.
“The goal is to win a playoff game,” said Marty Spieler, who enters his second season as the Lions head coach. “We’ve not won one here at the 5A level. The plan is to step over the threshold. I’m confident in those expectations and our abilities.”
Spieler is keen on this year’s edition because the Lions return a handful of starters on both offense and defense. They also return one of the top quarterbacks in the WPIAL and a 3-star edge rusher as well as several all-conference linemen, three of whom were starters on offense.
Drew Welhorsky is back at quarterback. The senior completed 141 of 226 passes for 1,881 yards and 16 scores a year ago. He also rushed for 1,030 yards on 187 carries for an additional 12 touchdowns.
A versatile athlete, Welhorsky led the Lions to a second straight WPIAL runner-up lacrosse finish in the spring. He was named the Class 2A Player Of the Year.
“That just shows no matter what the competitive situation he is in, Drew will compete,” Spieler said. “He’s fiery. He accelerates well. He has great body control, a quick release and the ability to extend plays. He challenges defenses.”
Anthony Charles, on the other hand, provokes opposing quarterbacks. A 6-4, 190-pound defensive end, he committed to Minnesota. He picked the Gophers over offers from Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State and West Virginia.
“Anthony is long and lean and has a lot of potential for growth,” Spieler said. “He really gets off the line quickly. He has great acceleration and his pass
rush will set the edge. He will cause havoc.”
Chaos is South Fayette’s defensive strategy. Spieler expects the entire line to be disruptive and create turnovers so as to get the ball back to the “explosive” offense.
Veteran two-way players
Tyson Wright (TE/OLB), Tyler Ring, a two-time all-conference performer, and Donovan Goins solidify the defensive line, but the Lions are expected to cycle through a lot of players, including two-way players Brady Onda and Caden McShane.
“The strength of the defense is the line, but we have a good problem in that we have a lot of players and we are big about playing the best 11. If it’s 12, 15, then we will play 12 and 15.”
Jacob Bostian is a sophomore who will contribute at outside linebacker and tight end. Ray Schuler is a cornerback and can play wide receiver on offense.
Plus there is Bo Stover. A baseball standout, he is an inside linebacker and a running back, who can be used to match up as a receiver as well.
“He’s nasty,” Spieler said. “He brings a hard-working and winning attitude no matter what he does. Plus, he can run well.”
Wright’s younger brother, Aayden, is also expected to make an impact as a freshman. Listed as a linebacker, he also will be utilized as a running back. “He has all the tools,” Spieler said.
“It’s no secret we have to run the ball well. Drew did that for us last year but we need to do more to give him more options. We need to highlight more guys. Spread the wealth out to others.”
While guys like Quinton White, Colton Cloherty and Braedan Plasko will help at linebacker, and cornerback Noah Lausch aids in anchoring the secondary, the Lions have pieces to find at safety.
Welhorsky’s targets are working in unison. Alex Deanes leads the list. He had 34 receptions for 413 yards and two touchdowns last season.
Daniel Speca has returned to South Fayette after spending time at Central Catholic. He’ll battle for a wideout spot along with
Drew Welhorsky passed for nearly 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 more last season as South
Lausch and Dylan Monz while Wright and Bostian are targets at tight end.
Providing the protection for Welhorsky is a tested offensive line even though Connor Hiser, a two-year starter at center, suffered a season-ending knee injury before training camp.
Both tackles return. Mason Green is a two-year starter and Colton Astorino recently committed to Cornell. McShane, who started at guard last year, moves to center while Evan Early has transitioned from tight end to offensive line. Onda solidifies the unit at guard.
South Fayette’s biggest need is to improve its conference play. The Lions
finished 6-5 overall and qualified for the playoffs, however, they posted a 1-4 record in the Allegheny Six Conference.
“It’s a tough conference and getting tougher,” Spieler said. “Peters Township is always good. They have two good edge rushers and one of the best quarterbacks in 5A. Until someone knocks them off, they are the team to beat. With USC, Bethel Park and Moon, too, the conference is always a gauntlet.
“We are the smallest 5A school but we have a lot of grit, tenacity and teamwork. Once we get in the playoffs, we want to turn that into a positive
ence and some wins.”
experi-
Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Alamanac
LEFT: Anthony Charles works on his footwork during a drill for South Fayette linemen. The senior is a Minnesota recruit. MIDDLE: South Fayette assistant coach Ed Marcellus works with the linemen Colton Astorino, Evan Earley, Caden McShane and Evan Love during a practice session. RIGHT: South Fayette linemen work on their footwork and agility during a preseason drill.
Fayette quarterback.
Trinity Hillers
After steady improvement, Trinity seeks next step
BY CHRIS DUGAN dugan@observer-reporter.com
The improvement in Dan Knause's first three seasons as Trinity’s head coach has been steady and exciting. The Hillers have made the playoffs twice, won a postseason game and defeated perennial powers Thomas Jefferson and Belle Vernon.
That’s some heady stuff for a program that was 3-7 the season before Knause arrived.
Last year, the Hillers went 5-6 overall, but they went 4-1 in the Allegheny Six Conference and lost to Aliquippa in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals.
So what is the next step for Trinity football? Knause outlined his expectations
Knause said.
“It’s daily development. We get lost in it. Our kids believe in it and things like beating TJ and Belle Vernon happen because of daily development. Our older kids realize that now.”
Trinity has plenty of older kids this year at the skill positions. None of them are more experienced than senior quarterback Jonah Williamson, who has been the hub of the offense. A Harvard commit, Williamson passed for 1,059 yards and six touchdowns a year ago, and rushed for 814 yards and 12 scores. In the last two seasons, Williamson has accounted for almost 4,800 yards and had a hand in 43 touchdowns.
ABOVE: Trinity’s Jonah Williamson is a four-year starter and a dual-threat quarterback. LEFT: Anthony Giorgi is one of Trinity’s top three pass catchers from a year ago and each is back for 2025.
“I say he’s like having an extra coach on the field,” Knause said of his quarterback. “It’s not too often you have a four-year starter at quarterback. The offense, we were starting it around him as a freshman and it has grown with him. Last year we had to adapt because we were so young around him, but this year these guys have grown up and we can get more creative.
for this year’s team, then quickly moved on.
“We tell our kids our goals. We have aspirations to be the first conference champion here since 1986. We talked about our goals, then we erased them on the board and said make today count,”
“Jonah’s football IQ is through the roof. We allow him to make in-game adjustments. We rely on him to get us in the right play. We also emphasize taking care of the football, and with him touching the ball so much that starts with him.” Williamson will have familiar targets at the end of his passes. Trinity returns its top three pass catchers from a year ago in junior Chase Kostelnik (15 receptions), junior Braden Berdar (15 receptions) and senior Anthony Giorgi (13 receptions).
Photos: Mark Marietta/ For the Observer-Reporter
Junior Owen Gardner moves into the lead running back role after sharing the workload with Nico Mauro last year. Gardner rushed for 346 yards and averaged eight yards per carry.
“Owen popped as a sophomore,” Knause said. “He can be a special running back. He has a nice blend of strength, balance and speed. He has some of the best balance I’ve ever seen.
“Our program, though, is built on distribution of the ball. We’re not going to rely on one guy to touch it 40 times a night.”
Owen Gardner averaged eight yards per carry last year and moves into the lead running back spot this year for Trinity.
Mark Marietta/ For the O-R
While the Hillers are experienced at the slip position, they do have to rebuild their offensive and defensive lines.
“That has been the focus during camp,” Knause said.
The rebuild will start with a pair of returning starters, senior Jackson Starr and sophomore Matt Richards. The latter was first team all-conference on defense as a freshman.
“Our aim is always going to be to stop the run on defense,” Knause said. “Defensively, we lost some guys because the people we have are really good
football players.”
One of those players is inside linebacker David Gill, who plays bigger than his size.
“He can be special,” Knause said. “He played behind two very good inside linebackers. His passion for the game is contagious.”
The secondary, which is led by senior Ben Priest, is more experienced than a year ago.
Winning also is contagious, and that’s what Trinity plans to have run throughout the program this season.
“The expectations here have
changed,” Knause said, “and we’re proud of that. We’ve gone from people hoping you make the playoffs to expecting it. That’s where you want to be as a program. That’s an encouraging sign that we want more for ourselves and the community wants more because it has seen where the program can go.
