CTK ’17 – 3-A Allegheny Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, August 21, 2017 | 4:11 PM

The two schools that are located across the street from each other in the South Hills could reside next to each other at the top of their football conference.

That’s how the WPIAL Class 3A Allegheny Conference shapes up this season. It seems everyone from media outlets to coaches are projecting Seton-LaSalle as the team to beat in the Allegheny this season with Keystone Oaks challenging for the top of the conference.

A year ago, Keystone Oaks had one of the best seasons in school history, won the conference title and made it to the WPIAL semifinals. Valley and Apollo-Ridge tied for second with Seton-LaSalle a game back in fourth.

Look for Seton-LaSalle to jump to the top of the conference this season. Keystone Oaks lost a slew of players, but still should be formidable in the conference race. Here is a look at the Allegheny Conference teams:

APOLLO-RIDGE VIKINGS

The Vikings had two terrific players the past two seasons, namely Tre Tipton and Duane Brown. Now Apollo-Ridge simply wants players. The Vikings have only five seniors on the team. This year’s roster will be heavier with freshmen and sophomores.

Getting to .500 might be a chore for this team, as only four starters return on offense and five on defense. But if a good quarterback is a key to a team’s success, then the Vikings have hope. Kyle Fitzroy should be one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. He completed 99 of 182 for 1,714 yards last season. He has more than 2,700 yards in two seasons.

The lines feature two-way tackle Joe Sodowsky, who goes 6-4, 285 pounds.

BURRELL BUCCANEERS

With seven starters returning on offense and eight on defense, things are looking up for the Buccaneers, who finished 3-7 last season.

This team figures to have one of the best two-way players in the conference. Alex Bellinotti is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior who was first-team all-conference last year as a sophomore on both offense (tight end) and defense (linebacker). He led Burrell in receptions last year with 31. Bellinotti has to answer to the man who eats across the dinner table at home. His father, Dave Bellinotti, is Burrell’s coach.

A big question mark for this team is at quarterback because Max Garda no longer is in the blue and white. Garda was one of the few players in the WPIAL the past few decades to throw for 1,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the regular season. Seth Tatrn looks to take over at quarterback. He rushed for 195 yards last season. Logan Bitar showed some potential last year at running back and also returns.

DEER LAKES LANCERS

The Lancers have had only two winning seasons since 2000 and finished 2-7 last year. Four starters return on offense and five on defense from that team.

Deer Lakes did lose a few close games last year. A win or two in those games would have given the 2016 season a totally different look. Improvement is needed on both sides of the ball. One of the team’s top players is Colin Kadlick, a TE-DE who goes 6-4, 245 pounds.

FREEPORT YELLOW JACKETS

The Yellow Jackets finished 4-5 last season, and some coaches believe they could challenge for the conference title this year. Freeport should be one of the most experienced teams in the conference with the return of eight starters on offense and seven on defense.

Austin Romanchak might be ready to take another step toward becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. He was 46 of 96 for 676 yards last season and also rushed for 666 yards on 127 carries.

A few other top skill players also return. Conor Sellinger showed promise last season at running back, rushing for 529 yards. Jake Sarver is back at receiver after catching 14 passes a year ago. Sarver is a top kicker/punter also. He was first-team all-conference punter a year ago and also made four field goals.

KEYSTONE OAKS GOLDEN EAGLES

The biggest question surrounding the Eagles is what will they do to replace Alex Smith? He was a super quarterback who destroyed defenses with his passing and running. Smith is now at Duquesne University.

Keystone Oaks coach Greg Perry has a great reputation for developing quarterbacks, going back to his days as an assistant at Seton-LaSalle. Will Perry develop another top-notch QB? There is a chance the Eagles might go with freshman Logan Shrubb at QB. Or junior Mason Brooks. Or both.

Jerry Volpe is one of the best tight ends in the conference after making first-team all-conference a year ago. Joey Tortorella returns at receiver and Michael Dauer could have an impact at running back. Tyler Caragein returns on the line and Dylan Holland at linebacker.

SETON LaSALLE REBELS

The Rebels feature the Deanes of running backs in this conference. That would be Lionel Deanes, a 5-7, 190-pound senior who has a good chance to reach 4,000 career yards rushing this season. He rushed for 1,814 last season.

But Deanes is only one of the reasons the Rebels are so optimistic this season. Overall, eight starters return on both offense and defense. Matt Banbury returns at quarterback and could have more of an impact on the offense after going 51 of 96 for 503 yards a year ago. Returning at receiver and defensive backs are Nick Vari, Nate Ault and Jamar Shegog.

The lines appear to be strong with Josh Blamer (6-4, 250), Shane Dugan, Nick McNalley, Mike Kutschke and Brendan Perone. Nistal Baldwin is back at linebacker.

SHADY SIDE ACADEMY INDIANS

The Indians were winless a year ago and forfeited their final game because of low player numbers. Now the Indians have a new coach in Chuck DiNardo, who was a former Shady Side assistant. But Dave Havern, the old coach, is still expected to be around, running the offense.

Improvement is needed all around if the Indians are to be competitive. But many players got experience last year, even if they were young. Eight starters return on offense and seven on defense. Chase Villani is back at RB-DB after rushing for 294 yards on 31 attempts. Billy Frohlich caught 18 passes from his tight end position a year ago.

Also, it will be interesting to see if Mike Tomlin Jr. has an impact or not. A son of the Steelers coach transferred from Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic.

VALLEY VIKINGS

The Vikings tied for second in the conference a year ago and look for them to be near the top again this season. The reason is because seven starters return on offense and six on defense.

Valley must replace 1,000-yard rusher Chase Balla, but junior quarterback Tyler Green was a starter last year as a sophomore and should be much improved with a year of experience. Deonte Ross figures to be the top runner now while Darius Johnson returns at receiver. Darius Barrett is in his third year as a starter and figures to be one of the conference’s top linemen.

MSA SPORTS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH in ALLEGHENY:

1. Seton-LaSalle Rebels

2. Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles

3. Freeport Yellow Jackets

4. Valley Vikings

5. Burrell Buccaneers

6. Deer Lakes Lancers

7. Apollo-Ridge Vikings

8. Shady Side Academy Indians

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Freeport, Keystone Oaks, Valley