Chartiers Valley football looking to build culture, battle for playoff spot

By: Andrew John
Sunday, October 22, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Belief. Trust. Resilience.

These three words have been the pillars Aaron Fitzpatrick has tried to instill the Chartiers Valley football program in his second year as head coach.

The record might not show much change, but Fitzpatrick is excited to see the positive growth in the program as the Colts battled for the final playoff spot in the Parkway Conference for the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs as the regular season comes to a close.

At press time, the Colts (2-6, 2-3) had a chance to clinch with either an upset victory over Aliquippa or an Ambridge loss to New Castle in Week 8. If both teams lost, they would face off in a win-and-in scenario where Ambridge would travel to Chartiers Valley in Week 9. The winner would finish in fifth place and clinch a playoff spot.

The Colts will look to not repeat recent history. In 2021, the Colts lost to Montour in a win-and-in matchup.

Chartiers Valley is looking to capture the program’s first WPIAL playoff win since 2007.

“From the outside looking in with the record of two wins and the amount of losses we have, it doesn’t look the way that anybody would want it to go. However, a lot of things culturally have shifted in a positive direction. The seniors have bought into everything that we preach and everything we say,” Fitzpatrick said. “They have truly been playing with belief and trusting one another and being resilient. I feel more comfortable with how this year has gone. Last year, I was trying to manage unchartered territory. With a year under my belt, I can implement more than I was able to last year.”

After dropping their first four games, the Colts finally got their first win of the season when they defeated Blackhawk, 26-14, on Sept. 22. A couple of weeks later, on Oct. 6, Chartiers Valley beat New Castle, 35-14, in Parkway Conference action.

The Colts have averaged 12.8 points per game in the first eight games of the season, which is the fifth most in the eight-team conference. Chartiers Valley suffered shutout losses to Trinity and Central Valley.

On defense, Chartiers Valley has allowed 33.5 points per game, which ranks sixth in the Parkway Conference.

Senior running back Austin Efthimiades has led the Colts with 756 yards rushing and four touchdowns heading into the Aliquippa game.

Efthimiades scored both touchdowns in a 35-15 loss to Highlands on Sept. 8. Efthimiades had an 84-yard kickoff return and 6-yard TD run in the game.

Senior Tyler Glover has made an impact on both sides of the ball. Glover reached the end zone four times this season. One of those touchdowns came on defense with a 22-yard interception return in the win over Blackhawk.

Fitzpatrick has been pleased with the contributions of others, including senior quarterback Chase Schofield, sophomore receiver Julius Best and senior receivers Halid Adam and Rudy Morris. Best and Adam have two touchdown receptions each this season. Morris has one touchdown reception.

Sophomore running back Tayshaun Lewis has scored a rushing touchdown.

Freshman receiver and cornerback Zach Gleason and freshman lineman Joel Buerkle have seen some time early in their careers.

“Everybody has stepped up in a positive way and gained a lot of experience this year,” Fitzpatrick said.

This season has included many hurdles, including the fact that the construction of the football field was delayed and had an effect on where the team held their practices. However, Fitzpatrick does believe it allowed the team to grow together as well as build a bond with the youth program as they practiced on a neighboring field.

No matter what is on the line for the Colts in the final weeks of the season, Fitzpatrick wants those in the program to leave their fingerprints as they look to build for the future.

“There is a lot of potential with this team. Going into these last weeks, what I want the boys to really focus on is to continue belief, trust and being resilient. It’s a faceless opponent for anyone. We should prepare the same way each week,” Fitzpatrick said. “I want a focus, staying competitive and I want them to have fun in the last couple of weeks. I want the seniors to continue to lay down the foundation for our future Colts coming up in the program.”