Penn Hills dials back physicality in practice, sees positive results

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, October 6, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Every year provides third-year Penn Hills football coach Charles Morris with the opportunity to make tweaks to benefit the program. This year, the Indians have been focused on helping young players on the offensive line make steady improvements.

Morris said Penn Hills’ approach has changed and the focus is on managing bodies at practice. His coaching staff helps to facilitate keeping an eye on all of the players.

“We’ve been dialing back on certain things,” Morris said. “We want to be physical. Is it worth getting guys so banged up and destroyed that they can’t play on Friday nights?”

Penn Hills (3-3, 2-0) has started to get everyone on the same page as the Indians move into the final month of the season. On Oct. 4, the Indians were scheduled to play Pine-Richland in a game that likely will decide who will finish first in the Northeast Conference.

Penn Hills’ offense has steadily improved after struggling with turnovers. The Indians average 27.6 points per game but won their first two conference games by a combined score of 95-0, even with a young offensive line. Sophomore offensive tackle Jayden Jones, who is 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, has emerged as a force for the Indians.

He didn’t see any playing time last season. Morris said Jones has good technique and hand placement.

“He committed to the offseason and is getting strong,” Morris said. “He worked on cleaning up his footwork. We see his potential. He just needed the mindset to kick in.”

Junior Camryn Price, senior Donovan Burnett, senior Gerald Jones and junior Tristan Davis also start on the offensive line. Burnett was an all-conference player last season.

“I’m proud of Donovan’s leadership and his offseason preparation,” Morris said. “He is an awesome teammate.”

Penn Hills has found a way to create a lot of holes for running back Naytel Mitchell.

Mitchell ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns during the Indians’ 41-0 win over Shaler. Mitchell has 632 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season.

Morris believes managing the players better in practice has helped.

“The continuity and reps at practice,” Morris said. “You are only as good as your coaching staff. Having a trustworthy staff that can provide feedback has been awesome. The communication makes everything smoother.”

Tags: Penn Hills