With interest in program up, OLSH ‘would like to surprise people’

By: Josh Rizzo
Friday, August 15, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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The fruits of bringing together three programs in a co-op have brought Our Lady of the Sacred Heart football coach Donnie Militzer what he was looking for.

The Chargers now have 54 players on the roster, allowing for competitive practices. Militzer is encouraged by the arrangement between Eden Christian, Propel Montour and OLSH.

“This year, the interest is way up,” Militzer said. “We have more kids from all three schools. I think everyone saw the positive that came from playing together, and the interest rose.”

The Chargers finished 5-5 last season, including a 3-3 mark in Allegheny Conference play. OLSH once again was in a conference with Apollo-Ridge, Ligonier Valley, Shady Side Academy, South Allegheny, South Park and Steel Valley. The Eagles won the WPIAL’s Class 2A crown last season.

Militzer feels that OLSH will be more prepared this season.

“We had four days of practice during heat week that were better than the practices we had for four weeks,” Militizer said. “We had challenging and confident reps.”

OLSH will have to find a way to replace Vann Kavals, who became the first Division I recruit in Chargers football history when he signed with Akron after last season. Kavals passed for 1,502 yards and ran for 563 in addition to starring on defense.

OLSH will likely turn to sophomore JJ Hayden under center this season. Militzer said the competition is open.

The Chargers will bring back plenty of experience on defense. Linebacker Owen Tonery has done a lot of different jobs.

“He can play wide receiver one game and tackle the next,” Miltizer said. “He’s also the spiritual leader of the team. He leads the team in prayer before practices and games.”

Defensive lineman Aaron Massie, linebacker Chris Harris and defensive back Owen Nestor all return and are team captains.

Talen Ellis, wide receiver/defensive back, will also return for the Chargers.

Militzer said the defense has an identity that reflects how they play as a group. OLSH has a group of players who like being in a physical game.

“Everyone loves to hit,” Militzer said. “Liking to hit is what football is all about. We also have good team speed.”

OLSH is hoping to turn some heads this season.

“We would like to surprise people,” Militizer said. “This is a program that people used to rank somewhere. The kids feel like they are being forgotten about. They’ve seen all the top teams in 2A and understand what it takes to get to the next level.”

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Coach: Donnie Militzer

2024 record: 5-5, 3-3 in Class 2A Allegheny Conference

All-time record: 79-74-0

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.22 Rochester, 7

8.29 Fort Cherry, 7

9.5 at Seton-LaSalle, 7

9.12 South Allegheny*, 7

9.19 at Ligonier Valley*, 7

9.27 Apollo-Ridge*, 7

10.3 at South Park*, 7

10.11 Steel Valley*, 7

10.17 at Shady Side Academy*, 7

10.24 Keystone Oaks, 7

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Vann Kavals*

125-242, 1,502 yards, 12 TDs

Receiving: Iseia Fields-Schulz*

46-722 yards, 5 TDs

Rushing: Kavals*

72-563 yards, 7 TDs

*Graduated

FAST FACTS

• OLSH lost in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs to Riverside last season.

• The Chargers won their only WPIAL title in 2018.

• This will be OLSH’s 16th season as a program.

Tags: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart