CTK 2015 – Class AA Century Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, August 23, 2015 | 10:41 AM

---

In both 2013 and 2014, South Fayette not only reigned supreme over the Century Conference, but over the entire state of Pennsylvania in Class AA. The back-to-back PIAA champion Lions lost the catalyst to their dynamic offense, though, as Brett Brumbaugh has moved on to the next level.

While the Lions still return an array of contributors with a championship pedigree, will they have enough to fend off the challenges of last year’s playoff qualifying teams like Seton-La Salle and Steel Valley, both of which boast top college prospects?

Moreover, South Park, which finished in third last season, faces a number of questions after the Eagles longtime coach moved on from the program.

With Quaker Valley, which finished at 5-4 last season, now gone from the conference, the teams in the middle of the standings last year have an improved chance to jump into the playoff picture. Schools that fall into this category include East Allegheny and Keystone Oaks.

South Allegheny, Sto-Rox and Carlynton finished at the bottom of the standings last campaign, and while all of those teams have the ability to improve, inexperience and lack of depth could prove problematic.

Here’s a look at how the Century Conference could shake out in 2015:

CARLYNTON COUGARS:

Carlynton’s 2014 football season will most be remember for what happened off the field – the resignation of its head coach during the season. Mauro Monz’ tenure with the Cougars lasted just three games, as he stepped down last September, citing an injury concern for his players.

Scott Yoder stepped in for Monz at the helm, but the Cougars did not win a game all season after climbing up to the AA classification. A relatively small senior class and early-season injuries to key players like running back Isiah Canton and receiver Shafique Patterson made the transition even more overwhelming, and the Cougars’ defense surrendered at least 40 points in seven of their nine contests.

Yoder will return this year and hope to guide Carlynton to a marked improvement. Both Canton and Patterson should make big contributions now that they are back on the field, and quarterback Courtney Mickens showed glimpses of his playmaking ability in his sophomore campaign. DeAndre Williams, who led the team in receptions and receiving yards as a sophomore, also looks to build on his 2014 season.

EAST ALLEGHENY WILDCATS:

After finishing middle of the pack in 2014, the Wildcats are one of the teams that should most benefit from Quaker Valley’s exit from the section. East Allegheny’s five section defeats came to the teams all above the Wildcats in the standings, and none of those contests except for a 17-7 loss to South Park were competitive.

To order to make the jump to a playoff team, East Allegheny will need quarterback Deon Smith to led the way offensively. Smith, now a senior, threw for more than 900 yards and rushed for additional 600 last year, despite missing time with an injury.

The top two running backs from one year ago, Taizjon Brown and Rod Jones, both have graduated, so Smith will likely need to use his legs frequently again this season. Leading receiver Rocco Dunn will be back, however, to provide Smith a reliable option through the air.

A sophomore could be the biggest x-factor for the Wildcats this year, though, as defensive end T.J. Banks has the ability to become a disruptive force. Banks, who already measures 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, flashed glimpses of greatness as a pass rusher last year, despite playing the position for the first time.

Head coach Dom Pecora has been effusive in his praise of Banks, who he believes will continue to garner major college interest as he continues to develop his size and skills.

KEYSTONE OAKS GOLDEN EAGLES:

The Golden Eagles lost their leaders in passing, rushing and receptions to graduation, and yet, Keystone Oaks could be one of the most-improved teams in the Century Conference.

Gone is Kobe Phillippi, who threw for more than 1,600 yards last year at QB. His favorite target, Jimmy Canello, who also doubled as the team’s leading rusher, was lost to graduation, too.

Those two players, however, represented two of only three seniors who made notable contributions for Keystone Oaks in 2014. Thus, the Golden Eagles will have a more experienced team this campaign, with their biggest strengths coming up front.

Four starters on the offensive line return, including Joey Kazales, a three-year starter at guard. Kenyon Griffiths will be another strong piece on the unit, as will center Tim Mazzarini, who saw significant playing time in a reserve role last year.

The strong line play could be key for the Golden Eagles, as the team will break in an inexperienced but talented quarterback. Alex Smith has the size (6-foot-4, 180 pounds) and arm strength to become a top-level QB, but he could experience a learning curve after attempting just five passes last year.

In a passing-heavy offense, Smith will certainly get the chance to showcase his skills. He’s also athletic, so even if he’s erratic as a passer at times, he still should help move the offense with his legs.

