East Allegheny focused on erasing 1-9 memory

By: Dave Mackall
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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East Allegheny wishes it could forget that awful record, but the returning players and coaches won’t. Besides, they really can’t.

One win and nine losses.

“We went 1-9 last season,” Wildcats coach Frank Cortazzo lamented. “We don’t want to do that again.”

Frankly, who would?

“It’s sort of been the battle cry, the motivation. We’ve got to do a little better this season,” Cortazzo said.

Eight starters on offense and nine on defense return, some with the experience of a full season after many were thrust into the lineup for the first time.

“Most of these kids now have played Friday nights, and they realized they had to get stronger and be accountable for doing the little things right,” Cortazzo said.

A total of 11 seniors and 12 juniors make up virtually half of East Allegheny’s 43-man roster.

“We have a great core group of leaders,” Cortazzo said. “I look for great things for them because they work so hard. They want to make a difference. We don’t even mention 1-9 much anymore, but we know the focus is what we strive for.”

Though leading rusher Kam Marshall is among those having moved on, quarterback Cedric Mack Jr. and leading receiver D.J. Warren — both seniors — are among the returnees after both produced stellar showings amid the Wildcats’ disastrous season.

Marshall passed for more than 2,000 yards with 22 touchdowns as a junior, while Warren nearly reached 1,000 yards receiving and caught eight of Mack’s TD tosses.

“Cedric is such a mobile lefty with a great arm,” Cortazzo said. “D.J. Warren and (fellow receiver) Chris Portis both had good seasons. Those guys were our leaders on the offensive side.”

Junior Ricardo Oakes and sophomore Tawrynce Mosley return as starters on the offensive line.

“Another year has brought them in bigger and stronger,” Cortazzo said. “Those guys have really stepped up.”

Seniors Brendan Loya and Charles Ward were expected to bolster the defensive line.

“They’re two of our stronger kids in the weight room,” Cortazzo said, adding that because the Wildcats are a bit undersized, they’ll need to count on speed and quickness.

“We don’t have those 300-pound guards. Our guys are 180, 190, 200,” he said. “We want to get a body on a body and keep that defender away from our ballcarriers.

Cortazzo has been intrigued by sophomore Camden Brammell, whom the coach confirmed is capable of completing squats in excess of 500 pounds and a clean lift of as much as 300 pounds.

With Mack behind center, East Allegheny looks to continue terrorizing opposing secondaries.

Juniors Tanner Loya and Ronte Lawrence are other possible targets, both of whom have been working out at wide receiver and defensive back.

“We’ve got some skill players we think we’ll be able to move around and do a lot of good things,” said Cortazzo, who emphasized that a more versatile offense is needed for a better chance at succeeding.

Indeed, he said, the hope is for an improved running game, despite the departure of Marshall by way of graduation.

No matter how the season plays out, Cortazzo hopes to spread an optimistic message inside the Wildcats’ locker room, as well as out.

“These kids all have a great attitude. They’ve been really receptive. They’re taking on the coaching,” he said. “We’re pushing them a little harder this year. We’re having less complaining and more gaining.

“We don’t want to go 1-9 again.”

East Allegheny

Coach: Frank Cortazzo

2024 record: 1-9, 1-5 in Class 3A Allegheny 7 Conference

All-time record: 340-271-23

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 South Park, 7

8.29 Southmoreland, 7

9.5 at Elizabeth Forward, 7

9.12 Highlands*, 7

9.19 at Deer Lakes*, 7

9.26 Burrell*, 7

10.3 at Imani Christian*, 7

10.10 Valley*, 7

10.17 at Freeport*, 7

10.24 Fox Chapel, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Cedric Mack Jr.

158-293, 2,034 yards, 22 TDs

Rushing: Kam Marshall*

78-520 yards, 6 TDs

Receiving: D.J. Warren

58-933 yards, 8 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• The East Allegheny School District refers to it as a “Glow Up.” In June, the district unveiled a rebranded Wildcat logo, which it said “embodies our focused commitment to empowering and igniting the potential of every EA student — challenging them, supporting their growth and creating opportunities for success.” What’s more, to see the brand-new emblem better, an upgrade in lighting was completed at the high school football field in time for the start of the season.

• East Allegheny takes a two-game losing streak from last season into its opener Aug. 22 against visiting South Park. The Wildcats’ only victory a year ago came Sept. 11 at winless Valley, a 41-26 decision against the Vikings.

• Sophomore Camden Brammell, an elite cross country cyclist who also plays basketball, just might be East Allegheny’s most versatile football player. According his personal page on video hosting site Hudl, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Brammell lists his positions as tight end, tackle, guard, defensive end, defensive tackle, nose guard and outside linebacker. Coach Frank Cortazzo said Brammell likely will play on both lines, possibly at offensive tackle and defensive end or middle linebacker.

Tags: East Allegheny