CTK ’14: WPIAL A Black Hills Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 22, 2014 | 11:02 AM

Look at the makeup of the Black Hills Conference and the name doesn’t seem to fit any more.

With the WPIAL’s realignment for this year, the Black Hills changed drastically. A name like the old Ohio Valley Conference might have been more appropriate. But some of the coaches in this conference let it be known that they still wanted to be called the Black Hills.

So, Black Hills it is

By any name, this conference figures to be highly competitive. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, the defending WPIAL and PIAA champ, is everyone’s team to beat. But after that, there could be quite a battle for the playoff spots.

Here is an overview of the Black Hills:

AVONWORTH ANTELOPES:

The only two losses for Avonworth last year were to North Catholic and both were close. The Antelopes lost some key players, but look for them to challenge for the top again. Six starters return on offense and five on defense.

One of the team’s top players figures to be quarterback Zach Chandler. He wasn’t the starter last year. But two years ago as a freshman, he was the starter most of the season because of an injury to the No. 1 QB. The playing time and experience he got then could be very beneficial.

Brandon Wasko figures to be the new leader of the running attack while Jamal Hughley and Josh Drwal are the top receivers. Drwal caught 22 passes for 256 yards last season. Also watch for Khalil Thompson at receiver.

On defense, Wasko and Matt Robbibaro will be leaders while returning linemen are Kadale Cole, Shane Fitzgerald and Devon Rice.

BISHOP CANEVIN CRUSADERS:

Darren Schoppe’s first year as coach didn’t go too well as the Crusaders finished 3-7. But there is reason for optimism as 13 starters return.

Reed Relosky threw for 1,200 yards last year and is back. Developing a capable running back will be key. That could be Giovanni DeMarzo, who showed some promise last season before injuries forced him to miss almost half of the season. Sean Fitzgerald figures to be the top receiver after catching 28 passes a year ago.

Other returning starters are FB-LB Austin Liebro, RB-DB Amaan Bridgett, linebacker Ben Zimmer, and TE-LB Nate Jancosko. Returning linemen are Jake Reddy, Matt Zank, Matt Hartzell, Alex Simpson and Aaron Alke.

BRENTWOOD SPARTANS:

Watch out for the Spartans. They could make lots of waves this season with a number of returning starters.

Brentwood has talent at the skill positions. The leader is quarterback Connor McWIlliams, a senior who was 113 of 218 for 1,745 yards a year ago. When he hands off the ball, it will most often be to Pat Carr, who rushed for 444 yards on 83 attempts. And back at receiver is Bill Madeja, who caught 33 passes for 514 yards last season.

Two linemen counted on this year are Brendan Mulholland and Cody Conroy.

CARDINAL WUERL NORTH CATHOLIC TROJANS:

There is something new for North Catholic and it’s not the new football season. The old North Catholic in Troy Hill closed in June and a new school opened in Cranberry. A top football team will make the first year at the new school exciting.

The Trojans were 16-0 last year and figure to challenge again for a WPIAL title. Replacing some key linemen will be tough, but this team is very good at the skill positions. Coach Bob Ravenstahl has two 1,000-yard rushers in P.J. Fulmore and Jerome Turner. Fulmore missed games early in the 2013 season. He came back and was eventually moved to quarterback when Adam Sharlow suffered an injured knee late in the regular season.

Turner took over at halfback and had a big year. He returns along with Sharlow, who is trying to bounce back from a torn ACL.

CHARTIERS-HOUSTON BUCCANEERS:

After going 6-4 last season, the Buccaneers are thinking bigger this season. And why not? Eight starters return on offense and seven on defense.

The defense could be a strongpoint. Linebacker Dylan Briggs is one to watch. He led the team in tackles last season with 112, including seven for loss. The Bucs also have a top linemen in Tyler Stegenga, who is a three-year starter and was an all-conference pick a year ago.

Lineman Trey Lober showed potential last year as a freshman and A.J. Myers return at free safety. Meyuers also started last year as a freshman.

Speaking of players who made an impact as a freshman, look at Spencer Terling, who last year as a freshman led the team in rushing with 641 yards on 160 carries.

FORT CHERRY RANGERS:

Maybe no team in this conference has bigger holes to plug on offense than Fort Cherry. Koltan Kobrys rushed for more than 2,000 yards last year. Quarterback Matt Heslin and receiver Zach Dysert also graduated.

Senior Anthony Panizza expects to take over at quarterback. Garrett Whalen and Dan Barley will lead the running attack. Alex Babirad is a receiver to watch.

The lines look to be in solid shape. Brian Carnegie, Anthony Kampian, Jake Schulz and Radan Orenbaun are all returning starters.

While replacing Kobrys and Co. will be tough to replace, the Rangers also could use a pick-me-up at times. The Rangers allowed 23 points a game last season.

NORTHGATE FLAMES:

T.J. Wiley is back.

Wiley was Northgate’s coach for a couple seasons before leaving and taking the Deer Lakes job last year. But after a winless season at Deer Lakes, Wiley left and became Northgate’s coach again.

Wiley returns to a team that was 2-8 last year. There is potential for improvement, though. Johnny Camello returns for this third year at quarterback. Tailback Brett Howell figures to have a nice season and his career path is similar to Wiley’s. Howell played for Northgate his first two years, but left and transferred to a school in Ohio last year. Now he is back.

The defense will be led by, among others, linebackers John Lenoski and Shane Adams and defensive back Darion Turner.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CHARGERS:

The Chargers could charge up the conference this year after finishing with a 5-5 record last year. Coach Bill Daniels’ team played in the Big Seven Conference and moves to the Black Hills this year.

Joe Sebes is back at quarterback. He completed 33 of 77 for 552 yards last season and will be counted on more heavily this year. John Truskowski returns at running back. A few other running backs graduated and Truskowski figures to be the top rusher this year after gaining 285 yards on 63 attempts last year.

Connor Riley and Eric Hall lead the list of returning linemen.

MSA SPORTS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

8.    Bishop Canevin Crusaders

Tags: Avonworth, Bishop Canevin, Brentwood, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, North Catholic