110 • TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
Coach: Roy Hall
2019 record: 9-2, 5-1 in Class
A Eastern Conference
All-time record: 756-318-48
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 Clairton* 7
9.19 at Riverview* 12
9.25 Imani Christian* 7
10.2 at Leechburg* 7
10.9 at Springdale* 7
10.16 Bishop Canevin* 7
10.23 at Greensburg C.C.* 7
EASTERN • JEANNETTE ROBERTO SMITH
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing James Sanders
87-152, 1,357 yards, 16 TD
Receiving Brett Birch
23-246 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Imani Sanders*
158-1,058 yards, 21 TDs
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• The Jayhawks have won two
PIAA titles (2008, ‘17) and
nine WPIAL titles.
• Jeannette has made 41
appearances in the WPIAL
playoffs. Its playoff record is
54-33-1. The tie was converted
into a win against Monessen
in 1972 because the Jayhawks
had more total yards.
• Roy Hall’s record as a coach
at Jeannette is 105-25. Hall
played and graduated from
Jeannette and also was an
assistant coach.
• Terrelle Pryor and Demetrious
Cox are the last two
Jeannette players to play in
the NFL. Defensive backs
Jackson Pruitt (Youngstown
State), Robert Kennedy (East
Carolina) and Gio Vonne Sanders
(St. Francis) are currently
playing Division I football.
BRETT BIRCH
SKILL PLAYERS PREPARED
TO GUIDE JEANNETTE
Jeannette was flying high nine
games into the 2019 season.
But consecutive losses to the
WPIAL Class A finalists ended
what Roy Hall hoped would be
another title run.
Jeannette fell to eventual WPIAL
champion Clairton in the Eastern
Conference finale and then lost to
Sto-Rox in the opening round of
the WPIAL playoffs.
And while the Jayhawks graduated
numerous key players —
three-time all-conference running
back Imani Sanders, all-conference
wide receiver Jackson Pruitt, offensive
linemen Justin Cramer and
Zach Crutchman and wide receiver
Bayley Molter — the cupboard
isn’t bare.
“We lost some good players,”
Hall said. “Hopefully, we’ll have
some young guys step in and fill
the void.”
Back are senior quarterback
James Sanders, senior running
back/quarterback Roberto Smith,
junior wide receiver Brett Birch
and senior wide receiver Toby
Cline.
Sanders, Smith and freshman
Brad Birch will be competing for
the starting quarterback spot.
Each brings something different
to the field.
“Coach (Ryan) Reitz has three
quarterbacks in the mix,” Hall
said. “It’s still early, but they all
are going to play at quarterback.”
Sanders completed 87 of 152
passes for 1,357 yards and 16 touchdowns
last season.
Smith completed 19 of 44 passes
for 233 yards and two touchdowns.
Both are capable runners. Birch is
untested but does possess a strong
arm.
When Smith isn’t lining up behind
center, he, Jaydin Canady
and junior Taishaun Jamison will
share the running back duties.
That trio must replace the 1,058
yards Imani Sanders gained.
Juniors Brett Birch, Louis Calloway
and Tyler Horn and senior
Toby Cline will be the main targets
at receiver. Birch had 23 catches
and Cline 21.
“I like how offensive coordinator
Ryan Reitz comes up with different
plays and schemes,” Hall said.
“We’ll be pretty balanced between
the run and pass.
“Our biggest concern is finding
some offensive linemen to replace
Justin, Zach and Nathan Rugh.
I believe we have them and we’ll
be OK.”
Junior Justin Shank and senior
Tavon Briston are expected to anchor
the line.
“We have some capable linemen,”
Hall said. “I feel we’ll be all
right. I feel they’ll be able to fill
their shoes.”
What really has Hall excited is
the defense, where the Jayhawks
return eight starters from a group
that allowed 8.4 points per game.
Heading the list is sophomore
Elijah Binakonsky, senior Kaelan
Piscar, Smith and Cline at linebacker;
James Sanders and Brett
Birch at cornerback; and Shank
and Briston up front.
Sophomore Ryan Kimmel is another
lineman expected to play
a lot.
Jeannette will find out a lot
about itself early. The Jayhawks
were scheduled to scrimmage Sto-
Rox and then face No. 1-ranked
Clairton at home in the season
opener.
“I don’t know if it’s a benefit to
play them early,” Hall said. “I know
we’ll get their best no matter what
time of the season we play them.”
Hall said Greensburg Central
Catholic and Springdale also will
be strong contenders in the Eastern
Conference.
by PAUL SCHOFIELD