With new coach in charge, top playmaker graduated, change comes to Greensburg Salem

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 | 8:30 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Change is a good thing.

So believes Ty George, the rookie head football coach at Greensburg Salem.

“It’s good in all forms of life,” he said.

George took over for Dave Keefer, who guided the Golden Lions for the last decade. He was a member of Keefer’s staff for the last three seasons and learned from his former boss things he can apply this season.

George’s goal is not to overhaul the offense and defense, but rather to tweak here and there with the advice of his staffers, such as veteran coaches Casey Cavanaugh and Rich Bowen.

It’s going to be a group effort — on the sidelines and on the field.

“We’re looking to build off of a lot of the principles we have on both sides of the ball,” George said, “while making some subtle changes.”

There is nothing subtle about losing a player like Cody Rubrecht to graduation. Rubrecht threw and ran for 1,000 yards a year after piling up 1,000 receiving yards.

He scored 18 of the team’s 31 touchdowns.

“It’s a by-committee approach with Cody gone,” George said. “Some of the things he did were incredible. He did so much. It’s not just a plug-and-play situation.”

With six starters back on each side of the ball, though, the Golden Lions do have some experience.

Senior 6-foot-3 middle linebacker and tight end Julian Stevens will play a pivotal role, as will senior two-way lineman Ayden Thompson.

Junior Kai Brunot is a playmaker out of the backfield who took over the running back duties as a plucky sophomore.

He ran for 534 yards and four touchdowns and had a pair of 100-yard games.

At quarterback, the Golden Lion will turn to senior Peyton Chismar (6-2, 175), who filled in when Rubrecht was injured last season — a glimpse at what this season might be like.

Chismar played three games and went 14 for 33 for 122 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.

Versatile senior Adam Dipasquale should make an impact at receiver and linebacker.

Sophomore Anthony Matthews also has shown potential at linebacker.

The Golden Lions return a three-lineman unit in Thompson, junior Azreal Franklin and Cayse Susman.

“Our receiving group and defensive backs are largely intact,” George said. “Those areas could be strengths for us.”

Greensburg Salem finished 4-6 last year, including a 1-4 mark in the Class 3A Interstate Conference. After a 3-1 start, it lost five in a row before a season-ending win over South Allegheny.

George will try to get his first win against his alma mater. The Golden Lions visit Hempfield at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25 in the season opener.

Editor’s note: Due to production scheduling conflicts, the preview for Interstate Conference team Elizabeth Forward will appear later this month.

Greensburg Salem

Coach: Ty George

2022 record: 4-6, 1-4 in Class 3A Interstate Conference

All-time record: 709-406-39

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 at Hempfield, 7

9.1 at Derry, 7

9.8 Ligonier Valley, 7

9.15 at Deer Lakes, 7

9.22 at East Allegheny, 7

9.29 Mt. Pleasant*, 7

10.6 at Belle Vernon*, 7

10.13 Southmoreland*, 7

10.20 at Elizabeth Forward*, 7

10.27 South Allegheny*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Cody Rubrecht*

71-152, 1,001 yards, 5 TDs

Rushing: Rubrecht*

130-1,017 yards, 16 TDs

Receiving: Christian Hostetler*

26-365 yards, 3 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Coach Ty George, a former Hempfield quarterback and Seton Hill wide receiver, assembled a staff that includes his high school coach, Rich Bowen, who will lead the linemen. Other assistants are holdovers Casey Cavanaugh (QBs), Matt Boe (defense), Jake Brumley, Teegan Hahn, Christian Johnson and Braden Hoffer.

• Greensburg Salem has 709 victories, 17th most in the state and second-most in Westmoreland County (Jeannette, 770).

• Dave Keefer coached the Golden Lions for the past 10 years.

ROSTER

No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.

2, Brady Smith, RB/LB, 5-8/160, Jr.

3, Julian Stevens, TE/ILB 6-3/215, Sr.

4, Anthony Matthews, WR/LB, 5-11/170, So.

5, Jackson Hostetler, WR/DB, 5-7/137, So.

6, Brody Chismar, QB/DB, 5-10/153, Fr.

7, Cooper Dann, WR/LB, 5-9/165, Jr.

8, Markeece Walker, WR/DB, 6-0/155, Sr.

10, Blake Leone, TE/H/LB, 6-1/185, Jr.

12, Peyton Chismar, QB/LB, 6-1/180, Jr.

13, Eric Smith, WR/DB, 5-8/135, Fr.

14, Nick Altimore, RB/LB, 5-10/155, Fr.

16, Tyrese Lewis, WR/DB, 5-11/155, So.

17, Asa Redinger, WR/DB, 5-10/145, Sr.

18, Dominic Rosensteel, WR/DB, 5-10/150, Jr.

19, Connor Wilson, WR/DB, 5-11/132, Fr.

20, Brandon Fazio, WR/LB, 5-11/160, Jr.

21, Keegan Young, WR/DB, 5-11/155, Jr.

22, Tanner Schmidt, K/P, 5-9/180, Jr.

23, Noah Dudek, WR/DB, 5-9/115, So.

24, Adam Dipasquale, Slot/LB, 5-10/150, Sr.

25, Akheim McCreary, RB/DB, 5-9/135, So.

26, Collin Porreca, RB/DB, 5-8/140, So.

30, Caiden Orr, RB/LB, 5-6/150, So.

32, Kai Brunot, RB/DB, 5-11/165, Jr.

35, Max Topper, TE/LB, 5-9/155, So.

34, Kyrel Vuletich, RB/DB, 5-9/135, Sr.

47, Ben Hoffman, OL/DL, 5-10/185, Sr.

50, Jack McGough, OL/DL, 6-0/225, Jr.

51, Eddie Johnson, OL/DL, 5-8/190, Fr.

52, Azreal Franklin, OL/LB, 5-11/230, So.

54, Brayden Armstrong, OL/DL, 6-4/275, So.

55, Casey Susman, OL/DL, 6-5/245, Sr.

58, Ender Cosgrove, OL/LB, 6-0/195, Jr.

59, Cole Savage, OL/LB, 5-11/235, So.

60, Marcus Lewis, OL/DL, 6-0/205, Sr.

62, Ryan Ebersole, OL/DL, 5-10/205, Sr.

63, Matthew Condron, OL/DL, 6-2/235, Sr.

68, Ayden Mars, OL/DL, 6-1/205, Fr.

69, Isaiah Stillwagon, OL/DL, 6-2/330, Fr.

72, Jaleel Woody, OL/DL, 5-7/200, So.

73, Ayden Thompson, OL/DL, 6-3/240, Jr.

75, Colin Carloni, OL/DL, 6-0/215, Fr.

80, Christian Cole, WR/DB, 5-6/110, Fr.

85, Wesley Heverly, TE/LB, 5-9/170, Jr.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem