With roster closer to full strength, Penn Hills starts to get back on track

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Penn Hills football coach Charles Morris knew it wasn’t time to panic. The film showed Morris that the Indians should be able to get back on track.

All Penn Hills needed after only scoring seven points during three consecutive losses to open the season was to get the cavalry back. The Indians made their statement in Week 3, rolling over Fox Chapel, 49-14, during their Northeast Conference opener at Yuhas-McGinley Stadium.

“When you go over the film and their mistakes are correctable, that’s a good thing,” Morris said. “It wasn’t a matter of getting outright dominated. There were a few things to correct and control. We had missed tackles here and there. It was achievable to turn things around. It’s not like we were getting outmanned.”

The first three weeks provided the Indians with plenty of material for self-reflection. Penn Hills had to tackle a number of difficult opponents while missing key playmakers.

The Indians only scored seven points and were shut out by New Castle and North Allegheny.

“To be totally transparent, this was the first game where we had 85% or 90% of the roster back (on offense),” Morris said. “We had a lot of guys who didn’t play in the first three games. It’s not making excuses; it’s just reality. With everyone back, you could see our potential.”

Seton LaSalle transfer Richard “Tre” Littlejohn made a splash in his debut. Littlejohn, who holds a handful of Division I offers, caught eight passes for 99 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Carter Bonner, who is a highly sought-after defensive back/wide receiver, also returned after missing the first three games.

What Morris noticed is that his team was seeking consistency on the field.

“Contiunity is the thing,” Morris said. “Continiuty and chemistry is the best thing for an offense. You saw flashes of that in the second half against Fox Chapel. We were up and down in the first half. We didn’t capitalize on some things.”

Doryan Peay also provided Penn Hills with a lift in the backfield. Peay ran for 180 yards against the Foxes. He has 334 yards on the season and is averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

Peay has helped pick up the slack following the graduation of 1,000-yard rusher Naytel Mitchell.

“Doryan showed these flashes last year,” Morris said. “It wasn’t his time yet. We wanted to let Naytel ride out the year. We knew he had these abilities.”

Penn Hills (1-3, 1-0) is hoping to continue to open up the playbook as the season rolls along. The Indians followed up their win over Fox Chapel with a trip to Aliquippa.

Results from that game were too late for this edition. Following the matchup with the Quips, Penn Hills will get right back into conference play against Shaler.

“I think you feel comfortable as a coaching staff, and you open up your offense a bit,” Morris said. “You have to move many pieces around. You have to save certain things. Certain kids may not do things as well as other kids. You have to adjust to your personnel.”

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