Hempfield players vow to change the program’s culture
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Thursday, August 15, 2019 | 1:51 PM
Hempfield’s Blake Remaley throws a pass during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Joey Benz runs after making a catch against Greensburg Central Catholic in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Nathan Roby makes a catch during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Nathan Roby participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Roman Pellis participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield quarterback Blake Remaley participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield head coach Rich Bowen participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield head coach Rich Bowen watches the action during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Mario Perkins participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield quarterback Blake Remaley participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Blake Remaley throws a pass during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Dillon Ferretti participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Mario Perkins participates in the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Blake Remaley throws a pass during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s Nathan Roby runs after making a catch during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield head coach Rich Bowen watches the action during the Westmoreland County Coaches Association 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at Greater Latrobe High School.
Hempfield’s football program has produced only two winning seasons over the past 22 years.
That was in 2013, when the Spartans went 6-4, and in 1997, when they finished 7-3.
Hempfield ended the 2018 season with consecutive wins against Butler and Plum to finish 3-7.
Eighth-year coach Rich Bowen said the players have a change of attitude.
“We’re tired of losing,” senior quarterback Blake Remaley said. “We want to change the culture around here. We want to show people what we can do.”
Remaley said the team has been lifting weights and running throughout the offseason to prepare for the fall.
There will be a significant change in Hempfield’s offense, which has been a zzxspread formation since Bowen became the coach. A more run-centric scheme fits the personnel, Remaley said.
“We’re probably going to be a running team,” Remaley said. “We have our top two running backs and the entire offensive line returning. I’m excited for this year.”
The backs returning are Mario Perkins and Nathan Roby. Bowen said the plan is to have them on the field at the same time.
Roby rushed for 691 yards, caught 22 passes for 237 yards and scored nine touchdowns last season. Perkins rushed for 567 yards, caught 19 passes for 169 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
Remaley rushed for 260 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 117 of 200 passes for 1,294 yards and seven scores.
Junior Roman Pellis was one of his top receivers, catching 20 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns.
But if Hempfield wants to contend, the offensive line, led by Delaware commit Fintan Brose, must control the line of scrimmage.
Other linemen returning include Dillon Ferretti, Paul Newill and Ryan Cross.
Also, the Spartans defense has to improve and avoid allowing big plays.
“It’s been a great summer, and we have a great senior class,” Bowen said. “We saw signs of turning things around late in the season. We won our last two games and played well.
“The players have had a great attitude all year, hit the weight room hard. We think this could be a good year for us.”
Bowen said he has been pleased how the team and Remaley have played in seven-on-seven competitions.
Roby, because of his pass catching ability, will see time in the slot as well as the backfield.
But scoring points hasn’t been a problem for Hempfield. Stopping teams from scoring has been.
The Spartans allowed 28.7 points per game in 2018 as they struggled getting off the field.
“We’d play well for a series of plays and then give up a big first down or score,” Bowen said. “We should be better. We weren’t that bad last year for most parts.”
Leading the defensive effort the past few seasons has been senior middle linebacker Ferretti. He’s been the top tackler on the team.
Brose is another key defender. He played defensive end in 2018, but he said the plan is to move him around.
“I’ll be sliding down to the inside at times,” Brose said. “My coaches want to move me around to confuse the defenses.”
If the Spartans can play better defense, Bowen is confident the team will be successful in the challenging Class 6A conference.
Schedule
Coach: Rich Bowen
2018 record: 3-7, 1-7
All-time record: 290-311-13
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23, Greensburg Salem, 7
8.30, Pine-Richland*, 7
9.6, at Norwin*, 7:30
9.13, Central Catholic*, 7
9.20, Canon-McMillan*, 7
9.27, at Mt. Lebanon*, 7:30
10.4, Seneca Valley*, 7
10.11, at North Allegheny*, 7:30
10.18, at Butler*, 7:30
10.25, Plum, 7
*Class 6A Conference game
Statistical leaders
Passing: Blake Remaley
117-200, 1,294 yards, 7 TDs
Receiving: Roman Pellis
20-257 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing: Nathan Roby
104-691 yards, 7 TDs
Hempfield roster
No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.
