Quaker Valley hopes to defend WPIAL, PIAA football championships

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

Quaker Valley is the target for WPIAL Class 3A teams.

The defending WPIAL and PIAA champs are eager to defend their titles this fall.

“It is a lot of pressure, but it’s also some motivation. We know more people will be pushing harder for us. It’ll be more of a challenge, but it’ll make us a better team all around,” Quakers senior Ryan Jackovic said. “We’re really excited. We think we’ll have another good team this year.”

After falling to Aliquippa in the regular season, Quaker Valley won its next seven games to capture the program’s first district and state titles. The bid to repeat comes under a new head coach. Ron Balog took over for Jerry Veshio.

“It’s been great so far, it really has. The boys are great. The staff, all but two are coming back, so there has been a lot continuity. For me, that’s been really great. It has allowed me to get to know the boys much better,” Balog said. “We’re not doing everything from scratch. We’re not installing brand new offenses and defenses, and they don’t have to get to know other assistants. They just have to get to know me, and I have to get to know them. I feel really comfortable.”

Last year, the Quakers benefited from a talented senior class. Senior quarterback Ricky Guss and running backs Isaiah McNair and J.T. Taylor helped pace an offense that averaged 38.0 points per game.

“That group of seniors was amazing. We’ll never be able to replace that group. They are tremendous athletes and people on and off the field,” Jackovic said. “It’ll be different, but the leadership they taught the younger group of kids is invaluable.”

Ethan Moore takes over at quarterback. He ran for 389 yards and caught 16 passes for 193 yards last year.

“Ethan Moore is just an unbelievable athlete,” Balog said. “He has not played quarterback from a starter’s standpoint, but we are very confident in him.”

Isaac Guss, Cam Nelson and Michael Aspiotes could carry the ball, while Demetrios Perez, Nelson, Aspiotes, Jackovic and Nelson will be involved in the passing game. George Francic and Jeremy McCoy are the experienced players back on the offensive line.

“The first thing I noticed when watching these guys is that they really are athletic,” Balog said. “The offensive scheme will not change very much, but it will be an adaptation to our new talent. Ethan throws the ball really well. We will try to play to his strengths and the other guys’ strengths.”

The Quakers boasted one of the WPIAL’s top defenses last year. They hope it remains strong.

“It’s kind of rolling along like the offense. We’re sticking with what they did last year,” Balog said. “When you have guys like Cam, Ethan, Isaac, Ryan and Francic, who were all starters, it makes it easier to slide other people in.

“I really, really like the talent we have on the roster right now. I think we’ll be fine. We want the kids to be fluid and athletic. We’re keeping it simple. We want to rep it and go out and play.”

Schedule

Coach: Ron Balog

2017 record: 14-1, 6-0

All-time record: 232-336-14

Date, Opponent, Time

8.31, Central Valley*, 7 p.m.

9.7, at Aliquippa*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Beaver Falls*, 7 p.m.

9.21, Elizabeth Forward, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Keystone Oaks*, 7 p.m.

10.5, at Waynesburg*, 7 p.m.

10.12, Beaver, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Hopewell*, 7 p.m.

10.26, South Park*, 7 p.m.

*Class 3A Tri-County West Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Ricky Guss*

133-273, 2,246 yards, 30 TDs

Receiving: Isaiah McNair*

48-886 yards, 16 TDs

Rushing: Guss*

206-1,214 yards, 29 TDs

*Graduated

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley