Bethel Park notebook: Black Hawks football an early WPIAL leader in scoring

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Notebook items from around the Bethel Park High School campus:

One of the many strengths of the Bethel Park football team appears to be a formidable senior class.

There are 18 seniors listed on the team’s varsity roster and most, if not all, will have a say in the fortunes of the Black Hawks in 2024.

Begin with starters back from last year: Tanner Pfeuffer, at quarterback; Ja’Vaughn Moore, at running back; Clancy Orie, at TE/DL; Ryan Petras (who is recovering from a shoulder injury) and Jack Bruckner, at WR/DB

“It was sad to end my last high school camp,” Bruckner said following the team’s preseason scrimmage against Chartiers Valley. “I have great memories and friendships.

“The team looked great (against CV). The starting offense moved the ball well with a nice mix of runs and passes. We scored on every series. And our defense didn’t let up a first down. But we have a long way to go and a lot to prove. We’re working hard to get better every week.”

Other integral players for the Black Hawks include seniors Mitch Paschl (WR/DB), Randy Bergia (FB/DL), Christian Davis and Jeremy Whitling, at linebacker, plus linemen Hunter Goelz, Denzel Meyers and Max Sellati.

Upperclassmen looking contribute are Matt Gerber and Colton Gregg, at WR/DB, Frank O’Mara (OL/LS), Noah Paola (OL) and kicking specialist Evan Chichwak.

• Moore and junior RB David Dennison combined for 337 yards and five touchdowns in Bethel Park’s 49-13 nonconference win Aug. 30 at Mars.

Moore racked up 195 yards and three TDs on 11 carries while Dennison added 142 yards and two scores on 18 attempts.

Following the impressive victory, Bethel Park was lauded as the team of the week by Trib HSSN.

The Black Hawks also cruised past Seneca Valley, 50-14, Armstrong, 46-7, and West Mifflin, 62-14, and led the entire WPIAL in scoring through four games with a 51.7 ppg average.

Moore (70-735, 8 TDs) and Dennison (33-242, 3 TDs) had combined for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns during that time.

Pfeuffer completed 50 of 75 passes for 941 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception. His two favorite receivers were Paschl (18-364, 7 TDs) and Bruckner (13-239, 1 TD).

The Black Hawks intercepted seven passes in their first four games, led by Bruckner with three. Dennison, Jeremy Whiting, sophomore William Sabatos and junior Kahanuola Kuewa each had one.

• Thirty-five of the top girls soccer players in the district made the Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player Award watch list for 2024, including Bethel Park’s Calle Dalbon and Keira Mehlako.

The award, named after the late Katelyn “Moe” Rosensteel, is in its sixth season and goes to the best player in the WPIAL, per a committee of organizers, coaches and media members.

Three finalists will be announced around the time of the WPIAL championships. The winner traditionally is announced the day after the PIAA finals.

• Did you know that there are seven seniors among the 10 players on the Bethel Park boys golf team?

Senior leadership in 2024 is provided by any or all of the following: Brian Bitkowski, Cameron Bonacci, Layton Cameron, Giana Esposito, Aaron Hofbauer, Luke Kallaur and Ethan Stanhoff.

Rounding out the team are juniors Evan Devine and Sinjin Stainbrook and sophomore prospect Joseph Boff.

• Bethel Park boys soccer coach Doug Fink is in his seventh year as the Black Hawks’ field boss.

“Before that, I was the assistant coach under Mike Galietta,” Fink said. “I learned an incredible amount under Mike Galietta who is still a mentor for me. Winning two WPIAL championships under Mike in 2006 and 2007 set the bar extremely high.”

• The WPIAL rifle season, which again will feature four sections and 16 teams, underwent a few changes this offseason.

Bethel Park and Washington remain in Section 2 and are joined by West Greene from Section 1 and Mt. Lebanon from Section 3.

• The defending WPIAL Class 3A champion Bethel Park girls tennis team is enjoying another banner season in 2024.

The Black Hawks stood at 11-1 through a dozen matches.

The team’s starting lineup consists of sophomore Cami Fisher (16-0) at first singles, sophomore Mackenzie Smock at second singles and junior Keira Ross at third singles.

Senior Julia Gobbie and sophomore Cassie Sierka team up first doubles; seniors Amelia Lancet and Sarah Walters compete at second doubles.

Fisher and then-senior Lily Sierka won the WPIAL 3A girls doubles title last year.

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