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Puzzle solving

Bethel Park piecing together success on the gridiron

By Eleanor Bailey 9 min read
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Tanner Pfeuffer ranks No. 2 in the WPIAL in passing this season. The senior has completed 50 of 75 attempts for 941 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has thrown only one interception in four games. In Bethel Park's win against West Mifflin, 62-14, he tossed five TD strikes.
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JaVaughn Moore (6) shakes off tacklers during Bethel Park's 62-14 win against West Mifflin. The senior rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns as well as caught four passes for 63 yards and another score in the win against the Titans. With 735 yards on 70 carries, Moore leads the WPIAL in rushing.
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Jack Bruckner (10) makes one of his four receptions during Bethel Park's 62-14 win against West Mifflin. He also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown in the game. Bruckner ranks among the WPIAL leaders with 13 grabs for 239 yards and an 18.4-yard average.
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Clancy Orie celebrates after making a touchdown reception during Bethel Park’s 61-14 win against West Mifflin.

Bethel Park did not collapse when it learned one of its best players would miss most of the football season because of a shoulder injury. On the contrary, the Hawks have flourished.

Without Ryan Petras, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder in mid-August, Bethel Park started the 2024 campaign with resounding wins against Seneca Valley, 50-14, Mars, 49-13, Armstrong, 46-7, and West Mifflin, 62-14. With a 51.7-point average, they are the highest-scoring team in the WPIAL while allowing just 12 tallies a game.

That’s a remarkable commentary when one considers Petras has been a big cog in the BP operation since his freshman year.

An all-state performer, Petras has 1,148 career rushing yards and 108 receptions. Last year, he caught 52 passes for 734 yards and rushed for 409 more yards on 53 carries. He scored 14 touchdowns. Additionally, he started in the secondary and excelled on all kick returns. He even punted for the Black Hawks.

A Princeton recruit, who will play two sports for the Tigers, Petras also has been a starter on the baseball team since his freshman year. He played center field on BP’s state championship club in 2022 and started at shortstop the past two springs.

“When Ryan had the MRI and we knew that he would be out for a little bit, we knew we had to have guys step up,” said Tanner Pfeuffer. “What helped though was when he was playing baseball, we were having spring drills. So we had an idea of who would step up. We all have done a great job of filling his great shoes.”

While the Hawks have had many talented players stepping up to fill the void created by the absence of Petras in the line-up, Pfeuffer has been the catalyst behind BP’s success. As the senior signal caller, he had no choice.

“It’s my job to put us in a good position to win games,” he said.

A three-year starter, he recently equaled his personal record of five touchdown passes in one game when he tossed five scoring strikes in BP’s impressive win against West Mifflin.

“As a sophomore, I had that many against Moon. So I tied (my record),” Pfeuffer said. “This is more meaningful though because at the beginning of the year, we had high expectations of ourselves.”

Against the Titans, Pfeuffer completed 14 of 22 passes. He targeted Mitchell Paschl for two TDs of 59 and 32 yards. Clancy Orie (19 yards), JaVaughn Moore (4) and Jovian Smith (19) hauled in the other scores.

“I trust the guys around me,” Pfeuffer said. “They are doing their jobs. When I throw the ball, I know they will make plays.

“We are very connected as a team. We play as a big group,” he added. “The guys who have stepped up have always been good athletes. They have been in the program for awhile and have always shown what they can do. They are especially talented.”

According to Pfeuffer, Moore is an exceptional talent. The 5-11, 190-pound senior tailback leads the WPIAL in rushing with 735 yards on 70 carries. He is averaging 10.5 yards per carry. He’s also managing 24.3 yards per catch.

Against West Mifflin, Moore rushed for 173 yards and two scores of 7, 22 and 4 yards. He also had four receptions for 64 yards and one score.

Pfeuffer said that Moore’s performances have taken the pressure off him to pass. “An awful lot,” he said. “When JaVaughn’s having 200 yards of offense, it makes it difficult for defenses. So he helps a lot with that (the passing game.)

“JaVaughn is also a good receiver. He can catch the ball. He’s also so athletic and fast that after he makes the pass plays, he’s able to pick up more chunks of yardage.

“What he’s doing is special,” Pfeuffer continued. “He’s put in the hard work during the offseason and the line is opening up holes for him. He’s doing a great job.”

Paschl and Jack Bruckner have filled the void at wide receiver and on special teams admirably. Paschl had five receptions for 119 yards against West Mifflin. Bruckner returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown.

Paschl ranks among the Top 15 receivers in the WPIAL with 18 catches for 364 yards and a 20.2-yard average. Bruckner has 13 grabs for 239 yards and an 18.4-yard average. Orie, David Dennison, who rushed for a TD against the Titans, Smith, Randall Bergia and Santino Nowozeniuk present additional targets for Pfeuffer.

