Cornell looks to exceed expectations after playoff win
By:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 6:01 AM
Cornell receiver Isaiah Dawson makes a catch during practice Tuesday.
Cornell coach Ed Dawson looks on during practice Tuesday.
Cornell coach Ed Dawson looks on during practice Tuesday.
Cornell’s Nick Bent goes through drills during practice Tuesday.
Cornell running back Khalil Johnson takes a pitch during practice Tuesday.
Cornell quarterback Mark Stuckey throws during practice Tuesday.
Cornell center Kenny Wade during practice Tuesday.
Cornell was so close to reaching the WPIAL Class A semifinals last year. Following a first-round win over Leechburg, the Raiders looked to knock off top-seeded Fort Cherry.
Cornell led Fort Cherry late in the first half, but after the Raiders gave up two touchdowns, they could not rally late to upset the eventual WPIAL champion.
“Last season was obviously a great run for us. We play in a pretty tough conference, and to finish where we did, you know, you always want to finish at the top, but I was satisfied with the effort,” Cornell coach Ed Dawson said. “The kids were very mature. We had good leadership in the senior class last year, and even some underclassmen stepped up to fill the role of what we needed as a team and our core principles.”
One of Cornell’s key returning players from last season’s WPIAL playoff team is Khylil Johnson, who had more than 1,400 all-purpose yards in 2024 and received Black Hills All-Conference honors at running back and defensive back.
Johnson will line up at running back and wide receiver this year. Regardless of where Johnson is on the field, he will be a go-to target for senior quarterback Mark Stuckey.
Stuckey crossed the 1,000-yard mark in passing a year ago. He will look to senior Isaiah Dawson, Ed’s son, at wide receiver to replace Black Hills All-Conference selection Mikey Keyes, who graduated.
The Raiders return three starters on the offensive line: four-year starter Nick Bennett, three-year junior starter Kenny Wade and senior Kris Macklin Potter, who played last year after recovering from an ACL injury.
“So, (Potter) made it through the season,” Ed Dawson said. “He’s a very solid blocker for us, so I think he’ll be a huge deal for us because I think we’ll be really good up front, offensively.”
The same players will be important contributors on the defensive line, particularly Bennett, who will anchor the line at defensive tackle. The Raiders will also seek to fill the hole Demarr Williams created when he transferred following a 22-sack season.
“We kind of take on a piranha pack mentality, so everybody gets to the football every play, and we hang our hat on that,” Ed Dawson said. “So it’s usually never one guy with our defense.”
Also, Cornell lost four linebackers and will have a new corps of players at the second level. In the defensive backfield, Johnson will lead a veteran group. His 10 interceptions last season led the team. Isaiah Dawson and sophomore Ja’kil Turner are other key players in the secondary.
Meanwhile, new kicker Drake Barr can help better the special teams, one of the areas Ed Dawson thinks has to improve for Cornell to defeat Black Hills conference powers Fort Cherry and Bishop Canevin. After all, Cornell believes it can compete for a WPIAL championship.
“We keep going by six instead of seven,” Ed Dawson said. “Year after year, we’ve lost a lot of games from missing every extra point. … But I think, honestly, more than anything, it’s just being mentally strong and overcoming and winning the attrition fight late in games for us.”
Cornell
Coach: Ed Dawson
2024 record: 9-3, 4-2 in the Class A Black Hills Conference
All-time record: 212-264-11
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.22 Brashear, 7
8.29 at California, 7
9.5 Riverview, 7
9.12 Burgettstown*, 7
9.19 at Bishop Canevin*, 7
9.26 at Serra Catholic*, 7
10.3 Fort Cherry*, 7
10.10 Rochester, 7
10.17 Chartiers-Houston*, 7
10.24 at Monessen*, 7
* Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Mark Stuckey
82-141, 1,030 yards, 16 TDs
Rushing: Walter Clarit*
134-1,139 yards, 14 TDs
Receiving: Khylil Johnson
30-462 yards, 5 TDs
* Graduated
FAST FACTS
• Cornell’s playoff berths in 2023 and 2024 marked the first time since the 2010 and 2011 seasons that the Raiders made back-to-back postseason appearances.
• Running back/wide receiver Khylil Johnson led Cornell in receiving in 2024 after being the team’s leading rusher in 2023.
• Since 2021, the Raiders have shut out at least one opponent each year.
• Cornell has won four WPIAL playoff games in school history. The Raiders won one in 2019, two in 2021 and one in 2024.
Tags: Cornell
More Football
• Fast, fearless Clairton eager to end 9-year state finals ‘drought’• What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Dec. 4, 2025: Clairton opens PIAA football championship weekend
• Trib 10: 3 power-ranked teams playing for state titles
• Early signing day for 2026: WPIAL, City League football players finalize Division I plans
• 2025 PIAA A football championship breakdown: Clairton vs. Bishop Guilfoyle
