Frazier eager to break into win column

By: Jason Black
Friday, August 26, 2022 | 12:00 PM

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The Frazier football team wasn’t happy with the way things went throughout the 2021 season. The Commodores struggled from start to finish on their way to an 0-9 season.

A total of 13 players graduated from the 2021 squad, but the holdovers from last year, coupled with the new additions to this year’s team, are out to prove that the Commodores are much better than a winless football team.

“They’re enthusiastic, energetic and they are wanting to change a lot of minds,” Frazier coach Mike Shannon said. “The record is what it says it is, but I think they know that they are not a zero-win team.”

Shannon likes the atmosphere surrounding this team.

As an assistant under former coach Greg Boggs last season, Shannon is excited about his first season as coach of the Commodores.

Shannon is a former player at Hampton High School, where he served two stints as an assistant coach.

Shannon was also an assistant under Mike Steeber at Frazier several years ago before returning last season for his second tenure with the team.

The new head coach believes that in some ways, the struggles last year will help the Commodores throughout the 2022 season.

“We are anxious to prove that we aren’t push-overs,” Shannon said. “I think right now, a lot of teams are circling us on their schedule, and saying, ‘Hey, at least we play Frazier.’ But we’re not going to be push-overs. The energy is good.”

Shannon noted that there is some strong leadership on the team with at least 10 returning lettermen on the roster.

However, one issue the Commodores may have to deal with going forward is a lack of depth. Entering the season, the roster includes 26 players.

Still, Shannon is more than happy with the work put in by those 26.

“I want volunteers not hostages,” Shannon said. “I’d rather have guys that want to be here rather than 40 guys that are just going through the motions.”

With only a couple of handfuls of lettermen, it was certainly obvious that there were starting positions up for grabs throughout camp.

Perhaps the biggest position battle is under center. Two players emerged as the front-runners to handle the starting quarterback duties.

Senior Adam Phillips and sophomore Dailan McManus are each vying for playing time at quarterback.

In fact, both bring certain strengths and both could be used.

“Phillips was a top-five quarterback at the Tri-County Coaches Combine,” Shannon said, also pointing out that the senior leadership Phillips brings to the team is important. “McManus is a good athlete and he has a very good arm. We’re going to give them both a lot of looks.”

In the backfield, Shannon has options there as well.

Senior Austin Wilson is a returning lettermen who could lead the way in the run game, along with freshman Jordan Mandich, who, according to Shannon, really opened some eyes with his pass-catching ability out of the backfield at the Tri-County event.

A third, and perhaps the most dangerous option, is senior Keyshaun Thompson. A wide receiver in most instances, Thompson may also line up in the backfield in certain formations.

“We have to get the ball to him,” Shannon said of Thompson. “He is a playmaker.”

While Thompson figures to be the top wideout, several other Commodores will provide a threat in the passing game as well.

Sophomore Andrew Bandish will be a special player to watch, Shannon said.

Freshman Jacob Fabus and sophomore Ethan Farquhar will also see time in the passing game.

McManus, if not playing quarterback, could also mix in as a wide receiver.

At tight end, Jeremiah Oldham brings senior leadership as a returning letterman, and he will be complemented nicely by fellow senior Darian Bateman and sophomore Tyler Monack.

Along the offensive front, a trio of returning lettermen will provide stability and strength to the line.

Junior Lucas Stevens will anchor the line at center, with seniors Jaedyn Marish and Randy Pellick alongside him.

“(Having those lettermen) is crucial for us because we will be a run-first offense,” Shannon said. “We are a slug-it-out team. We want to keep games close and have a chance to win it in the end. The offensive line has to be the smartest group of players on the field. Having those three guys out there is like having other coaches on the field.”

Senior Owen Timms and juniors Bruno Sammartino and Landon Finfrock will also be part of an offensive line intent on establishing a hard-nosed mentality.

With a small roster, expect a lot of players on offense to turn around and play on the defensive side as well.

Sammartino, Stevens, Pellick and Monack will all play along the defensive line, with sophomore Conner Reams also adding to the defensive front.

“We are switching to a 3-5-3 and we want to be more of an attacking defense,” Shannon said.

There are plenty of linebackers who want to be a part of Frazier’s attacking style.

Marish and Oldham, along with sophomores Josh Girvin and Dagan Baccino, will help comprise the Commodores’ group of inside linebackers. Wilson, Mandich and senior Scott Marks will play primarily on the outside.

Bandish will drop back into the secondary and play at cornerback, along with Thompson.

Farquhar and Fabus could also slot in at corner with Phillips and McManus playing safety.

In terms of special teams, nothing is settled as far as which player or players will handle the kicking and punting duties.

In recent seasons, the Commodores have competed in Class 2A. However, under the WPIAL realignment, Frazier will compete in Class A.

The Commodores will compete in the Eastern Conference along with Clairton, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette, Leechburg, Riverview and Springdale.

“We got moved into a new conference, but it gives us a new opportunity,” Shannon said. “There are some high-profile teams in our conference, and I think we will have a lot of eyes on our games. It’s a unique challenge, but we have a shot at these guys. We’re going to get in there and we’re going to fight.”

As a first-year head coach, Shannon is thrilled with the team’s attitude entering the 2022 season.

“What has me most excited is that the kids are ready to play football,” Shannon said. “They are so motivated to play the game and they feel like it is their time.”

Obviously the Commodores will be trying to win as many games as they can, but after a winless season, steps need to be taken in order for the program to transform into a contender again.

Frazier hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since 2017, but that’s not the focus of the 2022 team.

“Our expectation is to have a successful season,” Shannon said. “That means doing the work in the classroom and playing the game the way it is supposed to be played.”

As a social studies teacher at Frazier, Shannon has the added benefit of being around his players constantly.

“We are working hard every day and they’re going to be proud to wear that jersey on Friday nights,” Shannon said.

Shannon, who will also serve as the team’s offensive coordinator, will be assisted by coaches Jacob Girvin (defensive coordinator), Jared Hartman (quarterbacks), Ian Baccino (offensive line/defensive line), Jacob Celaschi (defensive assistant) and Nic Hixenbaugh (special teams).

Frazier

Coach: Mike Shannon

2021 record: 0-9, 0-5 in Class 2A Century Conference

All-time record: 339-449-16

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.26 California, 7

9.2 at Mapletown, 7

9.9 Monessen, 7

9.16 at Jeannette*, 7

9.23 Riverview*, 7

9.30 at Leechburg*, 7

10.7 Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7

10.14 at Springdale*, 7

10.21 Clairton*, 7

10.28 at Northgate, 7

*Conference game

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