Aug 23, 2026 5 min read

Winning changes everything. Just ask Steve Spence.

After guiding Chartiers Valley to a 7-4 record, complete with a playoff appearance, last fall, Spence enters his second season as coach with high expectations for the Colts.

“We have raised the bar at CV,” he said. “By no means has it been just me. All the coaches have done an incredible job and the players have gotten a taste of winning big games that they are holding their teammates accountable with the seniors setting the tone.

“I’d be lying if I said expectations were not high. We are continuing to make strides but we want to win in the postseason.”

In 2025, the Colts placed third in the Class 4A Big Six Conference behind undefeated Trinity and Thomas Jefferson, but they lost to McKeesport in the first round of the playoffs, 44-7. The Tigers went on to compete in the Class 4A finals.

“Getting to the playoffs was wonderful, but we are ready to take the next step. Get in these games and win them,” Spence stressed.

In 2026, the Colts just might because they are older as well as wiser, and the conference has seen the exit of Trinity and Thomas Jefferson after the realignment that occurs every two seasons. The Hillers and Jaguars moved up to Class 5A while South Fayette joined Section 3 with the Colts as well as Ringgold, Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown.

“South Fayette has a rich tradition and history. I would mark them as a favorite,” Spence said, deflecting attention away from the Colts. “Ringgold has a ton of talent. We split with them the last two years. Laurel Highlands has a new coach and good tradition and Albert Gallatin is rebuilt. Uniontown is back in the WPIAL and they are excited to return.

“So even though we have made strides, we are in no position to take anybody lightly. Our attitude stays the same as last year. Be ready week in and week out.”

The Colts are more than prepared to take on the competition because they return seven experienced players on offense, five of them full-time veterans, as well as six starters on defense.

“Experience is a very big strength,” Spence said. “Upfront, on both sides of the ball, we are strong and everybody is used to the system and the calls. So things should operate a lot smoother.”

Center Joel Buerkle, along with tackles Destyn Zrelak and Anthony Mousessian, anchor the lines. Eli Sodano returns as an experienced guard while Mason Switala starts at the other guard slot. On the defensive line at end, Jacob Hastings is a returning starter with Buerkle and Zrelak.

“The line absolutely will be our strength,” Spence said. “We have big, athletic kids who are experienced, dedicated and close knit.”

That enables CV to do what it wants on offense. The Colts will run a spread offense. According to Spence, they will be balanced.

“We’ll establish the run and throw when we need to,” he said.

Owen Weagraff will do the throwing, primarily to Niko Hines, but Braylen Bogats and Easton Staab are in the mix, while Zach Efthimiades will handle the running chores along with Braedyn Stern, a multi-purpose player that can do a little of everything for the Colts.

Weagraff started two games, going 2-0, behind Luke Miranda, who passed for 1,170 yards last season.

“Owen is all you want in a quarterback. Leadership. Intelligence. Great IQ,” Spence rattled off. “He can do it all. He throws well and has good speed. We are hoping he’s one of the top QBs in the WPIAL.”

Efthimiades could be a top running back after playing in the shadow of leading rusher Tayshaun Lewis.

“He’s waited his turn and earned his spot,” Spence said. “Zach is fast, physical. A power runner. A physical kid that will pound the ball between the tackles. He looks for contact but he also has great speed.”

Hines is a junior and a two-way player. Injured with a broken collarbone for much of last season, the Colts are looking for a breakout year from Hines.

“He’s super athletic and a very dedicated kid,” Spence said. “He wants to be great. We expect a big year from him.”

Hines and Stern are expected to have an impact on defense along with Nick Washington. All are returning starters.

Najeh Wrobleski, Staab and Bogats join Stern and Hines in the defensive secondary while Chase Glover, Noah Harris and Gavin Blake headline the linebacker corps with Washington.

“Defensively, we want to improve our tackling. We’ve made strides but we ran into a lot of good running backs last year, including two of the best in the WPIAL,” Spence said in reference to McKeesport’s Kemon Spell, a Georgia recruit, and TJ’s Tyler Eber, who rushed for 1,885 yards and 31 TDs.

“On defense, we have to do less thinking and more reacting. On offense, we have to work on our communication and timing. We want to establish the run game, focus on our tackling and assignments and throw the ball on time, be efficient there.

“We’re doing the right things,” he continued. “We need to continue to work hard on doing things the right way.”

By adopting that approach, Spence added that the players have earned all they have gotten to this point, including the tag as contender based on past performance.

“We’ve earned the right to be a confident football team,” Spence concluded.