Latrobe sees uptick in wins, numbers, expectations

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, August 13, 2023 | 11:11 PM

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Growth in roster numbers is a good gauge of a football program’s stability.

Latrobe looks like it’s on firm ground.

With 77 players — up from 62 last year and 44 the previous season — the Wildcats are bursting with interest and improvement.

“We had some kids who had played football in the past and stopped playing come back,” second-year coach Ron Prady said. “Our younger groups are really big. We have a big junior class. And 14 seniors.”

Latrobe’s spike in numbers is a reflection of a successful 2022 season that saw the Wildcats finish a delightful 7-5 after reaching the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals.

They had not won a playoff game in 54 years.

The Wildcats had not posted a winning season in 12 seasons and had not won seven games in a season since 2001.

“Moreso than the wins and losses, it’s the mentality of the kids,” Prady said. “They expected to win last year. That was not the case in the past. You don’t win games on Friday nights. You win them Monday through Thursday, and you perform on Fridays.

“The big change has been the positivity moving forward. We don’t want to just be satisfied with 7-5, though. We had the big win over Franklin Regional and played Thomas Jefferson close. That gave the kids confidence.”

Much of their success had to do with bruising, 205-pound running back Robert Fulton, who ran for a school-record 1,590 yards and 20 touchdowns. Fulton moved on, however, so his successors are in line to move the football.

Junior Alex Tatsch, a Division I prospect who has offers from Connecticut and Marshall, will see time in the backfield and slot as Prady looks to get the ball in his hands.

“He’s long and athletic,” Prady said. “Alex is a good football player who loves the game. He makes his hay on defense, though.”

Seven starters return on each side of the ball, including junior quarterback John Wetzel, who threw for 809 yards but also showed he can gain ground with his legs.

“We didn’t ask him to throw it a lot, but he can do it,” Prady said. “He’s gotten immensely better running the offense. You saw that last year.”

Prady said Wetzel, like Tatsch, is tremendous on defense, at strong safety.

Junior running back Brady Prohovic is expected to carry much of the offensive load as well.

“He could be the main guy,” Prady said of Prohovic.

Another key weapon is WR/DB JaTawn Williams, who might at times be the lone senior starter.

“He’s going to help us on offense and defense and as a return guy,” Prady said.

Sophomore Chris Cochran is another potential ball carrier, while junior Jack Drnjevich is a strong H-back/tight end who will bring a physical style to emulate.

Wetzel’s receiving corps will include Williams, senior Ben Stratton, junior Gage Kettren, junior Tyler Bauer and junior Vince Gaskey.

The offensive line has four starters back, but Prady said it could go much deeper.

Junior Caleb Lehman (LT), junior Cody Krall (LG), senior Zach Shuey (C) and senior Ben Gera (RG) are returnees up front.

Latrobe will continue to operate out of a three-man front on defense. Tatsch, Drnjevich, Bronson and Cochran are key linebackers.

A sharp-looking secondary will feature Williams, sophomore Sawyer Butina and Bauer at corner with Wetzel, sophomore Andy Tatsch and Prohovic as safeties.

Others looking to contribute are sophomore Owen Burket (H/LB), junior Tim Myers (TE/DL), senior Nick Stump (WR/DB), sophomore Lucas Kolenc (OL/DL), senior Jared Bailey (OL/DL), junior Braden Bronson (H/LB) and others.

Senior Ben Bigi returns as a dependable kicker.

“The kids love to be here and work,” Prady said. “If we have a practice end at 11 a.m., we’re kicking them off the field at 11:45 because they’re running routes and catching passes.

“We’ve checked off some things we wanted to do last year. It’s about changing the expectations and culture and the kids are buying into that.”

Latrobe defended its title at the Westmoreland County Coaches Assocation Larry Sellitto Memorial Passing Tournament, defeating Norwin in the championship game.

Editor’s note: Due to production scheduling conflicts, previews for Class 4A Big Seven Conference schools Connellsville, Laurel Highlands, McKeesport and Ringgold will appear later this month.

Latrobe

Coach: Ron Prady

2022 record: 7-5, 3-3 in Class 4A Big Eight Conference

All-time record: 467-552-38

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 Derry, 7

9.1 Franklin Regional, 7

9.8 at Hempfield, 7

9.15 Thomas Jefferson*, 7

9.22 at Laurel Highlands*, 7

9.29 Trinity*, 7

10.6 at Ringgold*, 7

10.13 Connellsville*, 7

10.20 at McKeesport*, 7

10.27 at Butler, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: John Wetzel

52-91, 809 yards, 10 TDs

Rushing: Robert Fulton*

206-1,590 yards, 20 TDs

Receiving: Kollin Stevens*

9-223 yards, 3 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Latrobe’s first-round playoff win over Highlands was its first postseason victory since 1968.

• Coach Ron Prady begins his second season after spending a decade as an assistant at Penn-Trafford.

• Chad Schmeling left the coaching staff to become an assistant with the new wrestling team at Saint Vincent.

• Former Greensburg Salem assistant Bill Wisniewski and former Penn Hills principal Eric Kostic have joined Prady’s staff. Caleb Domenick will help coach the defensive line.