“We’ve been in the WPIAL quarterfinals two years in a row and the teams that have beaten us in that round (McKeesport and Aliquippa) are traditional powers. We’ve gone from hoping to make the playoffs to expecting to make them. We’re excited about this year.”
Upper St. Clair Panthers
No looking back for Upper St. Clair
BY ELEANOR BAILEY ebailey@thealmanac.net
As a social studies teacher, Mike Junko has an appreciation for history. However, the Upper St. Clair High School football coach does not dwell on the past.
Even though the Panthers graduated 23 seniors from last year’s 11-1 squad that won the Allegheny Six Conference championship with an undefeated record and advanced to the WPIAL Class 5A semifinals, Junko is excited about the future of this year’s club.
“Last season was a great year and we did a lot of great things but that’s in the past,” Junko said. “We are looking forward and not backward. Our eyes are on where we are headed and not on where we have been.”
History notes USC as a perennial power, having won seven WPIAL championships and two PIAA state banners. The Panthers also have 23 conference titles.
So the goals in 2025 will be no different than in the past.
“Our goals are to defend our conference championship. We feel like we have a group of kids capable of doing just that. We also want to make the playoffs and get to Acrisure Stadium and win the WPIAL championship.”
Junko says he is optimistic regarding achieving those aims because he has “complete confidence" in his returning starters and the veterans, who have playing experience.
“I wouldn’t consider this a rebuilding year,” he said. “We may not have the star power we had last year but we look at this group of kids as having good depth and quality of character. We have a lot of players that we feel can contribute on a Friday night.
“We also have kids that are looking to take advantage of their opportunities. He had kids coming to summer drills and
away. There’s a big difference between practice and Friday night. Their job when the lights come on is to play with the same sense of purpose and intensity that the others who have gone before them brought to the game.”
Mason Geyer and Reese Pirain are returning starters in the mold of linemen like Nate Stohl and Michael Albert, both Princeton freshman. Stohl was the 2024 Bill Fralic Bill Fralic Memorial Trophy winner, which is given to the best linemen in the WPIAL.
A three-year starter, Geyer recently committed to Davidson.
“Mason will anchor the line with Reese,” Junko said. “They’ve been in all the wars.
going to improve and continue to grow. He has immeasurable potential. He’s a good player to have on both sides of the ball.”
USC looks to Ethan Hellmann to be its biggest leader on offense. He will start his fourth year at quarterback. Hellmann completed 56 of 101 passes for 960 yards and 15 TDs last year. He did not throw a single interception.
“Ethan’s a rare deal. He’s played in a WPIAL championship game and a semifinal and he has an excellent record as a starter,” Junko said. “He’s set to have a big year.
camp feeling like ‘I have to get ready to contribute because I’m going to have a chance. When you have that and guys with experience who have played a lot of football you can draw on that enthusiasm and that leadership and have success.”
The Panthers return seven starters on offense but only three on a defense that allowed just 111 points, least in all of Class 5A last year and second behind only Clairton in the WPIAL.
A junior, John Banbury is a three-year starter at linebacker while Bryce Jones returns at cornerback and Nico D’Orazio is a three-year starter at free safety.
D’Orazio, who has scholarship offers from Brown, Georgetown, Bucknell and other Patriot League schools, was USC’s leading receiver last year with 15 receptions for 302 yards. He rushed for 113 more and finished with six touchdowns.
“Nico is the quarterback of the secondary,” Junko said. “He’s a kid that has the ability to come down the alley and make the tackle. He cleans up what the front seven do not take care of. He does a great job offensively, too. He’s a big part of our plan.”
The Panthers plan to use Banbury in the backfield as well. He and Dante Coury were the leading rushers behind Julian Dahlem, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 14 scores. Coury gained 629 yards on 105 carries and scored nine times. Banbury gained 602 yards on 83 totes for eight scores.
“John is the anchor of the linebacking corps,” Junko said. “He’ll get the lion’s share of carries on offense with Dante. John’s a workhorse. He gets stronger as the game goes on. He’s a throw-back type of player. He can run through you or be that finish-the-run kind of kid.”
Despite a lack of experience on defense, Junko is excited about the unit because the Panthers have depth at each position and guys who have waited their turn to play. He noted that because the conference is a passing league, he’s confident his secondary will checkmate the competition as it did last season.
“We have guys that can throw the ball in this league but we have guys back in the secondary and last year, defensively, they didn’t hurt us throwing.
“Our younger guys need to be able to find their footing quickly and contribute right
“Mason is a calming influence on the field. He never gets rattled. He works hard, has high character and cares deeply for his teammates.”
Junko noted that replacing three starters on the offensive line is a challenge, particularly since USC became one of the top rushing teams in the WPIAL last year and a high-scoring one at that, racking up 394 points for a 32.8 average per game.
USC, however, has talented prospects in Stohl’s younger brother, Will, as well as Ryan Robbins, Colin Green, Chase Kaczmarek, Anthony Bunn, Jamie Gardner and Grady Elias.
Just a junior, Robbins is already a major college prospect because of his 6-7, 275-pound frame. He has scholarship offers from Toledo and Kent State. Other FBS schools are showing interest after he attended prospect camps at Pitt, Penn State, Ohio State, West Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Robbins, whose father, Tim, played at Pitt, also played on USC’s back-to-back WPIAL championship basketball team.
“It’s unique to have an O-linemen that plays basketball,” Junko said. “Ryan can compete. He has great feet and he’s only
“Ethan’s a key cog in our attack. Our offense goes through him. We look for him to play a bigger part as we rely on his experience and decision making. While we are asking him to do more and putting more on his shoulders, he is more than capable of handling that.”
A three-year starter at wide receiver, Jones will be a top target along with D’Orazio. Jones had nine catches for 205 yards and three scores.
“Bryce has gotten stronger and faster,” said Junko, noting his experience as a sprinter on the track team. “We will rely on his speed to separate himself from the defense.
“He’s our guy but we are really excited about our receiving corps. We are definitely not going to be as predictable as last year. We are going to be more efficient throwing the ball and more balanced.”
The Panthers also have solid special teams. Jacobo Echeverria is ranked among the top five kickers in the country. He converted 47 PATs and kicked eight field goals last fall. He was all-conference as both a kicker and a punter.
“He’s got a strong leg and a strong mind,” Junko said. “We’ll see him playing on Saturdays and maybe Sundays. He has the leg to play in the NFL.”
ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Mason Geyer and Reese Pirain are returning starting linemen that will factor into Upper St. Clair’s success on the field this fall. Geyer recently made a verbal commitment to Davidson College.
Washington Prexies
Back to full health, Wash High aims to bounce back
BY JERIN STEELE jsteele@observer-reporter.com
Sometimes short-term pain can lead to long-term gain.
Wash High experienced some of the former last year.
Injuries piled up, especially on the offensive line, and the Prexies ended up with a fifth-place finish in the Class 2A Century Conference, a 5-6 record and a first-round playoff exit.
Plenty of young players learned on the fly and now that they’re fully healthy again they’re aiming to return to the Class 3A elite after being a WPIAL semifinalist in 2023.
“We dealt with a lot of injuries,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “We didn’t have two of our best offensive linemen all year. Joe (Wilson) got hurt in the first game and Jayden (Nemeth) was hurt most of the year. With those injuries we were inexperienced. There were a lot of times last year we looked out on the field and five or six freshmen were playing.”
Bosnic said that nine starters return on both offense and defense. Some are two-way starters.
Having Wilson and Nemeth healthy is a big boost for Wash High.
Wilson went down with a knee injury in the season opener against McGuffey, but is back to full strength.
He was all smiles while taking part in day two of heat acclimatization Aug. 6.
“It feels good to be back,” Wilson said. “It was tough being out last year, but now that I’m healthy I want to make my senior season count.”
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
Calen Patton hauled in 18 passes, including seven for touchdowns, and averaged more than 20 yards per catch last season.
Like Wilson, Nemeth is happy to be back. He isn’t taking anything for granted when it comes to getting to play football this year. The two are good friends and happy to be back together on the offensive line.
“I’m looking forward to having a good season this year. After last year I need a good one,” Nemeth said. Wilson is a right guard and Nemeth is the left tackle. Both of them play in the defensive tackle as well.
They join a lineman unit that includes Oscar Fregoso-Morgan, Nyjah Dudley, Jamarion Fitzgerald and Eric Everett.
Someone who’s extremely happy to see all the linemen back on the field is Prexies quarterback Tristan Reed. Reed, a senior, is a dual-threat quarterback
that can do damage with his legs and having the big guys up front paving the way makes him even more dangerous.
