Graduation turnover not lowering South Fayette’s high expectations

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

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To say the South Fayette football team has been good during the regular season is an understatement.

The Lions enter the season with a 57-game regular-season winning streak that dates back to 2011. While an impressive feat, it is still business as usual for the players.

“We don’t think too much about it,” senior lineman Tom Elia said. “Obviously, you don’t want to be the team that loses it. Every game is important to us. We want to watch film and work hard throughout the year.”

Senior Jamie Diven takes over the reins of the Lions offense. The West Allegheny transfer brings several intangibles to the quarterback position.

“He has a strong arm,” South Fayette coach Joe Rossi said. “He is also really smart and a student of the game.”

Rossi said the staff feels it has up to seven players who can be used in the passing attack. The group includes senior Mike Trimbur, who finished with 430 yards and six scores last season. Senior Ryan Kokoshi recorded 363 yards and five touchdowns.

“We tried to come up to the field with (Diven) a lot and throw it around,” Trimbur said. “It is a lot different catching from a lefty. Drew (Saxton) was a right-handed thrower. We jelled quickly with Jamie.

“I don’t think we lost any firepower.”

Drew Franklin will led the running attack. The junior saw playing time throughout the season and finished with 266 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Joe Mowod will line up in the backfield as a fullback.

The offensive line will have a blend of size and strength. Elia (6-foot-3, 275 pounds) is a Richmond commit and will anchor the line with fellow senior Ben Coyne (6-2, 230). Senior Sean Sutcavage (6-4, 215) brings experience to the position. The staff expects big things out of Dom Thomas, a 6-4, 290-pound junior.

The Lions defense returns several players who gained valuable experience last season. Mowod finished with 70 tackles as a linebacker. Coyne returns at defensive end after finishing with 59 tackles and 12 sacks.

Kokoski (39 tackles), senior linebacker Ryan Fleming (30 tackles) and junior linebacker Nolan Lutz (28 tackles) should all help the defense perform at a high level.

“It is huge having all these guys return,” Coyne said. “They have been in game situations. They know what it takes when the game comes down to the wire.”

Special teams should get a boost with the return of Ryan Coe. The senior was perfect on field goals under 40 yards last season and was 50 of 55 on extra points. He is receiving interest from a variety of colleges, including Temple and Delaware.

“Our kickoffs will all go into the end zone,” Rossi said. “So, teams will start at the 20 and need to go 80 yards. A lot of times in high school, teams start at the 35 or 40.”

The Lions enter the season with high expectations. The senior class in particular is on the prowl for one thing: gold.

“The year before us, was the two-state championship team,” Trimbur said. “Our class hasn’t got a ring yet. That is our main goal. We want to win the WPIAL championship and move onto states.”

Schedule

Coach: Joe Rossi

2017 record: 11-1, 8-0

All-time record: 471-370-39

8.24, at Upper St. Clair, 7:30 p.m.

8.31, Beaver*, 7 p.m.

9.7, at New Castle*, 7 p.m.

9.14, Greensburg Salem, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Hopewell, 7 p.m.

9.28, Blackhawk*, 7 p.m.

10.5, at Knoch*, 7 p.m.

10.12, Highlands*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Ambridge*, 7 p.m.

10.26, at Montour*, 7 p.m.

*Class 4A Northwest 8 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Drew Saxton*

157-248, 2,749 yards, 33 TDs

Rushing: Johnny Beck*

142-1,040 yards, 16 TDs

Receiving: Noah Plack*

52-935 yards, 13 TDs

*Graduated

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: South Fayette