After 3rd straight playoff season, Franklin Regional football wants to take next step

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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Franklin Regional football coach Lance Getsy spent Nov. 6 collecting equipment and doing exit interviews with his players.

He would have rather been preparing his team for another game.

For the third consecutive season, the Panthers were one-and-done in the WPIAL playoffs. The Panthers’ last postseason win was in 2018 when they defeated Bethel Park, 56-28. They did not qualify in 2020.

“The kids played hard all season,” Getsy said. “But we can’t just be satisfied with making the playoffs. We have to learn to take that next step.”

Franklin Regional lost to No. 1 Peters Township in the first round of the 5A playoffs. It was a case of missed opportunities that cost them.

“We had a couple opportunities to score early in the game and didn’t convert,” Getsy said. “We have to learn what the playoffs are all about. Every play is meaningful.”

The Panthers finished the season with three consecutive losses to finish 6-5. They dropped a second-place battle to Penn-Trafford in the regular-season finale, 27-14.

The season had its ups and downs. The Panthers had a thrilling win against Latrobe in a nonconference game that featured two goal line-stands.

Getsy also mentioned his team’s victory against then-undefeated Shaler, when the Panthers dominated all phases of the game, and a comeback win against Plum.

“Holding on to defeat Norwin, which played well against a lot of teams, was huge,” Getsy said. “We did a lot of good things during the season. Chase (Lemke) grew as a quarterback, and Kyle (Dupill) had a great season at running back.

“Sure, we’re going to miss the likes of Owen (Sinclair) and Ayden (Hudock), but we have a nice nucleus returning headed by Chase and Kyle.”

Also back are defensive tackle Andrew Devola, kicker Joey Bayne, tight end Macalister Bresnahan, running back Jude Gentile, linebacker Austin Kerns, defensive back Heath Sliva and guard Dominic Reinhardt.

Hudock, Dupill, Bayne, Devola and Sinclair were selected to the Big East All-Conference first team, while named to the second team were senior tackle Julian Marion, Bresnahan, Gentile, Lemke, Kerns and Sliva.

Receiving honorable mention recognition were Reinhardt, senior guard Matt Pampalone and senior linebacker Gunner Perez.

With realignment expected to send Hempfield and Norwin back to Class 6A and Latrobe up from 4A, Getsy expects the conference to be as strong as ever.

Now it’s his job, along with his coaching staff, to prepare the team to take the next step.

With numerous starters returning, that next step is a real possibility.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

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