Shaler Area’s Fugh, Bendel to continue football careers together

By: Josh Rizzo
Thursday, July 18, 2019 | 7:56 PM

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Choosing to play football at John Carroll provided Brennan Fugh with many opportunities for building on strong family ties.

Fugh’s cousin, Alex Kline, finished his college career with more than 1,000 yards receiving at the school. In addition, when the 2019 Shaler Area graduate heads to school, a member of the Titans football family, Matt Bendel, will be joining him on the team.

Fugh attended a lot of Kline’s games when he played and had been thinking about the school for a long time. When he decided to go, Fugh made the decision with Kline in the room.

Fugh told his cousin, then texted the coach.

“I went to all his games and loved it,” said Fugh, who will play wide receiver this fall. “Everyone was involved. With the student atmosphere, it was a sweet thing.”

The Blue Streak will open their schedule Sept. 7 in a home nonconference game. John Carroll, which competes in the Ohio Athletic Conference, reached the Division III playoffs last season before bowing out in the first round to Randolph-Macon College.

Bendel, who will play defensive end, is excited for the challenge of playing college football.

“I made the decision on academics more than anything,” said Bendel, who will major in accounting. “I had talked to Brennan, and I knew he was looking at them, too. When I told him I was going there, he said it was a good fit for both of us.”

Bendel and Fugh were key cogs for a Titans team that finished 4-7 and qualified for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. Shaler bowed out in the first round, falling to eventual runner-up West Allegheny, 37-0.

Fugh hauled in 47 passes for 782 yards, while Bendel caught five passes for 64 yards.

Bendel, who is 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, focused on bulking up over the summer. What has been especially important is trying to add weight the right way.

“Definitely the diet,” Bendel said. “I have to clean it up and have emphasized getting stronger. It’s extremely important playing at the next level.”

Fugh is excited to get started with John Carroll.

He’s hoping to start another page in the family legacy.

“We played basketball since we were young and are good friends,” Fugh said. “It helps having someone you know go up there with you.”

Fugh and Bendel are two of four recent Shaler grads committed to playing football in the fall. Cameron Aigner (Waynesburg) and Evan Walsh (Saint Vincent) also will be playing at the Division III level.

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