South Fayette’s Brett Brumbaugh ready to repeat
Brett Brumbaugh
Brett Brumbaugh in action during a pre-season scrimmage against Chartiers Valley.
When critics question his mobility on the gridiron, South Fayette quarterback Brett Brumbaugh answers them candidly.
“Running is not my style.” Besides, adds the 6-4, 200-pound signal caller, “We have running backs for that.”
Indeed the Lions depend upon their tailbacks for the ground game. They had a 1,000-yard rusher in Grant Fetchet (Columbia) in 2013 and anticipate Hunter Hayes will pick up the pace in 2014, behind the blocking of fullback J.J. Walker, who was also the team’s leading tackler.
For their aerial attack, the Lions have Brumbaugh for that. And, nobody doubts he can pass.
The senior stands on the cusp of shattering two more WPIAL records as he heads into the season opener Aug. 29 at home against East Allegheny. While he smashed the single-season standard with 3,897 yards and 41 touchdowns last autumn, Brumbaugh is within reach of the district passing mark of 8,508 career yards and TDs (102).
Lenny Williams from Sto-Rox made that grade in 2013. Prior to Williams, Brumbaugh’s brother, Christian, held the record. For his career so far, Brumbaugh has completed 426 of 700 passes for 7,326 yards and 85 touchdowns.
Personally, Brumbaugh wants to finish his career with over 10,000 yards. During the 2014 campaign, he plans on completing 55-60 touchdown passes with no interceptions and throwing for 4,000 yards.
“That’s a lot of offense, but I want to do at least what I did last year and more,” said Brumbaugh.
More also means leading the Lions to a second straight PIAA crown. In 2013, South Fayette captured the Century Conference and a WPIAL title before capping its undefeated season with the school’s first state football championship.
“The expectations for 2014 definitely are to go 16-0 and win another state title,” said Brumbaugh, who passed for more than 800 yards alone during the PIAA tournament.
With Brumbaugh calling the signals, head coach Joe Rossi has no doubts the Lions have a shot at repeating. “When you have No. 7 back there, you know you have a chance to win every game,” Rossi said. “When he comes into the huddle, he commands respect. Obviously, he has proved this to his teammates.”
Brumbaugh only has trouble proving his worth to the college recruiters. While he has visited Pitt, Delaware, Virginia, Virginia Tech and some Ivy League schools, only Temple, Akron and Albany have tendered scholarship offers.
Though Brumbaugh boasts a strong arm and height, Rossi stresses to college coaches that he is ‘a winner,’ having only lost two games in his career. “Everyone wants a kid who can run, but he’s going to find himself a place,” Rossi said.
Randy and Maria Brumbaugh also stress that fact to their youngest son. They have endured the rigors of recruiting two other times when Christian committed to the College of William and Mary and Luke picked Robert Morris University.
“Recruiting is stressful,” admitted Brumbaugh. “I would have liked to have made my [college] decision before the football season. But my parents and coaches have assured me. They’ve told me to find a home you love. Find where you belong.”
Right now, Brumbaugh belongs at the helm of South Fayette’s offense. And, he has worked hard during the off-season to assure the unit continues to be productive. The Lions averaged 45 points per game last year.
Because Christian and Luke entered their seasons also vying for the top jobs at their respective schools, Brumbaugh has labored and learned under their tutelage. In addition to watching them and talking to them, he has worked out with them to improve his arm strength. Luke, who threw for more than 3,000 career yards while attending Seton-La Salle, entered camp first on the depth chart at QB for the Colonials, who host Eastern Kentucky on Aug. 28. Christian, who finished with more than 7,000 career yards at South Fayette, hopes to lead the Tribe Aug. 30 at Virginia Tech.
“My brothers, definitely, have been the most influential [people in my career],” said Brumbaugh, who also excels in basketball like his siblings did. “I’ve been around them and high school football forever. They played the game and prepared me to play the game. We watch films together. They calm me down. They tell me to act like a leader out there.”
In his position, Brumbaugh understands he must set the tone. “The team takes its lead from you,” he said. “You have to be attentive to that. You can’t get down; can’t get negative or throw a helmet. You have to show them how to be positive.”
Despite the disappointment regarding attracting major Division I scouts’ attention, Brumbaugh has remained upbeat. He has done all the things to improve his game during the off-season. While he focused mainly on releasing the ball faster, Brumbaugh also says that he has worked on footwork, quickness and strength.
“Running is not my style,” he explained. “What I do best – what makes me, me is throwing the football.”
By passing the pigskin, Brumbaugh has certainly made a name for himself. He was everybody’s Player of the Year in 2013, including the Pennsylvania Football Writers. He also garnered All-Conference, All-WPIAL and All-state acclaim.
Yet, Brumbaugh yearns for more.
“I’d like to leave a legacy behind. Go down as one of the best in the WPIAL and South Fayette. I want to be remembered here. Hopefully as a two-time state champion,” he concluded.