Keystone Oaks in it for the long haul
Alex Smith returns to quarterback the Golden Eagles. The senior passed for 2,027 yards and 16 touchdowns last season and helped Keystone Oaks earn a playoff berth.
Greg Perry
Keystone Oaks players participate in an agility drill during preseason workouts. The Golden Eagles will try to improve upon last year’s 5-5 record, which included a playoff appearance.
As far as Greg Perry is concerned, if Keystone Oaks has to make the journey to face its faraway Allegheny Conference opponents this season, including a 95-minute trip to Apollo-Ridge and visits to Valley, Shady Side Academy and Deer Lakes, the Golden Eagles should enjoy an extended stay.
So, expect the Golden Eagles to pass a lot. But, that’s because Keystone Oaks returns one of the top quarterbacks in the region. Alex Smith is on the cusp of shattering his own school records. In 2015, the senior completed 131 of 214 attempts for 2,027 yards and 14 TDs. He ranked No. 7 in the WPIAL.
Expectations are for Smith to throw for at least 2,500 yards. “That’s not absurd,” said Perry.
In their second season calling the signals, Perry’s protégés from when he coached at Seton-La Salle, including the Steelers’ Bruce Gradowski, picked up the pace and led the WPIAL in passing yards.
“Most of my quarterbacks have progressed to be the elite in the WPIAL,” Perry said. “Alex’s experience is pretty high. He’s a legitimate 6-4 and athletic. He can get out of his own way under pressure and can strike a target. He can make plays look good after they have broken down. He has ability with his legs, too.”
Smith, who is being recruited by Duquesne, Robert Morris and Bucknell, rushed for 533 yards, a 3.8-yard average. He’s also KO’s punter, and scored 10 times.
“When he throws and runs, he can do different things, but there is not a lot of pressure on him,” Perry said. “He doesn’t have to muscle around because we can lean on our skills. That’s the advantage of having skill players returning.”
Smith will throw the ball to two key veterans. Nick Hrivnak hauled in 37 catches for 584 yards and five scores. A two-year veteran, Hrivnak averaged 15.8 yards a grab. Dylan Knorr pulled in 33 for 497 yards. He scored five TDs and caught a 2-point conversion. He averaged 15.1 yards a reception.
At tight end is Jerry Volpe. The junior is expected to fill a void created by Leo Palmer, who had 38 receptions for 677 yards and nine TDs.
“We have a quarterback who can run and put pressure on a defense,” Perry said. “When you have a QB that can do both, it makes it hard to defend you and opens things up for us, particularly the wideouts. We expect a breakout season for Nick and we’ll also try to get the ball in Dylan’s hands because he has quickness and speed. Volpe is also a good player.”
The backfield has plenty of varsity experience. Devin Thomas averaged 4.7 yards per carry and Dylan Holland managed 4.5 yards. Michael Dauer also has had reps rushing.
Dan Black returns at fullback in KO’s pro-style offense. The senior is a three-year starter at inside linebacker.
“Dan’s our anchor and leader on defense,” Perry said. “He’s our emotional leader. He has an edge to him, but he likes to have fun, too.”
Opponents will have no fun going up against KO’s line and secondary.
Two starters return to the offensive line: center Tim Mazzarini and Christian Forrisi. Both are guards and three-year starters. Tyler Caragein has some experience, Shane Holden played one game. A tackle, Nate Galasso played sparingly last season.
During camp, KO spent time “figuring out” its offensive alignment.
In the secondary, KO needs veterans such as Ryan Tarr, Knorr and Dauer to remain healthy. Tarr returns at free safety while Knorr and Dauer are the cornerbacks. Thomas will be used at strong safety or outside linebacker in a 4-4 scheme. Holland is the other veteran outside linebacker. Joe Tartorella is an inside linebacker.
“We are just not sure what our conference is all about,” Perry continued. “We just don’t know anybody yet.”
Perry knows that nose guard Mazzarini, tackles Holden and Galasso as well as Volpe, an end, will anchor the defensive line. Will Deeds will be the other end as well as a wide receiver.
“Defense is defense,” Perry said. “It’s more an attitude. You have to set the tone. Get turnovers and play a short field.”
Each one of KO’s games, whether the road trips or the home contests against Carlynton, Beaver, Burrell, Freeport and Seton-La Salle, will require a keen sense of purpose as only the top two teams in each of the three conferences as well as two wildcards advance to the playoffs.
Just making the playoffs, however, is no longer the goal. Advancing is the objective.
Perry sees both the pros and the cons of the new realignment and playoff system.
“It’s nice to be down to eight teams so there are no first-round blowouts, but at the same time there is something about making the playoffs,” Perry said.
After a five-year drought, KO qualified for the postseason last fall. The Golden Eagles finished 5-5 after losing to eventual WPIAL champion, Aliquippa in the playoffs.
“Many kids don’t get to play after high school, so experiencing a chance to play in the playoffs before moving on is a great thing,” Perry said. “I know last year there was a lot of hype in the school and it’s exciting building that kind of support and morale. Plus, it helps a program as opposed to hurting it because you get an extra week of practice and we were in the game with Aliquippa. Things like that are so important when you are trying to revitalize and rebuild a program.”
“Last year our goal was to get the senior class into the playoffs because they had never done that during their careers,” Perry explained. “This year, we want to duplicate that and build upon that accomplishment so that it becomes an expectation. I’m excited for this year’s seniors because they have had a playoff appearance under their belt and we want to see what they can do for themselves.”