Despite heavy graduation losses, BP expects good results
Cole Rogers will handle the signals for Bethel Park. He replaces four-year starter Levi Metheny, who passed for more than 4,000 yards in his career. Rogers also starts on defense at linebacker.
James Gmiter returns to anchor the offensive and defensive lines for the third year in a row for Bethel Park.
Jeff Metheny
Terron Murphy ranked among the WPIAL rushing leaders last season, gobbling up 1,225 yards for an 8.4-yard average per carry. He also averaged seven yards a catch and scored nine touchdowns for the Hawks.
Chris Pauley and James Gmiter work on their tackling techniques during pre-season drills. The two are returning starters on both sides of the line for Bethel Park.
Bethel Park players run through drills to warm up for their pre-season workout. The Hawks return a wealth of experience as they hope to improve upon their 6-4 record and third-place finish in the Southeastern Conference last year.
At Bethel Park, the cupboard appears to be bare. Twenty seniors graduated from last year’s 7-4 squad that reached the quarterfinals in the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs. Off to play volleyball at Lewis University is Jake Dixon. The Almanac’s Athlete of the Year excelled at linebacker and tight end. Departed, too, is Levi Metheny, now at Albany University.
“We lost a lot of good people. Our line. Dixon. Our trigger guy,” agreed Metheny’s father, Jeff, who enters his 31st season of coaching. “Our experience level is not high. It’s a complete overhaul.”
All is not lost, however. Metheny injected hope for Black Hawk fans as he exuded enthusiasm for the 2016 campaign. “I’m excited,” he said. “I really am.”
Metheny is thrilled because the Hawks boast some experienced players who have demonstrated flare. “Our skill guys have played,” he said. “We are excited about them.”
Terron Murphy accounts for some of the team’s enthusiasm. The senior tailback ranked among the WPIAL rushing leaders last season, gaining 1,225 yards for an 8.4-yards per carry average. He also averaged seven yards a catch and scored nine touchdowns.
“Terron’s a good football player. He’s hard to tackle,” said Metheny, noting Murphy needs to improve on short-yardage situations because Bethel Park “struggled” on third downs last season.
“Terron has great vision and instincts. He can break the big one. He has proven he can do that. We will use him a lot.”
The Hawks, likewise, will utilize the talents of “capable” backs such as Jeremy Lazzari, Jon Doleno and Tanner Volpatti. “They help make the backfield the strength of our offense,” noted Metheny.
Defense, however, will determine BP’s success as the Hawks return a core of starters, particularly in the secondary with Murphy, Doleno and Zachary Taylor on the corners, Jeremy Wodarek at free safety and Volpatti at strong safety. On offense, Taylor, Doleno and Wodarek spearhead the corps of wide receivers.
“Our secondary is our strength and those guys are good receivers. Taylor is the most experienced. Doleno is a slasher, talented and experienced, too,” Metheny said. “Wodarek had playing time. He’s a solid football player. Volpatti works hard. He has a lot of desire. Those guys just haven’t played a lot on offense.”
Metheny likes Cole Rogers as a capable replacement at quarterback and at linebacker on defense. Last year, the senior provided a breather for the outside linebackers. Metheny has been pleased with Rogers’ progress throughout the summer and camps.
“Cole has a strong arm. No question, the goal is to get better but he has some experience in game matters. He will be an asset,” Metheny said.
James Gmiter is BP’s huge asset on the line while Chandler Dietz and Christian Frazier are the big anchors in the middle of the defense. Dietz and Frazier are returning starters at inside linebacker while Gmiter is a 6-5, 280-pound junior that has two years of starting experience at tackle.
“Inside linebacker is the core of the defense. We have those linebackers back and our secondary. And,” added Metheny, “we have Gmiter, too.
“He has the most experience so he has to lead. He’s the best football player we have had on the line in a long while. James disseminates information for others and he understands what it takes to be successful.”
Long into the future BP will be successful up front because there are no senior linemen. Plus, the Hawks possess depth. David Opferman will fill one of the outside linebacker slots and play tight end. Gavin Vargesko will play guard on both sides. C.J. Keith is another “good one,” Metheny said. Liam Williams centers the ball and Connor Wholey looks to join Gmiter at tackle. Dylan Momchilovich can play right guard and tackle and Dan Kwiatkoski is a left guard. Mark Kozleuchar is also in the mix.
How the Hawks get the job done this year might differ slightly from last year but will not waver from Metheny’s philosophy.
“We believe in what we do to a fault,” Metheny said. “It’s hard to go away from what you believe in and what has worked in the past. We stress three things: don’t beat yourself, move the ball and be solid on special teams.”
Because of realignment, Bethel Park will compete at the Class 6-A level in the Southeastern Conference with Altoona, Canon-McMillan, Hempfield, Mt. Lebanon, Norwin and Peters Township. Neighbors, Upper St. Clair and Baldwin, are no longer on the schedule.
“The new classification was a good idea in theory, but we lost a lot of hometown rivals and gained a lot of travel,” Metheny said. “I’m not sure, really, if it helped or it’s worked well, but our goals remain the same. No question, we want to make the playoffs but we’d like to win the league. We have a chance. Our goal is to fight for the title. It’s been long enough.”