George Guido: A-K Valley teams set coaching staffs with camp set to begin

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 | 5:39 PM

The 120 ^th season of Alle-Kiski Valley high school football is set to begin with the opening of training camps Monday.

Three new head coaches will be making their debut and have their staffs selected, particularly in the case of Deer Lakes coach Tim Burk, who was hired just last week.

With the resignation of Steve Sciullo, the staff stayed together to run off-season workouts. The impending elevation of Burk from offensive coordinator to head coach was probably the worst-kept secret in the West Deer area.

But everything’s official, and the Lancers are set to go.

Here’s a rundown of Burk’s assistants:

Matt Dunker will be the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach; Kevin Martin will be the offensive coordinator; Dan Gigler will be in charge of linebackers and he will be assisted by Brian Palmieri, a key player from the school first WPIAL playoff team in 2010.

Staz Winters will be the run coordinator and defensive line coach while Craig Steedle will take care of the wide receivers and defensive backs.

* Burrell: Shawn Liotta will begin his tenure as the 13 ^th coach in Burrell history with his brother, Jeremy Liotta, as the Bucs defensive coordinator.

Former Valley coach Randy Walters will have receivers and defensive backs, along with Jeff Gates.

Mark Kaczanowicz Jr. will be in charge of linebackers and running backs, along with Al McCauley.

Jimmy Gamble and Tyler Naulty will have offensive and defensive lineman, and Eric Fusco will help out with the running backs.

Bob Bates, who’s has been at Burrell practically as long as there’s been a Burrell, will continue as equipment director.

* Riverview: Todd Massack is back for a second stint as Raiders head coach.

Massack has as former Plum coach Bill Rometo and his son, Sergio, as running backs and defensive backs coaches.

Shane Michael will have the receivers and defensive line, while John Kaus will also help with those two positions and will serve as strength and conditioning coach.

Massack will handle the offensive and defensive linemen.

Champs feted

All six WPIAL softball champions from this past season were recognized at PNC Park before the Pirates-Cardinals game Saturday night.

West Greene (Class A), Laurel (Class 2A), Southmoreland (Class 3A), Belle Vernon (Class 4A), West Allegheny (Class 5A) and Hempfield (Class 6A).

The girls wore their school colors and gold medals.

Once again, it appeared the largest following was behind the smallest school —West Greene.

The small, rural high school tucked into the corner of southwestern Pennsylvania has an outstanding fan following.

Besides the last three WPIAL titles, the Pioneers have made the state finals at Penn State three consecutive seasons. Since Class A is the early game at University Park, West Greene fans start their trek around 4:30 a.m. – and don’t mind doing it from the people I’ve talked to.

The Hempfield softball program looks like it won’t go anywhere soon.

The West Point Little League softball 10/11 all-star team won the state championship last week.

Last Tuesday, the PIAA Class 4A champion Punxsutawney Chucks were recognized before the Pirates-Cardinals game.

George Guido is a Valley News Dispatch scholastic sports correspondent. His column appears Wednesdays.