Bethel Park ends season with hope for the future
Bittersweet describes the 2021 football season for Bethel Park High School.
After going winless in 2020, the Black Hawks posted a 5-5 regular season record before losing to Woodland Hills, 27-23, in the first round of the WPIAL 5A playoffs.
“The loss really stings. It’s not the way I pictured it ending,” said BP head coach Brian DeLallo.
“That said, this was one of my most enjoyable years coaching,” he added. “We had kids with a great attitude, and a coaching staff that cared so much about these kids. I love the family atmosphere we are building, and I will miss the seniors.”
That class featured Max Blanc, Anthony Celletti, Cody Geddes, Luke Helfrich, Jack Kirchner, Weston Konopka, Josh Libell, Mark Pesci, Joe Thimons, Zak Vincent and Troy Volpatti.
“These players all contributed to returning our program to the playoffs and contending for a conference championship,” DeLallo said. “Their leadership will impact this program for years to come. I can’t thank them enough.”
With Blanc and Volpatti, the Black Hawks featured one of the top passing and rushing attacks in the conference.
A Youngstown State recruit, Blanc completed 97 of 179 passes for 1,308 yards and seven touchdowns.
Volpatti surpassed the 1,000-yard milestone when he rushed for 101 yards in the loss to Woodland Hills. He also scored a touchdown and tossed a 24-yard scoring strike to Kirchner against the Wolverines.
Geddes kicked a 25-yard field goal and added two extra points. He also excelled on defense and as a punter in his first varsity season of football.
In the loss, Ryan Petras also rushed for a 31-yard touchdown.
A freshman, Petras will be part of a core group of young players that DeLallo will rely upon next season. The Black Hawks will return 15 starters in 2022.
Several other players saw a lot of minutes.
“Our future is bright,” DeLallo said. “We feel good about the direction in which the program is headed.”