Fichter more optimistic for 2nd season at Brownsville

By: Greg Macafee
Monday, August 19, 2019 | 11:26 PM

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville1-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville sophomore quarterback Hunter Assad competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville9-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville freshman offensive lineman Wally Furlong competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville8-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville freshman wide reciever Keyshaun Thompson competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville4-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville junior wide reciever JaVaughn Dove competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville6-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville junior offensive/defensive lineman Pat Shumar competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville7-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville junior offensive/defensive lineman Leonard Harris competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville5-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville junior offensive lineman Ross Swords III competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville3-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville junior running back Vandell Page competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

1546538_web1_ptr-Brownsville2-081819 — Chris Lackner | Tribune-Review

Brownsville junior running back/defensive back Dan Grant competes during a seven-on-seven competiton July 18, 2019, at Connellsville High School.

Even before the 2018 season started, the Brownsville football team was facing an uphill battle.

Coach Scott Fichter didn’t take over the program until June, and the Falcons weren’t fully staffed until around August. Because of the late start, Fichter’s ability to develop a program was hampered.

After a full offseason for him and his staff to develop the players on the field and in the weight room, Fichter is feeling optimistic heading into his second season.

“Just with our competitiveness in seven-on-sevens and how we’ve started heat acclimation and camp, compared to last year,” Fichter said. “I feel that we are way more prepared as a staff and as a team of athletes. The team has responded to it well, too, so it’s been a positive offseason for us.”

Along with a positive offseason, the Falcons return a few key players from last year who will be crucial to their success. To start, sophomore quarterback Hunter Assad is back for his second year as the starter.

Assad (6-foot, 160-pounds) completed 20 of 69 attempts for 345 yards and three touchdowns. Fichter said Assad has taken large strides this offseason in order to improve for his sophomore year.

“He has put in a lot of time and extra time aside from what we do practice,” Fichter said. “You can see a lot of growth in him in a positive way. So we are excited to see what he’s got this year, just from how much he has grown.”

Joining Assad in the backfield will be juniors Vandal Paige and Danny Grant. Both running backs saw time last season and combined for 480 yards and two touchdowns. Fichter is excited to see how the pair will perform after waiting their turn behind last season’s incumbent, Lucas Harn.

“Those guys are two of the hardest working individuals, and it’s a blessing to have them for another year still,” Fichter said. “We are excited to see what they can do because last year we had a senior in the backfield, and now that he’s graduated it’s their turn, it’s their place.”

The Falcons haven’t had a winning season in the past decade, including three winless seasons, one of which was 2018. Fichter has tried to turn that into a positive and use it as motivation for his players.

“The kids have really grasped that hard work,” Fichter said. “Anytime you don’t win it’s tough, but they really want to be that change. They want to make things better. They want to have a positive impact this year.”

While Fichter attempts to turn his program around, the competition that they face year-in and year-out doesn’t give him any breaks. With teams such as Charleroi, Washington, McGuffey and Burgettstown, life in the Class 2A Interstate Conference is tough.

“We have some great teams in our conference. Our whole schedule is filled with high-quality teams,” Fichter said. “The opponents are tough, but our focus is on what we need to do and we’ll go from there.”

Schedule

Coach: Scott Fichter

2018 record: 0-10,0-7

All-time record: 413-486-34

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23, at Bentworth, 7

8.30, Shady Side Academy, 7

9.6, at Beth-Center*, 7

9.13, Washington*, 7

9.20, Southmoreland*, 7

9.27, at Jeannette*, 7

10.4, McGuffey*, 7