Dynamic quarterback helps Trinity join ranks of Class 4A contenders

By: Mark Nitowski
Monday, August 12, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Dan Knause took a bit of a gamble when he became Trinity head coach three years ago.

“We decided to start Jonah Williamson at quarterback as a freshman, which was a tough task,” he said. “We had an intelligent kid who was physically ready. We kind of threw him to the wolves, and he responded.”

After that baptism of fire, Williamson turned in a breakout sophomore season in 2023. He rushed for 1,002 yards and 13 touchdowns and passed for 1,860 yards and 13 TDs in leading the Hillers to a 7-5 overall record and a Class 4A playoff spot.

For his efforts, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Williamson was voted offensive player of the year in a rugged Big Seven Conference.

“What makes Jonah special is his football IQ and that he’s an elite athlete,” Knause said. “He has the arm talent and can run the ball.”

Now a junior, Williamson appears poised to take the Hillers offense to the next level.

“The offense runs through Jonah and has grown with his maturity,” Knause said. “We basically play a system that takes what the other team is giving us. There will be nights where Jonah can sling it and nights where he can run it.”

Joining Williamson in the Hillers backfield this season will be the running back tandem of senior Nico Mauro and junior Mekhi Bouman.

“We run a split-back formation,” Knause said. “They are the same style of back. Mehki is a newcomer who has shown a lot of potential as a freshman and sophomore.”

Junior Anthony Giorgi should be the top target in the Hillers’ passing attack.

“He’s pushing 6-4 and 210 pounds,” Knause said. “He’s a big target that we feel can get some mismatches on Friday night. He’s worked hard at his craft on both sides of the ball. He’s a good athlete for his size.”

Seniors Semaj Fuse and Hunter Martin are the top returnees on the line. Martin is coming back from a knee injury suffered in the third game of last season.

“Fuse will play tackle and Martin will be at guard,” Knause said. “Otherwise, the line will be young and unproven. We’ve got to help that group grow up fast.”

On defense, Trinity will throw multiple fronts at opponents.

“The strength of our team coming back is our linebackers,” Knause said. “They have the most experience of any group on both sides of the ball.”

The linebacker corps will feature Mauro and senior Caden Vogel on the inside and senior Brock Spiker and juniors David Gill and Giorgi on the outside.

Mauro and Vogel earned all-conference honors last season. Vogel led the Hillers with 78 tackles.

Fuse will anchor the defensive line at noseguard or end.

The Hillers are looking to replace their entire secondary. Vying for playing time are corners Seth Steward, Braden Berdar and Gill and safeties Bouman, Ben Priest, Eian Yancec and Chase Kostelnik.

“We really have six to eight guys competing for four spots,” Knause said. “They’re unproven, but they can be a talented bunch if they grow and learn with the position.”

Trinity is looking to build off some big victories last season. The Hillers defeated perennial 4A power Thomas Jefferson, 23-6, in conference play and then knocked off North Catholic, 49-0, in the first round of the playoffs.

“We beat TJ for the first time in 30 years and won the school’s first playoff game in 16 years,” Knause said. “I’m proud of the growth as a program. Our philosophy is to make every day count.”

Knause is convinced that the Hillers turned a critical corner in 2023.

“We taught our kids how to win last year,” he said. “I think we have a lot of guys coming back who understand the daily process that it takes to play winning football.”

In 2024, Trinity will compete in the Big Six Conference with Thomas Jefferson, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Belle Vernon and Chartiers Valley.

Belle Vernon is moving up to 4A after winning back-to-back PIAA 3A titles.

“Belle Vernon is an elite program, regardless of the class,” Knause said. “But we don’t get caught up in standings and projections. We just want to get one day better. … We have a great coaching staff that really cares about the kids and works to make them better people and players.”

Trinity

Coach: Dan Knause

2023 record: 7-5, 4-2 in Class 4A Big Seven Conference

All-time record: 388-530-37

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Moon, 7

8.30 McGuffey, 7

9.6 Montour, 7

9.13 at Peters Township, 7

9.20 at Bethel Park, 7

9.27 Ringgold*, 7

10.4 at Thomas Jefferson*, 7

10.11 at Chartiers Valley*, 7

10.18 Laurel Highlands*, 7

10.25 Belle Vernon*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Jonah Williamson

127-212, 1,860 yards, 15 TDs

Rushing: Jonah Williamson

164-1,002 yards, 13 TDs

Receiving: Dante DeRubbo*

37-576 yards, 6 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Dan Knause previously was Chartiers Valley head coach. He applied for the Hillers coaching job after taking a position as assistant principal at Trinity High School.

• The Hillers return four starters on offense and five on defense from last year’s playoff squad.

• Trinity is scheduled to close out the regular season at home against Belle Vernon in a game that could have major 4A playoff implications.

• Trinity High School sits on a hilltop overlooking the city of Washington. Its bell tower has been a landmark in Washington County for more than a century.

Tags: Trinity