Kiski Area seeks return to postseason in move up to Class 5A
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Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 6:01 AM
Kiski Area quarterback Carson Heinle throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe in July.
Kiski Area coach Sam Albert during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe in July.
Kiski Area receiver Aven Shirley pulls in a pass during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe in July.
Kiski Area quarterback Carson Heinle throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe in July.
Kiski Area receiver Andrew Finney pulls in a touchdown during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition at Latrobe in July.
The Kiski Area football team made a move up to Class 5A in the offseason, but what Cavaliers veteran head coach Sam Albert hopes doesn’t change is his team’s ability to make the WPIAL playoffs.
He said the battles in its revamped conference with Armstrong, Franklin Regional, Gateway, Latrobe, Penn-Trafford, and Woodland Hills will be a challenge. But it is a challenge, he said, for which his players are ready.
“Even before we get into the conference, we start with Knoch, which is loaded,” Albert said.
“Then we face a couple of 6A teams (Norwin, Hempfield). From top to bottom in the conference, there is no letup. A team that I think could win it all is Latrobe. They have four Division I kids. Every week is going to be a battle, but the guys are confident.”
Kiski Area made a run to the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs last year. It won three of its final four in the regular season, including its final three conference contests to punch its ticket to the postseason.
The Cavaliers’ season concluded with a loss to Thomas Jefferson in the first round. But, Albert said, the momentum from that finish carried over to the offseason and continues as the team is on the cusp of a new journey.
“You do hope it carries over,” Albert said. “One year at Highlands, we were 12-1, and the next year, I think we won one game. A lot of the returning guys got good playing experience last year, and hopefully they are able to build on that. I know our offseason workouts were great. There was so much enthusiasm. They worked so hard and are strong and well conditioned. I couldn’t have asked for better kids to work with.”
The Cavaliers lost several first-team all-conference performers from last year’s squad, but one of those first-team selections, quarterback Carson Heinle, is a senior back for his third year as a starter.
“Carson is really looking good right now,” Albert said.
“He has all the intangibles. If you take him to a combine, his 40 time isn’t going to be the fastest, and he’s not going to jump the highest. But when you put him on the football field, he just makes plays and gives us a chance to win football games. He’s tough, he’s smart and he throws the ball so well. He has so much experience under his belt. He also runs the ball extremely well, which gives us another facet to our offense.”
Joining Heinle as an offensive weapon is the Cavaliers’ 2023 leading rusher, senior Landon Kucic.
He finished with a team-best 11 rushing touchdowns.
Junior Andrew Finney paces the returning receivers after catching 27 balls for 361 yards and four scores a year ago. He will be joined in the mix by brothers Aven Shirley, a junior, and Teegan Shirley, a sophomore.
Bruising H-backs Connor Jordan, a senior, and junior Braden Anderson, Albert said, are ready to lead the offense.
Anderson also figures prominently as an anchor of the defense at inside linebacker.
The offensive line is experienced with all-conference senior center Cam Murphy leading a returning group that also includes seniors Ryder Ekas, Eli Schultz, Adam Large and Nathan Uncapher.
Freshman Nick Anderson, at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, is one who Albert said has big potential with his strength and quickness.
“The thing we always work on is our depth,” Albert said. “Up in 5A, and even when we were in 4A, depth has always been a concern. We might start 5-0 and then we lose a couple of kids, and it’s like losing four kids. We are so young anyway, so we can’t afford too many injuries. You pray for the best every year because you can’t control that.
“Our first 11 we put on the field, we’re pretty confident with. Like I said before, the conference is going to be tough, and hopefully we can stay healthy for it.”
Kiski Area
Coach: Sam Albert
2023 record: 5-6, 3-3 in Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference
All-time record: 316-305-7
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23 at Knoch, 7
8.30 Norwin, 7
9.6 Hempfield, 7
9.13 Gateway*, 7
9.20 Penn-Trafford*, 7
9.27 at Franklin Regional*, 7
10.4 at Latrobe*, 7
10.11 at Armstrong*, 7
10.18 Plum, 7
10.25 at Woodland Hills*, 7
* Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Carson Heinle
125-230, 1,805 yards, 19 TDs
Rushing: Landon Kucic
197-867 yards, 11 TDs
Receiving: Isaiah Gonzalez*
37-599 yards, 7 TDs
* Graduated
FAST FACTS
• Kiski Area’s trip to the 2023 WPIAL playoffs ended a three-year postseason hiatus.
• Sam Albert enters his eighth season as head coach of the Cavaliers and his 33rd year as a high school head coach overall. He holds a 158-147-1 record overall at Kiski, Highlands, Valley, Butler and Freeport.
• Kiski Area averaged 22.8 points a game last year and surrendered 31.4 a contest.
• In addition to his passing totals last year, Carson Heinle had 127 rushing attempts and totaled 485 yards and four touchdowns.
Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.
Tags: Kiski Area
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