McGuffey looks to bounce back with young, talented team

By: Mark Nitowski
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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After being a perennial Class 2A playoff contender, McGuffey received a rude welcome in its move to 3A football last season.

The Highlanders went winless, including an 0-6 mark in a strong Western Hills Conference featuring eventual WPIAL champion and state runner-up Avonworth.

“We were in a tough situation,” said coach Nate Parry, who’s entering his second year at the Highlander helm. “We lost a lot of guys to injury, and then we went into a conference that was really challenging. On a positive note, our young guys got to play and get some experience. So there were some benefits to what happened last year.”

Parry described the 2025 edition of the Highlanders as extremely young.

“Freshmen and sophomores make up the majority of our roster,” he said. “They do have some talent, and we’re excited to see how the season goes.”

With such an inexperienced group, the McGuffey coaching staff has been focusing on details, according to Parry.

“We were in some games last year, like Washington, Hopewell, Highlands and Quaker Valley, and had some unfortunate penalties and turnovers that set us back,” he said. “We want to focus on cleaning up the little things now that will transition to more discipline on the field.”

The Highlanders are looking to seniors Aaron Supler and Dakota Reedy to set the pace for the underclassmen.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Supler anchored the offensive and defensive lines last season.

“Aaron led our team in tackles for loss and sacks,” Parry said. “He might play more at linebacker for us.”

After filling in at quarterback last season, Reedy (5-10, 150) is slated to run the Highlanders’ option-oriented attack.

“He throws a nice ball, has the ability to run and is a smart player,” Parry said. “He got some experience last year. The big emphasis will be transitioning his practice habits to the field on game night.”

Sophomore Caleb Simmons (5-10, 160) should be McGuffey’s top rushing threat.

Helping to open up holes for Simmons will be fellow sophomore lineman Cooper McKee (5-10, 250).

“McKee is a weight room warrior who started some games as a freshman,” Parry said.

McGuffey returns six starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Junior Wyatt Hildreth (6-2, 185) returns at defensive end, while Gage Clayton (5-10, 165) is set to play inside linebacker after starting as a freshman.

“Hildreth is a big-body kid. We’re looking for him to have a breakout season,” Parry said. “Clayton is a good wrestler and a really tough kid.”

In the secondary, junior Riley Salisbury (6-1, 160) and Simmons are back at safety.

“With our experience, we feel the defense is further ahead than the offense at this point,” Parry said.

McGuffey opens the season with nonconference games against rival Washington and 4A schools Trinity and West Allegheny.

Once again, the Highlanders will compete with Avonworth, Beaver, Central Valley, Hopewell, North Catholic and Quaker Valley in the Western Hills Conference.

Parry called the Western Hills the toughest conference in 3A, and it would be hard to argue his point.

Last season, four conference teams (Avonworth, Beaver, Central Valley and North Catholic) qualified for the playoffs. Avonworth and Central Valley advanced to the WPIAL final, with the Antelopes capturing the title at Acrisure Stadium.

“There are no walks in the park in this conference,” Parry said. “It’s a challenge, but we keep emphasizing the positive experience that you get from playing really good teams. We want to get better each day and week, with the idea of developing into a good team down the road.”

McGuffey

Coach: Nate Parry

2024 record: 0-9, 0-6 in Class 3A Western Hills Conference

All-time record: 308-441-25

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 at Washington, 7

8.29 Trinity , 7

9.5 West Allegheny, 7

9.12 at Central Valley*, 7

9.19 at North Catholic*, 7

9.26 Beaver*, 7

10.3 at Hopewell*, 7

10.10 Avonworth*, 7

10.17 at Highlands, 7

10.24 Quaker Valley*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Logan Carlisle*

26-59, 289 yards

Rushing: Aiden O’Dell*

112-389 yards, TD

Receiving: Sheldon Hanna*

6-95 yards

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• In addition to coaching football, Nate Parry is a certified strength and conditioning coach.

• Last season, McGuffey scored 83 points while giving up 380.

• The Highlanders’ home field is sure to catch the eye of first-time visitors. The FieldTurf surface is known for its two-toned gray color.

• The McGuffey School District serves 10 Washington County communities, including the boroughs of Claysville and Green Hills and the townships of West Finley, East Finley, Morris, Donegal, Buffalo, Blaine and South Franklin.

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