With co-op boosting roster numbers, optimism abounds at OLSH

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, August 16, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Donnie Militzer wanted to be proactive following a nightmarish 2023 season. Toward the end of the season, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart’s football program was only dressing 17 or 18 players. Militzer went to athletic director Mike McDonald in the offseason with a request.

He needed more players.

The Chargers formed a co-op with Propel Montour and Eden Christian for this enrollment cycle, which bumped the program up to Class 2A.

“We knew it would bump us up,” Militzer said. “Most of our kids are still from OLSH. This was the best way to secure the program.”

What made last season so tough was the rash of injuries that depleted the team’s roster size. Receiver Dereon Green scored three touchdowns in a season-opening win over Shenango last season but tore his ACL and missed the rest of the season.

Quarterback/defensive end Vann Kavals broke his femur in Week 3. Kavals committed to play at Akron next season.

After missing time last season, Kavals has been dedicated to making sure he is taking all the steps off the field to be available to play.

“I put a lot of time into eating the right things,” Kavals said. “I have a lot of carbs. Before the game, I like to stretch by myself, go into the locker room and get ready and then come back out and stretch again.”

Thanks to the co-op agreements, Kavals should get some rest this season. Even if the Chargers suffer some attrition, OLSH has 45 players on the roster for the preseason.

“It’s been an interesting summer. I’ve never had to bring something like this together,” Militzer said. “I didn’t spend as much time on the Xs and Os. We wanted to get these guys together and let them get to know each other. Some of the days in the weight room, I just allowed them to be kids.”

Kavals will be asked to help take a leadership role with this group.

“He’s one of those kids,” Militzer said. “He played baseball and was one of their better players. In basketball, he averages nearly a double-double. He has the size and toughness to play defensive end and quarterback. A lot of quarterbacks don’t even play both ways anymore. He’s going to be an important piece for us offensively and defensively.”

Ethan Davis-Gardner will be OLSH’s top returning wide receiver. Davis finished with 616 receiving yards on 42 catches last season. He was able to do that despite OLSH having a revolving door at quarterback.

Davis caught passes from five different quarterbacks last season. Tristan Vojtecky will return on the offensive line. Iseia Fields-Schulz is a versatile player who has filled in at several different spots for OLSH.

Fields-Schultz is expected to play at running back and tight end. On defense, Fields-Schultz will play at linebacker. Kavals said playing defensive end and quarterback isn’t a burden.

“It’s not too hard,” Kavals said. “I worked hard during the summer to be able to be in shape to do both. I just need to stay healthy.”

OLSH will be in the Allegheny Conference this season along with Apollo-Ridge, Ligonier Valley, Shady Side Academy, South Allegheny, South Park and Steel Valley.

Militzer expects as the season goes along, there will be players who make names for themselves who were under the radar.

“Some of these kids haven’t played football for two years because they didn’t have a place to place,” Militzer said. “Everyone is invested in making this work. I think the communities have been supportive and that should help tremendously.”

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Coach: Donnie Militzer

2023 record: 4-6, 3-4 in the Class A Black Hills Conference

All-time record: 74-69-0

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 at Rochester, 7

8.30 at Fort Cherry, 7

9.6 Seton LaSalle, 7

9.13 at South Allegheny*, 7

9.21 Ligonier Valley*, 7

9.27 at Apollo-Ridge*, 7

10.5 South Park*, 7

10.11 at Steel Valley*, 7

10.19 Shady Side Academy*, 7

10.25 at Keystone Oaks, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing : Vann Kavals

41-63, 640 yards, 5 TDs

Rushing: Brandon Brazell*

115-488 yards

Receiving: Ethan Davis-Gardner

41-616 yards

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• OLSH won its only WPIAL title in 2018.

• The Chargers’ first football season was in 2010.

• OLSH will open the season Sept. 23 at Rochester.

• Chargers coach Donnie Militzer used to be an assistant at Robert Morris.

Tags: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart