Derry looking for continued success in move to Class 3A
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Thursday, August 15, 2024 | 6:01 AM
Derry’s Damauri Robinson goes through drills during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
Derry head coach Mike Arone during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
Derry’s Brady Brown goes through drills during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
Derry’s Collin Barkley goes through drills during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
Derry’s Brady Brown goes through drills during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
Derry’s Damauri Robinson goes through drills during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
Derry’s Collin Barkley goes through drills during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
Derry head coach Mike Arone during practice Aug. 8, 2024 at Derry Area High School.
It was a huge leap for the Derry football team in 2023.
The Trojans ended a 20-game losing streak, won five games and qualified for the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs.
Even though the Trojans (5-6 overall, 4-3 Allegheny Conference) fell to McGuffey, 25-13, in the postseason, the program made major strides.
Third-year coach Mike Arone is hoping for similar improvement this season in a new classification.
After spending the past two seasons in Class 2A, the Trojans return to Class 3A in the Interstate Conference with familiar foes: Greensburg Salem, Elizabeth Forward, Southmoreland, Mt. Pleasant and Yough.
“It was an improvement, that’s for sure,” Arone said of the 2023 season. “We got a couple guys back out from injuries, and the players bought into what we wanted. We need to continue to show improvement.”
One area Derry should be good this season is on defense: The Trojans return nine starters and one part-time starter.
Arone hopes experience helps the defense, which allowed 28.6 points per game.
Heading the list is sophomore middle linebacker Brady Brown, a first-team all-conference selection.
Others back are defensive ends Collin Barkley and Aiden Piper, nose guard Jake Handel, outside linebackers Max Doherty and Vinnie Dudzinsky, cornerbacks Damauri Robinson and Max Doperak and safeties Mason Horwat and Brett Klim.
The Trojans must replace inside linebacker Nathan Barkley and safety Ahmad Ward, who led the team with six interceptions.
“I felt we improved during the season and played the run better,” Arone said. “We need to improve our pass defense.”
Arone has some holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball.
He has two sophomores — Anthony Sacco and Horwat — battling for the quarterback spot to replace Mason Beeman, who graduated. Beeman completed 51 of 138 passes for 589 yards and three touchdowns.
“We may do the quarterback position by committee,” Arone said. “Both bring similar games. Both are also good receivers. I’m looking for a quarterback who can run the offense efficiently.”
The larger hole to fill is replacing Ward, the team’s leading rusher with 1,279 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had 13 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown.
Filling Ward’s shoes could be Robinson, who played the slot position. He led the team with 17 catches for 273 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 236 yards and three scores.
“We have to find ways to get the ball in Damauri’s hands,” Arone said. “We have a lot of guys who are capable of running the ball. That spot is up for grabs.”
Also in the mix at running back are Brown, Preston Donovan, Justin Papuga and Doherty.
The strength on the offensive side is the line. Back are center Ethan Bendel, left guard Barkley, guard/tackle Owen Monnich, right tackle Piper and left tackle Handel.
Arone also is searching for players at wide receiver. He expects contributions from Anthony Frank, Braden Robinson and Doperak.
“One thing the wide receivers must do in our offense is block,” Arone said.
Derry’s nonconference schedule will be a test, starting at Ligonier Valley, which returns numerous starters, followed by Freeport, Deer Lakes, Burrell and Indiana before opening conference play Sept. 27 at Southmoreland.
“I like our conference,” Arone said. “It’s going to be very competitive, that’s for sure.”
Derry
Coach: Mike Arone
2023 record: 5-6, 4-3 in Class 2A Allegheny Conference
All-time record: 272-372-14
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23 at Ligonier Valley, 7
8.30 Freeport, 7
9.6 Deer Lakes, 7
9.13 at Burrell, 7
9.20 Indiana, 7
9.27 at Southmoreland*, 7
10.4 Elizabeth Forward*, 7
10.11 Greensburg Salem*, 7
10.18 at Mt. Pleasant*, 7
10.25 at Yough*, 7
*Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Mason Beeman*
51-138, 589 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing: Ahmad Ward*
232-1,279 yards, 16 TDs
Receiving: Damauri Robinson
17-273 yards, 1 TD
*Graduated
FAST FACTS
• The Trojans ended a 20-game losing streak by defeating Greensburg Salem, 26-21, last season.
• Kicker Gabe Gess made 22 of 24 extra-point attempts
• The Trojans were 5-0 when they scored 22 points or more in 2023.
• Derry returns nine starters on defense.
ROSTER
No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.
1, Brady Brown, RB/LB, 5-8/195, so.
2, Anthony Frank, WR/DB, 5-9/145, so.
3, Noah Stough, WR/DB, 5-5/134, so.
5, Aiden Frank, RB/LB, 5-5/140, so.
8, Chris Kubistek, RB/LB/DB, 5-5/126, so.
9, Max Doherty, RB/WR/LB/DB, 5-9/180, so.
10, Justin Papuga, RB/TE/LB, 5-10/185, jr.
11, Damauri Robinson, WR/DB, 6-0/155, sr.
13, Ricky Daniels, WR/DB, 5-10/160, jr.
16, Jason Ruckel, WR/DB, 5-6/140, sr.
17, Jacob Jewel, RB/LB, 5-9/180, sr.
18, Matthew Gunter, WR/DB, 5-6/130, jr.
20, Anthony Sacco, WR/QB/DB, 5-6/130, so.
21, Max Doperak, WR/DB, 5-4/130, jr.
25, Andrew Snyder, WR/DB, 5-10/155, jr.
26, Hunter Smith, WR/DB, 5-8/120, jr.
29, Gabbriel Gess, K, 5-8/155, sr.
30, Aspen Blystone, WR/DB, 5-9/150, so.
32, Jaiden Beeman, WR/LB, 6-0/160, so.
33, Brett Klim, RB/WR/DB, 5-6/124, sr.
44, Preston Donovan, RB/LB, 5-8/175, so.
45, Vincent Dudzinsky, OL/OLB, 6-3/160, sr.
50, Franklin Palmer, OL/DL, 5-4/170, jr.
52, Devin Ohler, OL/DL, 5-4/185, so.
54, Chris Shannon, OL/LB, 5-5/160, so.
60, Colin Barkley, OL/DL, 5-9/180, sr.
65, Owen Monnich, OL/DL, 6-0/220, sr.
70, Alexander Basay, OL/DL, 5-9/220, so.
72, Ethan Bendel, OL/DL, 5-7/210, sr.
75, Aiden Piper, OL/DL, 6-1/290, so.
76, Jake Handel, OL/DL, 6-0/250, jr.
Cameron Beeman, WR/LB, 5-9/150, fr.
Hunter Hanning, OL/DL, 5-10/250, fr.
Jacob Harris, RB/LB, 5-9/160, sr.
Skyler Hill, WR/DB, 5-8/120, fr.
John Itchue, OL/DL, 6-0/260, fr.
Gage Johns, WR/DB, 5-9/135, fr.
Chase Lukon, OL/DL, 6-0/220, so.
Terrance Martin, WR/DB, 5-8/125, fr.
Jakeob Mellinger, OL/DL, 5-10/210, fr.
Evan Monnich, OL/DL, 5-9/190, fr.
Brayden Robinson, WR/DB, 6-1/175, jr.
Tanner Shurina, WR/LB, 6-3/160, so.
William Stockett-Harter, WR/OLB, 6-1/183, jr.
Tim Wedow, WR/DB, 5-10/130, fr.
Kaden Weiers, WR/LB/DB, 5-10/170, jr.
Karsen Weiers, WR/DB, 5-8/130, fr.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Derry Area
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