Summit Academy eyes improvement in Big 7 Conference

By: Bill Hartlep
Monday, August 21, 2023 | 9:53 PM

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Summit Academy’s football team took its share of lumps last season, but there were plenty of learning moments for the players and coaches.

The group is hoping to use that experience from a year ago to find more success this fall, with an all new team.

“The goal is to improve from last season,” coach Anthony Becoate said. “I was a first-year coach last year. Just learning from my mistakes, understanding the mistakes we made as a team and preparing our students to better succeed this year.”

Because it is a school for at-risk youth, Summit Academy has nearly 100% roster turnover every season, so the coaches have been working to get the new players up to speed in time for a Week Zero matchup with New Castle on Aug. 26.

“(We are) laying the foundation and building on that with fundamentals,” Becoate said.

The Knights were shut out in their first two games a year ago before beating Springdale, 18-14, for their lone win. They finished 1-9 overall and 0-6 in the Class A Big 7 Conference, which sent three teams to the WPIAL semifinals, including district champion and PIAA runner-up Union.

Though there were shutout losses to Northgate and South Side, Summit managed 20 points against Rochester and showed improvement late in the season in losses to Riverview, Shenango, Laurel and Union.

“I feel like there were a lot of teams with a lot of seniors,” Becoate said of the Big 7. “I feel like it can be anyone’s crown for the taking. Our goal is to just compete every game and be competitive.”

The Knights will rely on several impact players this season, including quarterback Marcel Freeman, WR/S Esias Taylor, WR/S Kye’mere Robinson, all-purpose back Andrew DeArmitt, RB/LB Jamari Manning and OL/LB Wade Jeffers.

“This group, we have a little more athleticism on the outside with our skill guys,” Becoate said. “(Our offense) will definitely be more pass-heavy trying to get players the ball in the open field.

“Our linebacker group is our strength on defense. We have some guys who can hit.”

Summit Academy

Coach: Anthony Becoate

2022 record: 1-9, 0-6 in Class A Big 7 Conference

All-time record: 46-176-0

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.26 New Castle, 12:30

9.1 at Leechburg, 7

9.9 Springdale, 12:30

9.15 at Rochester*, 7

9.23 Northgate*, 12:30

9.29 at South Side*, 7

10.7 Riverview, 12:30

10.14 Shenango*, 12:30

10.20 at Laurel*, 7

10.28 Union*, 12:30 pm

*Conference game

FAST FACTS

• Coach Anthony Becoate took over for John McCloud before the start of the 2022 season. McCloud was an assistant football coach, wrestling coach and athletic director for nearly 20 years.

• Summit Academy did not play football in 2020, opting out during the coronavirus pandemic.

• The Knights were 0-10 overall and 0-5 in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference in 2021.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Summit Academy