Strength, speed help Ligonier Valley develop into consistent District 6 powerhouse

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 15, 2018 | 8:06 PM

No matter what happens Saturday night in the PIAA District 6 Class 2A championship game, there is a good chance the Ligonier Valley football team will be in the same position a year from now.

Love’em or hate’em, the Rams, who have won back-to-back Class 2A titles, are built to sustain their dominance in the Heritage Conference and even District 6.

The shift of power, once residing in the Bald Eagle Valley, has moved west with the emergence of Ligonier Valley and other teams in the conference.

Ligonier Valley (2A) and Homer-Center (A) were district champions in 2017, and the Heritage Conference will have another finalist in Class A this season as United and Northern Cambria will meet in the semifinals.

Ligonier Valley (12-0), ranked No. 2 in the state by Trib Total Media, will face Richland (12-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Altoona’s Mansion Park Stadium.

The game was moved from Friday to Saturday because the Altoona area is expecting around a foot of snow overnight.

As Ligonier Valley practiced on the artificial turf at Latrobe on Tuesday, coach Roger Beitel was lamenting about some of his underclassmen.

“We’re going to be all right next year,” Beitel said. “Our offensive line is back, along with Kyrie (Miller), Sam (Sheeder) and Ayden (Kelley).

“The past three seasons have done wonders for the program with all the extra work we’ve gotten. You don’t lose games; when you do, you learn from them.”

Miller is the leading rusher with 1,456 yards and 23 touchdowns. Sheeder, who began his career as a quarterback, has rushed for 342 yards and caught 42 passes for 700 yards. He’s scored 14 touchdowns.

There also are several underclassmen on the line, including Mike Petrof, Christian Jablonski, Wylie Spiker and freshman center Jade Gryzwinski.

Two years ago, after Ligonier Valley defeated Dunmore and lost to Southern Columbia in the PIAA playoffs, the then- sophomores and freshmen knew they had to get bigger and stronger.

Coaches in the Heritage Conference have taken notice; not only does Ligonier Valley have talent, its players are stronger and faster.

Since Beitel took over 15 years ago, Ligonier Valley is 116-51.

Ligonier Valley will have to replace some valuable seniors, including wide receiver Aaron Tutino, quarterback John Caldwell, lineman Blake Bridge, defensive back Zach Beitel, wide receiver Sully Schueltz, defensive back Andrew Kuzemchak, kicker Peter Stoll and defensive lineman Lukas DeWitt.

But expectations will remain high.

As the team ran drills Tuesday, Beitel said his second team is gaining a lot of experience with the extra practices and will be ready to step in next season.

“When we practice, these guys give the first string a good look,” Beitel said pointing to the group. “Our second team defense might be the second best in the conference behind the first team.”

Ligonier Valley struggled a little against Bellwood-Antis in the semifinals last week but still managed an impressive 34-7 win.

“It wasn’t our best game, but it doesn’t matter. We’re still going back to defend our District 6 title, and that’s the only thing that matters,” Beitel said. “We left the plays on the field, but we must fix that for the game.”

Because of poor conditions at Weller Field, Ligonier Valley was forced to move practice to Latrobe and play its playoff games at Greensburg Salem and Johnstown.

But the disruption of schedules hasn’t stopped the Ligonier Valley Express, and it might not be derailed soon.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Ligonier Valley