ROSTER

No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.

1, Ben Bigi, K, 6-0/190 12

2, Brady Prohovic, RB/DB, 5-8/175, Jr.

3, Gaige Kettren , WR/DB, 5-9/175, Jr.

4, Sawyer Butina, WR/DB, 5-10/160, So.

5, Chris Cochran, RB/LB, 5-11/180, So.

6, Jack Drnjevich, H/LB, 5-10/200, Jr.

7, Izzy McMahon, RB/LB, 5-8/165, So.

8, Riley Smith, WR/DB, 5-11/175, Sr.

9, Luke Tomko, QB/DB, 5-8/150, So.

10, John Wetzel, QB/DB, 6-2/195, Jr.

11, Aiden Roach, WR/DB, 5-10/150, Jr.

12, Justis Newman, WR/LB, 5-8/165, Jr.

13, Ty Wisniewski, QB/DB, 5-5/125, Fr.

14, Ben Stratton, WR/LB, 5-10/175, Sr.

15, Andy Tatsch, RB/DB, 5-10/165, So.

17, Ben Bradley, WR/DB, 6-2/165, Sr.

18, Cash Achhammer, RB/LB, 5-8/160, So.

20, Danny Noonan, WR/DB, 6-0/155, So.

21, JaTawn Williams, WR/DB, 6-1/170, Sr.

22, Nickolas Stump, WR/DB, 6-0/165, Sr.

23, Vincent Gaskey, WR/DB, 6-0/170, Jr.

24, Owen Burket, H/LB, 5-11/200, So.

25, Alex Tatsch, RB/LB, 6-3/210, Jr.

26, Russell Fry, TE/LB, 5-9/155, So.

27, Clayton Burket, QB/DB, 5-7/150, Fr.

28, Grady DePalma, RB/DB, 5-5/145, So.

32, Andrew Shaker, WR/LB, 5-10/175, Sr.

33, Adam Musick, WR/DB, 5-9/165, Sr.

34, Eli Meeder, WR/DB, 5-8/160, Fr.

35, Tyler Bauer, WR/DB, 6-0/160, Jr.

37, Austin Coffman, H/LB, 6-0/175, Fr.

38, Josh Hodge, RB/LB, 5-11/185, Jr.

39, Ben Slater, WR/LB, 5-11/165, Fr.

43, Dakota Haupt, WR/LB, 5-10/155, Fr.

44, Bradan Bronson, H/LB, 5-8/170, Jr.

45, Dylan Frye, WR/DB, 5-7/145, Fr.

46, Alex Smith, RB/DB, 5-5/145, Fr.

47, Joey Favata, H/LB, 5-8/140, So.

49, Joey Mahoney, WR/LB, 5-10/160, So.

50, Jacob Ross, OL/DL, 5-9/170, So.

51, Anthony Scarton, OL/DL, 6-4/245, Jr.

52, Gio Castillo, OL/DL, 5-2/135, Fr.

53, Brady Kronenwetter, OL/DL, 5-10/180, Fr.

54, Raymond Firek, OL/DL, 5-8/170, Fr.

55, Alessandro Castillo, OL/DL, 5-8/180, Jr.

57, Micheal Brosnick, OL/DL, 5-9/190, So.

58, Declan Murphy, OL/LB, 5-11/205, Jr.

59, Jonathan DiPasquale, OL/DL, 5-10/210, Fr.

60, Ryan Jamison, OL/DL, 6-1/200, Fr.

61, Dylan Miller, OL/DL, 5-7/165, Fr.

62, Wade Enick, OL/DL, 5-10/210, So.

63, Ben Gera, OL/DL, 6-1/275, Sr.

66, Zach Shuey, OL/DL, 5-8/300, Sr.

68, Andrew Honse, OL/DL, 5-9/225, Sr.

71, Cody Krall, OL/DL, 5-10/220, Jr.

72, Caleb Lehman, OL/DL, 6-1/225, Jr.

73, Luke Morrison, OL/DL, 5-11/260, So.

74, Liam Pescatore, OL/DL, 5-3/280, Fr.

75, Jared Bailey, OL/DL, 6-1/260, Sr.

76, Dakota Smith, OL/DL, 6-0/285, Jr.

78, Marco Scarton, OL/DL, 6-2/260, Jr.

79, Lucas Kolenc, OL/DL, 6-1/270, So.

80, Josiah Kutzer, WR/DB, 6-2/170, So.

81, Austin Hazen, H/DE, 6-0/150 , So.

82, Cody Weaver, WR/DB, 6-1/150, Sr.

83, Ethan Echevarria, WR/DB, 5-10/140, So.

84, Daniel Fisher, TE/LB, 5-8/160, So.

85, Rashown Baker, WR/DB, 5-3/120, Fr.

86, James Rafferty, WR/DB, 6-1/160, So.

87, Tim Myers, TE/DL, 6-3/185, Jr.

88, Roman Agostoni, K, 5-10/170, Jr.

89, Mitchell Horner, K/P, 5-10/170, So.

90, Joe Lauber, OL/DL, 5-5/130, So.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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