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Peters Township looking for a banner year

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 5 min read

By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Experience on the line was one of the strengths of the Peters Township football team. The starters were Rob Corrado (64), Grant Nelson (53), Shane O’Connell (56), Ian Chaudhari (66) and Logan Clark (55).

By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Adrian Williams and Ryan Magiske

For Peters Township, 2018 could be a banner year. The Indians have the experience – eight veterans return on offense and seven on defense – skill and strength to win their first conference championship since the mid-1970s.

“That’s our goal,” said T.J. Plack, who enters his third season as head coach. “We want to win the conference. We have the potential, but all teams have it. How well we get players to work together … our chemistry has to come together and if our young players step up and we can avoid the injury bug, then it’s all positive.”

Plack added another key factor: How well the Indians get out of the gate could determine their fate.

While Peters Township dropped a classification to 5A, it will find the conference competition challenging. The Indians open the season at Upper St. Clair Aug. 31. Woodland Hills follows at home Sept. 7 before a visit to West Allegheny Sept. 14.

“Our first three games will be difficult,” Plack predicted. “Those are three storied programs. If we come out of those three games 3-0 or 2-1, we definitely have a shot (at a conference title). If we are 1-2, then we are fighting an uphill battle.”

By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Corban Hondru

Opponents, however, will encounter an uphill battle when confronting the Indians because Peters Township is experienced on both sides of the line, talented in the backfield and proficient on defense.

On the line, four senior starters return, including Ian Chaudhari, a first-team all-conference guard; Shane O’Connell, a center who was a second-team all-conference selection on defense last year; Rob Corrado, a two-year starter who moves from tackle to guard; and Logan Clark, a two-way tackle who has started for three years. Grant Nelson, last year’s long snapper, moves into the starting rotation at guard.

Zach Magnotti, who will join Clark, O’Connell and Chaudhari on the defensive line at end, can play guard or center on offense. Though a sophomore, David Dicio has shown strength in the weight room and is another fill-in on the line.

“We have a real good core and cohesive unit on the line,” Plack said. “We are hoping that is a strength.”

With two returning all-conference rushers, the backfield is another asset for the Indians. Adrian Williams rushed for 637 yards and a 4.83 average per carry. He scored nine TDs. Ryan Magiske rushed for 606 yards and 5.27 per carry. He managed four scores.

By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Aidan McCall should be one of the Indians top receivers this season.

“They are absolutely different runners,” Plack said. “Ryan’s a throwback. You wish the game was still played on grass and in the mud. He has a nose for the end zone. Adrian has more moves and quickness. He’s definitely a big-play guy.”

While fullback Corban Hondru and wide receivers Josh Casilli (32 receptions and 6 TDs) and Gabe Maloni will have an impact on the offense, they will be big-play guys on defense along with Aidan McCall and Williams.

A sophomore, Hondru anchors the defense at middle linebacker. Senior Seth Luksik also is a starter but the Indians need to fill the two linebacker spots left vacant by graduation. Senior Jackson McCloskey, junior Ryan Clark and sophomore Michael Peyton are vying for the open slots.

“(Linebacker) is a question mark but Corban makes everything right. He’s a heck of a player. He’s a smart young man. He puts guys in the right position. He runs our defense. He makes all the calls.”

As a three-year starter and second-team all-conference performer, McCall, and Williams, a junior who is a two-year starter, shore up the cornerback spots while Casilli is the free safety and Magiske is the strong safety.

“Our secondary will be strong,” predicted Plack. “We have one of the top defensive backfields in the conference if not the WPIAL.”

What the Indians don’t have is the best quarterback … yet. That’s because Logan Pfeuffer is only a sophomore.

Plack, however, is enthused about the rookie, who was the MVP of the scout team last year. He says Pfeuffer reminds him of Andrew DiDonato, a standout at South Fayette and a record-setter at Gove City College before becoming the Wolverines’ head coach.

By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Rob Casilli is a two-way returning starter at wide receiver and in the secondary on defense for the Indians.

“Logan is a young kid but very intelligent. He is accurate and intelligent. He understands what we want to do with the offense and sometimes he corrects things we try to do and rectifies situations. He is a delight to have.

“So with our O-line and two all-conference running backs, we are hoping to establish the run and protect Logan as we bring him along slowly. If we can do that, then it all will click well.”

And that could very well mean a banner year for Peters Township.

“I hope so,” Plack said. “We have to take it one game at a time and be positive. I know those are clichés but they are clichés for a reason. We have to be champions every day and not worry about winning championships.

“We have to cross our T’s and dot all our I’s when we play. We can’t take anybody lightly and we have to be on our toes in this league because there is no dropoff in talent or ability from 6A. But I am very excited for this year.” o

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