Offensive line could be key to ending losing streak for Fox Chapel

By: Josh Rizzo
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 | 11:01 AM

The fourth quarter isn’t going to be the time when the Fox Chapel offensive line folds up its tent. The Foxes have spent most of the offseason building their physical capability to push the pace with their opponents.

Fox Chapel plans to employ its run-heavy wing-T attack for 48 minutes. The hope for the Foxes is they can wear down their opponents. Fox Chapel coach Dave Leasure is excited with what the group up front can do to make this plan work.

“We want to be able to compete every Friday night, no matter who we are playing,” Leasure said. “That’s going to be the norm. We have to stay in games against the best of the best.”

Senior offensive tackle Blake Kuhn said it was a big adjustment when Leasure came in last year.

“It was an adjustment having a lot more of a run game,” Kuhn said. “We can see the coach’s vision now. I feel like we’ve adjusted well to it. We’ve been doing more cardio. We want to be still going off the ball when the other team gets tired.”

Any increase in offensive production will be big for Fox Chapel. Last season, the Foxes were shut out five times and were limited to 10 points or fewer in three other games.

Fox Chapel is looking to end a losing streak that stretches back to 2021.

Kris Bandurski, the team captain, will play at another tackle. Luca Poli will play guard, and Thomas Billings moves from tackle to tight end.

Liam Coffler also will be counted on to help play guard.

“I think we did a good job developing the offense over the offseason,” Bandurski said. “There was a learning curve to the offense last year. We have it down perfectly. We fell in love with the offense.”

Leasure said the team showed what it is capable of last season against Woodland Hills. The Foxes ran for 185 yards despite dressing only 38 players. Fox Chapel was down only 14-7 before halftime of that game.

A lot of players got an opportunity to play last season because Fox Chapel went through a lot of injury issues.

“I learned a lot about hard work,” Bandurski said. “I learned a lot about what I could be doing on the football field. I learned a lot of what steps I could end up taking. I got to focus on how to play the game mentally.”

Fox Chapel will have Max Melocchi and Joey Geller splitting time at quarterback. Both started games last season. Bandurski believes the Foxes will be able to help keep them upright and the offense moving.

“I look forward to going out there,” Bandurski said. “Me and the other seniors are going out there and putting everything on the line every game. We have been working every practice to make sure we have a successful year.”

Tags: Fox Chapel