New coach hopes to see experience pay off for young Sto-Rox team

By: Jonathan Bombulie
Sunday, August 18, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Since taking over at his alma mater in May, Sto-Rox’s Brendan Blair has been caught up in a whirlwind that many in his position across the WPIAL can probably relate to.

“To me, being a head coach, it hasn’t really sunk in for me because I’ve been so busy making sure I’m ahead even though I’m really behind,” he said with a chuckle.

There’s a lot of work to do after an eventful last two years for the vaunted Sto-Rox program.

In 2022, the Vikings won the Class 2A Century Conference with an undefeated record and advanced to at least the WPIAL semifinals for the fourth straight season.

Then an accomplished senior class led by 5,000-yard career passer Josh Jenkins graduated and coach LaRoi Johnson left to take over at Imani Christian.

After a 2-7 season last year under coach Marvin Mills, there was another coaching change with Chris Davis being hired in January. Four months later, Sto-Rox reversed course and hired Blair.

“It’s not exactly how I wanted it to play out, but everything happens for a reason,” Blair said. “It takes patience. You’ve got to be patient and wait for your time.”

However the coaching search played out, Blair’s resume looks perfect for the job. He was an all-state linebacker at Sto-Rox, Class of 2014, before playing four years (and earning a business degree) at Cal (Pa.).

After college, he returned home and has spent the last four years as a defensive assistant with the Vikings.

“I wanted to pay it forward in my community,” Blair said. “I came right back and started volunteering under coach LaRoi. He taught me a lot of things and inspired me really. Just kept my head down, did what I needed to do, just kind of elevated and grew.”

Blair said the Sto-Rox roster will be dotted this season with young players who gained experienced during last year’s struggles.

He said senior running back/linebacker Shaky Yates will be the focal point on both offense and defense. He’s also excited to see receiver/defensive back Khayyam Smith, a transfer from Perry.

Quarterback Devant Jackson is back for his sophomore year after playing extensively as a freshman. Matthew Harsh is a sophomore tackle who should stand out in the trenches.

Senior running back/linebacker Tyrone Nokes, sophomore receiver/defensive back Khalil Jenkins and sophomore running back/defensive back Elijah McGuire are also back and are expected to contribute.

“A lot of these guys played a lot last year, made some mistakes, got some bumps and bruises, got beat up,” Blair said. “They got in the weight room, put some muscle on. Now it’s time to go.”

Blair said the defense was ahead of the offense in the early days of preseason practice, which wasn’t surprising to him because good offense requires chemistry.

Once all the pieces are in place, Blair is looking forward to seeing what the Vikings can do.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m excited for the adversity we’re going to face. I’m excited for the good and the bad because that’s just how the game goes. You’ve got to flush the last play and move on to the next play. That goes the same with years. We’re not talking about last year. We’re moving forward. That’s just the mentality.”

Sto-Rox

Coach: Brendan Blair

2023 record: 2-7, 2-4 in the Class 2A Century Conference

All-time record: 326-255-9

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 South Side, 7

8.30 Carmichaels, 7

9.6 at Brentwood, 7

9.13 at Keystone Oaks*, 7

9.20 Washington*, 7

9.27 Charleroi*, 7

10.4 at Seton LaSalle*, 7

10.11 at Carlynton*, 7

10.18 South Allegheny, 7

10.25 at Waynesburg*, 7

* Conference game

FAST FACTS

• First-year coach Brendan Blair is first cousins with former Pitt and NBA player DeJuan Blair and former University of Cincinnati linebacker Greg Blair.

• Amare Harper, last year’s Century Conference lineman of the year for Sto-Rox, is a freshman defensive lineman for Slippery Rock.

• All-conference defensive back Eric McGuire is a freshman at West Virginia State.

• Sto-Rox has won two WPIAL championships, taking the Class 2A title in 1987 and 1966.

Jonathan Bombulie is the TribLive assistant sports editor. A Greensburg native, he was a hockey reporter for two decades, covering the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for 17 seasons before joining the Trib in 2015 and covering the Penguins for four seasons, including Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17. He can be reached at jbombulie@triblive.com.

Tags: Sto-Rox