Burgettstown looks to maintain momentum after 1st playoff win in 40 years

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | 10:00 PM

Burgettstown celebrated the program’s first WPIAL playoff win in 40 years last fall with a 31-28 triumph over Neshannock.

To reach the postseason for a fourth straight season, the Blue Devils will have to navigate a whole new set of opponents.

After going 5-2 and placing third in the Century Conference in 2017, Burgettstown joins the Class 2A Three Rivers Conference with a host of new opponents — Brentwood, Carlynton, Fort Cherry, Serra Catholic, South Allegheny, South Side Beaver and Seton LaSalle.

“We’ve always bounced around. In the 90s, we played in the Three Rivers Conferece. We’re not unfamiliar with some of those teams form Allegheny County,” fourth-year coach Mark Druga said. “We’re very excited. We knew the WPIAL would place us in a new conference because of our location.”

Burgettstown will need to replace graduated quarterback Ryan Lounder, who threw for 594 yards and 13 scores and also ran for a team-high 672 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Leading receiver Jarred John also graduated.

The Blue Devils do return six starters on offense and defense, including senior lineman Angelo Fratini (6-foot-2, 280 pounds), who was an all-conference selection last season. Fellow linemen Ethan Brothers (5-11, 195), Riley Kemper (6-5, 250), Shaen Cairns (6-0, 220) and Colby Greene (6-3, 230) also return to the starting lineup.

Leading the offense will be either junior Jake Lounder or sophomore Nate Neal. Both saw mop-up time under center last season.

“We have two very sound candidates,” Druga said. “Both had a great deal of playing time at JV. They were playing in the second and third quarters when we got up big.”

Junior fullback Cyle Conley also returns to anchor the backfield and also led the team in sacks fro his outside linebacker post.

The defense also will be led by Brothers at middle linebacker. He was an all-conference pick a year ago as a defensive end.

Junior Seth Phillis also returns after an all-conference campaign as a punter. He also plays wide receiver and defensive back and booted the winning field goal in the final seconds of the playoff game against Neshannock.

“We’re very excited to have him back,” Druga said.

Schedule

Coach: Mark Druga

2017 record: 7-4, 5-2

All-time record: 421-483-39

Date, Opponent, Time

8.31, at Seton LaSalle*, 7 p.m.

9.7, at Fort Cherry*, 7 p.m.

9.14, Summit Academy, 7 p.m.

9.21, at South Side Beaver*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Serra Catholic*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Carlynton*, 7 p.m.

10.13, Mohawk, 1:30 p.m.

10.19, at Brentwood*, 7 p.m.

10.26, South Allegheny*, 7 p.m.

*Class 2A Three Rivers Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Ryan Lounder*

29-65, 594 yards, 13 TDs

Rushing: Lounder*

110-672 yards, 10 TDs

Receiving: Jarred John*

11-226 yards, 8 TDs

*Graduated

Bill Hartlep is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bhartlep@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TribHSInsider.

Tags: Burgettstown