Penn-Trafford remains confident after runner-up finish

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, August 18, 2018 | 7:13 PM

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Penn-Trafford knew what it had last season: a host of returning talent endowed with experience and rooted in senior leadership.

It was the Warriors’ big shot.

Many around the program say it would have been a disappointment had the Warriors not claimed the No. 1 seed and advanced to Heinz Field for the WPIAL Class 5A championship game (they did but fell to Gateway).

With seven offensive starters and eight from the defensive side gone, the Warriors are much farther from a sure thing. But don’t count them out. Despite an abundance of new faces, this still looks like a playoff-capable group that is carrying quiet confidence.

“Oh, we’re not packing it in,” coach John Ruane said. “We won’t really know a lot until a lot of these guys get their feet wet. A year ago, we had so many dependable guys who were just there all the time; great leaders who showed the younger players how things should be around here.”

Replacing just about every skill position top loaded the team’s list of priorities heading into training camp.

A pair of quarterback candidates — junior Gabe Dunlap and sophomore Ethan Carr — were competing to fill the void left by two-year starter Cam Laffoon, a dual-threat who accounted for 2,310 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. Ruane called him a “fullback at quarterback.”

“Both make each other a lot better,” Ruane said of Dunlap and Carr. “And the thing is, they support each other all the way. It’s a good, healthy battle.”

Big-play running back John Gay IV is another key loss. Gay is at Air Force. But Ruane won’t lose too much sleep over his trimmed backfield because junior Caleb Lisbon returns. The speedster ran for 814 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also is a Division I prospect.

“Caleb will be the man to start,” Ruane said. “We expect big things from him.”

Junior Sam Fanelli and sophomores Brad Ford, Ben Karazsia and Nate Frye are other options at running back.

Senior Jon Peduzzi will be a key H-back.

“The expectations are always high,” Fanelli said. “Last year’s seniors taught us what we have to do to live up to those expectations.”

Receiver could be a strong suit with senior Dimitri George back. He led the Warriors last year with 30 catches for 406 yards — and six interceptions on defense.

“He’s one of the few guys who got to play on Friday nights,” Ruane said. “He’s an all-conference kid, and he’s put in the time in the offseason.”

Another impact player and leader is senior Dominic Rosso, a two-way starter at tight end and linebacker. He missed the playoffs with an injury.

“We’ll rely on him big,” Ruane said.

Other key losses include linemen Logan Hawkins (Akron) and Will Mayr (IUP), but a spirited competition to be their fill-ins was expected.

“That’s the thing about summer,” Ruane said. “You see the skill guys, but the linemen only have walk-throughs. They’re not lining up against anyone until camp. We do have some depth there, though, with 20 linemen. But we won’t know our starting five until after camp.”

Those include relatively experienced players in center Dylan Schmidt and guard Josh Cheplick, both juniors.

Senior Jake Cardiff returns to help anchor a new-look group of linebackers.

Standout kicker Nick Tarabrella, who graduated with numerous school records and went to Ashland, is another key loss. But Ruane said senior Keaton Hier is showing promise.

Ruane expects Gateway to be the clear favorite in the eight-team Foothills Conference, with McKeesport and Franklin Regional within earshot.

Schedule

Coach: John Ruane

2017 record: 11-2, 7-1

All-time record: 281-186-10

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Norwin, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Gateway*, 7 p.m.

9.7, Connellsville*, 7:30 p.m.

9.14, at McKeesport*, 7 p.m.

9.21, Albert Gallatin*, 7:30 p.m.

9.28, at Plum*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Latrobe*, 7:30 p.m.

10.12, at Trinity, 7:30 p.m.

10.19, Hampton, 7:30 p.m.

10.26, Franklin Regional*, 7:30 p.m.

*Class 5A Foothills Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Cam Laffoon*

97-187, 1,511 yards, 15 TDs

Rushing: John Gay IV*

164-1,285 yards, 17 TDs

Receiving: Dimitri George

30-406 yards, 3 TDs

*Graduated

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Penn-Trafford