Growth continues for Ambridge football team

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, August 15, 2018 | 10:33 PM

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Terry George is in his third season leading the Ambridge football team.

“This program has been through so many ups and downs over the last few years,” he said.

Dating back over the last few years, Ambridge has seen players transfer to other schools and have limited rosters compared to Class 4A opponents.

“In my first year, we had just 24 players,” George said. “Last year, we got that number to 36, and now this year we are close to 50 players.”

The roster sizes are almost jaw-dropping, considering Ambridge is in the WPIAL’s third largest classification.

Not only did it play a part in the trend Ambridge has been dealing with, the inability to have a junior high program also left a void in the program’s growth.

“We’ve taken major steps with getting our junior high team back, and it was needed to reestablish our program as a whole,” George said.

So despite difficulties the past few seasons, George noted there is a slew of returning players who will play a key part in breaking a 20-game losing streak that dates back to a Nov. 6, 2015 — a WPIAL Class AAA first round loss to Ringgold.

On defense, Ambridge will run a 4-3 scheme, and the second level has a few standouts.

“Koryea King, Montell Jarrett and Omarri Flannigan are going to play key roles for us defensively, along with our defensive tackle Jacob Traupman,” he said.

Offensively, Ambridge is working on its multiple sets, with Mason Osborn under center.

George stated he expects good things from his junior signal caller.

Flannigan will man the wide receiver position, and Deyvon Gill-Martin and Navon Locust will be key contributors on offense, as well.

The biggest change will be up front.

“Last year, no one on our line weighed more than 200 pounds,” George said. “This year, we have quite a few guys that are weighing over 200 pounds.”

Having the more beefed up offensive line should help an offense that must face the likes of Montour, South Fayette, New Castle and a newcomer to the conference, Beaver. All are perennial playoff teams, two of which (New Castle and Montour) were Class 4A runner-up the last two years.

However, the goal is to continue reestablishing the program and continuing to be competitive.

“Last year, we started playing more competitive,” George said. “This year, we need to continue being just as and more competitive, as well as becoming a more aggressive unit, as well.”

Schedule

Coach: Terry George

2017 record: 0-10, 0-8

All-time record: 434-459-40

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at McGuffey, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Belle Vernon, 7 p.m.

9.7, Waynesburg, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Blackhawk*, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Knoch*, 7 p.m.

9.28, Highlands*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Beaver*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Montour*, 7 p.m.

10.19, South Fayette*, 7 p.m.

10.26, New Castle*, 7 p.m.

*Class 4A Northwest 8 Conference

Sean Saputo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Ambridge