In early season, Penn Hills working to fit pieces together

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, September 8, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Charles Morris recognizes the early-season struggles the Penn Hills football team has been forced to battle through.

The Indians coach knows the program has new faces, and everyone is still figuring out how to work together. Penn Hills was too generous to its opponents during its first two games of the season, losing to Susquehanna Township and Woodland Hills.

“I think we’re going through that phase, and we’re trying to build chemistry,” Morris said. “A few kids transferred, and a few young guys are in new roles. We’re shooting ourselves in the foot with errors and turnovers. Overall, the kids are playing hard. We need to have better ball security.”

The Indians’ performance during their 26-6 loss to Woodland Hills was especially tough. Penn Hills moved the ball efficiently on the ground.

Morris said the Indians’ offensive line has come together quickly.

“I knew coming into the season there was some concern about the offensive line,” Morris said. “But I knew these guys were busting their butts in the offseason. This group desires to play together. They are a good unit. That’s what I love about this group.”

Against the Wolverines, Penn Hills running back Naytel Mitchell benefited from plenty of space to run. He ran for 193 yards and scored the Indians’ only touchdown. Mitchell has 325 rushing yards through the first two weeks.

“Naytel Mitchell does what I expect him to do. He’s one of the top five or 10 guys in the WPIAL,” Morris said. “I think he’s one of the guys who deserves more coverage.”

Despite Mitchell’s strong night, Penn Hills kept seeing its drives fizzle out. The Indians lost four fumbles and saw three drives end on downs.

Before the game was stopped because of a shooting outside the stadium, Penn Hills’ final offensive possession ended with the Indians stacked up at the goal line.

“It’s all about ball security,” Morris said. “If we protect the ball two times on the 1-yard line, we are talking about a drastically different game right now. Woodland Hills competed hard, and they were ready to play.”

Penn Hills is adding several other skill players to the lineup. Quarterback Devin Harris and wide receiver Carter Bonner are transfers from Shady Side Academy.

Harris has passed for 290 yards and a touchdown. Bonner leads the team with 87 receiving yards.

“The thing is that a lot of those guys have been living in Penn Hills their whole life,” Morris said. “I don’t think it was a huge learning curve regarding the culture or getting to know your teammates. It was about getting accustomed to different terminology and gelling with teammates as far as timing and speed.”

Penn Hills still has plenty of challenges left on the schedule. The Indians were scheduled to play North Allegheny, the defending WPIAL Class 6A champions, in Week 2 and will also welcome defending PIAA Class 4A champion Aliquippa to Yuhas McGinley Stadium later this year.

“The whole purpose of our schedule was to make a late playoff push,” Morris said. “The kids will be better tested.”

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