Neshannock vying to keep up recent winning ways

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | 10:03 PM

Through his first six years as the coach at Neshannock, Fred Mozzocio has had his share of quality quarterbacks to lead his teams.

First, it was a lightning-fast athlete in Ernie Burkes, then a 6-foot-2 tank in Frank Antuono, and last year it was a combination of move-the-pocket guys in Seth Fehrs and Jared Staph.

This year, enter Jake McCormick.

“He’s more of a traditional passer than what we had last year,” Mozzocio said of the 6-6 senior. “Jake’s going to be able to get back in the pocket and throw the ball around a little bit more.”

Having McCormick running the show does not mean a huge change in the Lancers offense, which has averaged more than 37 points per game during Mozzocio’s tenure.

“It’s still our offense. Nothing has changed as far as our terminology and things like that,” Mozzocio said. “Every quarterback does some things better than the other, so you just adjust from year to year.”

McCormick is one of two players returning for their senior season after sitting out their junior campaign. Both he and running back Noah Karpiak were ruled ineligible by the WPIAL, which ruled both transferred for athletic intent. Karpiak led his Connellsville team in rushing during his sophomore year.

Along with Karpiak, Mozzocio expects to see junior D.J. DeBlasio and sophomore Chris Petronellis get carries in the backfield. Luke Scott, Nico Nuzzo and Joey Antuono all return on the offensive line.

The wide receiver position is a bit of a concern. Lading receiver Anthony Dovidio and Chris Scott are both expected to miss the start of the season with injuries. Mozzocio is looking for others to step up in the passing game.

“We have Mike (Mozzocio, the coach’s son) at tight end and H-back; he’s a veteran who started all of our games last year for us,” he said. “He’s now the leader of those receivers; he will be in charge of making sure they (the younger guys) are ready to go.”

With 37 players on the roster, Neshannock is slightly down in numbers. But what the Lancers lack in quantity, they make up for in quality.

“Even though our numbers are a little lower than usual, we feel, maybe that for the first time in a while that we have two-deep at every position,” coach Mozzocio said.

In the last six years, Neshannock has made six straight trips to the playoffs, more than the Lancers had in the history of the program before Mozzocio became head coach at “Ole Nesh.”

“It’s something new,” Mozzocio said of the team concept featured on the team’s gear this season. “We like to change it up, keep things fresh for the kids. It’s just a new concept we came up with, and the kids like it.

“Our goal every year, we want to be the top group coming out of Lawrence County each year. We want to continue that tradition.”

Schedule

Coach: Fred Mozzocio

2017 record: 6-5, 5-2

All-time record: 261-313-15

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, Avonworth, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Riverside*, 7 p.m.

9.7, at Mohawk*, 7 p.m.

9.14, Ellwood City*, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Shady Side Academy, 7 p.m.

9.28, New Brighton*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Fort Cherry, 7 p.m.

10.13, at Freedom*, 7 p.m.

10.20, at Western Beaver*, 12:30 p.m.

10.26, Shenango*, 7 p.m.

*Class 2A Midwestern Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Seth Fehrs*

42-83, 671 yards, 5 TDs

Rushing: Seth Fehrs*

106-838 yards, 11 TDs

Receiving: Anthony Dovidio

29-402 yards, 1 TD

*Graduated

James Dotson is a freelance writer.

Tags: Neshannock