Bethel Park linemen to pose challenge for Norwin defense

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 | 6:06 PM

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Norwin football coach Dave Brozeski told his players if they did a particular drill perfectly Monday, he would do a “Bear Crawl” across the field after practice.

Brozeski held up his end of the bargain after the Knights held up theirs. Now he hopes the team does the same Friday in a Class 6A Southeastern Conference showdown with No. 3-ranked Bethel Park.

Norwin (2-1, 1-0) enters the game following wins against Altoona and Shaler. But defeating the Black Hawks (2-0, 2-0) won't be easy.

Bethel Park returns its entire offensive line from the 2016 season, led by senior West Virginia recruit James Gmitter, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound tackle.

“They're the best team we'll face so far this season,” Brozeski said. “They are a quality program and already have some quality wins.”

Bethel Park ran over North Allegheny, 35-15, and Peters Township, 28-7, to open the season. It is averaging 336.5 rushing yards per game.

“It starts up front for us,” Bethel Park coach Jeff Metheny said. “We're not large, but we're strong, smart and physical. James is a four-year starter, and the other five all started last year.”

The beneficiaries of the experienced line are running backs Joe Doleno and Tanner Volpatti and quarterback Luke Surunis.

Doleno has carried 21 times for 341 yards and five touchdowns, and Volpatti has 32 carries for 226 yards. Doleno also has six catches for 67 yards.

Surunis is 13 of 24 for 144 yards and two touchdowns.

“We're going to have to throw the ball better because teams will start loading up the box to stop the run,” Metheny said. “Norwin is an improved team, and they've done a nice job on defense. They give up some yards, but they don't give up scores.”

Norwin's only loss was to rival Penn-Trafford, 3-0, in Week Zero.

Sophomore Jack Salopek was named starting quarterback before the season, and he has handled the job well, completing 28 of 58 passes for 438 yards.

The running game is spearheaded by Tevin Thrift, who has rushed for 217 yards, and his cousin, Jayvon Thrift, who has gained 200 yards.

Jayvon Thrift has numerous Division I scholarship offers as a defensive back, including Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia, Temple and Toledo.

“They have a great line and a really nice group of running backs,” Brozeski said of Bethel Park. “They are a quality team that plays solid defense.”

Bethel Park used a spurt late in the first half and early in the second half of the 2016 meeting to pull away for an easy win against the Knights.

Brozeski said that's something his team must avoid if they want to return home with a victory.

“We can't be our own worst enemy this week,” Brozeski said. “We can't afford to make mistakes and turn the ball over. We have to play a quality game and win the turnover battle.”

Norwin linebacker Gage Luptak said the Knights defense must control the line of scrimmage.

“Bethel Park has a real strong running game,” Luptak said. “It's going to be a smash-mouth game all day. We have to bring that physicality and be all in as a team on defense.”

Senior tackle Luke Smetak said he's looking forward to going up against Gmitter.

“We like the challenge in front of us,” Smetak said. “It's nice to go up against good competition. Gmitter has a lot of offers, and he's a big-time player. We'll have to come out and play.”

If they do, Brozeski might just have to do a few more Bear Crawls.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Bethel Park, Norwin