“We have a ton of talent. So I am not surprised we are doing so well,” Pfeuffer said. “We have guys like Mitchell and Jack who are going to make plays. They get open, win the defensive battle, catch the ball and make big plays after that. I have all the trust in the world in them. They are making a name for themselves.”

Pfeuffer has attached his moniker to the list of WPIAL passing leaders. Ranking second in the district, he has completed 50 of 75 attempts for 941 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has thrown only one interception in four games.

Pfeuffer has reached the apex by “trusting” his training and “staying relaxed” in the pocket.

At age 5, Pfeuffer started playing the game by retrieving footballs for his brothers, RJ, Logan and Colton. All were quarterbacks and played at rival Peters Township when the family lived in that school district.

“They were probably the most influential. Because they played, so did I,” Pfeuffer explained.

By his sophomore year, Pfeuffer was a starter for the Black Hawks, completing 115 of 179 attempts for 14 scores and 1,507 yards. As a junior, he was 115 for 226 for 1,888 yards and 21 TDs while reducing his interceptions.

In addition to lifting weights as well as working on speed and agility, he played basketball. As a forward, he helped the Hawks go deep into the district and state playoffs.

Pfeuffer also worked with Dan Kovacs. A personal trainer at Amerifit Fitness Club in Mt. Lebanon, he once held world records in powerlifting. Additionally, Pfeuffer trains with Dakota Conwell. An Upper St. Clair graduate, who passed and rushed for more than 1,000 yards his senior season, Conwell played at Arizona before transferring and setting records at West Liberty University.

Pfeuffer acknowledged that all these externals have contributed to his success.

“During the offseason, I have put on weight and added strength while basketball has helped me with speed. With the trainers, I am able to work on personalized things.

“Because of my experience, I am staying relaxed in games and that allows you to play better,” Pfeuffer continued. “I’m definitely a lot calmer. My sophomore year I was so nervous. Making dumb mistakes.

“This year I’m able to make all the throws on the field whether its’ a tight window or down the field on a go-route. I know the coverage. I see the defenses. It’s not a surprise what they will be doing.”

Pfeuffer is not shocked by his team’s start and ability to persevere through adversity. Bethel Park’s continued success propels him, not personal milestones.

“Stats can’t win football games,” he explained. “I just want to help the team win games. The only thing that matters to me is our (team) record. Whatever I can do to elevate my game and put the team in a position to win games is all I care about.”

On Sept. 27, the games become more concerning because Bethel Park commences with Allegheny Six Conference competition. The Hawks host Moon at 7 p.m.

After visiting Baldwin, Bethel Park enters a stretch of must-win games if it wishes to contend for the conference title. The Hawks will host Upper St. Clair Oct. 11 and South Fayette Oct. 18 before visiting Peters Township on Oct. 25. The Indians are the defending WPIAL champions and 2023 PIAA runners-up in Class 5A.

Noting that Bethel Park captured its only district banner in 2008 and that the Hawks have a countdown clock to critical contests on a wall in the locker room, Pfeuffer said the focus remains a cliche. The Hawks have adopted a one game at a time approach to conference action.

“We are ready. We are excited. Our goals are to win the conference. Go 10-0. Beat our rivals and win a WPIAL and PIAA championship but we can’t lose sight of the short-term goals. Each week we have to play our best football. Each game is like any other game. 1-0 is the goal each week.

“We can’t take any team lightly. We have to maintain the same mindset that has gotten us here thus far. We have to stay connected. You win the game Monday through Thursday in practice. You put your best foot forward on Friday night.

“As a team, we are like a giant puzzle. The pieces are coming together,” Pfeuffer continued. “When Ryan comes back, that’s just another part of the jigsaw. We’ll just continue to do our normal stuff but we’re making it difficult for defenses to pick and choose what to cover because we have so many good athletes ready to go.”

Tanner Pfeuffer

Bio box

Age: 18

Birthday: May 15

Parents: Maryann and Richard

Siblings: Cassie, RJ, Logan, Colton

GPA: 4.2

Sports: Football, basketball

Activities: National Honor Society, Math Club

Career choice: Engineering

Color: Orange

Food: My mom’s lasagna

Movie: Dark Knight

Music: Pink Skies by Zach Bryan

Athlete: Patrick Mahomes

Dream destination: Bahamas. “Because of the clear water and beaches.”

Person with whom you would like to have dinner: Kevin Hart. “He’s such a funny guy that it would be interesting to have a conversation with him.”

What do you do in your spare time: Work at Big Shot Bob’s House of Wings. “I love the garlic-butter parmesan wings. They are so good. The best that I have ever had. I can probably pack 15 of them away in one sitting.”

People might be surprised to know this about you: “I’m an uncle! My sister, who lives in South Fayette, has three children: Brooks, 4, Sage, 2, and Noa. She’s a newborn.”

Life lesson sports has taught you or is teaching you: “Be thankful for every game. With what is going on in the NFL with concussions and the cardio stuff, you never know when your last game will be. So enjoy it. Every game and every practice.”

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