“It’s definitely great to have my guys back blocking for me this year,” Reed said. There’s a lot of team chemistry with those guys. They’re familiar with the offense, defense, everything. I think it’ll be
better for us in the trenches and that sets up the skill players for success.”
Reed is a Miami (Ohio) commit. He’ll make the transition to wide receiver in college. There may be some packages where Reed lines up as a wide receiver this year, but Bosnic said that’ll depend on the development of the two other quarterbacks, Noah Patton
and Travon Moore.
“(Reed) ran the ball a lot the last couple years and he’s gotten better as a quarterback,” Bosnic said. “We’d love to be able to line him up at receiver sometimes, because with his size he can create some mismatches.”
Reed is open to whatever the coaches have in store for him.
“I feel like with my athletic ability I can play anywhere on the field,” Reed said. “I’m fine with moving around wherever Coach Bosnic needs me. That’s what I want to do as a leader of this team. Wherever and whenever he needs me I’m ready to be there to make a play.”
Reed has plenty of weapons at the skill positions.
Cayden Cook, Caleb Patton, Trenton Grooms, Tyler Crawford, Isaiah Watson and Jahvon Woods are some of the returning skill players with experience.
“Last year was a little awkward with everyone moving around to different positions, but it’s nice to have everyone back to where they are supposed to be,” Reed said.
“It’s definitely great to be able to connect with those guys out wide and
having them on my team as athletes that can make plays.”
Wash High is again in the Century Conference with Seton LaSalle, Keystone Oaks, Waynesburg, Charleroi Sto-Rox and Carlynton.
Reed has set the goals for the team high and feels they have the right ingredients for a special season.
“We’re going to bring back the winning culture to Wash High and hope to keep it going for many years after this,” Reed said. “We want to bring back a championship and not just a WPIAL, but we’re aiming for a state championship too. A lot of guys want it bad on this team.”
Waynesburg Raiders Skill positions should make Raiders serious threat
BY JOHN SACCO newsroom@observer-reporter.com
The offense has the skill position players to help Waynesburg Central get back to the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs for a third consecutive season.
However, before that can happen, the Raiders’ offense and defensive linemen must continue to grow and get better.
“I don't know if it's about my expectation,” said coach Joe Kuhns, in his first year of his second stint at Waynesburg, where he teaches art.
“I think the kids have pretty high expectations of themselves. I'm the new guy on the block and they were together last year. They know more about their expectations than I do. But I think the expectations are for us to get in the playoffs and try to make a run this year.
“This team has been together for so long. These junior and senior classes have been playing together for their whole lives and I think that's kind of the strength. They're very familiar with each other and it's a good team group.”
The Raiders will again compete in the Class 2A Century Conference against Carlynton, Charleroi, Keystone Oaks, Seton LaSalle, Sto-Rox and Washington.
Waynesburg is opening at home Aug. 22 against West Greene and will play at Jefferson-Morgan and then at home against California before moving into conference play.
Players Kuhns will be looking to for production include senior Zachery Jiblits (5-7, 130), senior tight end-linebacker Jeffrey Blair (5-10, 195), junior quarterback Teagen Crouse (5-8, 154), junior wide receiver-defensive end Jack Ricciuti (6-3, 190).
Crouse, who caught 24 passes a year ago, moves to quarterback, replacing Jacob Stephenson, who rushed for 1,081 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.
“Teagan's going to be real-
Teagan Crouse should continue Waynesburg’s recent run of strong play at the quarterback position.
ly good,” Kuhns said. “He has his own personal quarterback coach. He's been doing it for quite a few years. He's good technique-wise and at being able to read defenses.
“He's football savvy for a kid who hasn't been a starting quarterback yet. If he must work on anything, it’s having fun. He's so darn serious about it.”
Kuhns succeeds former Waynesburg mentor Aaron Giorgi, whose job was opened in the offseason.
When Giorgi took over in 2021, Waynesburg’s recent history had been marked with tough times. The Raiders broke a 24-game conference losing streak in 2021. They went a little more than four years with-
out winning a conference game prior to that. In all, Waynesburg had lost 45 of its last 48 conference games and 53 of 60 games overall.
Giorgi led the Raiders back to the WPIAL playoffs in 2023, it’s first time in the postseason since 2014.
Waynesburg went 7-4 in 2023 and lost to Imani Christian in the opening round of the playoffs. The Raiders’ four wins to open that season was the first time the program opened 4-0 in 23 years.
This past season, Waynesburg finished tied for second place in the Century Conference, going 4-2 in league play and 6-5 overall.
The Raiders defeated Wash-
ington, 21-13, for their first win over the Little Prexies and first win at Wash High Stadium since 2008.
Waynesburg lost to South Allegheny in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs.
This is Kuhns’ second stint at Waynesburg.
He previously coached at Waynesburg for three seasons.
He most recently coached Beth-Center and California. He coached California to six consecutive playoff berths. Kuhns, a California University graduate, left the Trojans’ job in 2008 with a 38-36 record from 2002 to 2008.
Following a strong 2005 regular season, Kuhns coached his team to its first playoff victory
in 19 years. The following season, the Trojans won the 2006 Tri-County South Conference championship.
In five years (2016-2020) at Beth-Center, Kuhns had a 19-30 record. The Bulldogs won 17 games in Kuhns’ first three seasons.
Beth-Center qualified for the WPIAL playoffs all three seasons but lost in the first-round each time – twice against Steel Valley.
Derek Bochna will serve as the Raiders’ defensive coordinator. Other assistants include Dave Sarra, Tim Bennett, Adam Knight, Colby Kuhns.
“I’m super excited,” the head coach said. “It’s hard to walk away once you’re into it.”
Mark Marietta/For the Observer-Reporter
West Greene Pioneers
West Greene aiming for continued improvement
BY JOHN SACCO
For the Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Daily improvement and incremental gain are of the utmost importance in the West Greene High School football program.
“We don't like to put a lot of emphasis on wins and losses early in the year because we don't know what we're going to have until after camp,” said West Greene head coach Beau Jackson, who is now in his third season at the helm.
“There are a lot of factors out there that are out of our control, whether it be injuries or other things. We just try to get the best out of our guys.
The Pioneers have five starters returning on both sides of the ball, according to Jackson.
A year ago, the Pioneers went 4-6 overall and 4-3 in the Class A Tri-County South Conference to finish in a three-way tie with Bentworth and Carmichaels for
third place and the final playoff berth. Bentworth won that spot on a tiebreaker. West Greene averaged 16.5 points per game while yielding 32.9 per game.
One of the players Jackson and the Pioneers will be counting on is senior offensive lineman and linebacker Colin Whyte (6-2, 260) – a fourth-place finisher in the PIAA Class AA wrestling tournament earlier this year. He takes that wrestling mentality onto the football field.
“He does everything we ask of him,” Jackson said. “He’s a hard worker and a tough player – a really tough player.”
Other players expected to boost West Greene include senior linebacker and wide receiver Matthew Wassil (6-8, 210) and senior two-way lineman Hunter Gorby (6-1, 190).
“He started for us last year and he started in spurts two years ago,” Jackson said of Gorby. “So, I guess you can say he’s a two-year starter.”
Another senior starter is Bruce Smith (5-10, 175).
“He’s a big weight room kid,” Jackson said. “He’s strong and we’re more than excited to see what he brings to the table this year as well.
“Really, with all those guys, we're excited for the leadership that they will exhibit,” Jackson continued. “It's just a really good group of kids. When we talk about character, we stress that it’s just about the talent you put onto the field. What happens off the field is just as important to us.”
Junior Mason Ansell (5-11, 190) returns up front and will be integral to the success of the offensive line.
The Pioneers do have to find replacements for quarterback Lane Allison, who passed for 1,411 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, and Hayden Hamilton, who was the team’s leading rusher and receiver.
Jackson said the conference could look a lot like last season
with the early favorites being the top two finishers from a year ago.
“I would say it’s probably going to be Jefferson-Morgan and California at the top,” Jackson said. “I can see us and Beth-Center being in the same boat, except their kids are a little bit older than we are. They're young but they're going to be pretty talented. I can see them being up there.
“Other than that, I can't really say. I don't know. I think it's going to be the other teams for that third or fourth spot. Bentworth has some skill kids and Carmichaels has some size. Mapletown is always going to be consistent and Avella is going to have a good line. I think they have a lot coming back.”