Smith will benefit from an accomplished receiver in the form of Nick Hrivnak, who compiled more than 400 yards receiving last season. Dylan Knorr has the burst and quickness to become a major factor at receiver, as well, and experienced tight end Leo Palmer returns for the Golden Eagles.

Devin Thomas, a starter on defense last year, will assume Canello’s spot as starting running back.

While the offense has some inexperience at skill positions, the defense, especially the front eight, has no such issue in Keystone Oaks’ 4-4 defensive alignment.

Knorr returns as a starter in the secondary, and will be joined by two newcomers to the lineup, sophomores Ryan Tarr and Joe Tortorella.

Greg Perry’s second year at the helm of Keystone Oaks should be more successful than the first, as Perry saw several wins slip away as he team struggled at the end of close contests. With the players and coaching staff better acclimated to each other this year, Perry hopes the team can qualify for the postseason.

SETON-LaSALLE REBELS:

South Fayette has been the Rebels kryptonite over the past two years, and if Seton-La Salle hopes to hurdle the Lions, it will need to find ways to replace the team’s leading passer, rusher and receiver from 2014.

Quarterback Tyler Perone, running back Ricky Mellick and receiver Danzel McKinley-Lewis all were lost to graduation, but the Rebels return their most talented player, Paris Ford. Ford contributed 34 catches and more than 500 yards as a sophomore, but he’s most impactful in the secondary, where he ranks as one of the best juniors in the nation.

Ford, a top-ten safety and a consensus top-100 player nationally among his class, is expected to be the go-to option for the Rebels in 2015.

There’s little doubt that head coach Damon Rosol will field some talented players in 2015, but trying to replace so many skill players, which also included receiver DeQuay Broadwater, could be a tall task for Seton-La Salle.

SOUTH ALLEGHENY GLADIATORS:

South Allegheny’s two victories in 2014 came at the expense of winless Carlynton and one-win Sto-Rox, so the Gladiators will have to knock off some of the section’s better teams this season to make a jump in the standings.

Losing the starting quarterback, running back and primary receiver all to graduation could make that a tall task for the Gladiators, though, as the team will need to reload at the skill spots.

Mark Gobbie, who threw for nearly 600 yards, is gone, as are top backs and receivers Dylan Papson, Curtis Moore and Davonte Johnson.

Still, Pat Monroe is one of the most accomplished coaches in the WPIAL, as evidenced by his inclusion on the coaching staff for Pennsylvania in the Big 33 game this summer.

SOUTH FAYETTE LIONS:

Quarterback Brett Brumbaugh rewrote the passing record books in leading South Fayette to back-to-back WPIAL and PIAA titles, but the Lions have the talent to once again make a title run even after the graduation of the WPIAL’s all-time leading passer.

Brumbaugh’s more than 3,700 yards and 42 passing touchdowns from last season will not be replaced, but South Fayette returns several key playmakers to the lineup, including running back Hunter Hayes. Hayes, who will be a senior, topped 2,100 yards on the ground last campaign, and added 33 total scores.

Leading receiver Nick Ponikvar also returns after eclipsing the 1,000-yard plateau in 2014. Both players also made their mark under the bright lights, as both scored momentum-swinging touchdowns in the title games. Dan Trimbur, who doubles as a receiver and a kicker, also returns for coach Joe Rossi’s squad.

New weapons in the offense could include a pair of sophomores in Ryhan Culberson and Noah Plack, both of whom were listed as receivers in their freshman campaigns.

Additionally, five key offensive lineman return, as juniors Drew Gedrys and Alex Minford and the senior trio of Nick Dabrowski, Zach Radinick and Jason Massey-Sears should anchor the unit.

Many eyes will be on the quarterback battle between junior Mikey Speca and sophomore Drew Saxton, and Rossi noted that both players have enjoyed a strong camp thus far.

The Lions’ defense, which has been just as dominant over the past two seasons as the offense, will need to replace six starters from a year ago. The defensive line should still be stout, though, and Hayes will anchor the secondary.

Players expected to fill some of the voids on defense include Geovanie Love, Dom Malosh, Jasper Wolfe and Luke Meindl.

The 32-game winning streak of South Fayette, which ranks among the best active streaks in the country, will certainly be tested in 2015. Until proven otherwise, though, the Lions are still the standard-bearer in Class AA.

SOUTH PARK EAGLES:

In 2014, the Eagles enjoyed a successful campaign, as they earned seven section wins, scored an opening round victory against Beaver Area, and then gave South Fayette one of the Lions’ biggest challenges in the quarterfinals.

