Elizabeth Forward not ready to relinquish top spot in Class 3A Interstate Conference

By: Jeremy Sellew
Thursday, August 25, 2022 | 10:16 PM

Elizabeth Forward has heard all the rumblings about certain Interstate Conference newcomers. But as far as the Warriors are concerned, they’re still the top dogs.

The Warriors have won the Interstate four out of the last five years, and with a talented lineup coming back, coach Mike Collodi thinks his team is still the favorite there and among the favorites in Class 3A.

“We felt that pain over the last year. The pain of losing to Central Valley in the WPIAL championship two years ago, then losing to them again last season in the semifinals,” Collodi said. “It really motivated us starting way back in January when we started hitting the weight room. In all my years here, this is the best offseason we’ve had and this is definitely the strongest team, weight number-wise we’ve had.”

Not only is it Collodi’s strongest team, it’s one of the most talented and experienced teams he’s had returning that simply embodies his “fast and physical” brand of football.

Everything with the offense will start with Zion White at quarterback. After bursting onto the scene as a sophomore in the playoffs, White struggled a bit with his accuracy last season. But after a great offseason, Collodi is confident that’s behind the signal caller.

“Zion didn’t play basketball this offseason and he worked hard on himself. He’s bigger, faster and stronger,” Collodi said. “This summer, we’ve done more 7-on-7s than we ever have before. He’s highly intelligent and he’s really refined himself at the position. I’m really excited for the season he can have seeing that all his receivers are back.”

The Warriors return nine starters offensively this season.

On the outside, Zach Boyd is back as one of White’s top targets. Boyd, who has multiple Division II and a small Division I offer, has never looked better to the coaching staff.

“He’s better than ever. He missed the last two basketball seasons because of injury, and this is the strongest he’s looked. You can’t even tell he was injured,” Collodi said. “When we went to these 7-on-7 tournaments, Zach dominated every one of them against great competition.”

Joining Boyd at receiver will be sophomore Charlie Nigut and senior speedster Keilly Rush. Junior Isaiah Turner is the fourth receiver.

“Keilly is going to be a problem,” Collodi said. “When he was at a camp in Texas, he ran a 4.51 40-yard dash. He’s a track guy, really quick. He’s going to be a great weapon.”

Replacing the graduated Kyle Flournoy at running back will be senior Johnny DiNapoli, a quick and thunderous runner.

“He’s an absolute bull back there,” Collodi said with a laugh. “I don’t see too many guys wanting to get in front of him and try to bring him down in the second half of games. That’s what he does. He hits the hole and he’s looking to lay someone out.”

Sophomore Jace Brown will move from the offensive line into the H-back position, while former tight end Charlie Meehleib will slide into the right tackle spot.

“Charlie is such an unselfish kid,” Collodi said of the junior. “I think he really learned a lot of Chase Whatton when he was here and it’s a similar path. We needed Chase to fill that role, and he did. It was the same last year in the playoffs. Charlie volunteered to fill that hole for us because the team needed him. That’s what kind of player he is. He’s a big, strong, mobile kid there that’s going to be a strength on that line.”

As a whole, Collodi thinks the offensive and defensive line will be the strength for the Warriors, even with all the skill around them.

Krystian Kennedy will protect White’s blind side at left tackle with Dylan Winters at left guard. Ricky Prokop will be at center with Chris Climes, a sophomore transfer from Brownsville, at right guard.

“Climes is an all-conference player that came over,” Collodi said. “All those guys are strong in their roles. We have a lot of experience on the line and I tell those guys all the time that they’re going to be the key to our success.”

When the Warriors flip to defense, Meehleib and Jordan Wilmore will be the defensive ends with Winters at the nose guard spot. Climes will also see time in the rotation along the line.

The hard-hitting DiNapoli and Prokop will be the inside linebackers with Brown at outside linebacker.

“We have a pretty good battle for the other outside spot. We’ll see how it turns out in camp between senior Alex Potts and junior Dom DeRenzo,” Collodi said. “They’re both going to see time out there, though.

“When it comes to inside, I’m really excited about Ricky. A lot of people don’t realize he’s a two-, three-year starter. He works extremely hard and he’s going to play a big role for us on that side of the ball.”

Collodi raves about his defensive backfield, highlighted by Boyd and Rush on the outside. They’ll be joined by Turner and Nigut.

Logan Beedle will handle the kicking duties for the Warriors, while Nigut will be the punter again.

Special teams is an area where the Warriors have thrived with the return game of Boyd and Nigut.

“I think we had something like five or six kick returns last season,” Collodi said. “That’s a big part of the game and a big part of our overall success. The game is three phases and any time you can get points from your special teams, you’re in a good position.”

Joining Elizabeth Forward in the Interstate Conference will be holdovers South Allegheny, Southmoreland and Mt. Pleasant. Greensburg Salem dropped down from Class 5A, while neighboring Belle Vernon moved in from Class 4A.

A showdown with the Leopards is one thing that’s been on the Warriors’ radar since the new alignment was released by the WPIAL.

“Any time you get to match up with a rival, it’s a big deal,” Collodi said. “Matt (Humbert) and I are friends. There’s a mutual respect between us as coaches. I think it’s going to be really fun.

“They’re 5 miles up the road and these players on both teams have been reading all about each other the past few years. Now, we get to see them on the field at our place in the last game of the year. We have some work to do before that, but it’s an opportunity we’re really excited about.”

Elizabeth Forward

Coach: Mike Collodi

2021 record: 9-3, 6-0 in Class 3A Interstate Conference

All-time record: 428-503-36

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.26 at Ringgold, 7

9.2 West Mifflin, 7

9.9 at East Allegheny, 7

9.16 Shady Side Academy, 7

9.23 at Knoch, 7

9.30 at Southmoreland*, 7

10.7 Mt. Pleasant*, 7

10.14 South Allegheny*, 7

10.21 at Greensburg Salem*, 7

10.28 Belle Vernon*, 7

*Conference game