Next generation of playmakers ready to take over at McKeesport

By: Jose Negron
Thursday, August 24, 2023 | 6:01 AM

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Every year, McKeesport heads into a new campaign with the goal of winning a conference title and having success in the WPIAL playoffs.

The Tigers have to replace key contributors on both sides of the ball, but that doesn’t lessen the expectations surrounding the group of players returning for the upcoming campaign.

“You always want to win all of them,” coach Matt Miller said. “It’s not easy with the conference we’re in and the schedule we play, but we always preach to the guys that it’s about having that next-man-up mentality. We really believe in that and we think we’ve prepared our guys well enough the last couple of years to take that next step on Friday nights.”

Jahmil Perryman and Bobbie Boyd are among the players the Tigers have to replace after going 11-2 with a trip to the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals last season.

With the pair, McKeesport was the only team in the WPIAL that featured two 1,000-yard rushers.

Perryman, now a freshman at St. Francis, carried the ball nearly 200 times as the Tigers’ quarterback last season. He finished with 1,441 yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards per carry and 110.8 yards per game.

“You can’t replace Jahmil. He was one of those special talents you have every couple of years,” said Miller, who expects to fill the void at quarterback with senior Garrett Tarker.

“He’s a kid we’re really excited about,” Miller added about Tarker. “He can do a lot of things throwing the ball. He’s very smart and we think he can put us in the right plays and right situations.

“Last year, we lived on the big plays. This year, we may have to hit some singles and doubles rather than all home runs.”

Now a freshman at California, Bobbie Boyd was McKeesport’s top weapon out of the backfield, totaling 1,164 yards on 143 carries with 12 touchdowns. He averaged just over eight yards per carry and 89.5 yards per game.

Larry Gibson, the Tigers’ third-leading rusher with 520 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago, graduated as well, leaving junior Anthony Boyd as McKeesport’s top back in its triple-option offense.

Bobbie’s younger brother carried the ball just 28 times last season, but he averaged an impressive 8.9 yards per carry. He finished with 249 yards and two scores.

“He’s the same type of talent as his brother,” Miller said. “He’s shifty, but he’s powerful and he always does a great job of making something out of nothing. He makes you, as a play caller, look smart when he does those things.

“It’s his turn and he’s ready to accept the challenge.”

Other playmakers the Tigers expect to rely on include Valdez Stuvaints and Anthony Cromerdie.

“We’re going to try to get Valdez the ball in numerous ways as a runner and as a receiver,” Miller said. “Cromerdie is going to be a speed guy we can get on the edge, similar to what we had with Kanye (Thompson). It will be one of those situations where he gets a step and he’s gone.

“We have some talented players like we’ve had in the past. Some are just a little fresh and inexperienced. It’s kind of exciting being in camp and seeing what they’re capable of and what they can grow into as the season goes on.”

McKeesport’s bread and butter lies within its offensive line, which has four returning starters in seniors Nick Winowitch, Jaydan Keys, Brady Boyle and Courtney Dunn. Dimitri Brooks is the only starter the Tigers need to replace up front.

“We have some other guys filling in who we’re really pleased with too,” Miller said. “I’m excited to see what they can all do up front.”

Miller expects his defensive line to be strong as well.

Dunn and Spell will star at the defensive end spots, while junior Ja’Vere Bray will be at nose tackle.

On the back side, Boyd will be counted upon to make an impact at strong safety with Stuvaints and senior Ricky Beermann at outside linebacker spots.

Miller added that the team will have a freshman, Kemon Spell, starting for the second time in 40 years. The younger brother of Keith will likely start at free safety.

“I think Khaleke (Hudson) was the last freshman to start for us over that time,” Miller said. “This kid is special. He looks like he’s 18 and I think he’s only 14. He plays like a grown man and you can tell the situation isn’t too big for him.”

McKeesport will return to Class 4A’s Big 7 Conference with Connellsville, Latrobe, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Thomas Jefferson and Trinity.

Prior to their semifinal exit at the hands of Aliquippa, the Tigers’ only other loss came against TJ in their regular season finale.

This year, McKeesport will again prepare for conference play by battling through a tough nonconference slate that includes West Mifflin, Penn-Trafford and Belle Vernon.

“Whether it happens or not, we always go into every year thinking we have a chance,” Miller said. “We just have to come out of the first few weeks healthy. We feel good about our kids and we think we can definitely contend.”

McKeesport

Coach: Matt Miller

2022 record: 11-2, 5-1 in Class 4A Big 7 Conference

All-time record: 711-424-51

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 West Mifflin, 7

9.1 Penn-Trafford, 7

9.8 at Belle Vernon, 7

9.15 Laurel Highlands*, 7

9.22 at Trinity*, 7

9.29 Ringgold*, 7

10.6 at Connellsville*, 7

10.13 at Gateway, 7

10.20 Latrobe*, 7

10.27 at Thomas Jefferson*, 7

*Conference game

Tags: McKeesport