Elizabeth Forward out to maintain high standards after coaching change

By: Jose Negron
Thursday, August 24, 2023 | 6:01 AM

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While there’s a new leader at the helm of the Elizabeth Forward football program, expectations aren’t going to change for the Warriors.

“They’ve been on a roll, and they’ve had a lot of success, so I don’t see that stopping now,” said John DeMarco, who enters his first season as EF’s coach after being hired to replace Mike Collodi in April.

“We’ve implemented a whole new offense and defense, but they’ve responded well. They’re used to winning and they expect to win.”

The Warriors are coming off a season in which they went 9-2 and advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.

They suffered a loss to the reigning WPIAL and PIAA champions from Belle Vernon in their regular-season finale before falling short against Shady Side Academy in the district quarterfinals.

EF intends to once again contend for the top spot in 3A’s Interstate Conference. In addition to the Leopards, the Warriors will be joined in conference play by Greensburg Salem, Mt. Pleasant, South Allegheny and Southmoreland.

“I think we’ll be in the top half of the conference,” DeMarco said. “As long as we can avoid the injuries, I think we can play for a conference championship.”

Having good quarterback play is normally an important ingredient in the recipe to winning a conference title.

With the graduation of Zion White, the Warriors have a void to be filled under center.

DeMarco expects to utilize a two-quarterback system with sophomore Ryan Messina and junior Charlie Nigut.

“We’re going to use them in two completely different ways,” DeMarco explained. “Charlie is more of a smaller guy that can run and Ryan is a young guy who we’re going to have to take our time with. Ryan’s throwing the ball real well, but he doesn’t have any experience, and in a spread offense, there are a lot of reads and there’s a lot to know. We’ll take it slow with him.”

Whether it’s Messina or Nigut lining up at quarterback, they’ll be well protected with an offensive line that will include seniors Charlie Meehleib and Dylan Winters and juniors Chris Climes and Alex Dziadyk.

“Our line is definitely one of our strong points,” DeMarco said. “The guys we have coming back are great leaders who work hard and double as great football players.”

Some of the playmakers the Warriors will rely on in the backfield are Nigut and junior Jace Brown, who gained valuable experience as a sophomore running back last season.

At wide receiver, senior Isaiah Turner and juniors AJ Grese and Connor Fleming will be among the top targets for EF’s quarterback duo.

Senior Dom DeRenzo, who is back after suffering a season-ending injury in camp last year, and sophomore Anthony St. Angelo will play important roles on offense and defense as well.

“The combination of a young quarterback and a great line really works for us,” DeMarco said. “If we have to run the ball, we’ll run the ball, but we have some really good guys to throw to as well.”

As a playmaker, DeMarco noted that Nigut is one of the most exciting players he’s ever seen.

“Charlie can really play,” DeMarco added. “He does it on both sides of the ball too. When he touches the ball, he’s exciting to watch.”

Defensively, the Warriors will be led by Meehleib, a Bucknell commit who was named defensive player of the year in the Interstate Conference last season.

Brown, Climes and Turner are among the other leaders for the defensive group. Meehleib and Climes will return to the defensive line, Brown will start at linebacker and Turner will lead the group of defensive backs.

“Climes is a Division I caliber player who is really going to turn some heads,” DeMarco said. “Isaiah is going to be in the backfield shutting everybody down, too, so we have a nice mixture of talented kids on the defensive side of the ball. I think we’re going to be tough to run against because our front is big and has a lot of experience.”

For Elizabeth Forward to have success, avoiding significant injuries will be crucial.

“We have 46 here and we do have a good amount of experienced leaders, but we also have a lot of younger kids,” DeMarco said. “If we get a couple of key injuries, it’s going to change the whole dynamic of this team. If we stay injury free, we’re going to be a tough out.”

Elizabeth Forward

Coach: John DeMarco

2022 record: 9-2, 4-1 in Class 3A Interstate Conference

All-time record: 437-505-36

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 Ringgold, 7

9.1 at West Mifflin, 7

9.8 East Allegheny, 7

9.15 at Shady Side Academy, 7

9.22 Knoch, 7

9.29 Southmoreland*, 7

10.6 at Mt. Pleasant*, 7

10.13 at South Allegheny*, 7

10.20 Greensburg Salem*, 7

10.27 at Belle Vernon*, 7

*Conference game