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With Cibrone in control, best is yet to come for Peters Township

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 10 min read
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As a Green Bay Packers fan, Chris Cibrone worshiped Aaron Rodgers.

“I loved watching him play. How he’d throw the ball at the right time, the right place. To me, he’s always been amazing to watch and I think he’s the best player,” Cibrone said.

“Dominant with limited interceptions. He knows how to protect the ball and can put it anywhere he wants.”

While Cibrone knows that he will never surpass the achievements of Rodgers, he can imitate him in some ways.

“I don’t try to emulate him but I want to be like him in accuracy and ability to throw it to anyone anywhere. If you can develop that trait, that makes you unstoppable.”

In Cibrone’s two varsity starts for Peters Township this season, he has been difficult to contain. He has completed 34 of 53 attempts for 562 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has no interceptions.

Though he has been in the program for three years, Cibrone had only one previous start, filling in for the injured Sam Miller last year as a sophomore.

“Chris understands the verbiage and how we do things. So we expected him to be our starter this year. He has proven capable,” said PT head coach TJ Plack. “He’s tough and getting better.”

During PT’s upset win against Seneca Valley, 30-27, on Sept. 2, he threw for a career-high 323 yards and four touchdowns.

“Confidence,” Cibrone said, was the secret to his success against the Raiders.

“I went into the game knowing I was the man,” he said. “When you are out there, you want to be dominant. I didn’t expect to fail. I expected the best out of myself and I want to keep building on that.”

Cibrone has been building for the 2022 campaign. In addition to his offseason workouts with his teammates, Cibrone trained at Sky Development Athletics. Located in Green Tree, the business is owned by Dakota Conwell. A two-time all-state performer at Upper St. Clair, he played 11 games as a true freshman at outside linebacker for the University of Arizona before returning to his QB roots and set records at West Liberty University.

In addition to working on speed and agility, Cibrone said he was able to hone his skills under Conwell’s watch. His skill development improved because Conwell showed him how to use his entire body, not just his throwing arm, to create more torque so as to throw the ball farther and more accurately. The techniques, he said, have afforded his playmakers more “open field to work with.”

Cibrone is succeeding for multiple reasons.

He says his teammates and family have stuck by him. Under Miller’s wing, he gained sage advice that boosted his confidence. He also learned from predecessors such as Corban Hondru (Miami of Ohio) and Donovan McMillan (Florida).

“That class was so loaded and what that group started has been motivation for us, the guys who were freshmen and JVs. We have been building a bond since our freshman year. So there is a chemistry with us. Even though we do not have much varsity experience, we want to keep what they started going.”

Cibrone and his teammates are not waiting until his senior season though to make their move. The win against the Raiders certainly was a signature victory for the Indians, who only have a handful of seniors on the roster.

“It was an incredible team effort against a very good 6A opponent. A program win,” said Plack. “Years of doing the little, boring things well and with enthusiasm, prepared us for that game.”

Wrestling prepared Cibrone to step into the spotlight. Because he was always one of the smaller kids growing up, he gravitated to the sport. He owns a 46-16 career record in high school and has been a WPIAL qualifier.

”Wrestling requires a lot of hard work and discipline,” Cibrone said. “You are wrestling some one who is the same size and weight as you and it’s all on you whether you win. It’s your fault if you lose and not someone else.

”I love that aspect of wrestling and it correlates to football,” he continued. “It gives me motivation. No one else has to push you. We all want to be the best at what we do but if it doesn’t work out then get back in there and work harder.”

Plack agrees that wrestling has molded Cibrone.

”In wrestling, you can’t cower away from competition,” he said. “The spotlight is on you when you step on the mat and there is nowhere to hid. Chris takes that approach on the field. He is tough and resilient.

”Chris is a quiet leader. Doesn’t say much but does everything right. Our players trust him.”

Cibrone has faith in his players, particularly his linemen: Jake Velgich, Ben Price, Roman Constanza, Paris Fishell, Franco Muscatello, Tanner Mindach and Dante Recker.

“I have faith in my line. All those guys are my buddies. All my trust is in those guys. They don’t let me get sacked or hit. They are all so unselfish.”

Cibrone, likewise, has a bounty of targets. With five receptions for 60 yards and three TDs, Carter Shanafelt led the receiving corp against Seneca Valley. Ethan Wertman also hauled in a scoring strike and Joe Bedillion kicked the decisive field goal (37 yards).

