Neshannock sets lofty goal for season: Rings rather than T-shirts

By: Brennan Valladares
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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Editor’s note: Trib HSSN will publish team-by-team previews for one conference per day until the start of the high school football season Friday.

Coach Michael Bongivengo may only be in his second year at the helm at Neshannock, but he is well aware of the championship standard that is yet to be met.

In his past two seasons with the team, the Lancers, despite an 18-4 overall record and a 13-0 conference record, failed to advance past their first playoff opponent.

“As the head football coach, you know, being a part of this program, we don’t want to have (early playoff exits),” the 2024 Big 7 Coach of the Year said. “… Our goals are always the same within this program: win the conference title, win a WPIAL title, win a state title.”

Those may seem like lofty goals for most programs, but most programs haven’t won more than 80% of their games over the last three years. Even then, postseason success will take a different level of mental fortitude from Neshannock.

“Our biggest thing that we are focusing on is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable,” Bongivengo said. “And that’s, I know, an old cliche coach’s saying. I know a lot of coaches might say that, but that’s something here in Neshannock. We are comfortable in our day-to-day lives. We’re really comfortable in everything we have. So when that adversity hits, or, you know, that do-or-die moment hits like, we can’t just continue to say, ‘Hey, we made it here. We’re OK with it.’ Like, you know, T-shirts are cool … but getting some jewelry would be a lot cooler.”

And the time for some jewelry might just be now. Neshannock will return 15 seniors in 2025, including reigning Big 7 Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Jino Mozzocio, all-conference linebacker Ashton Allison and team-leading rusher Anthony Eakin.

Mozzacio threw for 1,115 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, helping fuel Neshannock’s offense to 32 points per game. While Bongivengo has seen progress in Mozzacio’s poise and temperament, the senior quarterback might still have doubts following an injury in the playoffs.

“That’s something that’s, you know, I think has stuck with him, even though he might not say it straight up,” Bongivengo said. “He definitely wants to come out and finish the year the right way. You know, he wants to lead his team as far as he could take this team. And, you know, I think he could do that. I really believe in him, and I believe in his mindset and his work ethic.”

Another player whose strong work ethic will make him an invaluable senior leader is Eakin, whose 936 yards and seven touchdowns led all rushers for Neshannock in 2024.

“He’s not the most vocal guy, but he works. My man is whew!” Bongivengo said.

The second-year coach also mentioned that Eakin is “understanding Xs and Os better than he ever has,” and that he hopes that will translate into more playmaking on both sides of the ball.

Allison, who will serve as one of the team’s captains for the second time in his career, will also be a key two-way player. Last season, he recorded six receptions for 126 yards at tight end while anchoring a defense that allowed just 15.3 points per game.

“I think my expectations for him are to be, you know, pushing that 100-tackle mark on defense,” Bongivengo said. “You know, on offense, securing the perimeters, catching the football, making plays.”

Other players expected to continue to play large roles include seniors Joey Veronesi, Ethan Beaman and Brady Frasso. Among the underclassmen, junior Ryan Cameron and sophomores Matthew Tomon, Justin Edworthy and Sammy Flora will also be a part of the rotation.

Bongivengo has high expectations for his football team in 2025. On paper, his squad is poised to meet those expectations. Only time will tell if they actualize their potential.

“We are blessed that we’re having some regular season success, but now it’s time,” said Bongivengo. “… I mean, you know, that’s something that we’ve got to take more pride of when it’s time to, you know, when it’s do-or-die, win-or-go-home time, like we’ve got to really take some pride in that and show who we are and show that what we do in the regular season can carry over into the playoffs, well into November and hopefully into December.

“… We’re making summer workouts hard right now … where kids are tired and where kids are hurting, and we want them to remember that come November.”

Neshannock

Coach: Michael Bongivengo

2024 record: 9-2, 6-0 in Class A Big 7 Conference

All-time record: 314-335-15

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 at Mohawk, 7

8.29 Union, 7

9.5 at Ellwood City, 7

9.12 at Rochester*, 7

9.19 Northgate*, 7

9.26 at Shenango*, 7

10.3 Burgettstown, 7

10.10 South Side*, 7

10.18 at Summit Academy*, 12:30

10.24 at Laurel*, 7

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Jino Mozzocio

81-151, 1,115 yards, 12 TDs

Rushing: Anthony Eakin

148-936 yards, 7 TDs

Receiving: Dom Cubellis*

33-372 yards, 3 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Michael Bongivengo is entering his third season at Neshannock. He started as the Lancers’ special teams coordinator in 2023 before taking the head coaching position in 2024.

• Neshannock is 29-6 (13-1) over the last three seasons. The Lancers are coming off two consecutive conference titles in the Midwestern (2A) and the Big 7 (A).

• The Lancers graduated seven seniors last year, including all-conference picks Dom Cubellis, Tony Perrotta and Braden Montgomery.

• Neshannock has four home losses since 2022. Two of those losses have come in the playoffs.

Tags: Neshannock