Mt. Pleasant working to build stronger finishing kick
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Thursday, August 15, 2024 | 6:01 AM
Mt. Pleasant’s Brody Hutter during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Mt. Pleasant head coach Jason Fazekas during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Mt. Pleasant head coach Jason Fazekas during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Mt. Pleasant’s Brody Hutter during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Mt. Pleasant quarterback Cole Chatfield looks to throw during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Mt. Pleasant’s Garrett Eicher pulls in a touchdown pass during the WCCA 7-on-7 tournament in July at Greater Labrobe High School.
Mt. Pleasant got off to a great start in 2023.
The Vikings were 5-1 heading into first-place battles with Elizabeth Forward and eventual Class 3A WPIAL and PIAA champion Belle Vernon.
Things didn’t go well, and the Vikings finished losing four of their final five games to end up 6-5.
“We were playing good football teams,” Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas said. “We just didn’t play well enough. We have to get stronger and finish better.”
Fazekas said he’s excited about this season.
The Vikings return numerous key players, and the conference is full of familiar teams. Other than Elizabeth Forward, the rest of the teams — Derry, Greensburg Salem, Southmoreland and Yough — won Keystone Conference titles.
This, however, is called the Interstate Conference.
Cole Chatfield returns for his fourth season as Mt. Pleasant’s quarterback. Fazekas said Chatfield is among the toughest kids he’s coached.
He threw for 1,280 yards and 14 touchdowns in an offense that primarily runs the ball.
But Fazekas said Chatfield’s job was running the offense.
“He did a great job running the RPO (run-pass option) offense, and I expect more for him this season,” Fazekas said. “He brings a lot to the table. I expect we’ll utilize his running ability this season.”
Even though the Vikings graduated talented backs in Dante Giallonardo, Jackson Hutter and Brady Poole, Fazekas likes who’s back.
Returning are Brody Hutter and Garrett Eicher. Sophomore Stephen Predajna played some last season, and senior Jarett Garn is moving from wide receiver to the backfield.
“Jarett had a great track season and showed off his speed,” Fazekas said. “I’m eager to see how he develops as he learns the position. Jarett is a smart kid, and all he needs is reps.
“The entire backfield as a whole needs to work on their timing. I think we’ll be OK.”
Chatfield’s main targets in the passing game will be the running backs, wide receiver Robert Hixson and tight end Logan Parson.
Bu what really excites Fazekas is his young and huge offensive line.
Tackle Carter Strayer (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) is the lone starter back, but Fazekas feels the line could be better.
Others fighting for spots include junior tackle Dylan Pitzer, junior guard Charles Strader, junior tackle Alex Ferencz, junior tackle Payton Schaum, junior center Michael Reese, junior center Caleb Pease and sophomore guard Christian Brodak.
Pitzer stands 6-7, 250.
“There should be good competition there,” Fazekas said. “I know we’re big, but we have to be able to move people off the ball.”
On defense, Fazekas said the Vikings need to stop the run.
“That’s the key, stopping the run,” Fazekas said. “If we do that, we can adjust our coverages.”
Returning on the defense are Chatfield at safety, Dane Firmstone at linebacker, Eicher at linebacker, Hutter at linebacker, Pitzer at tackle, Rage Suchar at linebacker, Parson at linebacker, Predajna at cornerback, Strayer at tackle and Garn at cornerback.
Mt. Pleasant
Coach: Jason Fazekas
2023 record: 6-5, 2-3 in Class 3A Interstate Conference
All-time record: 352-287-9
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23 at Jeannette, 7
8.30 at Greensburg Central Catholic, 7
9.6 Burrell, 7
9.13 at Ambridge, 7
9.20 Laurel Highlands, 7
9.27 at Yough*, 7
10.4 at Greensburg Salem*, 7
10.11 Southmoreland*, 7
10.18 Derry*, 7
10.25 Elizabeth Forward*, 7
*Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Cole Chatfield
66-123, 1,280 yards, 14 TDs
Rushing: *Dante Giallonardo
557 yards, 6 TDs
Receiving: *Dante Giallonardo
19-430 yards, 6 TDs
FAST FACTS
• Mt. Pleasant has won two WPIAL titles (1983, 1986), beating Aliquippa and Kiski Area. The Vikings lost in the 1984 finals to Aliquippa on a controversial call.
