Blackhawk returns large core in hopes of reaching the playoffs

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | 10:33 PM

The expectations for coach Zack Heyward are simple, a playoff berth. It’s something Blackhawk hasn’t seen on the football field since the 2012 season, when it qualified despite a 3-6 regular-season record.

It’s been a see-saw past couple of seasons for the Cougars, with records of 2-7, 5-4 and 1-8. However, they return eight players on offense and nine on defense in an effort to clinch one of the coveted eight playoff spots in Class 4A.

Blackhawk will face the last two WPIAL Class 4A runner-ups, New Castle and Montour, perennial power South Fayette and a newcomer to Class 4A, Beaver.

The offense will look a little different for Blackhawk as leading passer Payton Stewart and leading receiver CJ Gailey both graduated, but 1,000-yard rusher Kenny Gawley is back to lead the charge, along with fullback Dylan Hildebrand.

One of the keys to victory is the battle in the trenches, and Heyward listed six offensive linemen who return for the 2018 campaign.

Defensively, Blackhawk will look to improve after allowing 30-plus points seven of nine games last year and has a chance to do so with a seasoned defense.

Jordan Wright, Jarrett Wright, Austin Nicely, Khalil Frazier and Chris Deluca, who will be a four-year starter, are players to watch on the front line. Hildebrand, Kail Davidson and Ryan Heckathorn will look to lead the charge in the linebacking corps, while the secondary is highlighted by Gawley, Carmen Campagna, Matt Randa and Marques Watson-Trent, who accumulated 55 tackles last season.

Schedule

Coach: Zack Heyward

2017 record: 2-7, 2-6

All-time record: 303-174-8

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Central Valley, 7 p.m.

8.31, Knoch*, 7 p.m.

9.7, at Highlands*, 7 p.m.

9.14, Ambridge*, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Montour*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at South Fayette*, 7 p.m.

10.5, New Castle*, 7 p.m.

10.12, Indiana, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Beaver Falls, 7 p.m.

10.26, Beaver*, 7 p.m.

*Class 4A Northwest Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Payton Stewart*

59-81, 451 yards, 3 TDs

Rushing: Kenny Gawley*

88-574 yards, 10 TDs

Receiving: Gawley*

19-136 yards

*Graduated

Sean Saputo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Blackhawk