In two games, Shanafelt and Brendan McCullough has 10 receptions each for 112 and 239 yards respectively. Wertman followed with seven but Reston Lehman, Richie Woods and Thomas Aspinall have been go-to receivers for Cibrone, too.

With a successful non-conference schedule that also included at home game against Trinity on Sept. 9, the Indians are prepared to host South Fayette in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference opener at 7 p.m. on Sept. 16. Along the way are away clashes with Upper St. Clair (Sept. 23) and Bethel Park (Oct. 28) not to mention battles with 6A opponents such as Mt. Lebanon (Oct. 14) and Canon-McMillan (Oct. 21).

“It’s a long season and a lot can happen,” said Cibrone. “If we bring our best energy, make others make the mistakes and we all contribute, it doesn’t really matter what the size of the other teams are.”

Size does not favor Cibrone. He stands 5-10 and weighs 160 pounds.

“No matter how big I am or not, I believe I can get it down. I do everything with a heart and the will,” he said.

Cibrone will be a collegiate recruit before the season is over. He said that he is not waiting until his senior year to establish himself because working toward a college scholarship has been “a dream” of his since he started playing at age 7. Nevertheless, Cibrone is focused on leading the Indians to the playoffs.

“Without sacrificing team goals, I’m hoping for the best opportunity to get looked at but personal goals don’t matter. What does is the team,” he said.

“We’re focused on this year and we have set high goal. Win the division and go all in on winning a championship. We owe that to our seniors to give our best every week and while people may say our goals are too high, that’s the standard around here. That’s what we all have in mind. I think the best is yet to come.”

Just a junior, Chris Cibrone is a rising star on the football field as a quarterback for Peters Township High School.

In two varsity starts this fall, he ranks No. 2 in the WPIAL in passing. He has completed 34 of 53 attempts for 562 yards and 7 scores.

Even if Cibrone’s future doesn’t include football, he likely will make plenty of dough in the bread business. His family owns the authentic Italian bakery, deli and specialty store located in the South Hills.

In 1955, Cibrone’s great grandfather, Michael, and his wife, Della, opened a small family-oriented business on the North Side. By 1965, the store outgrew its space and migrated to its current location at Grove Road in Castle Shannon.

Today, Cibrone’s grandfather, Jim, owns and operates the company. His wife, Irene, sons, niece and nephews work to carry on the tradition of serving the finest Italian pastries, cookies, cakes, pies, pizza dough and breads.

“The pepperoni rolls and the French strudel are the best,” Cibrone said.

During the summer months, Cibrone works at the shop to ‘earn money’ as well as to learn ‘the ins and outs’ of the family business.

“I get to help make things,” he said proudly. “We usually start baking around 4 a.m.”

Cibrone would love to take over the family business some day. That is why he is planning to major in business while he continuing to play football in college.

“It’s what I grew up knowing,” he said. “I love it. I would like to continue being part of it.”

Who is he: Peters Township High School junior quarterback that threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-27 win against Seneca Valley.

Age: 17

Birthday: Jan. 16

Parents: Chris and Danielle. He played baseball for Joe Maize at Peters while she excelled in volleyball, basketball and softball.

Siblings: Eva, 15. The sophomore is a member of PT competitive cheer and dance teams. “She’s my No. 1 fan. A great supporter.”

Sports: Football, wrestling

Food: Pizza.

Restaurant: Fiori’s Pizzaria in McMurray. “Never let’s me down. We go there after practices and home games. It’s nice, local and has great food.”

Color: Red

Music: NBA YoungBoy. “Even before wrestling matches, that’s what I listen to. It pumps me up the most.”

Book: “To Kill A Mocking Bird”

Movie: “Goodellas” and “Scarface”

Who would play you in a movie: Nick Kroll

Dream destination: “Anywhere down south. I love the warm weather. I loved every minute of this summer. I’m not a fan of cold weather. It puts me in a bad mood.”

People might be surprised to know this about you: “I was big into baseball when I was growing up and my Brookline 12U baseball team almost went to the Little League World Series.”

Person with whom you would like to have dinner: William (Bill) Algeo. “My grandfather on my mom’s side. He passed away a couple of years ago. I’d love to talk to him about what I am accomplishing but I do believe he’s up there watching down on me. He’s always there when I need help.”

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