Derry out to break streak, reestablish winning identity

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 | 12:01 AM

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Derry has been living in the shadow of a losing streak that dates to the disruptive covid season of 2020.

But second-year coach Mike Arone and the Trojans are committed to stopping it.

With a new system now a year old, they are ready to do a little pushing back and bring a streak that has reached 19 games to a close.

“We don’t like to talk about it, but it is the elephant in the room,” Arone said. “So, everyone hears about it and knows about it. We want to shift the mindset here and win again.”

Patient and determined, Arone thinks that goal is close. Injuries plagued the Trojans last season as they finished 0-10.

“The results may not have shown it, but we made progress last year,” Arone said. “As we got back into things during spring ball in May, the kids were ready and knew the system.”

Arone tried to instill a simplified game plan and get his top athletes involved.

“Play fast. Don’t think,” the coach said.

But key players Ahmad Ward (RB/LB) and Damauri Robinson (WR/CB) were dinged up with injuries, slowing the offense considerably.

Getting them going could be the key to eradicating the streak, reversing course and becoming a factor in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference.

Ward, a running back, went down with a back injury and missed seven games.

“He is big and strong and is going to be our workhorse,” Arone said. “We can also line him up in the slot and get him the ball in space.”

Minor injuries pecked at Robinson, limiting his progress at slot receiver.

Still, he led the team with 20 receptions.

“He knows the game inside and out, and he’s like having another coach on the field,” Arone said. “He’s very skilled. We want to get him the ball, but not just downfield.”

One significant change will be at quarterback where, following Blake Revoir’s transfer to Latrobe, senior Mason Beeman (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) takes over under center.

Revoir was the team’s leading passer and rusher.

“He’s big and can move better,” Arone said of Beeman.

“He is a good leader and he’s smart. We expect big things from Mason.”

Beeman played about 15 quarters at QB last season.

Rugged runner Nate Barkley also is expected to see time in the backfield, at tailback or fullback.

Up front, Derry returns Maddox Bush (6-6, 300), Owen Monnich (6-0, 220), Jason King (5-11, 220) and Ethan Bendel (5-7, 210), the likely starter at center.

Also watch out for 6-3, 260-pound freshman Aiden Piper.

Brady Brown, Max Daugherty and Anthony Sacco are other freshmen coming up.

Beefy linemen are a Derry tradition, although technique is just as important as size, Arone said, when it comes to the run blockers.

“If you don’t line up right, you don’t do anything right,” Arone said.

Jon Shumaker and Max Doperak made for a nice cornerback battle in camp, while free safety Brett Klim is looking for a return to form after an ankle injury.

Editor’s note: Due to a production scheduling conflict, the preview for Allegheny Conference team Serra Catholic will appear later this month.

Derry

Coach: Mike Arone

2022 record: 0-10, 0-7 in Class 2A Allegheny Conference

All-time record: 267-366-14

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 at Latrobe, 7

9.1 Greensburg Salem, 7

9.8 at Southmoreland, 7

9.15 Yough*, 7

9.22 at Apollo-Ridge*, 7

9.29 Serra Catholic*, 7

10.6 at Steel Valley*, 7

10.13 Imani Christian*, 7

10.20 at Burrell*, 7

10.27 Ligonier Valley*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Blake Revoir*

53-143, 614 yards, 7 TDs

Rushing: Revoir*

96-430 yards, TD

Receiving: Damauri Robinson

20-242 yards, 3 TDs

*Transferred

FAST FACTS

• Derry’s last win was on Oct. 9, 2020, over Valley, 19-6.

• The Trojans averaged 9.4 points but allowed 34.5 last season.

• Dave McNichol, a track and field throwing coach at Derry, has joined Arone’s coaching staff. A former Washington & Jefferson football player, he will guide wide receivers and cornerbacks.

• The Derry middle school team finished 9-1 last season.

ROSTER

No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.

5, Dominic Taresco, WR/DB, 6-2/170, Sr.

11, Damauri Robinson, WR/DB, 6-0/155, Jr.

12, Ricky Daniels, WR/DB, 5-10/160, So.

13, Nathan Barkley, RB/LB, 5-11/180, Sr.

14, Colin Bush, TE/FB/LB, 6-3/215, Sr.

16, Jason Ruckel, WR/DB, 5-6/140, Jr.

17, Jacob Jewell, RB/DB, 5-7/170, Jr.

18, Matthew Gunter, WR/DB, 5-6/130, So.

21, Max Doperak, WR/DB, 5-4/130, So.

22, Ahmad Ward, RB/LB, 5-10/180, Sr.

25, Andrew Snyder, WR/DB, 5-10/155, So.

26, Hunter Smith, WR/DB, 5-8/120, So.

27, Mason Beeman, WR/TE/DL/LB, 6-5/200, Sr.

28, Trenton Hughes, WR/DB, 5-9/130, Jr.

31, Jonathan Shumaker, WR/RB/DB, 5-9/135, Sr.

33, Brett Klim, RB/WR/DB, 5-6/124, Jr.

40, Brady Aliff, RB/LB, 5-7/153, So.

45, Vincent Dudzinsky, WR/DB, 6-3/160, Jr.

50, Franklin Palmer, OL/DL, 5-4/170, So.

54, Levi Haase, OL/DL, 6-2/220, So.

60, Colin Barkley, OL/DL, 5-9/180, Jr.

65, Owen Monnich, OL/DL, 6-0/220, Jr.

66, Bradly Ansel, OL/DL, 5-9/200, So.

67, Jason King, OL/DL, 5-11/221, Sr.

68, Dawson Chamberlain, OL/DL, 5-7/155, So.

69, Drake Platt, OL/DL, 5-11/235, Jr.

71, Cuyler White, OL/DL, 5-10/195, So.

72, Ethan Bendel, OL/DL, 5-7/210, Jr.

73, Shane Iscrupe, OL/DL, 6-1/225, So.

75, Michael Aaron, OL/DL, 6-5/274, Jr.

76, Aiden Cmar, OL/DL, 5-9/195, Jr.

77, Maddox Bush, OL/DL, 6-6/305, Sr.

82, Justin Papuga, RB/TE/LB, 5-10/185, So.

86, Jon Baum, WR/DB, 5-7/140, So.

88, Octavian Thompson, WR/LB, 5-8/180, Jr.

Alex Basay, OL/DL, 5-8/245, Fr.

Jaiden Beeman, WR/LB, 6-0/160, Fr.

Aspen Blystone, WR/DB, 5-9/150, Fr.

Brady Brown, RB/LB, 5-8/195, Fr.

Max Doherty, RB/WR/LB/DB, 5-9/180, Fr.

Preston Donovan, RB/LB, 5-8/175, Fr.

Aiden Frank, RB/LB, 5-5/140, Fr.

Anthony Frank, WR/DB, 5-9/145, Fr.

Gabbriel Gess, K, Jr.

Jacob Harris, RB/LB, 5-7/150, So.

Jake Handel, OL/DL, 6-0/250, So.

Jaxson Hayes, WR/DB, Fr.

Hayden Hood, WR/DB, 5-5/130, Fr.

Mason Horwat, QB/DB, Fr.

Achilles Kaufman, WR/DB, Fr.

Chris Kubistek, RB/LB/DB, 5-5/126, Fr.

Devin Ohler, OL/DL, Fr.

Alexander Pahel, OL/DL, Fr.

Aiden Piper, OL/DL, 6-1/290, Fr.

Anthony Sacco, WR/QB/DB, 5-6/130, Fr.

Chris Shannon, OL/LB, 5-5/160, Fr.

Noah Stough, WR/DB, 5-5/134, Fr.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Derry Area