Quad-A teams ready to battle despite lower numbers
Jeff Metheny huddles up his players and discusses strategy after a hard workout during Bethel Park High School football training camp.
Nick Tommasi form tackles Edgar Parrilla during practice drills at Mt. Lebanon’s football training camp.
Upper St. Clair players practice offensive skills during pre-season training camp.
While Quad-A is the biggest classification for football in the WPIAL as well as the state of Pennsylvania, numbers are down across the area. Some schools have even canceled their ninth grade programs because they do not have enough kids. Freshmen now populate varsity rosters. Low numbers concern some South Hills coaches as they gear up for Southeastern Conference action.
“We need more bodies,” said Jeff Metheny. His Bethel Park roster features just 47 players. His neighbors, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, will dress 52 and 57 players this season.
While coaches cite ‘fear’ of concussions as a deterrent to participation, they believe there is value in playing the sport.
“No. 1,” says Metheny, “kids learn discipline and hard work. They also gain a basic knowledge about caring for their team and teammates and working with other people.”
This off-season, the Blue Devils learned how to get along with their teammates while doing good deeds for others in the community. Lebo players performed community service such as visiting retirement homes and played bingo with senior citizens. In addition, they will also host a Military Night when they host Moon Sept. 5.
According to Mike Melynk, his players can draw from these experiences and the community service events instill team chemistry. But, he says, coaches need to be ambassadors for their sport. They need to get the word out about the benefits of playing football.
“There is nothing like football to teach valuable life lessons about team work, over coming obstacles and working hard,” said Melynk, who is in his third season as Lebo head coach. “It’s unmatched. Football provides an opportunity for all kids to learn these invaluable lessons.”
Next week, when the 2014 campaign kicks off, area teams will learn if numbers matter as Southeastern Conference action commences en force. Peters Township welcomes Woodland Hills at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 and Upper St. Clair travels to Penn Hills at 7:30 p.m. Woodland Hills and Penn Hills are the favorites to unseat USC as champions.
“Penn Hills thinks they are going to Heinz Field. Everybody else thinks Woodland Hills is all that. I’m not sure where that puts us,” said USC head coach Jim Render. “But I like our team; its youth and enthusiasm, and our workouts have been excellent. Plus, our players like each other.”
Indeed USC is young. The Panthers are replacing 21 of 22 starters from last year’s undefeated conference championship club that lost to Woodland Hills in the WPIAL semifinals and finished 11-1 overall.
Woodland Hills is looking for its sixth WPIAL title under George Novak, the only coach the school has had. The Wolverines lost to Central Catholic in the Quad-A championship game at Heinz Field last November.
The Wolverines enter the season boasting an experienced, deep line with three-year starters in Gibson and Kevin Solomon at tackles as well as Akira McClean and Will Fletcher at ends. They also welcome transfers from McKeesport (Jaymier Scarborough) and Franklin Regional (Steve Puhl) along with Amon Baldwin-Youngblood and Wilford Clark.
Plus, Miles Sanders returns to the backfield. The Penn State recruit rushed for 1,088 yards and 13 TDs last season. Considered among the nation’s top running backs, Sanders has started since his freshman year and targeted 2,000 yards as his rushing goal.
Meanwhile, Penn Hills returns Billy Kisner. The standout signal caller rushed for 1,191 yards (6.9-yard average) and threw for 477 more yards. Isaiah Jones (873 yards) and Malik Mathis also are among the talented skill players returning for the Indians.
USC, which returns a talented kicker in Max Herold and punter in Jesse Slinger, must gain experience fast if the Panthers are to contend with the Wolverines and Indians. Marcus Galie, Mike Krenn, Andrew Bartusiak and Austin Himler are the only veterans with any type of playing experience.
After having missed the playoffs in 2013, Lebo, which hosts Canon-McMillan in its opener Aug. 29, plans to be in the mix with Woody High, Penn Hills and USC as Eddie Jenkins (752) returns to call the signals and Penn recruit Matt Hoffman anchors the line. The Blue Devils also have a strong kicker in Rob Costantino, who converted eight of nine fields goals and connected on 20 extra points last fall. Plus, standout punter Shane Lefever is an excellent receiver and defensive back.
Despite its lack of numbers, BP returns veteran quarterback Levi Metheny, along with tall target Jake Dixon (6-5 tight end) as well as Alex Minton and Chiante Pryor. The Hawks, who lost 25 seniors last year including Pitt freshman Mike Grimm, find out quickly how well they stack up in Quad A when they battle Central Catholic Aug. 29. The Vikings were the district champions and PIAA runner-up.
Though they field 72 players, Peters finds itself in the same situation as its South Hills brethren. The Indians graduated 22 seniors from last year’s 5-5 playoff team. They do, however, boast Division I recruit Cory Owen at quarterback. They also return their top defender in Jake Uhler.
Finally, Baldwin and Canon-McMillan hope their linemen lead the way.
The Highlanders feature Sterling Jenkins. The 6-8, 305-pound senior verbally committed to Penn State. He is ranked eighth in the country at offensive tackle. Baldwin hosts Ambridge in its opener Aug. 29. Baldwin also returns Doug Altavilla at quarterback. He threw for 1,705 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Under second-year coach Ron Coder, the Big Macs are looking to turn around a 1-8 season. They anchor their hopes around Alex Paulina. The 6-4, 280-pound senior is a two-way tackle. He committed to Pitt. C-M also returns its leading rusher in Justin Mattola and junior quarterback Jordan Smith.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
1. Woodland Hills
2. Penn Hills
3. Mt. Lebanon
4. Upper St. Clair
5. Baldwin
6. Bethel Park
7. Peters Township
8. Canon-McMillan