After run to WPIAL semifinals, Moon sets expectations high

By: Andrew John
Friday, August 9, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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After having a bounce back season last year, the Moon football program is looking to make another deep run in the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs.

The Tigers improved on their 2022 performance (1-9 overall, 1-4 in the Allegheny Six Conference) by finishing 6-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play last fall. Moon’s season came to an end after a 41-18 loss to eventual WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Peters Township in the WPIAL semifinals. The semifinal trip was the Tigers’ second time in three years as Moon was WPIAL runner-up in 2021.

Moon advanced to the WPIAL semifinals after defeating Gateway, 35-31, in the quarterfinals.

This year’s Tigers will have a lot of familiar faces returning on offense, hoping to execute coach Ryan Linn’s run-centered offense with their wing-T and wildcat offense.

Moon will replace Josh Bladel’s production in the backfield by giving his carries to a trio of returning Tigers — juniors Paul Bronaugh, Braeden Stuart and Jared Moyer.

Bladel led the Tigers with 1,074 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Moon also returns senior running back Nazir Brookins, who finished with 807 yards and seven touchdowns.

“We switched our offense and Josh took over. He was in great shape, tough and we had the ability to hand off the ball and go,” Linn said.

“This year, we have kids like Paul Bronaugh, Braeden Stuart and Jared Moyer where we have to find ways to get them the football, so they are going to take reps at running back. Naz will be the pounder that we need him to be, but he’s not going to get 30 carries now that Josh is gone.”

The Tigers will look to replace left tackle Ryan Lubitz, center Brian Crawford and right guard Mitch Parisi.

Seniors Jake D’Aniello, a first-team all-conference selection, and Xavier Moyer return on the offensive line.

Junior Austin Knox will start on both the offensive and defensive line this season.

Linn looks forward to how junior Jake Warnagiris will impact the offense from the receiver position.

Senior Nick Clemens will return on the defensive line and juniors Jayden Revis and Myles Turner will be featured in the Tigers’ defensive backfield.

“Last year, we started 0-3 and it could’ve easily gone 2-8. We upset Penn Hills in Week 3 and it turned our whole season around. Our confidence was through the roof. We rattled (off) three wins in a row,” Linn said.

“We wanted to get to the playoffs and teach these kids how to win so in 2024 and 2025 we go make a run with the talent and athletes we had coming up. We have high expectations with the group up front that is returning and the skill positions players we have.”

With the slow start last season, Linn believes the team learned a key life lesson — trust, which could assist the players if they face adversity again this year.

“We learned to trust each other, trust the coaches,” Linn said. “I think that’s the biggest thing in any avenue of life. If I can trust what we are doing is going to be OK, we are going to be successful. I think that’s what they learned last year. Trust what we are installing, what we’re doing, what we’re teaching. If they trust it, success will follow.”

Senior Nick Prozzoly, who will return as a three-year starter at receiver and safety this season, believes the team has the right mix of leadership, experience and talent.

“It’s good to have those experiences. Fortunately, we were able to make the playoffs even though we lost a few tight ones,” Prozzoly said.

“We have a lot of guys coming back this year so we’re mature enough to know what it takes to get over the hump. We could’ve very easily been 8-2 or 3-7. It’s maturing and realizing what to do in those situations, knowing how to execute and getting the job done in the end.”

Moon

Coach: Ryan Linn

2023 record: 6-6, 3-2 in Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference

All-time record: 360-470-19

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 Trinity, 7

8.30 Montour, 7

9.6 at Penn-Trafford, 7

9.13 West Allegheny, 7

9.20 at Seneca Valley, 7

9.27 at Bethel Park*, 7

10.4 Peters Township*, 7

10.11 at Baldwin*, 7

10.18 at Upper St. Clair*, 7

10.25 South Fayette*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Andrew Cross

28-73, 415 yards, 4 TDs

Rushing: Josh Bladel*

192-1,074 yards, 13 TDs

Receiving: Paul Bronaugh

8-164 yards

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Moon has made two WPIAL championship appearances — 1998 and 2021.

• This is coach Ryan Linn’s eighth season as head coach at Moon. The Tigers have made the playoffs in three of those seasons — 2019, ‘21 and ‘23.

• Moon and Sewickley Academy have a co-op partnership in football for this fall.

• Four of the five teams on Moon’s nonconference schedule qualified for the playoffs last season. After opening at home against Trinity, the Tigers will play at home against Montour, travel to Penn-Trafford, face West Allegheny at home and then travel to Seneca Valley. The Tigers’ nonconference opponents combined for a 31-25 record last year.

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