Sto-Rox football team returns core of explosive offense

By: Nathan Smith
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 | 8:13 PM

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The Sto-Rox football team enters the season with plenty of motivation.

The Vikings made strides in LaRoi Johnson’s first season as coach. The team achieved a winning record for only the second time since 2013. The offense improved its points-per-game average from 17.8 in 2017 to 41.6 in 2018. Quarterback Eric Wilson set a WPIAL regular-season passing record with 3,003 yards.

But Sto-Rox missed out on the postseason.

“Not making the playoffs put a sour taste in our mouths, and that made us take a new approach this offseason,” Wilson said. “We worked our trails off, stepped up our leadership and became closer as a team.”

Wilson threw for 38 touchdowns with a pair of scores on the ground last season. The gunslinger dedicated himself in the offseason. He gained 15 pounds and improved his 40-yard dash time to the 4.70s.

“He has improved as an athlete overall and not just as a quarterback,” Johnson said. “He is a dynamic runner. He is really becoming a dual-threat quarterback.”

Senior Amahd Pack finished with 1,352 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Only three receivers finished with more yards in the WPIAL.

“We’re at the point where we can come to the line without saying anything or using any signals, and we see the same thing,” Wilson said. “And when you have that, your team is much more dangerous.”

Seniors Jaidon Berry and Malik Smith should both boost the receiving corps.

The team will have a running back-by-committee approach. Pack is the team’s top returning rusher with 211 yards on the ground. Junior Diontae Givens could pound the rock, and Zay Davis could have an impact.

“Eric Wilson has taken (Davis) under his wing,” Johnson said. “He’s a freshman, but he might be able to be an impact player at running back or wide receiver.”

Senior lineman Myeir Woodard is a 6-foot-4, 250-pound tackle. He will be a cornerstone of both the offense and defense. The rest of the line has a blend of size and experience. Senior Tyler Fate is a three-year starter at center. Johnson said junior Cheyenne Davis has the ability to move people off the ball.

The defense had some inconsistencies last season. It held six opponents to less than a touchdown. But in four losses, the Vikings gave up more than 39 points per game.

But a strong core of returning talent should change that. The Vikings return eight of their top 10 tacklers from last season’s squad.

Senior Darnell Anderson recorded seven interceptions last season. Senior safety Dylan Greer led the team in tackles with 96 last season to go along with six sacks. Senior Aujore Nelson is a cornerback with a 6-2 frame.

Senior linebacker Brennan Harris gives the linebacker corps speed. Givens is set to be a presence at linebacker after finishing with more than 70 tackles last season.

“Givens is starting to come into his own,” Johnson said. “He just needs to take that next step, and he could be a star.”

Schedule

Coach: LaRoi Johnson

2018 record: 6-4, 4-3

All-time record: 284-240-9

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23, South Side, 7

8.30, OLSH*, 7

9.6, Union*, 7

9.13, at Cornell*, 7

9.20, Chartiers-Houston, 7

9.27, at Northgate*, 7

10.4, Rochester*, 7

10.11, Bishop Canevin*, 7

10.18, at Laurel*, 7

10.25, Imani Christian, 7

*Class A Big 7 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Eric Wilson

158-264-3,003 yards, 38 TDs

Rushing: Vince Eggleton*

67-632 yards

Receiving: Amahd Pack

59-1,352 yds

*Graduated

Tags: Sto-Rox