New coach Graham sparks high expectations at Shenango

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | 10:00 PM

When Jimmy Graham was hired by his alma mater, the former Shenango standout came in ready to get to work. There was only one issue.

“Managing the extracurriculars has been the biggest challenge,” the 1997 Shenango graduate said. “Once we got a staff together, then dealing with off-the-field stuff like uniforms … it was nice to get on the field and get to work on the coaching part of coaching.”

Graham played quarterback at Shenango and at Westminster College, where he still holds the single-season passing record. As a former signal-caller, he has a specific idea in mind when designing the offense for the Wildcats this year.

“Our offense is designed to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers,” Graham said. “We will shuffle players around, put our players in different positions as necessary.”

One of those playmakers is Reis Watkins, a sophomore who figures to see a good number of touches. According to Graham, he is leading the battle for quarterback. Watkins scored four touchdowns last year as a freshman, including one through the air. While Watkins is the frontrunner, Graham said others will see time behind center.

Jason Kraner figures to also get the ball in his hands a lot this season. The junior scored three touchdowns a year ago. Seniors Brock Keyser and Mark Mangino also figure to contribue on offense.

The Wildcats also return juniors Anthony Campoli and Jake Stephenson, as well as sophomore Alex Suber on the offensive line.

Defensively, Ryan Plunkard, Sam Miloser and Carlton Sluder will look to control the box, with Mangino, Watkins, and Keyser patrolling the secondary. The Shenango defense allowed 35 or more points in four of their six losses a year ago.

Shenango has 40 players reporting to camp this year, up from 29 players a season ago. Of that group, a strong crew of 15 freshman came out for the team. Those numbers are promising, especially for a first-year coach.

“We want to create excitement,” Graham said. “We can start to establish an offense and defense for four years (with a large freshman class).”

After spending the past two seasons in the Big 7 Conference in Class A, Shenango moves up to the Midwestern Athletic Conference in Class 2A. With the move, the ‘Cats will now add games against local Lawrence County rivals like Mohawk and Neshannock.

Shenango starts the year in Week Zero in nonconference action against another county foe, Union. The Scotties knocked Shenango out of the playoffs in the final week last season.

While last year’s team ended up missing out on the postseason, Graham thinks his squad is trending in the right direction and can be a playoff contender, despite moving up in classification.

“The seniors are providing great leadership,” he said. “The kids are coachable, and everybody is buying in.”

Schedule

Coach: Jimmy Graham

2017 record: 3-6, 3-5

All-time record: 406-347-38

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25, Union, 7 p.m.

8.31, Freedom*, 7 p.m.

9.8, at Western Beaver*, 12:30 p.m.

9.14, Serra Catholic, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Riverside*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Mohawk*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Ellwood City*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Southmoreland, 7 p.m.

10.19, New Brighton*, 7 p.m.

10.26, at Neshannock*, 7 p.m.

*Class 2A Midwestern Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Maxwell Reamer*

51-109, 662 yards, 6 TDs

Rushing: Josh Young*

120-770 yards, 11 TDs

Receiving: Josh Young*

27-394 yards

*Graduated

James Dotson is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shenango