Burrell ready to run back into WPIAL playoffs

By: Michael Love
Thursday, August 17, 2023 | 8:59 PM

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While some WPIAL offensive attacks look to incorporate both ground and air assaults, Burrell often loads up its tanks with the hopes of steamrolling opponents.

The Bucs rushed for more than 3,000 total yards last year as they battled through Allegheny Conference play to a berth in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

Burrell coach Shawn Liotta said the offensive philosophy shouldn’t change much heading into the 2023 season, and he is excited for the weapons on the team to execute the game plan.

“I really am happy with the hard work the kids put in all summer in the weight room, on the field and in the 7-on-7s,” Liotta said.

“We’re in a pretty good routine of how we do things here in the program, and the kids really respond to that. The work is all focused on making the playoffs for the third year in a row. We have the guys to get that done.”

Burrell finished the 2022 season 6-5 overall and 3-4 (fifth) in the Allegheny Conference. The Bucs suffered a 48-6 loss to Neshannock in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

“Looking at our schedule, we can see that every single week will be a challenge, starting with Week Zero against Jeannette,” Liotta said.

“Jeannette is one of the winningest programs in the WPIAL, and they are much improved from last year, and that will be a great early season test to see how far we’ve come. There are no nights off, especially in the conference.”

Steel Valley (12-1, 7-0) is the defending conference champion, and Ligonier Valley (5-2), Serra Catholic (5-2) and Apollo-Ridge (4-3) also qualified for the playoffs.

Senior Devin Beattie hopes to roll to another big season after collecting more than 1,400 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

“Devin is a solid 200 pounds. He’s really put together,” Liotta said. “There’s no secret that he will bear the workload of running the football. He’s big and strong with speed in the open field. He again will be a big part of our success. He’s that game-changer type back. We look for him to have a monster year.”

Liotta points to a large group of returning skill kids. Senior running back and linebacker Tristan Brothers, a Valley News Dispatch all-star last year, has battled through injuries to become one of the top defenders in the conference, Liotta said. Despite missing two games last year, Brothers led the team with 100 tackles, and he added an interception.

“He’s dealing with an injury right now, so he might miss some time early in the year,” Liotta said.

“He’s been our defensive player of the year for a number of years. He just flies all over the field.”

Senior Tyler Maglisco returns as a key defense back. He is remembered for a breakout offensive game against Apollo-Ridge when injuries to others in the running game forced him into action. He carried the ball seven times for 34 yards and a touchdown and added three catches for 56 yards and another score.

Maglisco is a three-year starter in the secondary along with fellow senior Cooper Hornack at safety.

“Cooper has done a really nice job on offense as well this summer,” Liotta said.

Liotta noted that another multi-year starter, senior Maliq Buchak, is back at one of the corner spots. His brother, senior Esau King-Buchak, mans one of the tight end spots on offense.

Junior Stephen Hasson takes over under center for the graduated Chase Fenner.

Hasson was the starter for the Bucs in the playoff game against Neshannock.

“He’s been the backup, and he’s done a nice job when called upon,” Liotta said.

“He throws the ball well, and has shown us a lot this summer. He gives us the ability to throw the ball if and when we need to. We might also put some others back there. Maglisco could get some snaps in certain packages.”

Liotta said the key will be replacing several multi-year starters, conference all-stars, and key contributors along the offensive line.

“We have a whole group of tough, hard-nosed kids who are working really hard and are fighting for those positions,” Liotta said. “They really understand the schemes and what we want to do in the offense.”

In the mix include returning starters in senior Noah Love, junior Luke Boylan and senior Joey Guerrini.

Junior 6-3 tight end Talan Newcomer, Liotta said, can be a difference maker, and senior linebacker Christian Brancato looks to help anchor the defense.

“It’s that exciting time of the year when we get to see where everyone fits in on both sides of the ball,” Liotta said.

“We have most of our defense back and some nice weapons on offense. We have strong numbers. It makes it kind of easy when you have kids who are so coachable and willing to do whatever it takes to win football games.”

Editor’s note: Due to a production scheduling conflict, the preview for Allegheny Conference team Serra Catholic will appear later this month.