Wet Greene opens the season against three playoff teams from last season including Class AA Waynesburg, Class A Monessen and two-time defending WPIAL Class A champion Fort Cherry.
“It’s the same boat we were
in last year,” Jackson said. “It's tough. It's a tough start.”
“Hopefully, we can lean on the upperclassman.”
West Greene’s coaching staff includes John Coss, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Billy Becker, Doug Nehis, Brian Ralph Jackson, Brian Andrew Jackson, Gary Whyte and Matt Cunningham.
The Class A playoff system remains the same as last season. Sixteen playoff spots are available. Playoff berths will be based on team records using section games, the top three teams in each section qualify for a playoff spot plus four at large bids, determined by the football committee.
The conference champion will host its opponent in their opening round of the playoffs. In all other opening games, the higher seeded team will host its opponent.
The WPIAL will determine playoff sites for all other rounds.
Photos: Rob Burchianti / For the Observer-Reporter
ABOVE: Brice Smith lines up during a preseason drill. West Greene will line up for its season opener Friday night at West Greene. RIGHT: Brice Smith lines up during a preseason drill. West Greene will line up for its season opener Friday night at West Greene.
California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans
Vulcans take aim at another playoff run
BY JOHN SACCO newsroom@observer-reporter.com
The PennWest California University football team enjoyed an outstanding season in 2024.
Last year, the Vulcans returned to the PSAC Championship for the first time since 2016. Cal finished undefeated in the conference’s West Division play for only the fifth time in school history to secure sole possession of first place in the standings. The Vulcans earned a pair of victories in the 2024 NCAA Division II playoffs by a combined four points to advance to the Super Region One championship for the fifth time in school history.
While the Vulcans lost to Slippery Rock – a team they soundly defeated during the regular season – in the playoffs, nothing could dim the accomplishments and superlatives of last season.
“I think it just taught us how to work and how to play 60 minutes,” said Vulcans coach Gary Dunn.
“I was extremely proud of the guys last year. There were several close ballgames that we pulled out. There were some games that we had trailed in and I think it just taught our young guys that it's a 60-minute ballgame. I was really pleased with the way the guys prepared each week last year. That's something that we must continue to do this year.
“Every week in the
PSAC you must show up and play,” he added. “We’ve been fortunate to handle our business, but you know each week anybody can beat anybody. You know it's going to be a grind and we play some tough road games this year. So, we must show up every week and work. That'll give us a better chance to compete on Saturdays.”
California opens the 2025 campaign with three-consecutive home games after finishing last season with seven-straight home games, including the NCAA playoffs. The Vulcans will play 10 games in a row at Adamson Stadium before playing their first road game in 350 days on Sept. 27 at Slippery Rock, which was picked as the preseason favorite in the PSAC West. Cal was picked to finish third in the West.
The Vulcans’ returning starters include junior running back Bobby Boyd, Jr., junior receiver D’Vay Johnson, junior offensive lineman Jacob King and sophomore offensive lineman Grady Rounds.
Boyd, Jr. received AllPSAC West first-team honors in his first season as a starter.
He nearly became the program’s first 1,000yard rusher since 2019, as he finished with 938 rushing yards on nearly 200 attempts. Boyd has surpassed 1,500 rushing yards in his career while averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.
One hole in the offense
is at quarterback, where Davis Black started the past two years. Black passed for 2,948 yards and 21 touchdowns a year ago.
The Vulcans have only one quarterback on the roster who has attempted a pass while at Cal.
Returning starters on defense are junior defensive back Keith Charney, senior linebacker Grant Hopple and junior defensive backs Khalil Taylor and Amory Thompson. Charney was PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2023.
“We have talented kids in our program, and I think we've built our program through high school guys and development players, which is how you have to build a program now,” Dunn said.
“We're not real interested in going to take 15 or 20 transfers every year. We recruit high school guys and develop those guys who have been in our program for a year, two years, three years and now it's their turn to step up and be the guy. I'm extremely excited about our guys. We're young and sometimes that's a good thing. Sometimes when you're young and hungry, your guys have something to prove.”
Dunn was voted the 2024 PSAC West Coach of the Year to become the program’s first recipient of the award since 2007. He ranks second in school history in wins with a 6624 overall record with a 48-11 mark in PSAC West play. Dunn is only the fourth coach to lead the
Running back Bobby Boyd was a first team All-PSAC West player last year when he became the Vulcans’ first 1,000-yard rusher since 2019.
Vulcans for at least a decade, and the first since John Luckhardt (2002-11), who is the program’s alltime winningest coach with 88 victories.
“I'm super excited about the guys we have back,”
Dunn said. “The leadership we have on defense is good. I thought maybe last year we were a young defense to start the season. We got a lot of reps and a lot of experience. That’s probably going to be our
strength. I think we're going to be strong up the middle. I think our experience on defense is going to pay dividends this year.” California opens its season Thursday, Sept. 4 against Charleston (W.Va.).
Penn West California University
Penn State University Nittany Lions
At Penn State, there’s no more excuses
BY NEIL RUDEL Altoona Mirror
UNIVERSITY PARK —
So how’s Penn State going to be this year?
That’s a question that has been asked for the last month so let’s get it out of the way: 12-0.
At least in the regular season.
I’m taking my lead from coach James Franklin.
To be clear, he hasn’t made that prediction.
But if you’ve listened to Franklin closely over the years — he’s now beginning season No. 12, and at 101-42, he’ll soon become the second winningest coach in school history, passing Rip Engle (104) — he’s never fully embraced the expectations of the fan base.
Instead, he’s talked about the lack of offensive linemen in the program when he took over in 2014, or how Penn State had fallen behind in its facilities, or a slow start in NIL, or how he’s “pounded the table” for more administrative flexibility.
Lately, though, most of that has changed as he’s clearly enjoyed a great relationship with stillnew athletic director Pat Kraft, and he considers the Old Main “alignment” the best it has been during his tenure.
And that’s a reason he went out on a limb at Big Ten Media Days and again at the Nittany Lions’ media day when he said: “When you look at all of our personnel, not just the players, but the staff and players, it’s the best combination that we’ve had in my 12 years here. The depth, the experience, the talent is impressive.”
Which is a nice way to say: No more excuses.
The Nittany Lions lured the nation’s top defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles, from rival Ohio State and made him the highest paid assistant in the country ($3.1 million).
They have a veteran quarterback in Drew Allar, a potential first-round draft pick who is eager to atone for some big-game mistakes he’s made in the past — most notably the fatal interception vs. Notre Dame in the CFP semifinals.
Mix in decorated running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, an experienced offensive line, exciting new receivers and some elite defenders, led by Dani Dennis-Sutton and A.J. Harris, two more potential first-rounders.
Franklin’s forte is marketing, recruiting and retention, and he’s certainly done all of that.
Then there’s the friendly schedule.
Penn State doesn’t leave the campus until Oct. 4 for a trip to UCLA.
The Nits open against Nevada, and they’ve already been installed as 45-point favorites. That’s probably the lowest line of the first three games, Florida International and Villanova being the others.
Oregon comes in for the Sept. 27 White Out that will shake the temporary bleachers — which look impressive, by the way — and that is one of just two, maybe three, circled dates on the schedule.
The other, of course, is in Columbus on Nov. 1 — the only game Penn State isn’t favored to win.
Quarterback Drew Allar has a 23-6 record as a starter, but Penn State lost three times to top-5 opponents last season and are 1-10 against Ohio State during James Franklin’s time as coach.
Franklin’s teams have been competitive with the Buckeyes, but when it’s been time to finish them off or make the right call, his wins (1-10 vs. OSU) have been outnumbered by the number of times he’s been taunted on his way into the home tunnel.
This year the game is in Columbus against a team that shipped 14 players to the 2025 NFL Draft and is breaking in a new quarterback. So for Franklin and PSU, the time is now.
The Lions’ two biggest games, Oregon and Ohio State, are also preceded by open dates.
Barring an injury to Allar, Iowa is the only other game that could be a toss-
up as it’s typically a test in Iowa City, even more so if it’s at night.
Then again, Kirk Ferentz’s teams have been terminally challenged offensively.
When the Associated Press poll was released Aug. 11, the Lions were ranked No. 2 and even received 23 first-place votes.
“All the hard work that they have done, the number of guys that decided to come back, they have earned those types of conversations and that attention,” Franklin said. “But I would also say … no one cares about preseason rankings.”
Allar added: “The expectations are nice, and it’s
cool to be recognized in the preseason. But it’s just preseason. The only rankings I care about are the ones at the end of the year.”
