Armstrong looking for new cast to step up as team makes jump to Class 5A
By:
Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 6:01 AM
Armstrong’s Joe Bartolowits pulls in a catch during a 7-on-7 competition at Burrell in July.
Armstrong’s Oliver Jones pulls in a touchdown catch during a 7-on-7 competition at Burrell in July.
Armstrong quarterback Jaydon Oliver throws during a 7-on-7 competition at Burrell in July.
Armstrong head coach Frank Fabian during a 7-on-7 competition at Burrell in July.
With a move up to Class 5A, Armstrong knows that this season will definitely be a tough one, with a new class and new section opponents.
The section includes traditional powerhouses Gateway and Woodland Hills, to go along with Penn-Trafford and Franklin Regional, which have each won the section at least once over the past three years, not to mention a star-studded Latrobe team as well as Kiski Area.
Coach Frank Fabian, who has coached the team since its inception, says that he is ready to tackle this season with a week-by-week approach.
“I feel the preparation for our team has gone well so far as we begin to ramp up now in preparation for Week Zero,” Fabian stated. “Right now, we are concerned with building our depth for this season.”
After a season where starting quarterback Colt Sprankle got hurt, depth to overcome injuries is crucial, Fabian stressed. Sprankle transferred to Knoch for the upcoming season and big-play receiver Ian Olsen transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year.
If the Olsen last name sounds familiar, it is. Ian’s older brother Cadin Olsen graduated in 2023 and helped lead Armstrong to a playoff victory over Blackhawk in his senior season. Caden is now a QB at the University of Pennsylvania.
As for the upcoming River Hawks season, don’t be surprised if new starting quarterback Jaydon Oliver turns a few heads with his performance.
Oliver was able to carry the load for the River Hawks as he amassed 12 passing touchdowns and four on the ground in the five games he took over for Sprankle. That effort nearly landed Armstrong in the playoffs last season as the River Hawks finished 5-5 (2-4 in the Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference) in 2023.
Fabian said there are a multitude of options when it comes to receivers for the sophomore QB.
“We have lots of guys we expect to step up for us this year,” Fabian said. “Kyan Kline was an all-section player last year, to go along with guys like Rex Harmon, Joe Bartolowits and Chase Jablonski.”
Bartolowits and Jablosnki, Fabian added, were players he felt improved the most over the course of the offseason.
On the offensive line, Fabian is relying on senior leader Rocco Swartz, who has been ultra-consistent for the Armstrong squad up front.
While the offense is set, Fabian said, the defensive side of the ball is definitely a work in progress.
It will be tested against some of the best offensive teams in the WPIAL.
“We’re trying to improve day by day with the defense because we know that in 5A, it’s going to be quite a test for the upcoming season,” Fabian said.
Armstrong goes into the season expecting around 55-60 players on the roster, according to Fabian. Still, he is stressing the impact that depth will have on the season.
For Fabian and the River Hawks, the move to 5A will be a good challenge for his team, and one that they are preparing for before the start of their 2024 campaign.
Armstrong
Coach: Frank Fabian
2023 record: 5-5, 2-4 in Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference
All-time record: 54-39-0
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23 at Highlands, 7
8.30 at Hampton, 7
9.6 Bethel Park, 7
9.13 Canon-McMillan, 7
9.20 at Latrobe*, 7
9.27 Gateway*, 7
10.4 at Woodland Hills*, 7
10.11 Kiski Area*, 7
10.18 Penn-Trafford*, 7
10.25 at Franklin Regional*, 7
* Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Jaydon Oliver
87-159, 1,329 yards, 12 TDs
Rushing: Alex Patton*
107-640 yards, 6 TDs
Receiving: Ian Olsen#
58-973 yards, 9 TDs
* Graduated # Transferred
FAST FACTS
• This season will be the 10th in Armstrong football history, which began with the merger of Ford City and Kittanning in 2015.
• The River Hawks have made the playoffs five times in their previous nine seasons.
• Armstrong will only play three of the same teams they faced a season ago: Hampton, Kiski Area and Highlands.
• Fabian coached at Redbank Valley and Kittanning before taking the reins with Armstrong.
Tags: Armstrong
More Football
• Trib HSSN PIAA football preview capsules for Week 13• Through the Years: 40 years ago, Freeport finally got the better of nemesis Jeannette
• Kiski Area football coach Sam Albert hangs up head coach’s whistle after 3 decades
• WPIAL Class 3A championship preview: Avonworth, Central Valley set for rematch
• WPIAL Class 2A championship preview: After long wait, Seton LaSalle, South Park return to title game
