With star quarterback returning, Elizabeth Forward sets goals high

By: Jeremy Sellew
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 6:01 AM

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Coming off another conference championship and a semifinal loss to Central Valley in the Class 3A playoffs, the Elizabeth Forward Warriors enter the 2025 season with a little bit of a chip on their shoulders.

Let’s call it the “overlooked chip.”

Gone are stalwarts such as Charlie Nigut, Jace Brown (Cal. Pa.) and Chris Climes (Buffalo) among others from a great 2025 senior class.

But the Warriors’ cupboard isn’t bare, and it all starts with senior quarterback Ryan Messina.

The strong-armed signal caller completed 139 of 197 passes last season for 2,244 yards. He threw 21 touchdowns compared to only four interceptions.

“He looks so good,” Warriors coach John DeMarco said. “He has the arm, can make all the throws a quarterback needs to make. … He’s just a great quarterback.

“Now he’s really growing as a leader. He really learned from those guys like Charlie Nigut, Charlie Meehleib and Chris Climes. He’s the first one on the field, last one off. He’s earned that respect, and he’s been a great leader for our football team. Just like a quarterback should be.

“He’s smart, his football IQ is off the charts and he’s learned when to be vocal and lead by example. I’m really excited about where he’s at.”

Messina, who is getting a number of looks from PSAC schools at the Division II level, isn’t concerned about his individual goals this season. His goals are the team’s goals.

“I’m here to help my team win,” Messina said. “That’s the most important thing for me. It’s conference championship, WPIAL then state.”

DeMarco has said numerous times that as long as his quarterback takes the field and is himself, winning will take care of itself.

“It means a lot coming from him,” Messina said. “I’m really comfortable with coach, and knowing that he’s comfortable with me gives me all the confidence I need to do what I do on the field.”

Of Messina’s passing yards last season, 1,902 were split between Nigut, AJ Grese and Connor Stokes. The latter two have also graduated, but there is plenty of experience returning.

Senior Anthony St. Angelo and sophomore Aaron Ulmer are back as is junior Colton Stahl. Another receiver DeMarco is excited about is senior Landon Honick, who transferred from Greensburg Central Catholic.

“That group has a great rapport with Ryan, and I don’t think we’re going to miss a beat there,” the coach said. “We may not have the speed. But we have guys that can catch the football and are great route-runners.

“Honick is a speedster. I think he has a chance to be a really special player.”

Right now, there’s a battle going on among the running backs to see who will get the starting nod.

Tristyn Skrinjorich, a senior, is in the mix with Noah Kern and Niko Mrkonja. Travis Dusi, a junior, will also see some carries.

“It’s going to depend on a lot of things,” DeMarco said. “It will depend on what the defense in front of us looks like. Which guys are playing defense on our side. We can platoon there, too. Our depth is going to be a factor there.”

Brendan Stroschein will be the H-back.

Along the offensive line will be junior Matt Gatto at left tackle and Daymein Rice at left guard. At right guard will be senior Brock Fredack, a transfer from Penn Cambria. The right tackle will be Tyler Scott, who returns after missing his junior season with a knee injury.

Fredack played in the Class 3A state championship game last year with the Panthers, losing to Avonworth.

“I think that unit is going to be big for us,” DeMarco said of his line. “Fredack has experience in big games. I think he’s going to be an asset. Tyler missed all of last season, which was a big loss for us.”

Luke Holdren, who is also getting some looks from colleges, is back to do the kicking and will take over the punting duties.

“Luke’s a weapon. He had a game-winner last season against North Catholic in the playoffs and can pin teams deep on kickoffs,” DeMarco said.

Across the defensive line, Gatto and Scott are the defensive ends with Fredack and Rice in the middle. If the Warriors go to a five-man front, look for sophomore Walt Ward to jump in.

DeMarco added that a number of freshmen could see some time along the line.

“We have some freshmen coming in that had some success at the junior-high level and they’re pretty big. I can see them contributing some time for us along that line,” DeMarco added.

Noah Kern will be one of the outside linebackers with Stroschein anchoring the middle.

After having stalwarts in the past like Meehleib and Climes last season, DeMarco agrees that Stroschein is the next in line.

“You know, Coach (Mike) LeDonne’s defense is pretty complex,” he said. “There’s a lot to learn, and Brendan has it down. Just like Ryan on offense, Brendan is the guy on defense. He’s 6-3, 220 and he’s a monster right in the middle of the field. Over our last three or four games last year, he had 12-13 tackles in each of them. He has the defense down and when someone comes through that hole, he brings vicious contact.”

Freshman Aiden Hicks and Honick will be the corners with Ulmer and St. Angelo the safeties.

“We don’t play a lot of two-safety sets, but St. Angelo will be the free safety reading the offense,” DeMarco said.

When it comes to a possible breakout star for the Warriors, both Messina and Stroschein picked the same player.

“I think it’s Tyler Scott coming back,” Messina said.

“Definitely Tyler,” Stroschein added. “I think we’re going to have a lot of guys step up on defense. But with Tyler back on the line, I think that’s going to allow myself and the linebackers to really come crashing in and be disruptive.”

The Warriors return to the Interstate Conference along with Derry, Greensburg Salem, Mt. Pleasant, Southmoreland and Yough.

“I think the conference is going to be good. Southmoreland lost the quarterback, but still has some really good players and a new coach,” DeMarco said. “Mt. Pleasant’s offense always gives you some fits, and I think Greensburg is going to be better. We’re not the only team with question marks. We lost a lot of good players just like every other team.”

DeMarco said the biggest question mark for his team is the running back position and the running game. But he won’t lose sleep over it and is hoping the situation will be remedied once camp is done.

“I think that’s the biggest spot right now,” DeMarco said. “But I think we’ll be OK there. Other things I’m looking forward to, especially though, is that defensive line. I’m really excited to see what they’re going to do this year.

“St. Angelo never started a game in the secondary, so I’m looking forward to watching him take over that spot. When it comes to first-time starters, we want to get them on film in scrimmages and games, then you can really start teaching them.

“With our kids, it’s about the ‘want-to.’ To me, you have to block and tackle. It’s really simple. If you can do those well, you’re going to be successful no matter what level of football you’re playing.”

Elizabeth Forward

Coach: John DeMarco

2024 record: 8-4, 5-0 in Class 3A Interstate Conference

All-time record: 455-511-36

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 West Mifflin, 7-a

8.29 Highlands, 7

9.5 East Allegheny, 7

9.12 at South Fayette, 7

9.19 Baldwin, 7

9.26 at Greensburg Salem*, 7

10.3 Derry*, 7

10.10 at Yough*, 7

10.17 at Southmoreland*, 7

10.24 Mt. Pleasant*, 7

a-KDKA Classic at Wolvarena

*Conference game

Tags: Elizabeth Forward