20 • TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
TREVOR BRNCIC
Coach: Greg Botta
2019 record: 4-5, 3-3 in
Class 5A Big East Conference
All-time record: 291-255-12
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 at Gateway* 7
9.18 at Fox Chapel 7
9.25 at Bethel Park 7
10.2 Connellsville* 7
10.9 at Woodland Hills* 7
10.16 Latrobe* 7
10.23 Penn-Trafford* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Trevor Brncic
78-154, 978 yards, 7 TDs
Receiving Zac Gordon*
139-872 yards, 10 TDs
Rushing Jermaine Turner
19-329 yards, 1 TD
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• Franklin Regional was known
as Franklin Township from
1921-40.
• The Panthers have won
seven conference titles, the
most recent being the Greater
Allegheny Conference crown in
2013.
• Franklin Regional was WPIAL
Class AAA champion in 2005,
defeating Thomas Jefferson,
31-14. The Panthers were PIAA
champions the same season,
defeating Pottsville, 23-13.
• Franklin Regional has made
20 WPIAL playoff appearances,
including the past 16
seasons. Its playoff record is
FRANKLIN REGIONAL
20-19. DYLAN LLEWELLYN
NEEDS RARE REBOUND
Injuries have proven costly to
the success of the Franklin Regional
football program the past
few seasons.
The Panthers usually have the
players to compete with anyone
in Class 5A as long as they stay
healthy. That hasn’t occurred recently.
Franklin Regional went 4-5 in
2019, suffering its first losing season
in 15 years, and key injuries
were the big reason.
Pennsylvania Hall of Fame
coach Greg Botta is looking forward
to his 27th season, but will it
be his last?
Botta won’t say. He is focused on
getting his team ready for what he
hopes is another successful fall.
Since Botta took over in 1994,
Franklin Regional’s program has
become one of the best in WPIAL
Class 5A. In between losing seasons
in 2019 and ’04, the Panthers
went 126-51. Botta has 173 career
wins.
Franklin Regional has numerous
holes to fill, especially along the offensive
and defensive lines.
Botta said he must build around
senior Dylan Llewellyn, a threeyear
starter at guard, and huge
sophomore Josh Pelusi (6-foot,
305 pounds) at tackle.
“We have to replace most of our
line,” Botta said. “We have some
guys who saw varsity action and
others vying for three or four positions.
A lot of the guys are showing
promise.”
Because of the pandemic and the
accompanying restrictions, Botta
said progress has been slowed.
“We also have a brand-new
offense we’re learning,” he said.
One spot that he is not worried
about is quarterback, where senior
Trevor Brncic returns. Brncic
completed 78 of 154 passes for
978 yards and seven touchdowns
last season.
Botta wants his quarterback to
cut down on turnovers. He threw
eight interceptions.
“Trevor has to take charge,” Botta
said. “He’s got to make better decisions.
He got rattled a few times
last season.”
Brncic has a lot of targets returning
in seniors Jermaine Turner
(19 catches for 329 yards), Mario
Sarnic (13-144), Jeff Downs (18-178)
and Brandon Zanotto (9-155).
Other players Brncic could target
are sophomore tight end Nicholas
Petrucci, who has excited Botta
with his progress, junior Caden
Smith and senior Austin Gillespie.
Zanotto and senior Colton Johns
will be counted on to replace Zac
Gordon at running back. Gordon
was the Panthers’ workhorse,
rushing for 872 yards and scoring
10 touchdowns. Junior Zach Bewszka
is another player who could
be in the mix in the backfield.
Botta will be counting on senior
defensive end Jack Pedrosky, a
three-year starter, Johns at outside
linebacker, senior Patrick McMillen
at inside linebacker, Pelusi
at tackle and Sarnic, Brncic and
Turner in the secondary.
The defense could be a strength if
Botta finds the right replacements.
Botta said the conference will
remain strong despite losing
McKeesport and Plum to Class 4A.
Woodland Hills replaced those
teams in the Big East Conference.
by PAUL SCHOFIELD
BIG EAST • FRANKLIN REGIONAL