It’s back to the future for Burgettstown, coach Mark Druga

By: Mark Nitowski
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 11:00 PM

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Burgettstown has a new head coach, but he’s no stranger to the Blue Devils sideline.

Mark Druga is back after a two-year absence. He led Burgettstown to a 38-21 record from 2015-20.

“I resigned the last time when my mother passed away, and I was the executor (of her estate),” Druga said. “I knew I wasn’t going to have the time to give the coaching position the proper attention that it needed and deserved. We closed everything with the estate a year ago, and when the head coaching job came open, I reapplied after talking to my family and the school administration.”

Druga replaced Greg Marshall at the Blue Devils helm. He said he made one concession to his wife, Teresa, and their family before returning to the long hours required to be a varsity head coach.

“I agreed that we could get a puppy — to replace me,” he said with a laugh. “I have a great wife, who’ll handle most of the family pickups and whatnot.”

Druga’s ability to bring back his former coaching staff also was a key factor in his decision. His brother, Rich, will serve as defensive coordinator. Ralph Vigliotti, Kevin Torboli and Shawn Kemper also return.

“We’re very fortunate in this day and age to have my entire staff coming back,” he said. “I’m very grateful.”

New to Druga’s coaching contingent will be offensive coordinator Matt Taylor. He held the same position at Montour last season.

“The kids are familiar with Matt because he’s a teacher at Burgettstown,” Druga said.

During Druga’s first run, the Blue Devils were known for their defense. He plans to employ the same attacking 3-4 alignment.

“We try to cause complete chaos,” he said. “We’re taking our brand of football to the other team. We’re not reacting to what the offense gives us; they’re going to have to react to what we do to them.

“That might sound a little arrogant, but when I was head coach the last time, we had one of the best defenses in Class A – if not all the (WPIAL) classifications.”

Seniors Brodie Kuzior and Rudy Brown and junior Teddy Gray should spearhead the defense. Brown will play middle linebacker, with Kuzior at outside ‘backer and Gray at nose guard.

“We have a good core coming back,” Druga said.

When Burgettstown has the ball, Kuzior will play quarterback and Brown will be used at tailback and slot receiver. Other offensive threats should be senior wide receivers Zack Schrockman and Ryan Murray. Druga expects Murray to also get playing time at tailback.

Seniors Gerry Cox and Beau Ferris and juniors Sam Elich and Gray are expected to anchor the offensive line.

“We definitely want to establish the run,” Druga said. “It takes the heart out of the other team, controls the clock and makes it less likely for you to make mistakes. Hopefully, the run will open up the passing game for us.”

The Blue Devils will be without lineman Joe Baronick, who earned all-conference honors as a junior last season.

“He’s decided to focus on wrestling for his senior year,” Druga said. “He’s a really good heavyweight and hopes to wrestle in college. It’s unfortunate for us, but I understand his decision.”

Last year, Burgettstown compiled a 5-2 record (6-4 overall) in the Black Hills Conference, qualifying for the Class A playoffs as the No. 7 seed. The Blue Devils dropped a 32-7 decision to No. 10 Union in their opening-round matchup. Union went on to defeat Black Hills champion Bishop Canevin, 26-0, in the WPIAL final.

“The conference is loaded at the top, with Canevin, Fort Cherry and Our Lady of Sacred Heart,” Druga said. “We’ll need to continue to improve our game, and it starts with a physical brand of football. We won’t be the fastest or strongest team, but we can be the toughest.”

Burgettstown

Coach: Mark Druga

2022 record: 6-4, 5-2 in Class A Black Hills Conference

All-time record: 454-498-39

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

9.1 Beth-Center, 7

9.8 at South Side, 7

9.16 at Bishop Canevin*, 7

9.22 Chartiers-Houston*, 7

9.29 at Cornell*, 7

10.6 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart*, 7

10.13 at Carlynton*, 7

10.20 Avella*, 7

10.27 at Fort Cherry*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Sondre Lunde*

54-110, 767 yards, 8 TDs

Rushing: Brodie Kuzior

105-664 yards, 14TDs

Receiving: Caleb Russell*

21-330 yards, 7 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• There are three former Burgettstown head coaches (Mark Druga, Rich Druga and Mark Taylor) on this year’s Blue Devils staff.

• Mark Druga’s son, Jackson, is a freshman lineman on the Moon football team. “I should be able to watch most of his JV games, and we play two Saturday afternoon games, so I should be able to see two Moon varsity games on Friday nights,” said the elder Druga.

• Former Burgettstown basketball and baseball player Nathan Campa is the new Blue Devils athletic director. Kevin Krzeczowski left Burgettstown to become the Beaver AD.

• College Football Hall of Famer Barry Alvarez played at the former Union High School in Burgettstown in the early 1960s. He went on to star at linebacker at Nebraska before moving into coaching. He eventually became head coach at Wisconsin, where his 120-73-4 record is the best in school history. He also served as athletic director at the Big Ten school.

Tags: Burgettstown