With RB Antonio Laure back in fold, Rochester eyes success in Big 7 Conference

By: Bill Hartlep
Thursday, August 22, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Antonio Laure is looking forward to stepping back on a football field, breaking through a wall of defenders and scampering into the end zone.

It’s something he does better than most Western Pennsylvania ball carriers in Class A.

Rochester’s standout senior running back missed most of last season with a broken leg. Though he will still be sidelined early this season, he expects to be back in uniform and helping the Rams contend for a Class A Big 7 Conference title.

“I’m feeling all right,” Laure said. “Not officially 100%. I’m hoping to be back soon.”

Laure, who also plays outside linebacker, ran for 193 yards and five touchdowns on 32 carries last season in just three games. As a sophomore, he was an all-conference selection after compiling 1,407 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.

He adds a dynamic weapon to the Rochester offense, which averaged 25.4 points last season en route to a 6-5 record and 3-3 mark in the conference, good for third place in the Big 7. The Rams beat Cornell, 20-19, in overtime in the WPIAL first round before falling to Fort Cherry, 42-0, in the quarterfinals.

Laure will be joined in the backfield by junior quarterback Patrick Bable, who enters his first season as a starter after seeing spot duty last year.

“We expect a lot from him,” Laure said. “He’ll step up this year and do what he has to do, running and throwing. He’s looking pretty good, just has to keep working and get more comfortable.”

Other returning starters for the Rams’ offense include senior wide receiver Carter Mason, senior tight ends Hunter Henshey and Nate Bills, senior lineman Logan Lyons and junior lineman Lucas Pearce.

Defensively, Rochester limited teams to 20.1 ppg last season. The Rams return several key pieces, including Lyons, Henshey, Bills and junior Thomas Henry at linebacker, senior Jaylin Stewart and Pearce on the defensive line and Mason, Bable and junior Desmond Ledford at defensive back.

“We want to come together as a team, get a strong bond, start strong with the exhibition games we have,” Laure said. “Then just going into the conference schedule, make a run, win the conference and go strong into the playoffs.”

Rochester

Coach: Gene Matsook

2023 record: 6-5, 3-3 in Class A Big Seven Conference

All-time record: 693-426-54

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 7

8.30 Freedom, 7

9.7 at Western Beaver, 12:30

9.13 at Neshannock*, 7

9.20 Laurel*, 7

9.27 Summit Academy*, 7

10.4 at Shenango*, 7

10.11 Cornell, 7

10.18 at Northgate*, 7

10.25 South Side*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Jayden Norman*

28-84, 460 yards, 4 TDs

Rushing: Dom Guido*

88-499 yards, 7 TDs

Receiving: Jeremiah Haskins*

4-110 yards, 2 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Gene Matsook is entering his 25th season guiding the Rams and has a record of 215-73. He has coached 39 years overall.

• Rochester has won eight WPIAL football titles (1921, ’91, ’92, ’98, 2000, ’01, ’02, ’04).

• The Rams graduated three all-conference performers – Michael Norman, who was picked as an offensive lineman and linebacker, DB Jayden Norman and DL Jeremiah Haskins.

• Rochester is closing in on 700 all-time victories and enters the season with 693. WPIAL teams that have surpassed that milestone include Aliquippa (783), Jeannette (777), New Castle (756), Washington (742), Clairton (725), McKeesport (722), Greensburg Salem (711) and Beaver Falls (705).

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: Rochester