Greensburg Salem aims to stay healthy, use balanced offense
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Thursday, August 15, 2024 | 6:01 AM
Greensburg Salem’s Anthony Matthews dives for an interception during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Greensburg Salem head coach Ty George during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Greensburg Salem’s Kai Brunot scores a touchdown during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Greensburg Salem quarterback Peyton Chrismar throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Balance gives Greensburg Salem the best chance to win, second-year coach Ty George said.
“You don’t want to force yourself into a situation where you rely too much (on the run or pass),” George said. “The more options you have, the harder it is to stop.”
A couple of injuries to key players last year prevented the Golden Lions from being proportional in their spread offense. But both are healthy now and are looking to reassert themselves as key contributors.
Senior Peyton Chismar returns to play quarterback after missing time last year, and senior Kai Brunot is back as a key ball carrier.
Chismar is competing for the starting job against a familiar name — his brother, sophomore Brody Chismar. Both played in seven games last year, with Brody passing for 643 yards and five touchdowns. Peyton had 335 yards and one score.
“They are used to the dynamic of (brothers playing quarterback),” George said.
“Both are ready to play, and we’re going to need both of them to play. It’s a brotherly competition. It makes it entertaining.”
George said both Chismars will need to be play for the team to have success, although that doesn’t mean a rotation at QB.
Peyton can line up at tight end, Brody at receiver. Peyton also is a key defensive cog at linebacker.
“They both will be on the field,” the coach said.
Brunot, a quick and shifty runner, was limited to four games after suffering a lacerated kidney early in the year.
“He looks good, so we’re encouraged,” George said. “He ran track in the spring.”
The team returns seven starters on both sides of the ball — nine overall.
Another is junior Brady Smith, the team’s top returning rusher (503 yards) who took over in the backfield when Brunot was injured in Week 3.
George said he has a number of players who can provide leadership, making the practice of picking captains a challenge.
“We have 13 or 14 seniors. This group (of seniors) played together for a long time,” George said. “(Leadership) is more by committee.”
Other starters back include senior Azreal Franklin (OL/DL), senior Jack McGough (OL/DL), senior Cole Savage (OL/LB), senior Dom Rosensteel (WR/DB), senior Keegan Young (WR/DB) and junior Max Topper (TE/LB).
Rosensteel led the Golden Lions with 39 receptions and 82 tackles. He also had two interceptions.
Young was second with 20 catches.
Junior Anthony Matthews (WR/DB) had 49 tackles and a pick.
The Golden Lions, who went 2-8 last season (1-4 conference), will continue to play in Class 3A, but in a revamped Interstate Conference.
The lineup now includes Derry, Elizabeth Forward, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland and Yough.
“It’s nice to get those local matchups,” George said. “It creates a nice atmosphere. People would rather travel 20 minutes to watch us play than (hour-plus trips in the past).”
George said he is more settled heading into his second season as coach.
“Last year was a transition year,” he said. “The kids are more settled and confident now. I am more settled. We have a lot of kids returning, and that should pay dividends. ”
Greensburg Salem
Coach: Ty George
2023 record: 2-8, 1-4 in Class 3A Interstate Conference
All-time record: 711-414-39
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23 Albert Gallatin, 7
8.30 Ligonier Valley, 7
9.6 Valley, 7
9.13 at Ringgold, 7
9.20 Ambridge, 7
9.27 at Elizabeth Forward*, 7
10.4 Mt. Pleasant*, 7
10.11 at Derry*, 7
10.18 at Yough*, 7
10.25 Southmoreland*, 7
* Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Brody Chismar
61-108, 643 yards, 5 TDs
Rushing: Brady Smith
113-503 yards, 6 TDs
Receiving: Dom Rosensteel
39-551 yards, 4 TDs
FAST FACTS
• The Golden Lions won’t play traditional rival Hempfield this season, but they have nonconference games against Albert Gallatin, Ligonier Valley, Ambridge, Valley and Ringgold.
• The team averaged 15.8 points a game last season and allowed 37.3.
• Veteran coaches Rich Bowen and Casey Cavanaugh will once again assist Ty George. The duo has 201 wins between them as head coaches at several stops.
• Recent alum Donovan Waller also has joined the staff.
• Greensburg Salem has 711 wins, 18th-most in state history, seventh-most in the WPIAL and second-most in Westmoreland County behind Jeannette (777).
ROSTER
No., Name, Cl.
2, Brady Smith, sr.
3, Solomon Cain, fr.
4, Anthony Matthews, jr.
5, Jackson Hostetler, jr.
6, Brody Chismar, so.
7, Cooper Dann, sr.
8, Noah Dudek, jr.
9, Tanner Schmidt, jr.
10, Brandt Sandstrom, fr.
11, Braydon Miller, fr.
12, Peyton Chismar, jr.
14, Christian Cole, so.
15, Dorian Burt, jr.
16, Tyrese Lewis, jr.
18, Dominic Rosensteel, sr.
19, Connor Wilson, so.
20, Jackson Stevey, fr.
21, Keegan Young, sr.
25, Akheim McCreary, jr.
27, Terron Colson, fr.
29, Grady Rizzo, so.
30, Caiden Orr, jr.
32, Kai Brunot, sr.
35, Max Topper, so.
40, Austin Brown, jr.
50, Jack McGough, jr.
51, Eddie Johnson, fr.
52, Azreal Franklin, so.
53, Elijah McKinley, fr.
54, Brayden Armstrong, sr.
56, Cole Savage, sr.
58, Ender Cosgrove, sr.
62, Orion Leone, fr.
68, Ayden Mars, so.
69, Isaiah Stillwagon, jr.
70, Tucker Guerrieri, fr.
72, Jaleel Woody, jr.
75, Colin Carloni, so.
77, Nico Hardaway, fr.
83, Xayvion McKinley, fr.
84, Aden Krug, jr.
85, Wesley Heverly, sr.
86, Brandon Ginder, sr.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.
Tags: Greensburg Salem
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