1, Nicholas Ross, WR/DB, 5-9/180, Sr.
3, Lucas Guy, QB/DB, 6-0/183, Jr.
4, Roman Pellis, QB/WR/DB, 5-11/153, Jr.
5, Blake Remaley, QB/DB, 6-2/206, Sr.
6, Adam Prenatt, WR/DB, 6-2/180, Sr.
8, Andrew Brack, WR/DB, 6-2/180, So.
9, Trey Long, WR/DB, 5-10/140, Sr.
10, Jayden Talbert, WR/DB, 5-4/125, So.
12, Vincent Stofko, WR/DB, 5-9/145, Sr.
13, Michael Rohohosky, WR/DB, 5-9/155, So.
14, Demetrius Murphy, RB/DB, 5-11/175, Jr.
15, Joey Benz, WR/DB, 5-10/190, Sr.
16, Ny’Aire Murphy, QB/DB, 5-10/170, Jr.
17, Lucas Zundel, WR/DB, 6-2/165, Sr.
18, Ben Kissel, K, 5-9/140, Jr.
19, Colton Baker, WR/DB, 5-9/139, Jr.
20, Randy Nelson, WR/LB, 6-1/200, Sr.
21, Taylor Dunn, TE/LB, 6-1/165, Jr.
22, Josh Winkowski, WR/DB, 6-0/165, Jr.
23, Evan Graham, WR/DB, 6-0/165, Sr.
24, Mario Perkins, RB/LB, 5-11/180, Jr.
25, Nathan Roby, RB/DB, 5-7/155, Sr.
26, Aaron Bentz, WR/DB, 5-11/185, Sr.
29, Trent Ferree, WR/DB, 5-8/157, So.
30, Bryce Andrascik, RB/LB, 5-7/170, Jr.
32, Brendan Sliwoski, TE/LB, 5-11/200, Sr.
34, Donovan Mowry, TE/LB, 6-0/190, So.
36, Tyler Martin, K/WR/DB, 5-11/153, Jr.
44, Daniel Sierk, TE/LB, 6-4/228, So.
45, Shane Welty, TE/LB, 6-0/235, Jr.
50, Lance Carleton, OL/LB, 6-1/188, Jr.
51, Cole Santangelo, OL/LB, 5-9/180, Sr.
52, Dillon Ferretti, OL/LB, 5-11/227, Sr.
54, Mitchell Miletics, OL/LB, 5-9/218, Sr.
55, Sukhman Singh, OL/DL, 6-0/205, Jr.
56, Sean Knight, OL/DL, 6-3/235, Jr.
57, Garrett Waters, OL/DL, 5-10/315, Jr.
58, Gavin McBeth, OL/DL, 5-6/203, So.
60, Kolbe Roscoe, OL/DL, 5-11/265, So.
62, Nolan Wolfe, OL/DL, 6-3/224, Jr.
63, Wyatt Waszo, OL/DL, 5-11/217, Jr.
64, Joshua Kunkle, OL/DL, 5-8/215, So.
65, Ethan Manley, OL/DL, 6-1/250, Jr.
66, Adam Miller, OL/DL, 6-2/265, Sr.
67, Joe Baum, OL/DL, 6-0/235, Sr.
68, Paul Newill, OL/DL, 6-3/270, Sr.
70, Zach Nickischer, OL/DL, 6-1/240, Jr.
71, Brandon Flock, OL/DL, 6-3/235, Sr.
74, Josh McNamara, OL/DL, 6-3/225, Sr.
75, Cole Graham, OL/DL, 6-6/270, Sr.
76, Jeff Fiorino, OL/DL, 6-4/240, Jr.
77, Fintan Brose, OL/DL, 6-3/280, Sr.
78, Ryan Cross, OL/DL, 6-0/290, Sr.
79, Owen Rosenbaum, OL/DL, 5-11/240, Jr.
86, Kenneth Miller, WR/DB, 5-8/144, So.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Hempfield
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