And that’s where this season will be defined — both for Allar and Franklin as the quarterback and coach get most of the credit and most of the blame.
They both found that out last year when the Lions blew two leads and coughed up a chance to at least get the Fighting Irish to overtime.
“We won 13 games and were a few points and a few drives away from playing for the national championship,” Franklin said.
“And people were pissed.”
And rightfully so.
The Lions have the talent to get right back to that position, and this year’s playoff road almost certainly will not be giftwrapped by SMU and Boise State.
Can the Nits win the Big Ten title, which may require beating Ohio State or Oregon twice? Can they beat Texas, Clemson or one of the SEC bluebloods, Georgia or Alabama?
Those are all intriguing matchups that provide the backdrop for the most anticipated season under Franklin and probably since 1999.
But for now, the regular season.
Associated Press
University of Pittsburgh Panthers
Holstein, Panthers aim for better finish
STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
For the first time since the Kenny Pickett era, Pitt will begin a season with a returning starter at quarterback.
Eli Holstein is back, and if he and running back Desmond Reid can stay healthy, the Panthers should be able to improve upon last year’s 7-6 record.
Holstein had an up-anddown season a year ago, his first at Pitt after transferring from Alabama. He led Pitt to a 7-0 start — during which he completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,808 yards with 17 TDs — but it devolved into an 0-6 finish.
Despite the late collapse, Holstein led an offense that averaged 32.9 points per game, a marked improvement under coordinator Kade Bell’s up-tempo system.
“It’s nice to go into Year 2 of the offense with Coach Bell, Year 2 with Eli at quarterback. That’s always special when you’ve got that continuity,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said.
“There’s nothing better than you’re going into the season knowing what Eli has done, what kind of football player he is. We’re not sitting there wondering what’s going to happen on game day. I think we all have a pretty good idea.”
It’s hard to imagine Reid’s role increasing after working as a running back, wide receiver and return specialist in his debut season. But the all-purpose player thinks he’s capable of doing more, even if he’s only 5-8 and 175 pounds.
“Growing up, I was always a smaller guy, so my dad always told me, don’t worry about what people say about you, just do what
you can do, handle what you can handle,” Reid said.
The diminutive Reid (5-8, 175) rushed for a team-high 962 yards on 183 carries, tied for the team lead in receptions with 52 for 579 yards, returned punts and scored 10 total touchdowns for Pitt after transferring from Western Carolina.
“He’s a team guy,” Narduzzi said, “and he’s got a chest cavity filled with a big heart.”
While Reid and Holstein form an intriguing combination, who will be Pitt’s third option on offense? It
could be a combination of wide receivers Kenny Johnson (537 receiving yards, three TDs) and Raphael “Poppi” Williams Jr. (426 yards, six TDs). The line, plagued by injuries last season, added three potential starters via the portal.
As a sophomore, linebacker Kyle Louis was named an All-American and first-team All-ACC. He finished third in conference Defensive Player of the Year voting. Along with 101 tackles, he led Pitt in tackles for a loss (15.5), sacks (7) and interceptions
(4). He also added a pick6 and returned a blocked extra point for a defensive two-point conversion.
Along with fellow AllACC selection Rasheem Biles (15 TFLs, six sacks), Louis leads a defensive unit that must improve after allowing 28.4 points per game.
The interior is solid with returning tackles Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James. Jimmy Scott and transfers Blaine Spires (Utah State) and Jaeden Moore (Oregon) fortify the end positions.
“I think our defense is better,” Narduzzi said.
“With Braylan Lovelace in the middle, Biles on one side, Louis on the other side, that’s three guys who can run. And again, Lovelace … he’s not the biggest guy in the world, but he can run and make plays.”
Safety Cruce Brookins, a big hitter, leads a secondary that is unsettled at cornerback. Sophomore Shadarian Harrison, a star in spring practice, could solidify one of the spots.
“I think we’ve got a talented football team,” Nar-
duzzi said. “They’re fired up. They’re energetic. They’re locked in. I think we have as good a leadership as I’ve seen here.
“I feel like we should have won 11 games a year ago. … We had a little luck early in the season. We didn’t get lucky near the end of the season. We’ve got a talented football team. We’ve got to stay healthy. We’ve got to play complementary football offensively and defensively, which I think we will do even better than we did a year ago.”
Associated Press
The return of starting quarterback Eli Holstein could mean that happy times are ahead for coach Pat Narduzzii and the Panthers.
Washington & Jefferson College Presidents
W&J motivated for return to D-III playoffs
BY JOHN SACCO
For the Observer-Reporter
The taste of playoff defeat can be a motivating factor for the next season.
Add that to the loss of some legacy-type players – including a three-time All-American defensive lineman – to graduation and the Washington & Jefferson College football team has plenty of motivation heading into this fall.
The Presidents won the Presidents Athletic Conference – along with Grove City and Carnegie Mellon – and qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs last year. W&J received a first-round bye before losing in the round of 32 at Randolph-Macon, after leading 14-0 in the first quarter.
Gone from that team are record-breaking quarterback Jacob Pugh, multiple-time All-American Dawson Dietz and all-time leading tackler linebacker Justin Johns, among others.
“I see the season we had and that we need to get back there (to the playoffs) and we will get back there,” said sophomore Brock Sherman, who is moving from the secondary to middle linebacker. “I think we are a very confident team going into this year even with losing all those guys.
“It’s going to be hard to replace them but we have so many guys behind them. Those guys were great leaders and they taught us what we need to do and how we need to go out and lead. I think the playoff experience that we had is just going give us even more confidence.
Washington & Jefferson’s Jacob Macosko (14) and John Peduzzi (15) were the first wide receiver duo in school history with more than 1,000 receiving yards each in the same season. They combined for 140 receptions, 2,289 yards and 27 touchdowns last season.
We have a chip on our shoulder.”
That is all good news for W&J and coach Mike Sirianni.
The 2024 Presidents finished with a 9-2 overall record, making its 27th appearance in the NCAA playoffs and winning its 27th Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship.
W&J won six straight games to close out conference play and earn the PAC’s Pool-A automatic bid. The key victories came against Westminster and Grove City and included two big sea-
son-ending road wins at Case Western Reserve and Allegheny.
The winning season was the 41st consecutive for W&J, which is the third longest active streak among Division III schools.
“I’m not worried about what anyone else has back,” Sirianni said. “We have players who are good. We have players who are first-team all-conference players. We have players who were second-team all-conference players and we have players who have waited three years to play.
We have people who have played in spots but have
not been stars. We get overlooked even with all our tradition and all our winning seasons.”
The Presidents will look a bit different on offense. With Pugh, W&J was an RPO-R (Run, Pass, Option, Run) offense. With a new quarterback – likely to be senior Kellen Stahl – it is expected that W&J will feature more straight drops, quarterback runs and a more concentrated effort to run the ball.
However, the return of senior receivers Jacob Macosko and John Peduzzi also continue to make more than a formi-
A potential breakout candidate for the Presidents is sophomore running back Andrew Sharp.
Last season in eight games, Sharp rushed 24 times for 196 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 8.2 yards per carry.
W&J returns threefifths of its offensive line. The Presidents return both of its tackles, Elijah Staub and Michael Roginsky, who rotated between right guard and right tackle. Brayden Penwell looks to reclaim his role as a starting guard.
Defensively, Sherman should be central to the Presidents’ success.
Sherman, senior Marcus Harrell Jr. and senior Joey Lacey will be at linebacker. Lacey came up big for the Presidents last season, filling in the closing weeks.
W&J does not return a starter from their defensive line unit but will look for increased impact from Aidan Thomas, Tyler Primrose and Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris. Thomas returns as one of the President’ top interior defensive line threats.
dable receiving combination. Veteran running back Kobe DeRosa is expected to lead the ground game. DeRosa gained 431 yards last season, averaging 4.9 yards a carry and scoring 10 touchdowns.
In 2024, Macosko and Peduzzi each amassed more than 1,000 yards receiving, becoming the first pair of W&J receivers to reach the milestone in the same season. Macosko had 83 receptions for 1,230 yards and 14 touchdowns and Peduzzi finished with 1,059 receiving yards on 57 receptions and 13 touchdowns.
The secondary returns seniors Carson Laconi and Angelo Volomino.
