Jake Just takes reins from older brother at Laurel Highlands

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | 11:15 PM

One way to ease a transition in head coaches is to hire someone already on staff.

Laurel Highlands took that a step further when it hired Jake Just – not just the team’s former defensive coordinator, but also the brother of recently departed coach Zach Just.

Just is the youngest brother in a coaching family that also includes oldest brother Josh Just, head coach at Hanover (Va.). Zach Just was at the Mustangs’ helm for eight years before recently taking a principal job in the South Allegheny school district.

“We wanted to keep the program intact,” said Jake Just, who will retain his brother on staff in a coaching role when he’s able to attend. “The kids need that. I feel like Zach had done such a good job with it, changing the culture and making it a respectable program.”

Jake Just is a 2002 graduate of Greensburg Salem and a Virginia Commonwealth alumnus. He started coaching with older brother Josh before college graduation. He feels like his blueprint for success was laid before him by his older siblings as he begins his first head coaching gig.

“They both built successful programs in terms of discipline and accountability,” Jake said. “I basically take everything they’ve given to me. Practice, scheduling, fundraisers. Any question I have, they’re there to answer.”

Jake stays busy outside of football, and briefly left the program two years ago. He serves as a social studies teacher at Laurel Highlands, has three kids under the age of 7 and owns the Funnel Cake Men food truck with wife Sarah.

Last year, he returned as a position and strength coach, earning support from parents and players before the position opened.

Senior quarterback Conner Basinger was among the Class 4A league leaders in total yards (1,766) and scoring (13 total touchdowns) as a wing-back and quarterback.

Basinger didn’t assume the starting quarterback role until Week 4 of last season from graduate Ian Edenfield. This year, the team returns four two-way starters, as it will try to replace 13 seniors, most of which were contributors, including Edenfield (Cal Pa.)

“I probably feel more comfortable this year,” said Basinger, who plans on playing after high school but remains undecided on college choice. “Having a lot of playing time at QB last year helped a lot. I already know what I’m looking for. I feel like I’ll be more prepared for the games and after the game starts.”

Basinger leads a Mustang triple-option offense that surrounds him with experience, including seniors Ryan Fike and junior Robbie Sleightor, who may also see time at quarterback. Last year’s team was able to score in bunches, with win totals of 63, 47 and 40.

But it was also turnover-prone and couldn’t keep up with some of the bigger teams in its conference, leading to lopsided losses. It gave up 30-plus points in five of its 10 games last year (5-5, 3-5).

“I think we put him in a place (last year) where we allowed those mistakes to happen,” Jake Just said of Basinger.

The team made a decision to switch to a pistol-type formation halfway through the season.

“Once we settled on a guy in the pistol, they were doing what they were taught to do and things kind of clicked for him,” Jake added.

Other possible contributors on offense include junior receiver Daniel Izzi, junior Riley Bosley and sophomores Christian Burckeck and Shineill Thomas.

The team returns junior guard Garrey Gardner and welcomes back junior Joey Conley, who was lost last year to a blood infection. Juniors James Price and Tyler Christopher saw time on the defensive line, as well.

With a senior class of six, the team figures to rely heavily on its underclassmen.

“We’re definitely short on seniors,” Fike said. “So we have to rely on the juniors to step up.”

The team was stout against the run but will look to shore up the front seven with experience as the secondary features veterans Sleightor, Fike and Basinger.

“Our secondary can get better,” Basinger said. “I know we struggled at times last year. It’s something we’ve been working on a lot, coverages and not giving up the big plays.”

The team’s alignment in the Class 4A Big 8 Conference features three-time defending WPIAL champion Thomas Jefferson, along with title contender Belle Vernon. The team also opens with a nonconference clash against Washington, the Class 2A champion a year ago.

“I think we play in the best conference,” Jake said. “TJ is obviously TJ. You get to play against the best teams year in and year out. Belle Vernon is a well-coached team. West Mifflin never changes, they always run the football and you have to buckle it up. … I like playing these physical teams.”

Jake thinks the tough matchups can help prepare a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in three seasons, as it has been up-and-down in numbers. As of mid-August, the team sported 41 players.

“We’re as thin as can be,” he said. “But our top 25-30 guys can play with anybody.”

“I feel like we can compete with anyone we play with,” Basinger added. “But we have to play to our capability. Not give up big plays. Can’t turn the ball over. We have to clean up all the little things, and it’ll help us be able to beat the bigger schools we’ve struggled with.”

Schedule

Coach: Jake Just

2017 record: 5-5, 3-5

All-time record: 181-330-7

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Washington, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Albert Gallatin, 7 p.m.

9.7, Montour, 7:30 p.m.

9.14, Belle Vernon*, 7:30 p.m.

9.21, at Greensburg Salem*, 7 p.m.

9.28, West Mifflin*, 7:30 p.m.

10.5, at Ringgold*, 7 p.m.

10.12, Thomas Jefferson*, 7:30 p.m.

10.19, Indiana*, 7:30 p.m.

10.26, at Trinity*, 7:30 p.m.

*Class 4A Big 8 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Conner Basinger

53-113, 888 yards, 8 TDs

Rushing: Basinger

165-878 yards, 5 TDs

Receiving: Jacob Dukman*

20-404 yards, 5 TDs

*Graduated

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

Tags: Laurel Highlands