Creating competition a top priority for Brownsville’s 1st-year coach

By: Bill Hartlep
Friday, August 22, 2025 | 6:01 AM

Cody Castor wants competition. Whether it’s in the weight room, battling for a starting position during practice or smacking pads with an opponent under the Friday night lights, Brownsville’s first-year coach is seeking competitive fire from the Falcons.

As the old adage says, “Competition breeds success.” It will be a building block to what Castor hopes to accomplish as the leader of a Brownsville program that is looking for more success.

The Falcons have one win since 2019 and went 0-8 in 2024 playing their third season as an independent. Castor replaces David Martin III, who began last season as the head coach, but Von Braddock finished the season on an interim basis.

Castor’s competitive fire comes from those who he played for, including longtime Uniontown coach John Fortugna, as well as Joe Paterno and Bill O’Brien at Penn State.

“Football has been a big passion for me. Helping others is another incredibly big passion,” said Castor, who has also coached as an assistant at Berwick, Laurel Highlands and Division II Bloomsburg. “I’ve had a lot of success in my life in athletics because of the people in my life.”

Castor hopes to pass that passion on to his players, some of whom he got a chance to work with this past winter as the Brownsville basketball coach.

He expects to have 28 players on the roster this season, but admits there will be a learning curve as players get up to speed with the new offense and defense. There were 18 players dressed for Saturday’s scrimmage against California.

“We’re definitely excited to have more numbers, but we’re very much in a learning phase as to who we are as a program and how we operate,” said Castor, who said he was encouraged by the players’ communication and effort at the scrimmage.

Brownsville has several returning starters who can build on previous experience, including senior quarterback Kaden Wimmer.

“He throws a very good ball,” Castor said. “Talented athlete who has really picked up the system very well.”

Senior Exzavier Vargas will be back in the backfield again this season and also will line up at safety.

“Exzavier is a very strong individual who runs well, can carry the ball and be one the toughest players on the defense, pound for pound,” the coach said.

Senior Jaiden Praster and sophomore Silas Patterson will be key targets at receiver and will play cornerback and linebacker, respectively, on defense.

Junior Will Early will be a weapon at tight end who can flex out and use his physicality, Castor said.

Up front, seniors Kam Shumar and Anthony Rico are returning starters who will anchor both sides of the line.

“Hoping they provide veteran experience for us,” Castor said.

On defense, the Falcons will look to a couple of additional underclassmen to make an impact. Sophomore Cynseir Douglas is a wrestler who will play in the secondary and will “stick his nose in there and make some plays,” Castor said.

At safety, freshman Braiden Scheitlin has one of the highest bench press marks on the team and will make a lot of calls on defense despite being a first-year varsity player.

The group faces some challenges against more established teams on the schedule, but Castor hopes to put the pieces in place to build a competitive program.

“Our goals are to compete,” he said. “The biggest thing is we need to challenge them to be competitors, compete every play and compete through the course of the game.”

Brownsville

Coach: Cody Castor

2024 record: 0-8

All-time record: 416-532-34

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 at Bentworth, 7

8.29 St. Clairsville (Ohio), 7

9.5 at Uniontown, 7

9.19 Conotton Valley, 7

9.26 at Martins Ferry (Ohio), 7

10.3 at Carrick, 7

10.10 at Meyersdale, 7

10.17 Albert Gallatin, 7

10.24 Toronto (Ohio), 7

FAST FACTS

• Castor played at Penn State from 2009-12, serving as a team captain in 2012 in a game vs. Purdue.

• Brownsville averaged 5.2 points per game last season and was outscored 322-42.

• After being shut out in their first three games last season, the Falcons had their best output of the season in a 49-28 loss to Uniontown.

• Brownsville traveled to Maryland and Ohio for games last season. The Falcons will head out of state just once in 2025, visiting Martins Ferry (Ohio).

• Castor will be assisted by Bill Rouse, Ken Silva, Amonti Marsh, Jeremy Ulery, Nick Seto, Tyton Brunner and Joe Hough.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Brownsville