Charleroi ‘learning’ defensive style of football under 1st-year coach

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 23, 2018 | 9:03 AM

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There’s no doubt first-year Charleroi coach Lance Getsy takes over a talented Cougars squad.

A 2,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver all return to lead what should be a potent offensive attack.

Last season’s Cougars went 9-2, seeing their season end with a 21-12 loss to Avonworth in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

“We’re changing the culture,” Getsy said. “We want to move from an offensive train of thought to thinking defense first.”

The Charleroi defense will be led by longtime Valley coach Mike LeDonne, who brings various looks to his defenses, something opposing coaches will have to game plan for.

“Every kid on the defensive side of the ball is learning multiple positions,” Getsy said. “We have defensive linemen that are moving to linebacker. We have linebackers going out to play defensive back. Our nose tackle can move to middle linebacker.”

The defense is in a state of flux because of the development of the players and their need to learn to grasp the offense. The only constant will be the team’s “50 base,” according to their new coach.

“We’re learning a defensive style of football,” Getsy said. “We’ll be changing things based on the matchups and formations we’ll see every week. But we’re going to be ready. We’ve already broken down each game from last season.

“Our job as coaches is to put our guys in the best position to win games. That’s what we’re going to do.”

While Getsy said the Cougars aren’t deep anywhere on the defensive side of the ball, he’s confident they will be with the players they have.

The Cougars scored 43 points per game last season and are primed to light up scoreboards around the region again.

Geno Pellegrini completed 116 of 195 passes for 2,333 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago. There’s no reason to think those numbers will drop in his senior season.

“He’s so smart. He’s got a great football mind,” Getsy said of the quarterback. “He’s real athletic, too.”

Getsy admits there is a bit of a learning curve as Pellegrini adjusts to a new offense, but he sees improvement each day.

“There’s no doubt once the nuances of things settle in, Geno is going to be fine and the offense is going to run smoothly,” Getsy added.

Getsy said his offense usually features two running backs on the field at a time.

Hunter Perry ran for more than 1,100 yards last season and is back for his senior year. He’ll be joined by junior Brayden Mihalcin, who missed all of last season with a knee injury suffered in the opening game.

“Those two guys made a commitment to us and the weight room in the offseason,” Getsy said of the pair. “Between the two of them, I’m really excited.

“And we have Dom Pellegrini that will rotate in there, too. He’s another one that really put a lot of time in the weight room.”

Dakota Romantino returns on the outside after catching 49 passes for 1,033 yards last season and scoring 15 touchdowns.

“The biggest thing about Dakota is his football knowledge,” Getsy said. “He’s really picked up the installation of the offense quickly.”

Joining Romantino on the outside will be Colton Linn, Legend Davis, Evan McGuire and Ethan Codeluppi.

“We have four or five guys out there that can catch the ball,” Getsy added.

Making up the offensive line will be a group of six seniors, three juniors, two freshmen and a sophomore.

“Colton Kisner will be one of our anchors on the line,” Getsy said. “The line is coming along. Kisner has worked really hard in the weight room.

“But overall, there’s a lot of learning going on with the offensive line. There’s some spots up for grabs. We’ve pushed the offensive line more than anyone else, but it’s because that’s where everything starts. They need to lead us.”

Joining Charleroi in the new Century Conference are holdovers Frazier, Beth-Center, Washington and Brownsville. Added this season are former Class 3A schools McGuffey and Southmoreland, while Carmichaels moved up from Class A.

“We’re going to take our games one by one,” Getsy said. “But it is a tough conference. We’re going to match up against each team’s strengths and make sure we’re not outleveraged.

“We’re going to worry about ourselves more than the other teams.”

Schedule

Coach: Lance Getsy

2017 record: 9-2, 6-1

All-time record: 547-439-60

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Monessen, 7 p.m.

8.31, Washington*, 7 p.m.

9.8, at Riverview, noon

9.14, Frazier*, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Carmichaels*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Beth-Center*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Southmoreland*, 7 p.m.

10.12, McGuffey*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Brownsville*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Apollo-Ridge, 7 p.m.

*Class 2A Century Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Geno Pellegrini

1163-195, 2,333 yards, 24 TDs

Rushing: Hunter Perry

89-1,060 yards, 17 TDs

Receiving: Dakota Romantino

49-1,033 yards, 15 TDs

Jeremy Sellew is a Mon Valley Independent staff writer.

Tags: Charleroi