Chismars put aside sibling rivalry, share QB duties at Greensburg Salem

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, August 25, 2024 | 3:57 PM

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Sometimes, the Chismar brothers’ car rides home from practice are animated and loud. Other times, post-workout trips back to the crib are quiet.

It all depends on the mood.

“If we have a good day, we’ll talk about it,” sophomore Brody Chismar said. “If one of us has a bad day, we might not as much, or not talk at all.”

Senior Peyton Chismar said criticism is just part of the unique dynamic at Greensburg Salem, where a pair of brothers could share the quarterbacking duties this season.

“We talk about what we’ve done,” Peyton said. “We talk about what we did good and what we can improve on. We help each other out. It’s just tough love at the end of the day.”

The Golden Lions started Peyton on Friday night in their season and home opener against Albert Gallatin, but Brody was only a sideline away. The duo shared snaps as the Golden Lions won 28-6 using a big second half to pull away.

Peyton was 5 of 13 for 52 yards, and Brody ran for 32 yards and a touchdown on six carries. The brothers guided the offense as Greensburg Salem put up 208 total yards.

Brady Smith scored on a blocked punt and a kick return.

“We’re going to need them both over the course of the season,” Golden Lions coach Ty George said. “It could be week-by-week. It could be game-by-game. It depends on the situation, how we’re playing and who had the hot hand.”

The decision to play both is based on what each can do. So a quarterback competition has become a quarterback combination. There is no QB1, per se. It’s more like two QB.5s.

“I think it’s going to be very hard to stop,” Peyton said. “Defenses are going to have to prepare harder because we have different skill sets.”

Peyton is more of a drop-back pocket passer, and Brody is more prone to use his legs to gain yardage.

“He has speed on me, but I have the arm,” Peyton said. “He’s more outgoing. I keep it more low-profile. Just let it eat.”

Said Brody: “I can take off and throw on the run. He sits in the pocket. I understand he’s older, so I take is advice.”

Peyton (6-foot-2, 165 pounds) was slated to be the starter last season, but he had to sit the first two games because of a suspension, then missed time because of an injury.

He played only four games at quarterback, completing 23 of 57 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown.

Brody (6-0, 165) saw more reps, playing in seven games, and went 61 of 108 for 643 yards and five scores.

Adam Dipasquale, who has graduated, also played quarterback, attempting as many passes as Peyton.

“They are both good enough to play for us,” George said. “We have confidence in both guys. Yes, Peyton can throw, but so can Brody. And Brody can run, but so can Peyton. A lot of what we do will depend on the situation.”

Brody, who rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown, also caught a pass but not from his brother.

“I threw it, it got tipped and I caught it,” he said.

Both Chismars used to wrestle, but they narrowed their sports choices to football and baseball. They have wrestled over a lot of things, though, so they will have to make taking turns work.

Pick the game — baseball, cornhole, spike ball, kickball — and they’ve probably scratched each other’s eyes out trying to beat one another at it.

“At family events it’s always a competition,” Peyton said.

Their brother, Caleb, also played football for the Golden Lions. The 2021 alum was a lineman.

“When he gets mad at one of us,” Brody, “he’ll point at me or Peyton and say, ‘He’s the better quarterback, you know.’ ”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg Salem