Armstrong looks for success by spreading things around

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

The winds of change are blowing at Armstrong High School.

A change of philosophy is coming as Frank Fabian begins his seventh year at a position that began with three years as head football coach at Kittanning, then continued after the merger with Ford City in 2015 to form Armstrong.

Starting with Nick Bowers in his first year in 2012, continuing with Zane Dudek and concluding with Dawson Porter a year ago, Fabian has always had a top cat or high flying hawk to build his successful offense around.

“We’re redesigning the offense to get more players involved,” Fabian said. “Dudek and Porter were the centerpieces the last three years. Now, we want to spread out the touches and lean heavily on our offensive line.”

Last year, Porter threw for 1,239 yards and 17 touchdowns while also leading the team in rushing with 1,015 yards and six scores. Fabian knows those are big numbers to replace.

“It will be tough; he brought a speed element to the position that was sorely needed,” he said. “As we know from last year, no one is going to feel sorry for you because your best player has graduated.”

The River Hawks just missed the playoffs for the first time in the school’s three years of existence last season, with a 6-4 overall record, 4-4 in the Class 5A Big East Conference, which put them in fifth place, a game behind Franklin Regional.

There are other holes to fill as well, but the Hawks do have seven starters back on offense and six returning on defense.

The offensive and defensive lines have five starters back, with seniors Jacob Hiller at center, Zac Crissman at tackle and Eric Zimmerman at guard on offense and all-conference senior defensive tackles Zac and Jake Aretz.

Fabian likes what he has up front.

“We have some starters returning and we have six players competing for two jobs, which should bode well for our depth,” Fabian said.

One of the concerns for the River Hawks is depth at the skilled positions.

“We have a junior-loaded group that will need to get experience early in the season,” Fabian said.

Senior Jalen Price will take over under center after completing five passes for 21 yards as a backup quarterback last year. Price thinks he may be in charge of a productive offense.

“We are excited to be able to have multiple guys that can make plays,” he said. “One thing that we know is our offense will be unpredictable. Any guy is capable of making plays at any given time.”

Junior running back Isaac Ridinger will lead the ground attack. He was third on the team in carries and yards last year with 214 yards on 41 carries, three of which ended in the end zone.

Three of Armstrong’s top five receivers are also back in senior split end/linebacker Devin Goodgasell, along with junior slotbacks/cornerbacks Isiah Price and Nick Russo.

“We have guys on our team that have experienced a conference title two years ago,” Price said. “We know what it takes.”

Armstrong is on the move again with realignment bumping it from the Big East to the new Class 5A Northern Conference, something Fabian and the River Hawks are used to.

“Switching conferences is the new normal for us with four new conferences in the last five years,” he said.

Kiski Area is the only familiar school from the last two years as they join an eight-team conference that includes Fox Chapel, Hampton, Mars, North Hills, Penn Hills and Shaler.

“I like the alignment of the conference by geography,” Fabian said. “It should a competitive league from top to bottom.”

Schedule

Coach: Frank Fabian

2017 record: 6-4, 4-4

All-time record: 21-10

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Indiana, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Hampton*, 7 p.m.

9.7, Chartiers Valley, 7 p.m.

9.14, Albert Gallatin, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Mars*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Penn Hills*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Shaler*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at North Hills*, 7:30 p.m.

10.19, Fox Chapel*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Kiski Area*, 7 p.m.

*Class 5A Northern Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Dawson Porter*

93-143, 1,239 yards, 17 TDs

Rushing: Porter*

169-1,015 yards, 6 TDs

Receiving: Ryan Pearce*

32-297 yards, 6 TDs

Don Rebel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Don at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: Armstrong