38 • TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
GREATER ALLEGHENY • ARMSTRONG
Coach: Frank Fabian
2019 record: 1-8, 0-7 in
Class 5A Northern Conference
All-time record: 27-24
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 Indiana* 7
9.18 Hampton* 7
9.25 at Knoch* 7
10.2 Mars* 7
10.9 at Greensburg Salem* 7
10.16 Highlands* 7
10.23 at Plum* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Cole Brown
55-131, 717 yards, 6 TDs
Receiving Nick Russo*
19-227 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Isaac Ridinger*
117-589 yards, 6 TDs
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• Armstrong has made the
playoffs three times (2015,
2016 and 2018) in five seasons
since the merger of Ford
City and Kittanning.
• Of Aaron Robb’s 103 tackles
last season, 79 were solo
stops.
• The River Hawks averaged
228 yards of total offense
(136.4 rushing and 91.6 passing)
last year.
• Armstrong gave up 38.2
points a game in 2019. Only
Plum surrendered more in
Class 5A (38.8).
COLE BROWN
NOAH COOPER
ARMSTRONG HOPING
TO USE IMPROVED DEPTH
Armstrong went to battle with
a rather young and inexperienced
team last year, and coach Frank
Fabian said that, compounded with
a rash of injuries to key players, led
to a record he and his returning
players hope to improve on this fall.
“We found out that our depth
was just not good enough,” said
Fabian, who saw his River Hawks
go 1-8 overall and 0-7 in conference
play. “We were playing kids out of
position. Our last game against
Kiski, three-fifths of our offensive
line weren’t linemen at the start
of the season. We were moving
kids out of necessity. One of the
main areas of focus coming into
this year has been our depth. We
have to be ready because it’s not a
matter of if injuries are going to
happen but when they will happen.
“We’re cross-training some kids,
teaching them two positions. We’re
trying to avoid situations last year
where we weren’t deep enough at
certain positions.”
Fabian did say a silver lining
to last year was that a number of
younger kids got varsity experience
and reps which will help them
coming back.
“We hope that pays dividends
moving forward,” Fabian said.
Fabian hopes a move down to
Class 4A will pay dividends as
well. Armstrong is in the Class
4A Greater Allegheny Conference
with Indiana, Hampton, Knoch,
Mars, Greensburg Salem, Highlands
and Plum.
The conference has a similar
makeup to the one Armstrong was
in for the final two years of the old
Class AAA in 2014 and 2015.
“I’m a big fan of geographical
rivals, and we’re in a conference
with teams and players we’re
more familiar with,” Fabian said.
“I was happy with the way the
WPIAL realigned the conferences.
It should make for some pretty
special games.”
When the WPIAL made changes
to the coronavirus-shortened
season, Armstrong lost nonconference
games with Freeport and
Deer Lakes. The River Hawks will
scrimmage the Lancers on Friday.
A conference game against Indiana
now is the Sept. 11 season opener.
Armstrong defeated Indiana, 42-
13, in Week Zero last year for its
lone win of the season.
“It’s kind of been a yo-yo for
these kids,” Fabian said. “At first,
we thought we weren’t going to
play, and then it was we might play,
then no, and now we know we’re
playing. The seniors are the most
excited. Some football is better
than no football. That’s what we’re
holding on to as we get ready.”
Senior Cole Brown, a dual-threat
quarterback last year, is expected
to line up at a number of positions,
from running back to quarterback
in the wildcat to receiver.
“Cole definitely is a player we
want to get the ball to a number of
ways,” Fabian said.
Brown accounted for 1,274 total
yards and 13 touchdowns last
season.
“We have a lot of good, young
players who are excited and determined,”
Brown said. “We all want
to turn it around so we can get back
to winning. This team is full of
team players who are not wasting
any opportunities to get better.
You never know what could (still)
happen with the season, but we
want to be as ready as we can be.”
Sophomore Cadin Olson, at
6-foot-3, has emerged at the quarterback
spot for the River Hawks.
Olson has enjoyed success in 7-on-7
circles with PA Nike Elite and is a
past and present invitee to national
passing camps and competitions.
In limited action last year, Olsen
threw for 107 yards and a score.
“We are still carving out where
we will be with those two,” Fabian
said. “We want to make sure we
get the best 11 on offense and in
the right spots to produce points.”
Brown also earned second-team
all-conference honors at linebacker
in 2019.
Senior safety Aaron Robb, the
younger brother of 2016 PIAA
wrestling champion Jacob Robb,
set a school record last year with
103 tackles. Robb, a second-team
all-conference defensive selection,
also is expected to factor in the
offense as a slot receiver.
“He’s a tough, gutsy kid,” Fabian
said. “He’s not afraid to step up and
make a hit. He’s a pretty physical
kid for his size.”
Fabian also expects senior wideouts
Jesse Hepler and Noah Cooper
to help the offense this season.
“As a team, we have to keep
focused on the season and take advantage
of each workout we have,”
Fabian said.
by MICHAEL LOVE