Greensburg Central Catholic offense shows big-play potential

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, August 18, 2025 | 6:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

With Samir Crosby eyeing a possible move to receiver and Jerry Davis lined up wide opposite him, Greensburg Central Catholic could have big-play ability downfield.

The senior pass-catching duo brings a blend of hands and speed few teams will have this football season. Both can go deep or create in space on short-range throws.

The development of sophomore quarterback Bobby Smithnosky, though, appears to be the key to allowing the standout Crosby to change positions. Crosby and Smithnosky were competing for the starting QB job at the onset of camp.

With a new season still in the green room, GCC had high hopes for those plans and what they could produce.

Getting the ball in the hands of the dynamic Crosby remains the team’s main mode of operation. He is the Centurions’ top returning passer and rusher, so he could also pile up yards on carries.

“I am really excited about this team,” GCC third-year coach JT Thompson said. “We have a good mix of older, experienced kids and talented younger guys. We have the potential to be explosive.”

GCC finished 8-3 and reached the WPIAL Class A quarterfinals before falling to rival Jeannette, 29-23, to snap a seven-game winning streak.

GCC was second in the Eastern Conference behind Clairton.

“We were playing our best football late in the season,” Thompson said. “But we didn’t play our best game in the (quarterfinals).”

Crosby was the Eastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year. The Division I prospect accounted for over 2,500 yards and 40 touchdowns, but he has not caught a pass since his sophomore year.

That should change if he plays more on the perimeter. And Davis, a WPIAL 400-meter champion who had nine receptions for 133 yards and a score last year, adds to the big-play threat. The tandem would be tough to game plan for, given Smithnosky starts and has time to operate.

“We will be multiple on both sides of the ball,” Thompson said. “We should be able to spread it out or pack it in tight and go with three- or four-man fronts. It all starts with our offensive and defensive lines.”

The strong-armed Smithnosky can take pressure off Crosby, who projects as a receiver in college. With the receiving corps getting a jolt, new offensive coordinator Zach Cooper had new wrinkles to think about in the playbook.

“Bobby is an elite baseball player,” Thompson said. “He has arm talent. We need to get him more reps.”

Junior Landon Honick would have been the leading returning receiver, but he transferred to Elizabeth Forward.

Junior Luke Semelka also could figure in as a running back and defensive back.

Sophomore Blase Bugosh also returns to contribute to the backfield. He had 26 carries and a touchdown as a freshman.

“Ultimately, we want to be balanced,” Thompson said. “You can’t force things you’re not good at. You have to work on your weaknesses.”

Five linemen are primed for a big season in junior Aiden Lent (6-3, 260), senior James Botti (6-2, 215), sophomore Sam Dlugos (6-3, 260), sophomore Enzo Bard (5-10, 235) and junior Sam Kifer (6-2, 240).

The front blockers are generally unproven as a unit but also show potential.

The secondary, meantime, is packed with athleticism as it boasts Crosby, Davis and Smithnosky posturing in lockdown mode, while junior Colin Snively, senior Jackson Lowden (39 tackles) and Bugosh also are looking to bat down passes.

GCC had 11 interceptions a year ago.

Crosby also led the team with 67 tackles and five interceptions. Snively had 35 stops and three picks.

At linebacker, juniors Brock McMillen and Thomas Ames are back, although Smithnosky and Davis could line up there as well.

Ames and Botti had 32 tackles each.

Thompson also said he may have a freshman or two who can make an impact.

“I really like the character of this team,” Thompson said. “There is a culture we’ve been building, and the kids get it.”

Thompson thinks GCC could again find itself in the hunt for the Eastern Conference title, but Clairton and Jeannette could have something to say about that.

“It’s going to come down to, who can stay healthy?” Thompson said. “Us, Clairton and Jeannette all lost three seniors. We really have a great little conference.”

Greensburg C.C.

Coach: JT Thompson

2024 record: 8-3, 6-1 in Class A Eastern Conference

All-time record: 385-254-18

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 Shady Side Academy, 7

8.29 at Mt. Pleasant, 7

9.5 Apollo-Ridge, 7

9.12 Clairton*, 7

9.19 at Brentwood*, 7

9.27 at Riverview*, noon

10.3 at Jeannette*, 7

10.10 Springdale*, 7

10.17 Frazier*, 7

10.24 Leechburg*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Samir Crosby

81-146, 1,483 yards, 20 TDs

Rushing: Crosby

152-1,060 yards, 18 TDs

Receiving: Landon Honick**

37-727 yards, 12 TDs

**Transferred

FAST FACTS

• Coach John “JT” Thompson took over in the offseason as GCC’s athletic director, replacing longtime AD and former football coach Dan Mahoney.

• GCC had 30 players for summer workouts. The team battled injuries and low numbers last season, and ended the year with 18 healthy players.

• The Centurions averaged 32 points and allowed 23.5.

• An assistant coach who joined the team late last season is back in Dioh Desuah, a former Seton Hill star and PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year.

ROSTER

No., Name, Pos., Cl.

0, Luke Semelka, RB/DB, jr.

2, Alex Snively, WR/LB, so.

3, Colin Snively, WR/DB, jr.

4, Blasé Bugosh, RB/DB, so.

6, Preston DiCesare, WR/DB, jr.

7, Bobby Smithnosky, QB/DB, so.

9, Lucca Denis, WR/CB, so.

10, Jerry Davis, WR/DB, sr.

11, Tommy Dlugos, WR/DB, fr.

12, Samir Crosby, WR/QB/DB, sr.

15, Stone Felder, RB/DB, fr.

17, Tommy Ames, TE/LB, jr.

21, Logan Polomoscanik, WR/DB, so.

23, Jackson Lowden, WR/DB, sr.

26, Max Weber, RB/LB, fr.

42, Brennen Blanchard, WR/DB, fr.

43, Brock McMullen, WR/LB, jr.

44, Daniel Brady, HB/LB, fr.

45, Chase Ferrier, LB, so.

51, Kayven McAuley, OL/DL, jr.

52, Matthew Mazowiecki, OL/DL, sr.

53, Enzo Bard, OL/DT, so.

54, Carson Kramer, OL/DE, fr.

55, Sam Kifer, OL/DL, jr.

56, Aiden Lent, OL/DL, jr.

57, John Kudla, OL, fr.

58, Rhys Weber, OL/DL/MLB, so.

63, Henry Detwiler, OL/DE, sr.

75, Sam Dlugos, OL/DT, so.

81, Aidan Kerr, OL/DL, fr.

88, James Botti, OL/TE/DE, sr.

Randy Farrow, sr.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.