In order to repeat that success in 2015, however, the Eagles will have to do it with a new man leading the program. Longtime coach Tom Loughran stepped down after last season, and has since moved on to coach at Fox Chapel. Now, Loughran’s trusted assistant, Marty Rieck, takes the reins.

Rieck likely will bring a defensive mindset to the team, as he served as a safety on the 1997 state championship team for the Eagles. South Park held every opponent other than South Fayette to less than 23 points last season, so Rieck should have a talented crew to work with on that side of the ball.

Last year’s offense was pretty accomplished at South Park too, though, as a big and talented offensive line frequently won the battles in the trenches and paved the way for a potent rushing attack.

Quarterback Nick Shoelle has graduated, though, and running back Adam Staudt is also gone from the program. So too is Harry Zaremba, the only receiver to haul in more than 10 passes last season.

Subsequently, Rieck will likely need to find some playmakers on offense, but if he’s anywhere near as successful as his predecessor, the Eagles should be a contending team.

STEEL VALLEY IRONMEN:

Steel Valley qualified for the playoffs as the fourth-place finisher in the conference last season, but the Ironmen return enough of their skill players to contend for the top spot in 2015.

At the top of that list of playmakers is DeWayne Murray, the Ironmen’s running back who has been extremely productive since his freshman year. Murray topped 1,500 yards on the ground as a ninth grader, and last year he added another 1,255 on just more than 100 carries. He made some big plays in the passing attack and on special teams, as well, as he compiled 25 total touchdowns as a sophomore.

Expect those numbers to increase this year, as Murray appears on the cusp of exploding as a Division I recruit, with several schools already offering the 180-pound back.

Back too are seniors Trey Earl Edwards and Ellisha Hughes. Edwards trailed only Murray in receiving yards last year, while Hughes provided a spark in relief of Murray. Both players will likely need to become more involved in 2015, especially to help offset the loss of dual-threat quarterback Tyrone Freeman, who was lost to graduation.

Losing Brandon Donovan, one of the most accurate and powerful kickers in the WPIAL, could also become a factor in close games for the Ironmen.

Still, Rod Steele’s team could improve upon last year’s 6-3 section mark, and has the potential to make a leap to title contention.

STO-ROX VIKINGS:

It wasn’t long ago that Sto-Rox was an elite team in Class A, but the Vikings’ fate changed with their move to Class AA last year. The team scored its lone victory in a week two matchup against Carlynton, but aside from that contest, Sto-Rox yielded at least 40 points in every game.

2015 appears to be another rebuilding year for the Vikings and head coach Jason Ruscitto, as the underclassmen on the team will gain extensive playing time that could pay dividends in future seasons.

A trio of starters return on offense, including now sophomore quarterback Deion Liddell. As a freshman, he threw for more than 950 yards, but his 11 interceptions indicate that he will need to cut down on his mistakes for the offense to improve.

While Liddell topped the Vikings in passing numbers last year, Billy Frauens could be the Sto-Rox QB this season. Frauens made contributions as a passer, rusher and receiver last year, and his versatility should be on display in his senior campaign.

James Thomas will serve as the featured running back, but Rashawn Russell, Davonte Williams, LaVaughan Hawkins and Brady Doubt are other Vikings who could emerge as playmakers.

The Vikings will be particularly young and inexperienced along the offensive line, with DeAndre Johnson, Richard Johnson and Tyler Richard serving as some of the key players in the trenches.

Sto-Rox will be equally as youthful on defense, as just four starters return in the Vikings’ base-40 defense. Thomas will anchor the linebacker spot, and Doubt, Seth Alexander and Ray-mon Gee will also fill big roles. Similarly, Frauens should be the standout in the defensive backfield, where he will be joined by Liddell, Hawkins and De’Marri Jones.

While the team will likely experience some more growing pains in 2015, staying healthy and increasing participation will be crucial, as the team concluded last season with just 23 players.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH IN THE CENTURY CONFERENCE:

1.      South Fayette Lions

2.      Steel Valley Ironmen

3.      Seton-La Salle Rebels

4.      Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles

5.      East Allegheny Wildcats

6.      South Park Eagles

7.      Sto-Rox Vikings

8.      South Allegheny Gladiators

9.      Carlynton Cougars

Tags: Carlynton, East Allegheny, Keystone Oaks