Serra Catholic to rely on young players to replicate success of ’17

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 23, 2018 | 9:03 AM

Jose Regus had a highly successful first season as Serra Catholic’s coach, leading his group of underdogs into the postseason and advancing to the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals for the first time in a decade.

Regus expects to keep the program at a high level, but he knows his young players will have to step up and play like veterans to replicate last season’s success.

“I am very pleased with what we have, but we’re young,” Regus said. “We have some young guys that are going to have to step up real quick.”

The Eagles, who went 7-5 overall and 4-2 in Three Rivers Conference play, defeated Beth-Center in the first round of the playoffs before being ousted by North Catholic.

Serra Catholic made its second straight playoff appearance in Regus’ inaugural season and reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2007, when the Eagles won the WPIAL Class A title.

“It was outstanding last year, and it wasn’t like we were surprised because we knew we had a good team,” Regus said.

The Eagles have several voids to fill, starting at quarterback. Evan Honick, now at Mercyhurst, put up impressive numbers as a senior, throwing for nearly 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for six more scores.

Regus will rely on last year’s backup, Pat Brennan, as the starter under center.

“I think he has what it takes to fill the shoes of Evan,” Regus said.

Wide receivers JaQuae Jackson, now playing at Cal (Pa.), and Malik Edmundson are two other key losses.

Jackson finished with 55 catches for 996 yards and seven touchdowns last season in addition to being a first-team all-state defensive back. Edmundson also put up big numbers in the passing game, finishing with 29 catches for 597 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior receiver Matt Ulishney will be an asset in the passing game, while Bernard Lawson will provide a big target for Brennan. Regus said Lawson is a “tight-end-sized kid” who has the hands to be a factor as a wideout.

The Eagles bring back all-conference running back Khalil Smith for his senior season. He rushed for 840 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

“Khalil Smith has been consistent since he has been here and is one of the top rushers in the conference,” Regus said. “He’s great on the defensive side of the ball, also.”

Senior H-back Noah South will be a factor in the backfield, along with junior Ray Holmes.

“Those three will rotate around with Khalil, serving mainly at running back,” Regus said. “Holmes and South are going to be a good 1-2 punch behind him.”

Regus said his offensive line is young.

Junior Nate Greenlee, a two-year starter, is the lone returning starter on the line and will be joined by senior Steve Hussein, who Regus said continues to improve, along with sophomore Kyle Sullivan and freshman Keylen Kenney. Regus added that there are a few other young players battling for playing time.

“We’re tight at that position,” he said.

The defensive line will be anchored by Holmes, with freshman Paul Pearson also being a factor.

The Eagles’ strength lies in their linebacker corps. Senior Mark Banner leads the way after a big season in which he was named second-team all-conference. Regus said Banner, who had 130 tackles last season, is a silent but deadly type of linebacker.

“He’s going to hit anything,” Regus said. “He’s definitely going to make tackles. That’s all he knows how to do.”

Sophomore John Banner, Mark’s brother, will also play at linebacker, along with Smith and South.

Freshman Terrell Brooks will likely start at safety with Ulishney and the duo of Tavon Campbell-Holt and Chris Salemi at defensive back.

“We have some older guys, but we have those younger guys that may have to mature fast,” Regus said. “With the good season we had, a couple more kids came out within the school. They wanted to be a part of the football team, and we’ll accept anybody.”

Serra Catholic will be joined in its conference by Brentwood, Burgettstown, Carlynton, Fort Cherry, Seton LaSalle, South Allegheny and South Side Beaver.

“I think we’ll be in the middle of the conference, but for right now until we see what’s going on, I won’t overshoot myself or underbook myself,” Regus said. “There are a lot of teams we haven’t played before that we just haven’t seen. We have looked at film of a couple of teams in the conference, but it may not be the same kids the next year.

“We have to wait until we start getting some film to evaluate what we are going to be up against.”

Schedule

Coach: Jose Regus

2017 record: 7-5, 4-2

All-time record: 202-321-6

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, at Yough, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Ellwood City, 7 p.m.

9.7, South Side Beaver*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Shenango, 7 p.m.

9.21, Carlynton*, 7 p.m.

9.28, Burgettstown*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Brentwood*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at South Allegheny*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Seton LaSalle*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Fort Cherry*, 7 p.m.

*Class 2A Three Rivers Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Evan Honick*

114-207, 1,683 yards, 13 TDs

Rushing: Khalil Smith

160-840 yards, 10 TDs

Receiving: JaQuae Jackson*

55-966 yards, 5 TDs

*Graduated

Jose Negron is a Mon Valley Independent staff writer.