Burrell

Coach: Shawn Liotta

2022 record: 6-5, 3-4 in Class 2A Allegheny Conference

All-time record: 299-274-9

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 Jeannette, 7

9.1 at Deer Lakes, 7

9.8 Valley, 7

9.15 Serra Catholic*, 7

9.22 at Yough*, 7

9.29 Imani Christian*, 7

10.6 at Ligonier Valley*, 7

10.13 at Steel Valley*, 7

10.20 Derry*, 7

10.27 at Apollo-Ridge*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Chase Fenner*

10-21, 162 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: Devin Beattie

222-1,441 yards, 18 TDs

Receiving: Gabe Ziccarelli*

2-61 yards, 0 TD

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Burrell will go for its 300th victory in school history Friday when the Bucs host Jeannette.

• Burrell is hoping for its first playoff win since 2005 vs. Mars.

• Just 5% of the Bucs’ 3,208 yards of total offense — 162 yards — came from the passing game a year ago.

• Burrell senior tailback Devin Beattie tallied seven 100-yard rushing games last year with a season best of 304 yards and six touchdowns on 35 carries in a 41-30 victory over Imani Christian.

ROSTER

No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.

0, Tristan Brothers, RB/LB, 6-0/170, Sr.

1, Brayden Mell, QB/DB, 5-8/155, So.

2, Cooper Hornack, RB/DB, 5-10/160, Sr.

3, Liam Kasavage, RB/LB, 5-10/170, So.

4, Maliq Buchak, RB/DB, 6-1/150, Sr.

5, Tyler Maglisco, RB/DB, 5-10/170, Sr.

6, Stephen Hasson, QB/DB, 5-10/160, Jr.

7, D.J. Cosentino, TE/LB, 6-1/180, So.

8, Dylan Ridley, TE/LB, 6-0/175, Jr.

9, Maximus Ford, RB/DB, 5-8/140, So.

10, Christian Brancato, RB/LB, 6-4/160, Sr.

11, Devin Beattie, RB/LB, 6-0/200, Sr.

12, Talan Newcomer, TE/LB, 6-3/205, Jr.

13, Esau King-Buchak, SW/DL, 6-2/205, Sr.

15, Brady Valovhik, RB/DB, 5-7/135, So.

16, Vincent Scherer, RB/DB, 5-9/150, So.

17, Nathan Bigenho, RB/DB/K, 5-8/140, So.

18, Patrick Knee, TE/LB, 5-11/153, Fr.

19, Stephen Fleming, SW/LB, 6-0/180, Jr.

20, Caden Garner, RB/LB, 5-10/180, Sr.

21, Trevian Kaiser, RB/LB, 5-7/140, So.

22, Trey Coury, RB/DB, 5-7/165, Fr.

23, Kasey Shank, RB/LB, 5-4/140, So.

24, Weston Baronie, RB/DL, 5-8/230, So.

25, Nathan Labecki, RB/DB, 5-6/130, Fr.

26, Parker Logut, RB/LB, 6-0/170, So.

30, Joshua Taylor, RB/LB, 5-9/150, Fr.

31, Anthony Mongell, SW/DB, 5-11/135, Fr.

32, Hunter Kunkle, RB/LB, 5-3/140, Fr.

33, Jace Rugh, SW/LB, 5-6/170, So.

52, Joey Guerrini, OL/DL, 6-3/215, Sr.

53, Jacob Taylor, OL/DL, 5-11/210, Fr.

54, Jacob Wilson, OL/DL, 6-0/225, Jr.

55, Ryan Rusiewicz, OL/DL, 5-11/220, So.

56, Adam Pometo, OL/DL, 5-7/203, Fr.

58, Luke Boylan, OL/DL, 6-1/240, Jr.

59, Julian Beard, OL/DL, 5-6/185, Jr.

64, Brandon Grimm, OL/DL, 5-6/200, Fr.

65, Joah Martin, OL/DL, 5-8/275, So.

66, Cameron McMillen, OL/DL, 6-2/265, Jr.

68, Nate Sofaly, OL/DL, 5-1/210, So.

69, Ayden Kun, OL/DL, 6-1/234, Fr.

73, Jason Wagner, OL/DL, 5-9/300, Jr.

74, Noah Love, OL/DL, 5-9/240, Sr.

77, Steven Wilson, OL/DL, 5-10/270, So.

80, Haven Osborne, RB/DB, 5-5/120, So.

81, A.J. Mitchell, TE/LB, 5-7/175, So.

82, Hobbes Omecinski, RB/DB, 5-7/145, Fr.

83, Josh Pruitt, TE/LB, 5-11/180, Fr.

84, Brennan Green, TE/LB, 5-6/162, Fr.

86, Byler Spiering, TE/LB, 6-2/175, Fr.

88, Lucas Swahn, SW/LB, 5-8/135, Fr.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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