“Obviously, Jake (Pugh) was a special player,” Sirianni said. “Spring practice was important. We were able to get a spring where our quarterbacks were getting tons of reps working with our all All-American receivers and our great backfield. Whoever the quarterback is will have weapons.”
W&J will open its season with two non-conference games, at home against Utica on Sept. 6 and at Hampden-Sydney the following week.
Washington & Jefferson College
Experienced Yellow Jackets seek to join PAC’s elite
BY JOHN SACCO For the Observer-Reporter
The struggle to gain entrance into the Presidents’ Athletic Conference top-5 football teams is real for the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets.
Over the last few seasons, Waynesburg has gotten close to breaking through. But the Yellow Jackets are still in search of that signature win that seems to somehow escape their grasp. What’s more, they sometimes don’t quite navigate the minefield that is the rest of the PAC and lose a game they shouldn’t. That’s what happens to young football teams.
The Yellow Jackets are getting older and the return of a strong offensive line, standout running back, a good crop of receivers and promising defense has Waynesburg poised to make significant gains in 2025.
Skeptics outside of Greene County remain.
In the PAC preseason poll, Waynesburg was voted as the No. 6 team. The Yellow Jackets garnered 260 points from voting by the media, sports information directors and coaches.
Waynesburg fell seven points short of No. 5 Geneva.
(6-1, 185) and senior tight end Dagyn Williams (6-0 205).
Returning defensive starters are junior defensive lineman Virgil Doiron (6-3, 240), junior linebacker Ewing Jamison (5-11, 205), junior defensive lineman John Johnson III (6-1, 300), sophomore linebacker Vinnie Heller (5-11, 180), senior defensive lineman Alex Paulson (6-0, 245), senior defensive lineman Sebastian Ross (5-11, 245), senior defensive back John Stewart (5-11, 205) and junior linebacker Kevin Willis (5-10, 215).
The Yellow Jackets have experience at almost every position on the field.
“Our most talented and deepest position that we have on our roster currently, and it has been the last several years, has been the guys up front,” said Waynesburg coach Dr. Cornelius Coleman.
“We are excited about our offensive line. We’re excited about the guys returning and we have four of our returning starters coming back.
“Those guys are putting in a lot of work in the classroom. From the standpoint of just learning how to watch film and having an understanding of the game, which is key. In this day and age, they put in a ton of work in the weightroom. I feel they collectively are coming together as teammates. So, we’re excited about the returning guys up front and then obviously we feel as though our running back corps, in general, is a good group of young men.”
Cawley will be the focus of the offense.
Last season he rushed for 1,225 yards on 219
Running back Zayne Cawley, left, rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season and holds Waynesburg’s single-game rushing record.
carries, an average of 5.6 yards per carry. He scored nine touchdowns and averaged 122.5 yards per game. He also caught 21 passes.
In 2023, Cawley set the Waynesburg single-game rushing record with a 336 yards against Bethany.
“He’s effective for a few different reasons,” Coleman said. “I’ve been doing this for 21 years and I’ve been around a lot of good players at the run-
ning back position. He is generally doing things that stand out when you look at the numbers. When he first got here, he had older guys in front of him. He learned how to take care of his body, how to properly watch film and how to set adequate goals for himself.
“It’s the little things for me that make him great. He represents our institution. Those are the reasons that he’s great. His
teammate see that. He has the right work ethic.”
The PAC is playing an unbalanced schedule this year, giving each team the opportunity to play two non-conference games at the start of the season.
Waynesburg will host John Carroll in its opener and then play at Dickinson in the second game.
John Carroll was a playoff team a year ago when it had a 9-3 record and Dickinson went 5-6 and
played in an ECAC Bowl game.
If the Yellow Jackets could earn a split in their first two games, then they could open the season 4-1 as it would be the considered favorite – based on the preseason poll – in its next three games. The two teams they are not playing in the PAC are Westminster and Case Western Reserve, two of the top-4 rated teams in the conference.
Waynesburg University
West Virginia University Mountaineers
WVU opens with Rich Rod, numerous questions
BY BOB HERTZEL
For the Observer-Reporter
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.
— Reality starts to set in Aug. 30 as West Virginia football opens its season against Robert Morris.
And just what is reality in this matter?
The truth is, no one knows. Not you, not me. Not even Rich Rodriguez, for WVU is the mystery team of the Big 12, a team where more players are new – by far – than are holdovers.
They are a team without any real kind of depth chart, even with a veteran coach who spent seven years with the program, but it was so long ago that he admitted that even in the city in which he now works after a 17-year absence, much is new to him.
“It’s a little surreal and it’s been so busy that maybe I haven’t reflected,” he admitted at Big 12 Media Day. “Maybe that’s a good thing. It’s been 17 years.”
He likened himself to Forrest Gump at a time when he must be more Forrest Gregg, the onetime NFL coach who won an AFC championship at Cincinnati after a Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodriguez is back in Morgantown, where there is a love/hate relationship with him that he can turn into a love/love relationship by winning, but can he pull it off?
“It’s good to come back to a place where you know you can win at,” he says, a track record that saw him go 32-5 in his final three seasons. “Also, it’s home for us.”
But that was in a dif-
ferent dimension, in the Big East, under different rules. No NIL. No revenue share. No transfer portal.
The betting puts the over/under on victories this first season at 5.5, which would not even qualify for a bowl game, but that really means nothing because it is being established without any algorithms upon which to base it.
You can only guess right now who will quarterback a team that’s entire offensive structure comes from that position.
It appears that Nicco Marchiol, a holdover from the Neal Brown team who owns three WVU starts in his career and is 3-0, is the front-runner over transfer Jaylen Henderson, who played two years at Fresno State and two at Texas A&M, and Scottie Fox, a highly rated freshman.
It’s expected that the Marchiol/Henderson battle will dominate a camp where there are so many other questions that will affect the play of the team (an all-new offensive line, a new defensive coordinator trying to patch what was one of the worst pass defenses in college football last year).
“It’s always a position you should worry about the most because it is the most important position probably in football,” Rodriguez said. “You got no chance to win if that guy is not pretty good.”
But Rodriguez, whose resume carries gold stars over his ability to develop quarterbacks throughout his career, speaks confidently that this will work out fine.
“That’s probably the room I’m least worried
about from an athletic and talent standpoint,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of guys who have played some games in college football and I have a couple of good, young players. So, we’ve got the talent.
“They’ve got to learn our system. They’ve got to obviously get better individually around them as far as what they can do,” Rodriguez went on. “I’m hoping I have three I can win with. If I do, I will play all three of them. If I have two I can win with, I’ll play both of them.
“But I have a good quarterback room.”
What no one knows is how the other position groups will develop and fit together. That is what August is for, creating a culture while developing skills and chemistry.
He gets to ease into the season with games
TOP: West Virginia hopes quarterback Nicco Marchiol gives fans plenty of reasons to celebrate this season. Marchiol is 3-0 as a starter in his career. ABOVE: For the first time in 17 years, Rich Rodriguez will coach a game for West Virginia when the Mountaineers open the season against Robert Morris.
against Robert Morris and at Ohio University — although nothing is easy when you are starting
over — before he finally gets a rematch with Pitt in the Backyard Brawl with a chance to erase so much
of the past that comes to life that the most important game this season will offer him.
Photos: Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers banking on restoration leading to playoff success
BY JIM WEXELL
For the Observer-Reporter
The Pittsburgh Steelers were a playoff team last season but then they were rolled by the Baltimore Ravens.
Not kind words to anyone in Western Pa., but changes were made.
While many fans wanted even bigger changes, there were major changes, and in fact enough that 10 of the 24 positions will have new starters.
It's been quite a refurbishment for a playoff team, but a refurbishment that's certainly brightened the room. Here's the breakdown:
Quarterback – Aaron Rodgers is 41 with his legendary release intact, his arm still strong, and his legs still working well enough to escape a fast, hungry, rookie outside linebacker. Rodgers doesn't look the part of an old man, but he talks like one, spreading wisdom to all willing listeners and providing precise instructions for his blockers and receivers. It comes as no surprise that, after two losing seasons with the Jets, Rodgers has embraced this environment and taken to his role with enthusiasm. Behind him is a solid backup in Mason Rudolph and impressive rookie Will Howard. Despite of a broken bone in his hand that will keep him out of preseason games, Howard will take in much about the professional game as a rookie behind Rodgers.
Grade: B.
