Greensburg Central Catholic primed to follow Samir Crosby’s lead

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, August 19, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Reaching the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs was a highlight for Greensburg Central Catholic coach JT Thompson in his first season.

The experience his team gained from a first-round win over West Greene and a loss to South Side could yield benefits this fall.

GCC had not made the quarters since 2011.

“It’s very valuable,” said Thompson, whose Centurions finished 8-4. “The kids can see what they can do in a year. It gives them confidence and trust in each other.”

GCC returns nine starters — four on offense and five on defense — including Division I prospect and big-play junior Samir Crosby, the Centurions’ centerpiece.

He has heavy interest from Mid-American Conference schools, but his recruiting could be just beginning to blossom.

Versatile, fast, and shifty, Crosby (5-foot-9, 165 pounds) is expected to play quarterback with the graduation of talented leader Tyree Turner, now a basketball player at John Carroll.

Turner threw for 1,584 yards and ran for 684 while figuring in on 30 touchdowns.

Crosby accounted for 1,874 yards last season, catching a team-best 35 receptions for 690 yards and rushing for 634 yards.

He produced 22 touchdowns: nine rushing, seven receiving, two on kick returns, two passing and two on defense.

“We’re similar to last year in some ways,” Thompson said. “We have that talent at quarterback with Samir like we did with Tyree. We want to get the ball to Samir, but we also want to be balanced. He can’t take 75 snaps and 75 hits. There are 11 players out there. We want to try to spread it around.”

The ability for GCC to be balanced will depend on the development of the backfield, which had not settled on a starter or starters at running back heading into camp.

“Right now, it’s by committee,” Thompson said. “Last year, it was Nick Dlugos, but when he got hurt, it was a big loss. I am a big defensive guy, so I want to establish the run. Right now, it’s wide open.”

Junior Jerry Davis, who transferred from Serra Catholic, is a speedster who could be a big-play target for Crosby.

“Jerry has one speed, and it’s 1,000 mph,” Thompson said.

Another junior is Landon Honick, who showed flashes as a breakaway runner last year.

Senior Tucker Lloyd (6-2, 195) should make an impact as a running back and linebacker. He played at The Kiski School last year and had 71 tackles and five sacks in eight games.

Also keep an eye on freshman Blaze Bugosh in the backfield.

Other receiving options are juniors Jackson McMullen and Jackson Lowden and sophomores Colin Smively and Luke Semelka.

A would-be contributor was incoming senior Aidan Allison, but he transferred to Hempfield.

McMullen and junior James Botti are possibilities at tight end.

Up front, Thompson brings back Botti, sophomore Aiden Lent, junior Henry Detweiler and junior Matt Mazowiecki.

Crosby and Turner each had six interceptions last season. Crosby also was active on defense. He led the team with 107 tackles.

Allison was the fifth-leading tackler with 56 stops.

“We have a lot of young kids,” Thompson said. “We have a lot of smart kids. It’s a whole new team with a new personality.”

Senior Ty Rozier, who had 65 tackles and three sacks, did not play football this season.

A freshman also could see time at quarterback in Bobby Smithnosky, the brother of former Mt. Pleasant softball standouts Mary and Sophia Smithnosky.

GCC has nine freshmen on the roster. Thompson said the group shows promise.

Greensburg Central Catholic

Coach: JT Thompson

2023 record: 8-4, 5-1 in Class A Eastern Conference

All-time record: 377-251-18

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Shady Side Academy, 7

8.30 Mt. Pleasant, 7

9.6 at Apollo-Ridge, 7

9.14 at Clairton*#, noon

9.20 Brentwood*, 7

9.27 Riverview*, 7

10.4 Jeannette*, 7

10.11 at Springdale*&, 7

10.18 at Frazier*, 7

10.25 at Leechburg*, 7

* Conference game

& At Burrell

# At Thomas Jefferson

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Tyree Turner*

88-156, 1,584 yards, 18 TDs

Rushing: Tyree Turner*

112-684 yards, 12 TDs

Receiving: Samir Crosby

35-690 yards, 7 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• JT Thompson is in his second year as coach of the Centurions. He was a college coach at St. Francis (Pa.), Marist, Sacred Heart, Mercyhurst, Saint Vincent and Gannon. He coached in the Westmoreland Saints program, which has transitioned into the GCC junior high program, the “Junior Centurions.”

• Junior Samir Crosby has a half-dozen Division I scholarship offers, including Harvard, Kent State, Fordham, Miami of Ohio, Buffalo and UNLV.

• GCC averaged 32 points and allowed 23.8 and finished second in the Eastern Conference behind Clairton.

• The summer roster had 27 players, nine of whom were incoming freshmen.

• The Centurions took a five-game winning streak into the WPIAL Class A playoffs.

• GCC will switch to white helmets.

ROSTER

No., Name, Pos., Cl.

0, Luke Semelka, H/LB, so.

2, Landon Honick, WR/DB, jr.

3, Colin Snively, WR/DB, so.

4, Blasé Bugosh, RB/DB, fr.

5, Bobby Smithnosky, QB/DB, fr.

6, Chase Ferrier, LB, fr.

10, Jerry Davis, WR/DB, jr.

12, Samir Crosby, QB/DB, jr.

13, Alex Snively, WR/DB, fr.

16, Jackson McMullen, QB/LB, sr.

21, Logan Polomoscanik, WR, fr.

23, Jackson Lowden, WR/DB, jr.

30, John-Michael Landa, RB/LB, jr.

32, Tucker Lloyd, H/LB, sr.

45, Brock McMullen, WR/LB, so.

48, Tommy Ames, TE/LB, so.

53, Enzo Bard, OL/DL, fr.

54, Nathan Kuhn, OL/LB, so.

56, Aiden Lent, OL/DL, so.

57, Matthew Mazowiecki, OL/DL, jr.

58, Rhys Weber, OL/DL, fr.

60, Sam Kifer, OL/DL, so.

63, Henry Detwiler, OL/DL, jr.

72, Nicolas Degre, OL/DL, so.

73, Jonah Schneider, OL, sr.

75, Sam Dlugos, OL/DL, fr.

78, Nicholas Sherrin, OL/DL, fr.

88, James Botti, TE/DE, jr.

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.