Jefferson-Morgan hopes to build on momentum of breakthrough season

By: Antonio Rossetti
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Jefferson-Morgan skyrocketed to success last season. The Rockets started out 1-3 but won four straight games and made the WPIAL Class A playoffs.

Jefferson-Morgan lost in the first round, but finished 6-5, having its first winning season and first playoff appearance since 2012.

“Our team fights every day to get better, and it starts with our coaching staff,” senior starting quarterback Houston Guesman said. “They show up day in and day out. Coach Z has changed the system and that helped us players to change the culture, so we just need to keep shooting for our target and work hard.”

Coach Shane Ziats came to Jefferson-Morgan in 2022. The Rockets finished 4-6 that season, which was three wins more than the year prior. Then they got over the hump and got into the playoffs.

Junior wide receiver Deakyn Dehoet trusts in Ziats.

“He’s very good,” Dehoet said. “He’s smart. He knows how to pick apart defenses. He knows how to run everything.”

As for the players, the Rockets are led by Guesman, who threw for 908 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for 738 yards.

Dehoet, his leading target, led the team in receiving yards, catching 40 passes for 735 yards. He tallied 13 total touchdowns.

Dehoet and Guesman are hoping to have even more success in 2024.

“I think we play a big role for the team,” Dehoet said. “We have a very good connection. He’s a great quarterback. I couldn’t ask for anybody better. … He’s a great athlete all around.”

The Rockets lose their leading rusher from last season, Colin Biseglia. Nevertheless, John Woodward is back at running back as he finished with 601 yards and five touchdowns.

“Johnny Woodward is a hard-nosed runner with great abilities and he’s also a great athlete,” Guesman said. “I don’t know what I would do without the kid. We have a connection, just like how me and Deakyn do. Deakyn is an amazing player with real God-given talent. If you need a catch, he’ll catch it. If you need an interception, he’ll go get it. They both do very well on both sides.”

Both Woodward and Dehoet are juniors but are stepping up as leaders. Ziats expects big things out of Guesman, Dehoet and Woodward.

“Their leadership roles are going to be very important,” Ziats said. “They are returning starters, returning players, so kids are going to look at them. Kids are going to lean on them to do what’s right and do what we need to do.”

The Rockets also return junior Jeremiah Robertson and senior Johnny Gilbert at wide receiver. Dehoet said he expects both players to have an outstanding year.

Guesman said the Rockets are an athletic team, not just on offense, but on defense too. Junior lineman Eli Hill and senior middle linebacker Jace Bedillion are two players Guesman said to look out for on the defensive side of the ball. Robertson will also play a key role at cornerback.

One last weapon Guesman said to keep an eye on is freshman Liam Rogers. Guesman expects big things from him and the freshman class.

“We coach up,” Guesman said. “We’ve been through it all, we’ve pushed through it all and we’ve seen it all. We just show the younger guys what’s best for them.”

The Rockets gained momentum last season and Ziats wants to keep that going.

“Just build on that,” Ziats said. “Keep the momentum going. We lost five games last year. We move from there, and build on that. This is what we could do. This is what we know we could do and just continue to build on that.”

Ziats has liked what he’s seen so far as they try to keep the ball rolling.

“We’re progressing where we need to get to,” Ziats said. “We got a lot of kids coming back, so we’re moving in the right direction, going where we’re supposed to go.”

One of Ziats’ goals since taking over was to establish a consistently competitive program at Jefferson-Morgan. Guesman has enjoyed his time since Ziats has taken over.

“He’s given me so many opportunities, if you want me to be honest.” Guesman said. “He’s the greatest coach I’ve ever had. He’s like a father figure to me. He puts me in situations to win. He puts the team in situations to win. He cares for us and wants the best. He’s very intelligent when it comes to the game, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor and coach.”

Ziats stresses competing, finishing the game and playing until the whistle blows. He has high hopes for the team and has enjoyed his tenure so far with the Rockets.

“It’s wonderful, and the student body is awesome,” Ziats said. “The players have bought into what we want to do. The administration is with us on board so far. Everything has been great.”

Jefferson-Morgan

Coach: Shane Ziats

2023 record: 6-5, 5-2 in the Class A Tri-County South

All-time record: 362-475-36

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Chartiers-Houston, 7

8.30 at Waynesburg, 7

9.6 Burgettstown, 7

9.13 Mapletown*, 7

9.20 at Carmichaels*, 7

9.27 West Greene*, 7

10.4 at Beth-Center*, 7

10.11 Bentworth*, 7

10.18 at Avella*, 7

10.25 at California*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Houston Guesman

59-87, 908 yards, 11 TDs

Rushing: Colin Bisceglia*

109-786 yards, 11 TDs

Receiving: Deakyn Dehoet

40-735 yards, 13 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Shane Ziats was a walk-on at Cal (Pa.), earned a scholarship and became an academic all-American.

• Ziats coached at West Greene and his alma mater Beth-Center as an offensive line coach. He also coached in college with the University of Charleston in West Virginia and Commonwealth University-Mansfield.

• The Rockets won back-to-back WPIAL titles in 1973 and 1974.

• Dick Grey, a Jefferson-Morgan athlete and alum, played on the 1958 Los Angeles Dodgers, which was their first year after moving from Brooklyn. Grey played for Waynesburg University.

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