Senior Kadin Keefer flourishes in Southmoreland’s QB-friendly offense

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 11:01 AM

When Tim Bukowski joined the staff as the offensive coordinator at Southmoreland in 2018, he didn’t just put in a new offense. He made it a priority to develop quarterbacks who could run it.

Now the second-year head coach of the Scotties, Bukowski appreciates what he sees in the development of senior quarterback Kadin Keefer, who has a firm grasp of the system he orchestrates.

Southmoreland went 4-7 last year but qualified for the playoffs for the third time in five seasons.

“It’s a quarterback-friendly offense. I am not afraid to throw it,” Bukowski said. “I have been that way ever since I started calling plays in 1998. With what we run, if the quarterback makes the right read, someone is going to be open. It is tough to stop.”

Keefer passed for 1,586 yards, averaging over 23 attempts a game. “He makes the throws and really keeps mistakes to a minimum,” Bukowski said.

Keefer completed 132 of 237 throws and tossed 18 touchdowns.

“We go through drills every day and we throw to all of our targets,” Keefer said. “I have played this position my entire life. In our offense, you need to be ready to pass the ball, but also run it. It’s a privilege to play QB here.”

Keefer (6-foot-3, 200) followed in the footsteps of two talented quarterbacks who played before him in Zach Cernuto and Anthony Govern.

Both could throw and run, and both had command of and flourished in the “Air Raid” offense.

The QB room is a good place to be in Alverton. Backup quarterback Caden Matthews, a sophomore, also has shown poise, while coaches said eighth grader Anthony Smith is showing promise.

“The offense has gotten more popular with the 7-on-7 era,” Bukowski said. “South Fayette and Peters Township like to use it and throw it around.

“The quarterbacks we’ve had are similar, but all had something unique they brought to the offense.”

Bukowski called plays when he was the offensive coordinator at Clairton from 2006-12 when the Bears won 66 straight games, six WPIAL titles and four PIAA championships. He took the offense to Ringgold in 2016-17.

Summer reps are the key, Keefer said, to translating the offense to games.

“We’d get together at Kendi Park (in Scottdale) and bring some receivers,” said Keefer, who also plays defensive end. “We would work on routes and timing a lot.”

You can’t mention Southmoreland and touchdowns without its highlight-reel connection known as Keefer-to-Keffer.

Senior 6-4, 200-pound senior receiver Ty Keffer led the WPIAL last season with 73 receptions for 1,009 yards. He pulled in 15 touchdowns, including a 90-yard bomb against South Allegheny.

“Since midgets I have been throwing it to him,” Keefer said. “I was disappointed when he quit (football), but it didn’t take us long to get our chemistry when he came back.”

The big-play duo is primed to light up the scoreboard.

Keffer said Keefer-to-Keffer was organic and is now automatic. He gave up football in sixth grade and decided to reboot his career in high school.

“It’s like the Flash when they touch fingers, boom, it’s a connection,” Keffer said.

Keffer uses his length and size to catch passes over defenders.

“I found that out (in camp),” senior running back Da’sjon Craggette said.

The interplay of Keefer and his targets could be fun to watch this season, but the offense can also spring the running game.

Craggette will be a key rusher for the Scotties after transferring from Greensburg Central Catholic to Geibel, which has a football co-op with Southmoreland.

“This could be a really exciting year,” Keefer said.

Said Keffer: “(Craggette) is really going to help our running game. (Cam) Phillips is a tough runner, too. He brings speed and depth.”

Keffer is far from alone as a pass catcher. Also watch junior tight end Elliot Primus (6-3, 215), and seniors Ronnie Collins, Wyatt Richter and Cody Bateman.

The burgeoning offense could be accompanied by an improved defense, a weakness to the overall unit in recent years.

West Mifflin beat the Scotties in the first round last year, 54-28.

“We’re going to be really good on defense,” said Keffer, who plays cornerback. “Everyone matured. People didn’t do their jobs last year. Now, they will, and it will show. Last year against West Mifflin we were scared. This year, we won’t be as nervous.”

Keefer wants to be the first Scotties quarterback to win a playoff game. Southmoreland is 0 for 4 in the WPIAL postseason all time.

“We want that playoff win,” Keefer said. “I have been there three times. We know what it takes to get there. Now, we have to get it done.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Southmoreland