Large crew of returning starters offer optimism at Brentwood

By: Ray Fisher
Monday, August 18, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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Brentwood returned to the WPIAL Class A playoffs last season via a fifth-place Eastern Conference finish.

With nine starters back in 2025, coach Nick Caponi is looking for more.

“We are very excited for the season,” Caponi said. “We had a great offseason in the weight room, and we are looking forward to building off last season’s playoff appearance and taking the next step.

“We’re excited to build off last year’s playoff berth, and we can’t wait to get this thing started. This is a great group of players. They are a close-knit crew, and they have each other’s backs on and off the field.”

Brentwood won four of five midseason games last fall which propelled the team into playoff positioning. The Spartans finished 3-4 in the conference and 4-7 overall, which included a first-round playoff loss to Fort Cherry, the eventual WPIAL champion.

“Making the playoffs was an important step for us,” Caponi said. “It was the first time in five years that this program was in the playoffs, and I think it showed the kids that there is a reward for all of the hard work and consistency they put into the offseason. I also think it has changed the mindset of the players; no longer do they hope to make the playoffs; they expect it.

“We want to be a little more balanced on offense this season. There were times last year when we were a little too one dimensional as far as throwing the ball. The coaching staff has talked about being a little more creative in the running game. We’re not going to have a guy who’s going to carry the ball 20-25 times a game, so our plan is to ‘spread the wealth’ in the running game because we do have some athletes that can make us more successful in that area.

“Defensively, we have to do a better job of stopping the run and getting off the field on third downs. I know that’s cliché, but it’s the truth. The Jeannette game from last season comes to mind. We were in position and should have won that game, but we just couldn’t get a stop on defense when we needed to.”

Caponi and his staff have a great building block for 2025 — PIAA track champion Daysaun Spencer, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound junior and multiple threat at wide receiver, running back and defensive back.

“Daysaun has worked incredibly hard this offseason, and he looks like he’s on a different level than he was last year,” Caponi said. “He is our biggest playmaker on offense. The plan is to get the ball in his hands as much as possible, whether that be at receiver, running back or wildcat QB. All he needs is a little bit of daylight to make a big play.

“On defense, Daysaun will play at safety. He’s already made a big impact at this position over the summer just from a communication standpoint. Before the play, you hear him screaming out the formations and making sure our guys are all on the same page coverage-wise. Just to have his speed back there is a big advantage for us. During some 7-on-7s, he made some big splash plays at that position.”

Spencer is anticipating “a playoff run” for the team this season.

“We are very competitive,” he said. “We are looking to better ourselves every time we get in work. Every time we come down to the field for practice, we know it’s time to lock in.”

Spencer won both the WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A triple jump in the spring and holds the school record in the event.

He also competed in the 100-meter dash and long jump at the district meet and was the Spartans’ anchor runner in the 400 relay. He is fastest player on the football squad.

“To do what (Spencer) did during track season is special,” Caponi said. “I think this just speaks of his overall athleticism and his motivation to be great at everything he does. I’m not sure if he fully realizes what he accomplished but there are only a few people in the history of Brentwood High School to win an individual state championship, and the fact that he accomplished this as a sophomore is impressive.

“Daysaun is very humble; he wouldn’t even mention to you that he just won a state championship. He’s always looking for that next moment, and I think that humbleness helps drive him to never settle for anything but his best.”

Spencer should be as active on the football field this season as he was on the track.

“Daysaun wants to be great,” Caponi said. “He never takes a rep off in the weight room, on the practice field or during a game. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and is constantly striving to get better. He’s explosive and can be a game-breaker.”

Another leading player for the Spartans is senior QB/DB Cedric Davis (6-0, 170), a fourth-year starter.

“He is an unquestioned leader on this team,” Caponi said, “and I’m expecting Cedric to have a big year. There isn’t a throw on the field that this kid can’t make, and he has the ability to run the ball, as well. He has been the starting quarterback here since halfway through his freshman year, and he will go down as one of the best ones we have had at Brentwood.

“For me, it has been great to see him grow as a person and a player throughout his career. He has made so many improvements in a lot of areas, and I can’t wait to see him put everything together this season.”

The Brentwood coaches also are expecting big things from 5-7, 140-pound sophomore Nicky Wardzinski at running back and outside linebacker.

“Nicky isn’t a big kid, but he’s as tough as they come and I’m excited to see what he can do for us this year,” Caponi said. “He is going to have the opportunity to start on both sides of the ball. He is our best pure runner we have as far as vision, knowing how to set up his blocks, and anticipating where to cut.

“His older brother (Aiden) was one of the best football players we ever had here, and I think that gives Nicky a little extra motivation.”

Brentwood’s third-year field boss had a two-word answer to the question of who he expects to anchor the offensive and defensive lines.

“The hogs,” Caponi said. “These guys love football. Our success as a team starts with them. As a unit, they work hard and push each other to get better every day.

“Both sides of the line are led by Anthony ‘Big Sleep’ Henry, Gio Miller, Ray Rieber, Chase Lavelle and Sean Gallman. Expect freshman Nate Beck (5-10, 215) to also contribute.”

The Spartans have size and significance in the trenches.

Henry is a 6-1, 290-pound senior, Miller (6-1, 240), Rieber (6-0, 275) and Lavelle (6-3, 240), a Bishop Canevin transfer, are juniors, while Gallman (6-4, 260) is a sophomore. Henry, Miller, Rieber and Gallman were starters a year ago.

Two other returning starters are senior TE/LB Blaize Dias (5-11, 205) and junior WR/DB Amir Mack (5-9, 150), both talented skill-position players.

Brentwood

Coach: Nick Caponi

2024 record: 4-7, 3-4 in Class A Eastern Conference

All-time record: 433-439-28

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 Yough, 7

8.29 at South Allegheny, 7

9.5 at Sto-Rox, 7

9.12 Springdale*, 7

9.19 Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7

9.26 at Frazier*, 7

10.3 Riverview*, 7

10.10 at Jeannette*, 7

10.17 at Leechburg*, 7

10.24 Clairton*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Cedric Davis

74-165, 1,243 yards, 18 TDs

Rushing: Zach Vickless*

74-279 yards, 4 TDs

Receiving: Forrest Betz*

55-946 yards, 13 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Spencer broke the school record in the triple jump event three times this past spring. He won the WPIAL title at Slippery Rock by breaking his previous school record with a mark of 46 feet, 7.75 inches. He followed up with a winning distance of 45-5.75 at the PIAA finals at Shippensburg.

• A few of the players on this year’s team participated in the Joe Moore lineman camp at West Allegheny in June along with a few other Big Man challenges in July.

• Davis accounted for 1,517 total offensive yards last season with 1,243 passing and 274 rushing. Defensively, Vickless, Spencer and Betz were the leading tacklers on the team.

• The five playoff teams in the Eastern Conference a year ago consisted of Clairton (7-0), Greensburg Central Catholic (6-1), Leechburg (5-2), Jeannette (4-3) and Brentwood.

• The Spartans averaged 24.2 ppg last season but allowed 38.2 ppg.

Tags: Brentwood