After winless campaign, Springdale hoping to get stronger, more physical
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Monday, August 18, 2025 | 6:01 AM
Springdale’s Corey Brooks takes part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale coach Chad Walsh works with his team during a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale’s Wes Hickman takes part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale’s Zach Parison and Ethan Pittman (left) take part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale’s Jack Swickrath takes part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale’s (from left) Corey Brooks, Trevor Clark, Joe Loebig, and Zach Parison take part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale’s Ethan Pittman takes part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale’s Trevor Clark takes part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
Springdale’s Ethan Pittman (left) and Zach Parison take part in a 7-on-7 scrimmage against Summit Academy on July 25, 2025, at Springdale.
As Springdale wrapped up a recent football practice, each player shook hands with the entire coaching staff, a sign of respect encouraged throughout the program.
The Dynamos hope to see respect returned during the 2025 season, but they know they will have to earn it after enduring a winless campaign a year ago.
It’s part of a change in mentality in Springdale, where the second-year coaching staff utilized a full offseason program to bulk up, get faster and take steps toward being a more competitive unit.
“Hopefully we’re able to push up the field a lot easier, push people around, because last year we were getting pushed around,” said Wes Hickman, a junior running back/defensive back. “So this year, we’re going to push people around.”
Physicality was the focus of nearly every weightlifting session, passing camp or workout for the Dynamos. After being on the losing end of nine mercy-rule games a year ago, the coaches and players were dedicated to being more competitive against Eastern Conference foes.
“Push people around and physicalness and aggressiveness,” coach Chad Walsh said of the team’s philosophy. “We weren’t a very physical group last year, and I think a lot of that just came with inexperience, kids not playing.
“It’s a tough level to jump into and start to get physical, as opposed to learning it when you’re a lot younger. So, they had to get through that physicality of it, playing with varsity kids, kids who were used to playing football, that physicality. We were just weak, a lot of baby fat, things like that. Kids were just young. So, we decided we needed to get stronger, we needed to get built, so we could push people around.”
That physicality and development is part of Walsh’s big-picture plan for bringing Springdale back among the contenders. Though it won’t happen overnight, he has seen the progress and expects more pay off this fall.
“That was Step 1, was us to get into the weight room, start to get stronger,” Walsh said. “And now we’re just starting to get the kids coming, being in here as much as they can. We got 22 kids this year. Hopefully, we can stay healthy. Hopefully, we can get things going in the right direction.
“We’re not looking for playoffs and things like that. We’re just going to take those next steps, maybe to get a few wins and just be competitive every Friday.”
Leading the way toward that goal is a steady group of five returning starters on each side of the ball who hope to start the Dynamos on the track to success.
Senior lineman Joey Loebig has been though the gamut of struggles during his three-year tenure — the Dynamos are 1-28 the past three seasons — and is encouraged by what the offseason has provided.
“I think you can learn from a bunch of mistakes from all the losses,” said Loebig, who will line up at center and defensive end. “You can just see what you can do differently and how you can change easier.
“I just hope that we’re a much more competitive team than we were last year. I’d love to get a couple wins.”
Sophomore Jackson Williams, who grew up in Springdale but played at Seton LaSalle last season, has transferred back and will quarterback the offense, as well as the defense at free safety.
He’ll be joined in the backfield by junior running backs Hickman, Corey Brooks and Andrew Redman and sophomore fullback Zach Parison.
“We should able to move the ball up and down the field a lot this year,” Brooks said.
Senior receiver Daniel Mamerchol and junior tight end Trevor Clark are key cogs in the passing attack.
Alongside Loebig, sophomores Cody Mizak and Elijah Clements return at guard and junior tackle Logan Ricci will help bolster the offensive line.
“Logan’s come a long way,” Walsh said. “He’s probably been our hardest worker in the weight room. He’s taken the most steps. We’re looking for big things from Logan.”
Junior tackle Dontae Yungwirth was injured playing basketball in the winter, leaving incoming freshmen to step into the lineup.
