Carlynton hoping for turnaround season under new coach

By: Ray Fisher
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 11:00 PM

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The Class A Black Hills Conference wasn’t a friendly environment for Carlynton last season.

The Cougars went 0-7 in conference play and 0-10 overall.

Fourth-year coach Rich Piccinini resigned, and John Tortorea has taken over.

Tortorea was head coach at Quaker Valley from 2011-16, compiling a 30-29 record. The Quakers’ best season under Tortorea was 2013 when they finished 8-3.

Tortorea also has worked as a defensive coordinator at Cornell (2003-06), Carlynton (2007-09) and QV (2011-16), and most recently was the offensive coordinator at Shaler (2019-22).

“I ask my players to care, compete and challenge,” Tortorea said, describing his basic coaching philosophy.

He also said his early expectations for this year’s edition of Carlynton football is to “learn what it takes to be a successful football program and compete for a playoff spot.

“The first step in becoming a successful football program or being successful at anything is that you must care and buy into the vision and mission, creating a culture and environment that coaches and players want to be involved in. And holding everyone accountable every day.”

Under Tortorea’s guidance, the Cougars will employ an up-tempo offense and an attacking defense.

“We have been installing our systems — offensive, defensive and special teams,” Tortorea said. “We’re teaching players how to be prepared mentally every day, and about learning (our) expectations on how to practice, study opponents and prepare. We’ve also introduced new weight and speed training.

“We’re trying to change the mindset of the players and teach them that they deserve success. And don’t be afraid of it when it comes.”

With 10 returning starters, the Cougars are hopeful of experiencing a “turnaround season.”

Back this season are seniors Jacob Stiffler (RB/LB), Jaydin McKnight (WR/LB) and Nate Gibson (RB/LB); juniors Devonte Dean (QB/FS), Ryan Lewis (Slot/DB), John Sciulli (TE/DE), Carter Litterini (OL/DL), Camillo Talmonti (OL/DL) and Jamison Greiner (OL/DL); and sophomore Ashton Donlin (RB/LB).

Two up-and-coming athletes are sophomore Damian Holloway (WR/DB) and junior Tony Burkhart (WR/DB).

Tortorea’s assistants are defensive coordinator Ken Fitzpatrick, Mike Steinmetz (DL/special teams), Jaymeir Scarborough (OL) and his two sons, Augie Tortorea (RB/LB) and Edward Wynkoop (WR/DB).

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Stiffler is a fourth-year starter and multiple-sport athlete for the Cougars.

“I don’t think the community expects much out of us especially after last season,” he said, “but I feel this season will be different. We have a new head coach and coaching staff that have a very different attitude from last year, and I expect us to get to a .500 record, at least, and try to make it to the playoffs for the first time in a long time.

“I think one of our strengths is our players’ mindsets. We all went through a tough season last year and don’t want a repeat of what happened. I know a lot of us have been putting in work in the offseason, but we could still clean up some things before the regular season starts.”

Stiffler is a versatile competitor who may see time at wide receiver, tight end or running back as well as linebacker.

“My biggest personal goal for the season is to get the team to at least a .500 record,” Stiffler said. “Of course, 500 yards of receiving and four touchdowns are my other goals, but I’m more excited for the success of the team.

“Everyone has been working on simple techniques that we lacked last year, like route running techniques for receivers, footwork the linemen must know and having confidence in ourselves that we can win things. The team as a whole has been getting used to the new playbook that has been getting installed since April.”

Stiffler liked what he saw of the Cougars in some of the 7-on-7 events they have attended in the offseason.

“We have done good in a few but still have some things we can work on,” he said. ”I’m excited to see what the season holds for us, and that we will exceed whatever expectations people have for us.”

Stiffler also competes on his school’s track team and said he’s interested in soccer and cross country as well. In track, he has run in the 400- and 800-meter events, as well as the 1,600 and 3,200 relays.

McKnight (6-0, 175) is a three-year starter for the Cougars and aims to make first-team all-conference in 2023. He’s another versatile athlete who led the team in passing last season and in receiving as a sophomore.

McKnight began his football career as a sophomore and also plays basketball. He has been a WR/LB all three years and added QB to his resume last season.

“I’m expecting us to make the playoffs with our new coach,” McKnight said. “We’ve been in the weight room and on the field all summer. We’ve attended multiple 7-on-7s and we’re working on our bonding as a team. Our strength has to be our passing game.”

Dean began the 2022 season as the team’s starting quarterback but was switched to wide receiver after suffering a broken finger in the Cougars’ first game. He ended up leading the team in receiving.

“We expect to use last year as a learning experience and improve from it and make the playoffs,” said Dean, who also plays basketball. “My goal is to lead my team into the playoffs.

“We’ve been working on our teamwork and trying to get everyone on the same page during the offseason.”

Carlynton

Coach: John Tortorea

2022 record: 0-10, 0-7 in Class A Black Hills Conference

All-time record: 176-323-10

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

9.2 at Riverview, noon

9.8 at Ellwood City, 7

9.16 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart*, 7

9.22 Cornell*, 7

9.29 Avella*, 7

10.6 at Chartiers-Houston*, 7

10.13 Burgettstown*, 7

10.20 Fort Cherry*, 7

10.28 at Bishop Canevin*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Jaydin McKnight

42-87, 347 yards

Rushing: McKnight

68-377 yards, 7 TDs

Receiving: Devonte Dean

19-205 yards

FAST FACTS

• Carlynton hasn’t advanced to the WPIAL playoffs since 2001 as a member of the Class 2A Interstate Conference. The Cougars have the longest playoff drought in the WPIAL, now at 22 years.

• Bishop Canevin won the Black Hills Conference championship in 2022 with a perfect 7-0 record. Fort Cherry, Burgettstown and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart tied for second with 5-2 marks, followed by Cornell (3-4), Chartiers-Houston (2-5), Avella (1-6) and Carlynton.

• The Cougars managed to muster only 47 total points last season. McKnight led the team in scoring with six touchdowns and one PAT (37 points).

• Carlynton kicks off its 2023 schedule with three nonconference games against Carrick on Aug. 25 at home at Honus Wagner Stadium at 7 p.m., at Riverview on Sept. 2 at noon and at Ellwood City on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.

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