• The Vikings have made the WPIAL playoffs five consecutive seasons. Their only win was in 2021 against Burrell.
• They may call it the Interstate Conference, but the Vikings, Southmoreland, Yough, Derry and Greensburg Salem were all in the Keystone Conference between 1972-2011. Mt. Pleasant won seven Keystone Conference titles.
• Mt. Pleasant is a merger of Hurst and Ramsay high schools in 1965.
ROSTER
No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.
1, Cole Chatfield, QB/DB, 6-1/175, sr.
3, Mason Eicher, RB/LB, 5-9/165, so.
4, Cole Hart, QB/DB, 5-11/130, fr.
5, Dane Firmstone, QB/DB, 5-7/170, jr.
6, Richard Shawley, RB/DB, 6-1/175, jr.
8, Van Kopcho, WR/DB, 5-8/140, so.
10, Rage Suchar, RB/LB, 6-0/210, jr.
11, Garret Eicher, RB/DB, 6-0/170, sr.
12, Brody Hutter, RB/LB, 6-0/200, jr.
16, Tyler James, WR/DB, 5-7/150, so.
18, Robert Hixson, WR/DB, 5-11/170, jr.
19, Kade Hutchinson, WR/DB, 5-11/175, so.
20, Anthony Pologruto, WR/DB, 5-7/150, so.
22, Gage Valone, TE/LB, 6-1/180, jr.
23, Gunnar Smith, WR/DB, 5-10/135, so.
26, Logan Parson, TE/LB, 6-0/215, sr.
31, Jonah Townsend, RB/DB, 5-9/145, jr.
41, Gage Marker, TE/DL, 6-0/190, so.
42, Jake Chatfield, TE/LB, 5-9/170, so.
44, Tristan Wtorkiewicz, RB/DB, 5-7/145, so.
45, Stephen Predajna, RB/DB, 5-8/175, so.
46, Andrew Brodak, TE/DE, 6-1/190, fr.
50, Charles Stader, OL/DL, 5-9/220, jr.
52, Robert Everly, OL/DL, 5-6/205, so.
51, Dane Smitley, OL/DL, 6-0/250, fr.
58, Mike Reese, OL/LB, 5-7/180, jr.
60, Michael McLaughlin, OL/DL, 5-8/175, so.
63, Colten Keefer, OL/DL, 5-7/150, so.
66, Payton Schaum, OL/DL, 6-0/280, jr.
67, Blake Sellinger, OL/DL, 5-8/245, so.
69, Shane Hay, Ol/DL, 6-0/235, fr.
71, Carter Strayer, OL/DL, 6-5/245, jr.
72, Preston Sherrick, OL/DL, 6-0/290, fr.
73, Jack Knopsnider, OL/DL, 6-0/315, sr.
75, Dylan Pitzer, TE/DE, 6-7/250, jr.
75, Aiden Berry, OL/DL, 5-11/200, fr.
77, Ronin Stader, OL/DL, 6-4/300, so.
78, Alex Ferencz, OL/DL, 6-3/295, jr.
79, Christian Brodak, OL/DL, 5-10/235, so.
87, Jarrett Garn, WR/DB, 6-3/185, sr.
88, Tyler Kurtz, K, 6-0/135, jr.
Brady Brooks, RB/DB, 5-10/145, fr.
Johnny Klejka, OL/DL, fr.
Nick Morell, RB/DB, 5-4/120, fr.
Derrick Smith, WR/LB, fr.
Trent Stanek, OL/DL, fr.
Aidan Teaters, OL/DL, so.
Carter Urban, RB/LB, 5-7/150, fr.
Ivan Zufall, OL/DL, fr.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Mt. Pleasant
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