Running back – While the quarterbacks are better than expected, the running backs are less. Rookie Kaleb Johnson has shown flashes of breakaway running skills, but his hands are unreliable and his pass-blocking below average. He will need more time, but has obvious skills and thus potential. Pass-catching back Kenneth Gainwell is being worked in the slot when two backs are on the field. He's an excellent receiver, but too slight to help, either, as a pass protector. That leaves Jaylen Warren for third-down duty even
Brook Ward/For the Observer-Reporter
With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Steelers are sure to be more interesting, if not improved, in 2025.
though, as the veteran returnee, he's destined to start the season and is intent on surprising fans as a lead back. Evan Hall is going to be a difficult cut as the No. 4, and Trey Sermon has had his moments as well. The front office has done a good job in bolstering depth across the board, but there's still a need for a "bell cow."
Grade: B-.
Wide receiver – DK Metcalf is the most impressive athlete on offense. The unit's highest-paid player, Metcalf came to the Steelers for a second-round pick and has shown why in training camp. He's working hard with camp roommate Rodgers to become the veteran QB's security blanket. Metcalf is listed at 6-4, 235. When the 27-year-old came out for the draft, he ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. That size, speed, power, and explosiveness have all been on display throughout camp. The problem, though, is that he doesn't have a proper No. 2 as a complement. Calvin Austin is the best of the group, but he's only 5-7. Austin is a terrific punt returner and is becoming a polished route runner, with 4.3-plus speed, but is better suited as a third wide receiver. Roman Wilson is another slightly built contender, but belongs in the slot. So does 33-year-old vet Robert Woods, who should serve Rodgers well on critical downs. All three
returns from a season-long injury and will be the right tackle. Next to him will be a much-improved Mason McCormick at guard, next to last year's top Steelers rookie Zach Frazier at center. Isaac Seumalo is the 31-year-old former Pro Bowler at right guard. The depth on the line will likely be addressed next draft. The personnel men who helped build both lines on the world champion Eagles should be able to put the finishing touches on rebuilding the O-line in Pittsburgh with a multitude of extra draft picks.
Grade: C+.
have been outplayed at camp by Scotty Miller, who's played under Arthur Smith at previous stops in his seven-year career. Clearly, all four No. 2 candidates have their assets, but none has stepped forward convincingly.
Grade: B-.
Tight end – Pro Bowl acquisition Jonnu Smith figures to make up for the lack of a blue-chip No. 2 WR with his playmaking skills. He's also been used as a running back when the Steelers trot four tight ends onto the field. Smith, Pat Freiermuth, and Connor Heyward make a strong trio of playmakers, while the only true in-line blocker of the group is Darnell Washington. The hope is that the 6-7 Washington continues to be used in the red zone for Rodgers as often as he has in camp. But for the most part, Washington will be used to help the tackles protect the 41-year-old QB.
Grade: B+.
Offensive line – The Steelers last season allowed 49 sacks and averaged only 4.1 yards per carry last year, so the line wasn't taking many bows. The bright side is that three rookies are moving into their second season, and Dan Moore, who led the NFL with 12 sacks allowed, is gone. Broderick Jones, who allowed 11 sacks, moves from right tackle to replace Moore at left tackle. Last year's first-round pick, Troy Fautanu,
Defensive line – For a team that's being labeled as an over-thehill type, the front office has rebuilt both lines with youth. This year's draft included first-rounder Derrick Harmon and fifth-rounder Yahya Black. They join 2023 second-round pick Keeanu Benton and, of course, Cam Heyward to form a physically imposing defensive interior. Veteran Isaiahh Loudermilk, free–agent acquisition Danuel Ekuale, and last year's fifth-round pick, Logan Lee should provide more depth than is generally known. Harmon, often playing between Heyward and OLB/DE T.J. Watt, has enjoyed a strong camp. While he benefits from playing between two potential Hall of Famers, those Hall of Famers will benefit from the rookie's size and explosiveness. While Harmon checked in bigger than Benton, Black, at 6-5, 330, is even bigger than Harmon and provides solid run support. Of course, in the Steelers' last game, the Ravens rushed for 299 yards. It broke a team playoff record by 67 yards.
Grade: A-.
Linebackers – Since the Steelers play so much four-man front, OLBs Watt and Alex Highsmith are part of that strong D-line grade. The Steelers drafted impressive rookie Jack Sawyer in the fourth round, and at 260 pounds, he is more end than linebacker. Sawyer has not only shown off his physicality at training camp, he's shown an ability to get after the quarterback with
quickness. But Sawyer's only the No. 4 outside linebacker, behind Nick Herbig. The talented pass-rusher looks even stronger and quicker in his third camp, and will present the Steelers with a contract dilemma next offseason. The inside linebackers were new to the team last season and that inexperience was partly to blame for the 299 allowed to the Ravens. But Payton Wilson, in his second camp, is much stronger and more confident. Last year's top free-agent acquisition, Patrick Queen, is also more comfortable in his second season calling the defenses. Behind them are a healthy Cole Holcomb (the former starter until a wicked knee injury cost him 1 1/2 seasons) and big run-stuffer Malik Harrison.
Grade: A.
Secondary – We come to the unit that has performed best of all this camp. Jalen Ramsey is that good. While Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the best safeties in the game, Ramsey is one of the best cornerbacks, and, like his hero Charles Woodson before him, Ramsey wants to also play safety to help confuse opposing QBs. He's been an elite defender at this camp, possibly the best player on what could become an elite NFL defense. Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. give the Steelers three tough man-to-man corners. Strong safety DeShon Elliott has been the hub of communications at this camp, while free-agent acquisition Juan Thornhill provides veteran stability in place of Fitzpatrick at free safety.
Grade: A+.
Special teams – The unit is led by the league's best kicker, Chris Boswell, but one of the top punters, Cam Johnston, returns from last year's season-long injury and is booming the ball at his former Pro Bowl level. The punt returner will again be Austin, who drew praise from Tomlin this camp. Austin could become the league's breakout return specialist. He was fifth in the NFL last season among those with 20 or more punt returns.
Grade: A.
AVELLA
Aug. 22 — Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at Carlynton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Springdale, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — West Greene, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — California, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Beth-Center, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Carmichaels, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Bentworth, 7 p.m.
BELLE VERNON
Aug. 22 — West Allegheny, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Aliquippa, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Central Valley, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — McKeesport, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at South Fayette, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Thomas Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Chartiers Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Laurel Highlands, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Ringgold, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Trinity, 7 p.m.
BENTWORTH
Aug. 22 — Brownsville, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at Burgettstown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Charleroi, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at California, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Beth-Center, 7 p.m.
Sept 26 — at Carmichaels, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — West Greene, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Avella, 7 p.m.
BETH-CENTER
Aug. 23 — at Riverview, noon
Aug. 29 — Leechburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Monessen, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Carmichaels, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Avella, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at California, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at West Greene, 7 p.m.
GAME
2025 game schedules
BETHEL PARK
Aug. 22 — Seneca Valley, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Mars, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Armstrong, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at West Mifflin, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Trinity, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Moon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Baldwin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Upper St. Clair, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at South Fayette, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Peters Township, 7 p.m.
BURGETTSTOWN
Aug. 29 — Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Cornell, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 — Chartiers-Houston, noon
Sept. 26 — at Fort Cherry, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Neshannock, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Monessen, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Serra Catholic, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 — at Bishop Canevin, 7 p.m
CALIFORNIA
Aug. 22 — at Serra Catholic, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Cornell, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Waynesburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Avella, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Carmichaels, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — West Greene, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Beth-Center, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
CANON-MCMILLAN
Aug. 22 — at Peters Township, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at Upper St. Clair, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — South Fayette, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Armstrong, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Mt. Lebanon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Hempfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Seneca Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at N. Allegheny, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Norwin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
CARMICHAELS
Aug. 29 — Sto-Rox, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Frazier, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Beth-Center, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — California, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Avella, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at West Greene, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 — Mapletown, 7 p.m.
CHARLEROI
Aug. 22 — Monessen, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at Yough, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Seton LaSalle, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Keystone Oaks, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Sto-Rox, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Ligonier Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Washington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Waynesburg, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Carlynton, 7 p.m
CHARTIERS-HOUSTON
Aug. 22 — at Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Springdale, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Fort Cherry, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 — at Burgettstown, 2 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Bishop Canevin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Monessen, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Serra Catholic, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Cornell, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Northgate, 7 p.m.
CHARTIERS VALLEY
Aug. 22 — South Fayette, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — West Allegheny, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Indiana, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Baldwin, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Hampton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Laurel Highlands, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Belle Vernon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Trinity, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Thomas Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Ringgold, 7 p.m.
