Trent-Veatch connection paces Brentwood offense

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 23, 2017 | 12:31 AM

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They are best friends and exceptional athletes.

Brentwood gridders Michael Trent and Austin Veatch have developed into a top passing/receiving combination in the WPIAL over the past two seasons.

Trent, a 6-foot-2, 165-pound senior quarterback, threw for 890 yards and seven touchdowns in the Spartans' first four games this year, an average of 222.5 yards per game.

“My season has been going good, along with Austin's,” Trent said. “He and I have been practicing and working out together since the summer before our freshman season, and now it's like we're always on the same page.

“We've been putting up some good numbers while having fun, but I have to give credit to the guys in the trenches; they make it happen.”

Veatch, a 5-9, 160-pound senior wide receiver, had 26 receptions covering 460 yards (17.7 yards per catch) after four weeks, and accounted for a team-leading seven touchdowns.

“Mikey and I go way back,” Veatch said. “We've been best friends since elementary school, and we've been working together nonstop since our freshman year. All the extra hours we've put in are finally starting to pay off.

“I feel like I'm doing all right (this season). I'm coming up on the 500-yard mark, but I need all my lineman, my quarterback and the other skilled players, too.”

Trent passed for 1,278 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. One of his favorite targets in 2016 was Veatch, who had 30 receptions for 618 yards (20.6 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns.

For his career, Trent has connected on 165 of 312 aerials for 2,490 yards and 20 touchdowns. Almost half his career passing yardage has been reeled in by Veatch.

“He's a very good throwing quarterback,” coach Kevin Kissel said. “He's a good athlete; he's got a great arm. He can throw any kind of pass we need.”

Veatch has nabbed 56 passes for 1,078 yards 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and owns 65 receptions for 1,217 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career.

“Austin's an excellent receiver,” Kissel said. “He's a very quick, shifty kid. He has great speed, he's wiry and he's tough. He's a good, all-around athlete. He's our best player; everything goes around him in our offense.”

Brentwood split decisions in its first four games this year, and was 1-1 in conference play. The Spartans opened up with 32-8 and 33-13 wins against Carrick and Serra Catholic, then lost 33-19 and 19-14 to East Allegheny and Freedom.

Both Veatch and Trent steadfastly believe a playoff berth is on the horizon for Brentwood.

“My expectations have never changed,” Veatch said. “We are a playoff team, and that's where we are going to be in November.

“I think our team has played really well through our first (few) games. We've played well as a unit. We've been in some really close games where it's come down to the final drive. But with that being said, we're in all these close games and we haven't played our best game as a team yet. When we play our best game as a team, there's a lot that can be accomplished.”

“My expectations are to make the playoffs,” Trent said, “and to win the rest of our games on the schedule. Our team has been playing pretty well for the most part. There are a few small things we have to improve on, and I know we will.”

Other pass-catchers for the Spartans in 2017 include seniors Brendan Donnelly, Evan Vickless, John Gomez, Michael Folino and Kevin Brown.

Vickless leads the team in the rushing department.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Brentwood