Veteran skill players lead Serra Catholic into new conference, classification

By: Liam Belan
Thursday, August 22, 2024 | 7:01 AM

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Serra Catholic may be dropping from Class 2A to Class A, but the path to making a deep postseason run will be just as difficult, if not more, with its new schedule.

The Eagles will a Black Hills Conference made up of WPIAL champion Fort Cherry, district semifinalist Bishop Canevin, playoff teams Monessen, Burgettstown and Cornell and Chartiers-Houston.

Despite the change, coach Jose Regus’ squad will have to be at its best to compete with a challenging schedule. Clairton, California and Leechburg, three playoff teams last season, are on the nonconference slate, along with Summit Academy.

“There’s some good teams down in Class A,” Regus said. “It’s strong. I’m not seeing any change in competition because a lot of the A teams that we’re playing dominated some 2A teams. In A you’ve got Fort Cherry, Bishop Canevin, Clairton, and I’ve gotta play all three of them. It’s going to be tough. It isn’t like we dropped down and it’s going to be a cakewalk.”

While Serra will have to compete with the likes of four-star athlete Matt Sieg from Fort Cherry and Air Force commit Henry Barbisch at TE/DE for Bishop Canevin, opponents will have their hands full with a bevy of returning starters for the Eagles.

At the heart of the offensive attack will be three seniors as quarterback Quadir Stribling, running back Mason Jones and wide receiver De’reon Washington will look to end their high school careers on a high note.

“I’m looking for a lot out of Quadir Stribling and De’reon Washington,” Regus said. “They had a great combination last year. … I’m looking to a few other guys like Mason Jones and Brady Vrcic out of the backfield; we’re hoping to get a lot from them.”

They’ll be operating behind a strong offensive line that includes Marquis Holt and Micah Martin at tackle, Kai’Ree Chavez-Harrington and Bryson Blue at guard and Tonino Fassinger at center.

“With a strong line anchored by seniors, and a lot of support from underclassmen, I’m hoping that it can be a good unit,” Regus said.

There are a few freshmen, namely Cole Hann, Marcus Holt and Aiden Corbett, that Regus mentioned will get opportunities to play on special teams and maybe elsewhere. It’s a large class of rookies that will all have an opportunity to earn playing time in some form.

Other receivers include Jones, Saron Royall and D’Angelo Stewart with Hann getting into the rotation. Newcomer DJ Deliman will see time in the backfield and Tyler Sapida, also new to the team, will look to carve out a role.

Fassinger and Martin will play defensive end with Blue and Chavez-Harrington at defensive tackle. Jones, Royall and Vrcic will make up the main linebacking corps with Stewart at corner, but Regus said the other corner spot is up for grabs with Hann, Shane Andiorio and Holt working hard for it. Washington and Stribling will hold it down at safety for the Eagles.

Kicker Caden Bauer will also be important for the Eagles in a classification where kicking isn’t always a given.

“We have a good amount of seniors with good support from underclassmen as well,” Regus said. “We have about 25 kids. We have a pretty strong o-line and d-line, good experience at skill positions. I’m excited to see who steps up this year.”

Serra Catholic is three years removed from winning a WPIAL title, and the Eagles will be looking to ascend to those heights once again.

With a tough schedule, Regus said the team will have to depend on its senior leaders, and he believes that they are fully capable of leading them to where they want to go.

In the meantime, the work will continue.

“We just have to stay focused and committed,” Regus said. “We have to put good practices together and then get out there and perform. Especially when you’re playing all these competitive teams. It’s going to be week by week.”

Serra Catholic

Coach: Jose Regus

2023 record: 4-6, 4-2 in Class 2A Allegheny Conference

All-time record: 245-344-6

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at California, 7

8.30 Clairton, 7

9.6 Leechburg, 7

9.13 at Monessen*, 7

9.21 at Summit Academy, 12:30

9.27 at Cornell*, 7

10.4 Bishop Canevin*, 7

10.11 Chartiers-Houston*, 7

10.18 at Burgettstown*, 7

10.25 Fort Cherry*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Quadir Stribling

171-261, 2,488 yards, 27 TDs

Rushing: Mason Jones

98-429 yards, 7 TDs

Receiving: De’reon Washington

41-965 yards, 16 TDs

Tags: Serra Catholic