FORT CHERRY
Aug. 22 — at Northgate, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at OLSH, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — West Greene, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Chartiers-Houston, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Monessen, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Burgettstown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Cornell, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Bishop Canevin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Shenango, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Serra Catholic, 7 p.m.
JEFFERSON-MORGAN
Aug 22 — Chartiers-Houston, 7 p.m.
Aug 29 — Waynesburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Burgettstown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Carmichaels, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at West Greene, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Beth- Center, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Avella, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — California, 7 p.m.
MAPLETOWN
Aug. 22— at Avella, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Frazier, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Chartiers-Houston, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at West Greene, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — California, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Avella, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Beth-Center, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Carmichaels, 7 p.m.
MCGUFFEY
Oct. 22 — at Washington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 29 — Trinity, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — West Allegheny, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Central Valley, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at North Catholic, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Beaver, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Hopewell, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Avonworth, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Highlands, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Quaker Valley, 7 p.m.
MONESSEN
Aug. 22 — at Charleroi, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at West Greene, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Beth-Center, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Serra Catholic, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Fort Cherry, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — South Side, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Chartiers-Houston, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Burgettstown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Bishop Canevin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Cornell, 7 p.m.
MT. LEBANON
Aug. 22 — Upper St Clair, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Penn-Trafford, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Peters Township, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Canon-McMillan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Seneca Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at North Allegheny, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Penn Hills, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Hempfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Norwin, 7 p.m.
PETERS TOWNSHIP
Aug. 22 — Canon-McMillan, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at McKeesport, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Mt. Lebanon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Trinity, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — West Allegheny, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Upper St. Clair, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Moon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at South Fayette, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Baldwin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Bethel Park, 7 p.m.
RINGGOLD
Aug. 22 — at South Allegheny, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Indiana, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — Yough, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Greensburg Salem, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — at Southmoreland, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Trinity, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Laurel Highlands, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Thomas Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Belle Vernon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Chartiers Valley, 7 p.m.
SOUTH FAYETTE
Aug. 22 — at Chartiers Valley, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at Shaler, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Canon-McMillan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Elizabeth-Forward, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Belle Vernon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Baldwin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Upper St. Clair, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Peters Township, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Bethel Park, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Moon, 7 p.m.
TRINITY
Aug. 22 — Moon, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at McGuffey, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Montour, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Peters Township, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Bethel Park, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Ringgold, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Thomas Jefferson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Chartiers Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Laurel Highlands, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Belle Vernon, 7 p.m.
TACKLE HOME RENOVATIONS
CHAMPION!
UPPER ST. CLAIR
Aug. 22 — at Mt. Lebanon, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Canon-McMillan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Franklin Regional, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Hampton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — McKeesport, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Peters Township, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — South Fayette, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — Bethel Park, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — at Moon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Baldwin, 7 p.m.
WASHINGTON
Aug. 22 — McGuffey, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Steel Valley, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Union, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Waynesburg, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Sto-Rox, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at South Park, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Keystone Oaks, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Charleroi, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Carlynton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Seton LaSalle, 7 p.m.
WAYNESBURG
Aug. 22 — West Greene, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — at Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — California, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Washington, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Steel Valley, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — at Seton LaSalle, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Carlynton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at Keystone Oaks, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Charleroi, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — at Sto-Rox, 7 p.m.
WEST GREENE
Aug. 22 — at Waynesburg, 7 p.m.
Aug. 29 — Monessen, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5 — at Fort Cherry, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 — at Avella, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 — Mapletown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26 — Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 — at Bentworth, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 — at California, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17 — Carmichaels, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 — Beth-Center, 7 p.m.
CALIFORNIA
Sept. 4 — vs. Charleston, 6 p.m.
Sep. 13 — vs. West Chester, noon
Sept. 20 — vs. Lock Haven, noon
Sept. 27 — at Slippery Rock, 6 p.m.
Oct. 4 — vs. Seton Hill, noon
Oct. 11 — at Edinboro, 2 p.m.
Oct. 18 — vs. Clarion, 3 p.m.
Oct. 25 — at Indiana, 2 p.m.
Nov. 1 — vs. Frostburg State, 1 p.m.
Nov. 8 — at Gannon, noon
Nov. 15 — at Shippensburg, 1 p.m.
PENN STATE
Aug. 30 — vs. Nevada, 3:30 p.m.
WAYNESBURG
Sept. 6 — vs. John Carroll, 1 p.m.
Sept. 13 — at Dickinson, 1 p.m.
Sept. 20 — vs. Hiram, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 — at Thiel, 3 p.m.
Oct. 4 — vs. Allegheny, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11 — at Grove City, 2 p.m.
Oct. 18 — vs. Geneva, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 — at Washington & Jefferson, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1 — at Bethany, 2 p.m.
Nov. 8 — vs. Saint Vincent, 1 p.m.
WEST VIRGINIA
Aug. 30 — vs. Robert Morris, 2 p.m.
Sept. 6 — at Ohio, 4 p.m.
Sept. 6 — vs. Florida International, noon
Sept. 13 — vs. Villanova, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 — vs. Oregon, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 — at UCLA, TBA
Oct. 11 — vs. Northwestern, TBA
Oct. 18 — at Iowa, TBA
Nov. 1 — at Ohio State, TBA
Nov. 8 — vs. Indiana, TBA
Nov. 15 — at Michigan State, TBA
Nov. 22 — vs. Nebraska, TBA
Nov. 29 — at Rutgers, TBA
PITT
Aug. 30 — vs. Duquesne, noon
Sept. 6 — vs. Central Michigan, noon
Sept. 13 — vs. Pitt, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 — at Kansas, TBA
Sept. 27 — vs. Utah, TBA
Oct. 3 — at Brigham Young, 10:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 — at Central Florida, TBA
Oct. 25 — vs. TCU, TBA
Nov. 1 — at Houston, TBA
Nov. 8 — vs. Colorado, TBA
Nov. 15 — at Arizona State
Nov. 29 — vs. Texas Tech, TBA
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Preseason
Aug. 9 — at Jacksonville, 7 p.m.
Aug. 16 — vs. Tampa Bay
Sept. 13 — at West Virginia, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 — vs. Louisville, TBA
Oct. 4 — vs. Boston College, TBA
Oct. 11 — at Florida State, TBA
Oct. 18 — at Syracuse, TBA
Oct. 25 — vs. N.C. State, TBA
Nov. 1 — at Stanford, TBA
Nov. 15 — vs. Notre Dame, TBA
Nov. 22 — at Georgia Tech
Nov. 29 — vs. Miami, Fla., TBA
WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON
Sept. 6 — vs. Utica, noon
Sept. 13 — at Hampden-Sydney, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 — at Grove City, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 — at Hiram, 1 p.m.
Oct. 11 — vs. Westminster, 2 p.m.
Oct. 18 — at Saint Vincent, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25 — vs. Waynesburg, 1 p.m.
Nov. 1 — vs. Case Western Reserve, 1 p.m.
Nov. 8 — at Geneva, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15 — vs. Thiel, 1 p.m
Aug. 21 — at Carolina, 7 p.m.
Regular season
Sept. 7 — at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Sept. 14 — vs. Seattle, 1 p.m.
Sept. 21 — at New England, 1 p.m.
Sept. 28 — Minnesota at Dublin, 9:30 a.m.
Oct. 5 — bye
Oct. 12 — vs. Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Oct. 16 — at Cincinnati, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 26 — vs. Green Bay, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 2 — vs. Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 — at L.A. Chargers, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 16 — vs. Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Nov. 23 — at Chicago, 1 p.m.
Nov. 30 — vs. Buffalo, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 7 — at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15 — vs. Miami, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 21 — at Detroit, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 28 — at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Week 18 — vs. Baltimore, TBD
Saving’s as easy as 1-2-3
Open an Education Club Savings Account, and let your future dreams start adding up. Plus, you may qualify for a scholarship upon high school graduation!
Current high school students can stop by one of our branches in Waynesburg, Carmichaels, Mt. Morris, Washington or Taylorstown to start saving today. For more information, including account rules and scholarship eligibility, visit www.ffgc.bank.
8 EXPERIENCED DOCTORS, EACH SPECIALIZED IN SPECIFIC ORTHOPAEDIC CARE & PROCEDURES.
Armando Avolio Jr., MD
Joint Replacements, Sports Medicine/Arthroscopic Surgeries, General Orthopaedics
