Albert Gallatin building toward WPIAL return

By: Matthew Purucker
Friday, August 23, 2024 | 6:01 AM

There is nothing quite like Friday night lights. However, there seems to be something missing from action at Georges Athletic Field as of late.

It is an absence of contending for the WPIAL postseason.

“Definitely the end game is to get back. We want to compete and get playoff wins, once we feel we’re ready and see consistency from year to year,” Albert Gallatin coach Drew Dindl said. “We’re in a rebuild just trying to get back to that point. We’re still not consistent to get back to where we want to be.”

Developing more reliable success is the threshold that coach Dindl and his staff have set to feel comfortable enough to return to WPIAL play, although Dindl did not quantify a specific number of wins that would meet that threshold.

The Colonials went 4-5 last season.

Instead, Dindl pointed to a schedule that could help the players prove themselves.

“You know, we’re battling some really good teams. … We’re looking to have a successful season this year,” Dindl said.

One of the teams that Dindl emphasized playing was Allegany, a team that made the second round of the state playoffs in Maryland last season. If Albert Gallatin could compete against Allegany, it would show progress.

Albert Gallatin has young players anticipating playing time. The team graduated its leading rusher, who was a critical player in Albert Gallatin’s triple-option scheme.

“Yeah, (Cyrus) Potkul is gonna be a big replacement,” Dindl said. “He was the focal point of our offense and we’ve got guys competing trying to replace him.”

Caleb DeHaven, a two-year captain, could be the back who steps up the most. The senior rushed for 295 yards on 44 carries (6.7 yards per carry) and scored two touchdowns last year. Sophomore Bronx Jamison will take over at quarterback, looking to facilitate the ground attack and throw the occasional pass when the play calls for it.

On the offensive line, junior J.J. Perrine will be the leader as team captain. Other key players include senior linemen Josh Jenkens and Xavier Rice. Dindl believes that their play will largely determine the result of this season.

“We’re really excited about our offensive line,” he said. “They’ve put a lot of work in the offseason. We’ve seen a lot of growth over the last few years.”

Senior defensive end Jeremiah Darnell, Jenkins and Rice will anchor the defensive line, which seems to be the team’s strength defensively. Dehaven will use his leadership to help out the defensive backs.

“We’re just trying to build from last year,” Dindl said. “We’ve got some younger guys … that have multiple years of playing experience and I’m hoping that it can lead to success this season.”

Albert Gallatin

Coach: Drew Dindl

2023 record: 4-5

All-time record: 237-365-12

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Greensburg Salem, 7

8.30 Carrick, 7

9.6 Connellsville, 7

9.13 at Northern Garrett (Md.), 7

9.20 at Uniontown, 7

9.27 Allegany (Md.), 7

10.4 Clear Spring (Md.), 7

10.18 Brownsville, 7

10.25 at Weir (W. Va.), 7

STAT LEADERS

Passing: Tee Guesman

4-9, 29 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Rushing: Cyrus Potkul*

126-687 yards, 6 TDs

Receiving: Nasir Moore

1-18 yards

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Before suffering two consecutive losing seasons in which the Colonials went 7-11, Albert Gallatin had a 16-6 record from 2019-21.

• Albert Gallatin alumnus Maurice Jackson rushed for over 200 yards in four games from 1999-2001. His career high was set in a 2000 game against Chartiers-Valley where he gained 329 yards on the ground.

• Albert Gallatin will play three of its last four games at home. Four of its final six games feature matchups with teams outside of Pennsylvania.

• Grayling Sanders set the school record for most touchdowns scored in a game. He had six house calls in a 41-34 victory over Laurel Highlands on Oct. 29, 2010.

Tags: Albert Gallatin