Mt. Lebanon looks to improve in 2nd year under Greg Perry

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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The first year for Greg Perry as head coach at Mt. Lebanon turned into a tale of two seasons.

Through the first five weeks, the Blue Devils lost their first five games, including their first two games of Class 6A conference play. They were shutout once and averaged only 10 points per game.

However, over the final five games of the regular season, Mt. Lebanon went 3-2 as the offense kicked into gear and averaged 34.2 points per game.

“While being 3-8 wasn’t great on paper, I think we made improvements as the year went on,” Perry said. “We were mostly underclassmen and learning a new offense and defense for the third season in a row and it took a little adjustment. The schedule sure was tough, but you have to play who they schedule, so you have to be prepared.”

One player looking to build off a great season is senior quarterback and outside linebacker Patrick Smith.

Smith connected on 132 of 227 passing for 1,610 yards and 12 touchdown tosses. He also led the Blue Devils on the ground with 173 carries for 1,091 yards and led the team in scoring with 15 touchdowns.

“Moving forward into his senior season, Patrick should make a step up, although 2,700 yards from scrimmage is still pretty good, especially against the top 5A teams we played and the 6A schools,” Perry said. “All things being equal, if the past group of QBs we had is any indication of what they did their senior years, I think Patrick will surpass the 2,700 yards and hopefully change the three-win total.”

Heading into training camp, Perry and his staff are excited to see the growth of their team both physically and mentally.

“Most of our guys have been through it now and know what to expect,” Perry said. “I really like our senior class and leadership. They have been a great group both on and off the field and have made football fun.”

For all teams, depth is a concern. Mt. Lebanon will already need to test its depth before camp opens after a key player from a year ago was lost for the season.

“We will need some juniors to grow up fast to get through the grind after we lost Grayson Beck to an injury this spring,” Perry said. “Grayson was a first team all-conference linebacker and just a force on defense that you can’t replace. I feel so bad for him, but his future is so bright and he will recover and be a great college player.”

Beside the two-way talents of Smith, Mt. Lebanon will return five other starters on offense and seven others on defense.

Some of the others to watch this fall include:

• Senior running back and linebacker Kris Kambitsis, a two-year starter, makes the team’s defensive calls. Perry says he’s very smart, can play multiple in spots and is very versatile.

• Senior wide receiver and defensive back Colin Kramer gives the speed threat needed on offense and can shine both ways if he stays healthy.

• Senior lineman Jackson Kraemer has multiple offers and is a big, strong athlete. He will anchor both lines at offensive tackle and defensive end.

• Senior lineman Jackson Steiner will help anchor the line at offensive guard and defensive tackle. He is a hard worker who will help make the line calls. Perry says he put great work into his offseason to get bigger and stronger.

• Senior lineman Mickey Murphy made himself a two-way player by working hard. Perry said Murphy at center and nose guard, along with Kraemer, senior Adam Hagins and senior Whitaker Patriquin, all worked hard and grew together over the offseason to form a good group.

• Senior wide receiver and defensive back Chris Friedel is a quick, strong athlete who returns as a defensive starter and will benefit from 11 games played last year.

Four of the seven teams in Class 6A qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

This is the 10th season of Class 6A football, and Mt. Lebanon has made the 6A district playoffs in each of the first nine seasons.

The last time the Blue Devils did not make the postseason was in 2013.

“Coach Perry has been working us really hard,” Smith said. “We need to continue to put the work in and listen to our coaches to execute. Most importantly, we need to keep building trust in each other. Football is all about the team. We need to believe deep down that we as a team can compete with the best in the WPIAL.”

Mt. Lebanon

Coach: Greg Perry

2024 record: 3-8, 3-3 in Class 6A

All-time record: 627-304-30

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 Upper St. Clair, 7

8.29 Penn-Trafford, 7

9.5 at Peters Township, 7

9.12 Central Catholic*, 7

9.19 at Canon-McMillan*, 7

9.26 at Seneca Valley*, 7

10.3 at North Allegheny*, 7:30

10.10 Penn Hills, 7

10.17 Hempfield*, 7

10.24 at Norwin*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Patrick Smith

132-227, 1,610 yards, 12 TDs

Rushing: Smith

173-1,091 yards, 15 TDs

Receiving: Noah Schaerli*

61-919 yards, 7 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• This is the 25th anniversary of the seventh of eight WPIAL football championships for Mt. Lebanon. The Blue Devils finished in first place in the old Quad North Conference, one game ahead of Shaler and North Hills. Mt. Lebanon was the No. 2 seed in the 2000 4A playoffs and defeated Plum (27-6), Penn Hills (26-0), North Hills (21-7) and top seed Woodland Hills, 14-13, in the final high school football game played at Three Rivers Stadium. Lebo then played in its first PIAA football playoff game, falling to Cathedral Prep, 39-14, in the 2000 state semifinals. It was the only championship for former Blue Devils coach Chris Haering.

• Mt. Lebanon will also be celebrating the 45th and 55th anniversaries of two other district championship football teams. The Blue Devils knocked off rival Bethel Park in the first WPIAL 4A championship game played at Pitt Stadium in 1980, 30-14. Ten years earlier, Mt. Lebanon captured the program’s second district crown when it knocked off Kiski Area in the 1970 championship game played at Three Rivers Stadium, 35-12.

• In Greg Perry’s first season at Mt. Lebanon, the Blue Devils finished tied for third place with Seneca Valley at 3-3 in Class 6A, one game ahead of both Hempfield and Canon-McMillan. The Blue Devils averaged 21.3 points per game, which was third-most in 6A behind Central Catholic and North Allegheny. However, the Blue Devils allowed 340 points last season, the most points given up by any of the seven 6A teams.

• This is the 97th season of Mt. Lebanon football. With 627, the Blue Devils are at No. 12 on the all-time wins list in the WPIAL and the third-most in Allegheny County behind Clairton and McKeesport.

Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the site of the 1970 WPIAL Class 3A champonship game.

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