New coach, same goals for Belle Vernon

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, August 11, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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There may be a new football coach at Belle Vernon, but the goals remain the same: win and play for titles.

Scott Bryer has taken over for Matt Humbert, who resigned in February after 11 seasons when he led the Leopards to WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A titles in 2022 and 2023.

Bryer, who was the team’s linebackers coach, was going to ask Humbert if he could move to defensive coordinator. Days later came the resignation.

“It was a surprise,” Bryer said of the resignation. “I am excited about the challenge.”

The Leopards finished 4-5 in 2024, 3-2 in the Class 4A Big Six Conference.

They graduated numerous key starters, including running back Kole Doppelheuer and wide receivers Antony Crews, Alonzo Wade and Dom Ghilani.

“We have some big shoes to fill,” Bryer said. “We do have a group returning who saw a lot of playing time, and the junior varsity did all right.

“I feel the players have bought into what we want to do and are ready to step up. The summer has gone well.”

Bryer will be counting on senior quarterback Curtis Wade to lead the offense.

Wade is a dual-threat quarterback who threw for 1,039 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior and was the second leading rusher with 365 yards and three scores.

“Curtis seems more comfortable this season,” Bryer said. “I expect good things from him. He had big shoes to fill last year.”

Senior Deaubre Lightfoot will switch to running back after playing wide receiver last year. He caught 11 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Bryer said the move allows Lightfoot to utilize his speed better.

Joining Lightfoot in the backfield will be junior Chace Petrosky, sophomore Jace Gedekoh and sophomore Ean Tater.

Senior Anthony DiCenzo, Tater and senior Nick Mihalko will be some of Wade’s targets in the passing game.

An area of strength on offense should be the offensive line. Senior tackle Jason Minniti (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) and junior center Ethan Baron (6-1, 225) lead the way. Bryer said he has numerous candidates for the other three spots.

Defensively, the Leopards’ new defensive coordinator is Chris Edenfield. He is working with an experienced linebacker corps that Bryer feels is special.

The inside linebackers are Gedekoh and junior David Bergstedt, and DiCenzo and junior Skylar Gush will work on the outside.

Minniti, Baron and junior Cam Jenko will anchor the defensive line.

The secondary is loaded with candidates, including Tater, Petrosky, Mahalko and Lightfoot.

Again, the Leopards open with a difficult nonconference schedule. They start the season Aug. 22 at home against West Allegheny and then host Aliquippa on Aug. 29.

Then they play at Central Valley, host McKeesport and then go to South Fayette before opening conference play at home against Thomas Jefferson on Sept. 26.

“Our schedule is brutal,” Bryer said. “It sure will prepare us for conference play.”

Belle Vernon

Coach: Scott Bryer

2024 record: 4-5, 3-2 in Class 4A Big 6 Conference

All-time record: 370-246-7

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 West Allegheny, 7

8.29 Aliquippa, 7

9.5 at Central Valley, 7

9.12 McKeesport, 7

9.19 at South Fayette, 7

9.26 Thomas Jefferson*, 7

10.3 at Chartiers Valley*, 7

10.10 at Laurel Highlands*, 7

10.17 Ringgold*, 7

10.24 Trinity*, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Curtis Wade

63-108, 1,049 yards, 12 TDs

Rushing: Kole Doppelheuer*

98-699 yards, 9 TDs

Receiving: Anthony Crews*

22-304 yards, 3 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Belle Vernon has won three WPIAL titles (1995, 2022, 2023) and two PIAA titles (2022, 2023).

• The Leopards began playing in 1965 after a merger between Bellmar and Rostraver high schools.

• In a 1977 game, kicker Calvin Wargo’s field goal attempt was blocked by the Brownsville defense and bounced back to him, and he returned the block for a touchdown while the Brownsville defense ran past him and to the locker room.

ROSTER

Number, Name, Position, Year

2, Nick Bell, WR/DB, fr.

3, Curty Wade, QB/DB, sr.

4, Luca Ghilani, WR/DB, jr.

5, Ean Tatar, WR/DB, so.

6, Eli Triffanoff, RB/DE, sr.

7, Preston Rathway, K/P, sr.

8, Anthony DiCenzo, WR/LB, sr.

9, Lightfoot Deaubre, RB/DB, sr.

10, Jace Gedekoh, QB/LB, jr.

11, Jason Petrusky, WR/DB, sr.,

12, Nick Mahalko, WR/DB, sr.

14, Cameron Black, QB/DB, so.

15, Vander Raczkowski, RB/LB, so.

16, Caleb Horner, WR/LB, sr.

17, David Bergstedt, RB/LB, jr.

18, Rylee Doppelheuer, WR/DB, so.

19, Jackson Shawley, QB/DB, fr.

21, Chace Petrosky, RB/LB, jr.

23, Braylin Blackburn, RB/LB, fr.

24, Cameren Jenko, TE/DE, jr.

27, Mason Baughman, WR/LB, jr.

28, Jeremiah Osborne, RB/LB, fr.

29, Suyash Sapkota, WR/DB, sr.

40, Andrew Palenchar, TE/LB, fr.

41, Robert Allshouse, WR/CB, jr.

50, Jake Zelenski, OL/DL, so.

52, Skylar Gush, OL/LB, jr.

53, Hunter McKenzie, OL/DL, so.

54, Ethan Baron, OL/DL, jr.

55, Mason Rygiel, OL/DL, fr.

58, Dalton Daumit, OL/DL, jr.

65, Aaden House, OL/DL, jr.

68, Tim Schwerha, LS, sr.

70, Jude Minniti, OL/DL, sr.

72, Logan Campbell, OL/DL, fr.

77, Connor Cunningham, OL/DL, fr.

79, Derek Deleonibus, OL/DL, jr.

80, Jackson Alexander, TE/DE, sr.

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: Belle Vernon