“I told them, ‘We’ve got no freshmen here, guys,’ ” Walsh said. “ ‘Every one of our freshmen lettered last year, so you guys have got to be prepared to get in and play.’ ”
The group will also be expected to be impact players on the defensive line. Walsh said Clark and Brooks will be key playmakers at outside linebacker on defense.
“They’ve shown that they’re going to get a little physical out there so far,” he said. “Even at the 7-on-7s, they’ve been redirecting and jamming receivers like we want them to do. So we’re looking for big things from them.”
Walsh also said Hickman at cornerback and Williams at free safety will play key roles on defense.
“We’re looking for big things from those guys,” he said. “Communication’s starting to get there. Jackson is able to call the coverages out a little better. Everybody’s starting to get a little more comfortable when we make the shifts and the adjustments out there. Hopefully, just the experience from last year carries on.”
With momentum built in the offseason and into training camp, Walsh hopes to continue to shape a new culture at Springdale this season that can be carried into the future and help renew pride in playing for the four-time WPIAL champion Dynamos.
“There’s some tradition here, and I tell the kids we can get it back,” Walsh said. “We’re just hoping to take that next step. Be competitive.
“If we can get some wins, and learn how to win a game, learn what it feels like to win a game, hopefully, we can just take a step each week. And then let’s be competitive every week. If we’re competitive and we give 100%, we’re going to get a few wins out of there. And that’s all we’re trying to do. We build up, take that next step.”
Springdale
Coach: Chad Walsh
2024 record: 0-9, 0-7 in Class A Eastern Conference
All-time record: 426-502-30
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.29 at Chartiers-Houston, 7
9.5 Avella, 7
9.12 at Brentwood*, 7
9.19 Riverview*, 7
9.26 Leechburg*, 7
10.3 at Clairton*, 7
10.10 at Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7
10.17 Jeannette*, 7
10.24 Frazier*, 7
*Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
N/A
FAST FACTS
• Springdale’s last win came in Week 2 of the 2023 season, a 35-21 victory over Summit Academy. The Dynamos have lost 16 straight games.
• The Dynamos will play their home games on the field across from the high school this season. Because of structural issues at Veterans Stadium, Springdale played its “home” games at Freeport and Burrell last season. New turf was being installed this summer at the high school field, which has bleachers along the home sideline.
• Chad Walsh is entering his second season leading the Dynamos. He was named the Valley News Dispatch Football Coach of the Year after leading Valley to the WPIAL playoffs in 2012.
• Springdale will again compete in the Class A Eastern Conference with Brentwood, Clairton, Frazier, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, Leechburg and Riverview. The Dynamos were outscored 354-19 in conference play last fall.
ROSTER
No., Name, Pos., Cl.
0, Corey Brooks, RB/WR/LB, jr.
1, Wesley Hickman, WR/DB/RB, jr.
2, Daniel Mamerchol, WR/DB, sr.
6, Dominic Shearer, sr.
7, Will Fowler, WR/RB/DB, fr.
8, Jakson Williams, QB/DB, so.
10, Nathan Gebauer, QB/DB, sr.
11, Trevor Clark, WR/DB/OLB, jr.
18, Ethan Pittman, WR/RB/DB, fr.
19, Jordan Ricci, QB/DB, fr.
21, RJ Landis, WR/DB, sr.
22, Jonathan Youngwirth, RB/LB, fr.
23, Zach Parison, TE/LB, so.
24, Ahmen Duddyev, RB/LB, sr.
26, Andrew Redman, RB/LB, jr.
33, Kam Barber, WR/DB, sr.
53, Joseph Loebig, OL/DL, sr.
56, Andrew Denome, OL/DL, fr.
57, Logan Ricci, OL/DL, jr.
58, Elijah Clements, OL/DL, so.
66, Cody Mizak, OL/DL, so.
76, Dontae Yungwirth, OL/DL, jr.
78, Austin Sweetland, OL/DL, fr.
82, Jacob Lang, WR/DB, so.
84, Collin Hails, RB/LB, sr.
Adam Bradley, jr.
Angelow Ianuzzi, OL/DL, fr.
Jack Swickrath, LB/RB, fr.
Anthony Bradley, OL/DL, fr.
Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.
Tags: Springdale
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