With roster numbers up, Avella looks to rise up the Tri-County South standings

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 23, 2018 | 9:30 PM

This decade started in typical fashion for the Avella football program. They struggled with roster size and failed to compete, going 1-17 in 2010 and ‘11.

But things started to change for the Eagles in coach Ryan Cecchini’s second year in 2012. Avella finished 6-3 but just missed out on the postseason. A year later, the Eagles reached a plateau some felt they would never reach again when they ended up 6-4 and qualified for the district postseason.

In the four years since that magical 2013 campaign, the Eagles have made it back to the WPIAL playoffs twice. Even though they are coming off a 1-8 season in 2017, there is reason for optimism for Cecchini and Avella.

The expectations for the Eagles under their eighth-year coach?

“A winning record and compete for a playoff spot,” he said.

It will be a little tougher to make the postseason in Class A with only eight teams qualifying — two teams from each of the three conferences and two third-place wild card teams.

“I personally like the three conferences in Class A,” Cecchini said. “I think if you were to have four conferences it would mean too many of the games would be exhibitions, which would mean less conference games.”

With Avella, it always starts with the numbers on the roster.

“We actually have a few more kids than we usually do with 25 on the roster this year,” the coach said.

Only four starters return on offense and three on defense for the Eagles, but one of the players back will do a little bit of everything in senior Owen English.

“Owen English is a difference maker,” admitted Cecchini.

English led the team in passing with 438 yards and three touchdowns, plus he was the leading rusher with 637 yards and leading scorer with 10 touchdowns. He is listed as quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back.

Senior Frank Craig will help in the ground game. He was second a year ago in rushing, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

Sophomore offensive lineman and linebacker Robbie West will be the grizzled veteran amongst linemen on the team according to Cecchini.

“All of our starters on the line will be made up of sophomores and freshman,” he said.

In fact, English and Craig are two of four seniors on this young Avella team.

Avella is one of eight teams in the Tri-County South Conference. With only two playoff spots guaranteed, a quick start is needed. Two of the Eagles’ first four conference games are home to California and West Greene, teams that Cecchini feels may be the teams to beat in the TCS.

“Both have great running backs that would be very successful at any class in the WPIAL,” he said.

If home cooking helps the Eagles, they could make a run at the postseason as they host six of their 10 regular-season games, including four conference contests.

Schedule

Coach: Ryan Cecchini

2017 record: 1-9, 1-6

All-time record: 344-456-26

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, Mapletown, 7 p.m.

9.1, at Bishop Canevin, 7 p.m.

9.7, California*, 7 p.m.

9.14, Jeannette, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Jefferson-Morgan*, 7 p.m.

9.28, West Greene*, 7 p.m.

10.5, Bentworth*, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Chartiers-Houston*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Mapletown*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Monessen*, 7 p.m.

*Class A Tri-County South Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Owen English

33-94, 438 yards, 3 TDs

Rushing: English

126-637 yards, 10 TDs

Receiving: Matt Craig*

20-337 yards, 1 TD

*Graduated

Don Rebel is a Tribune-Review staff writer and brodcaster. You can reach Don at drebel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TheDonRebel.

Tags: Avella