Familiar coach, improved QB have Bishop Canevin feeling confident

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 17, 2018 | 10:24 PM

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When Jon Ruffing was asked to play quarterback for Bishop Canevin midway through last season, it was his first time playing the position at any level. Ruffing adapted well, throwing for 419 yards and five scores and rushing for 324 yards and three touchdowns.

Ruffing will be back under center for the Crusaders this fall, and he will be directing the offense for a new coach who isn’t so new.

Chris Lucas steps in as coach after serving as Bishop Canevin’s offensive coordinator the past two seasons. He will try to help the Crusaders improve on last year’s 3-7 (3-4 Class A Big 7) effort that ended with a blowout loss to California in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

“Personally, I believe he’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Ruffing said. “I play hockey and basketball, too, and the time and commitment he puts in is crazy.

“It was a championship playbook he gave us (last season), but we didn’t execute it. I think this year we’re picking things up quicker, and it will be a better year.”

Lucas has equal belief in his quarterback. Ruffing was, to say the least, raw last season and didn’t have the mechanics or field savvy of a more experienced QB.

That has changed in the past year. Ruffing (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) is more confident in what he is doing, and though he said he prefers to be a pocket passer, his ability to run will make him tougher to defend.

“He just knows the offense and knows what we’re expecting,” Lucas said. “Just his mechanics and being so much more consistent than he was. His ability to be a dual threat is big.”

Added Ruffing: “I know I struggled (last season). Now, it’s night and day with me.”

He will benefit from having his top receiver, Brian DeSchon, returning. DeSchon caught 10 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns. DeSchon will be complemented by senior Lee Li, whose height (6-2) and athleticism could make him a big-play threat, as well as sophomores Bradon Logan and Jordan Ruffing.

Replacing 1,000-yard rusher Zach Trusky will not be easy, but Lucas believes he has the solution with freshman Keshawn Harris. He will run behind an offensive line anchored by seniors Robert Andrews (6-1, 235) and Allen Green (6-3, 265).

Green and Andrews also will key the defense, with Andrews moving to inside linebacker after playing on the line last season.

“The senior group has really bought in and taken on a leadership role,” Lucas said. “We’ve asked a lot from them, but they’ve been showing up and doing the work.”

The Crusaders are competing in a new conference. That might be a welcome change after trying to slug it out with three of Class A’s final four teams – Jeannette, Imani Christian and Clairton – last season.

Bishop Canevin is in a conference with Rochester, Sto-Rox, Cornell, Laurel, Northgate, OLSH and Union.

“This is a new conference, but they have good teams over there,” Lucas said. “We try to keep a one-day-at-a-time mentality.”

Lucas said he is pleased with how his team has prepared. The staff spent a lot of time working on the players’ speed and conditioning to get the most out of the 25-man roster.

Ruffing said he could see a big difference in the team during the offseason and is optimistic the Crusaders can return to the playoffs.

“It’s a good vibe,” he said. “There’s no one who’s down. Everyone’s got their heads up. Last year and the year before, we had players who would get frustrated when one thing went bad. We don’t have that.”

Schedule

Coach: Chris Lucas

2017 record: 3-7, 3-4

All-time record: 297-264-12

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25, Carlynton, 7 p.m.

9.1, Avella, 7 p.m.

9.7, at Laurel*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Springdale, 7 p.m.

9.21, at OLSH*, 7 p.m.

9.29, Union*, 7 p.m.

10.5, at Cornell*, 7 p.m.

10.13, Sto-Rox*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Northgate*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Rochester*, 7 p.m.

*Class A Big 7 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Jon Ruffing

22-67, 419 yards, 5 TDs

Rushing: Zach Trusky*

199-1,022 yards, 16 TDs

Receiving: Brian DeSchon

10-205 yards, 3 TDs

*Graduated

Charles Curti is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Charles at ccurti@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CCurti_Trib.

Tags: Bishop Canevin