Bethel Park running back humbly setting records
One word perfectly defines David Dennison of Bethel Park.
“Humble,” said his football coach Phil Peckich. “That’s a good word to describe him.”
His track coach Scott Steranko concurred.
“David’s a humble kid,” Steranko said. “He’s the ultimate teammate.”
On the track, Dennison contributes his speed – covering 100 meters in 11 seconds and 400 in 52 ticks – to the success of the Black Hawks’ 4×100 and 4×400 relays. During the indoor season, he’s a 4×200 and 4×400 performer with speeds of 23 and 53 seconds.
“He’s all about helping the team,” Steranko said. “He’s a relay guy but he runs sprints and does the long jump, too. Whatever we need him to do.
“A super nice kid and a really hard worker. All the kids love to be around him.”
His football teammates especially enjoy hanging out with Dennison. He makes them run.
The Black Hawks were off to a 4-1 start in part because of Dennison’s efforts. After five games, he ranked No. 3 in the WPIAL in rushing with 900 yards on 118 carries for a 7.6-yard average. Additionally, he has 16 pass receptions for 239 yards and a 14.9-yard average. He ranked fifth in the district in scoring with 84 points on 14 touchdowns.
At 6-2, 200 pounds, Dennison moved from defensive back to outside linebacker this fall. He anchors the defense.
“In our defense, he’s the guy. Outside linebacker is the position that makes our defense go,” said Peckich. “David has a lot of ability, range and coverage, and he makes tackles. Because of his physical growth, he moved into the position because it’s better suited for his strengths. He’s been a key defender throughout the course of this year.
“Offensively, he’s been doing a good job of getting vertical, which is making him a better receiver out of the back field. As a runner, he’s more north and south, a straight-line field runner and doing a good job. He has a lot of natural ability, quickness and as the game goes on, he keeps getting better and better and becomes harder to tackle.”
Dennison developed into “an exceptional player” his senior year because he overcame adversity during the past seasons. Peckich noted Dennison suffered a setback when he was injured after the Upper St. Clair game his sophomore year. He also nursed a nagging hamstring injury as a junior and watched as Javaughn Moore rolled up 2,084 yards and 32 touchdowns before matriculating to Robert Morris University.
“Being injured definitely was difficult, especially mentally,” Dennison said.
Dennison’s road to recovery was paved by “hard work” interspersed with rest. He heeded the advice of trainers, performed the specified workouts and exercises, took ice baths and stretched daily.
“And got eight hours of sleep,” Dennison added. “Rehab is important but you always have to focus on taking care of your body.”
Steranko noted Dennison “worked really hard” and Peckich says the diligence is “paying dividends” on both sides of the football this season.
A big payoff came on Sept. 19 when the Black Hawks trounced Trinity, 55-35. Dennison rushed for a personal-record 317 yards, 11 yards shy of Moore’s top showing last season. Dennison also scored what is believed to be a school record six touchdowns during the victory.
According to current BP records kept by school historian Tony Fisher, Alex Minton rushed for five scores back on Oct. 17, 2014 and Moore also had that many touchdowns on Sept. 20, 2024. Multiple BP players in the past had four-TD performances.
“It’s cool to have the touchdown record but the real goal is winning,” Dennison said.
Dennison credited his offensive line for his and the team’s success. Up front the Black Hawks are led by Brad McGuire and Santino LaMolinaire at the tackles, Nathan Purcell and Ryan Bergia at the guard slots and Zach Hultz at center.
“They got the job done. Created massive holes,” he said. “Give all the credit to them.”
Dennison credits his “vision” for seeing the holes and “attacking” them with a “burst of speed” to get the tough yards and to reach the end zone. He says he hopes to continue to do both because he wants his teammates to reach their goals.
“We want to win the conference and play in Acrisure Stadium,” he said. “We want to compete in the WPIAL championship game. That would ice my career at Bethel Park.”
Those team-first objectives do not surprise Steranko. He says that Dennison is more than just a talented athlete with DI speed.
“David is coachable and willing to improve. He’s what coaches look for in a player,” Steranko said. “He has good character and is a great citizen,” he added. “He’s an easy-going kid that people want to be around. All the kids gravitate to him because of his unassuming personality. He’s been a privilege to coach.”