Move to Class 5A doesn’t change Albert Gallatin’s focus on continued growth

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 | 9:48 PM

After spending the last two years at California High School, where he was the offensive coordinator, Drew Dindl returns to Albert Gallatin, where he was an assistant for seven years.

He has aspirations of continuing to make the program better. However, the taste of success the Colonials had last year by winning multiple games became more difficult with a change in classification.

“Our goal is to improve week-by-week,” Dindl said. “If we are able to do that from the start of the season and continue growing until the final week of the season, this season will be a success.”

Last year’s 2-7 record was the first multi-win season at Albert Gallatin since 2013 and the first time the Colonials won multiple games in conference play since 2009.

The Colonials just started to get comfortable in Class 4A, saw some success, and then were moved to 5A. Not only will the Colonials compete in a higher classification, they must do so in a conference that includes traditional contenders Gateway, Penn-Trafford and McKeesport. All three teams appeared in the 5A semifinals a year ago. Penn-Trafford and Gateway faced off in the 5A championship, and Gateway was the state runner-up.

“It’s going to be the same thing as it was against teams in the conference in 4A,” Dindl said. “We just have to go out every night and play our game, play four quarters of football. You just can’t be intimidated by the names on the jerseys, and our guys have the confidence.”

Over the last two years, Dindl established a dominant run game at California behind one of the WPIAL’s best running backs, Jelani Stafford. Based on the wisdom learned off the run game’s successes, Dindl continues to craft, mold and perfect his new offense at Albert Gallatin.

“This year, we are switching to the flexbone,” Dindl said. “It’s like what Georgia Tech, Army, those kind of schools, run. It’s not something you see much of anymore with so many teams going to spread, so it’s going to have its advantages.”

A surprise came when last year’s starting quarterback, Domonick Lewellen, didn’t come out for the team. Lewellen would have been entering his junior campaign and second year as starting quarterback. He was the guy under center for the Colonials, throwing for 1,141 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

Senior Braeden Moody has taken reins under center and will have a talented group returning in the backfield.

The group will be led by senior running back Javon Davis, junior Torry Robinson and senior Cole Dupont, who Dindl said will be the fullback in the new system.

Defensively, the Colonials will go with a 4-2-5 system that will allow Albert Gallatin to give opposing offenses multiple looks, according to Dindl.

“This defense allows you to do many things,” he said. “You can either rush or you have the ability to drop back in coverage.”

Schedule

Coach: Drew Dindl

2017 record: 2-7, 2-6

All-time record: 214-338-12

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at CW North Catholic, 7 p.m.

8.31, Laurel Highlands, 7 p.m.

9.7, McKeesport*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Armstrong, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Penn-Trafford*, 7:30 p.m.

9.28, Franklin Regional*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Plum*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Gateway*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Latrobe*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Connellsville*, 7 p.m.

*Class 5A Foothills Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Domonick Lewellen

93-184, 1,141 yards, 9 TDs

Rushing: Javon Davis

72-404 yards, 5 TDs

Receiving: Nate Bricker*

35-613 yards, 6 TDs

*Graduated

Sean Saputo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Albert Gallatin