TRIB TOTAL MEDIA • 55
AMBRIDGE • NORTHWESTERN 6
DAVID POLACHEK (LEFT) AND BRANDAN HARE
AMBRIDGE WORKS TO GET
UP TO SPEED, IN SHAPE
Veteran football coach Don Phillips
had a quick response when
asked of his biggest concern entering
the 2020 season, his second
at the helm at Ambridge.
“Conditioning.”
Ambridge is a bit behind the
8-ball after the school district shut
down offseason workouts Aug. 3
when three students tested positive
for covid-19.
Though none of three were football
players, the Bridgers were
forced off campus until reporting
back Aug. 25 to start heat acclimatization.
School directors voted
Aug. 24 to go forward with fall
sports.
“We gave out helmets and shoulder
pads Monday night and started
(Tuesday),” Phillips said. “Prior
to that, it was going well. The kids
were excited, a lot of enthusiasm.
We had some good conditioning
days. But we lost a lot of that because
we haven’t been there for a
few weeks.”
Getting back into shape will be
priority No. 1 for the Bridgers, who
are coming off an 0-10 season and
are riding a 17-game losing streak.
Phillips said several players
were able to work out on their own
during the shutdown, but there is a
definite need to get back into football
shape before the season-opener
Sept. 11 against Keystone Oaks.
Then, they will turn their focus
to the Xs and Os.
“Offensively, we’re trying to simplify
everything,” Phillips said. “In
July, the kids responded well. We
did a little Xs and Os to introduce
some things, and the kids were
excited. They said, ‘Coach this is
great. It’s so easy to follow.’ We
were trying to make some strides.”
The Bridgers will be trying to get
up to speed, in more ways than one,
over the next couple weeks.
“The only good thing is we’re
backed up (from the original schedule)
and have two more weeks before
we play a game,” Phillips said.
“That will help us. So far, the kids
have responded well. They understand
they need to get in shape
quickly.”
One player already in midseason
form is senior running back/defensive
back Deyvon Gill-Martin.
He led the team in rushing a year
ago and will be the primary weapon
on offense.
“Being a senior, we’re expecting
him to pick up where he left off last
year,” Phillips said. “We lost him
to a knee injury at the end of last
year. He’s back. He’s stronger. He
really looks good. With his senior
leadership, senior experience, we
expect him to pick up a lot of the
work on both sides of the ball.”
Ambridge has three players
working out at quarterback, including
senior Rich Morrell,
who saw time there last season.
Sophomore Deaven Ivory showed
promise last season, according to
Phillips, and senior Vozzy Steals
is a fast, elusive runner who could
be a dynamic addition this season.
Junior D’Saun Harmon is a
6-foot-3 target at wide receiver,
and senior Auston Ludovici is a
talented runner and pass catcher.
The Bridgers also return a pair
of offensive linemen in David
Polachek (5-11, 260) and Brandan
Hare (6-2, 285).
“David, this is his fourth year
starting on the line. He’s doing a
great job. He’s one of the hardest
workers I have. Very coachable,
wants to get better every day,” Phillips
said. “Brandan, we’re hoping
for big things from him with all the
experience he gained last year.”
Phillips said though they are
limited in numbers on the line,
they are hoping to plug some holes
left by graduation and get consistent
play each week.
Defensively, Ambridge will have
an all-new front and will rely on Polachek
at linebacker and Gill-Martin
in the secondary. Morrell and
junior Floyd Sims also will help
solidify the linebacker corps.
Ambridge will have a few different
opponents this season, moving
down from Class 4A to the Class
3A Northwestern Six Conference
with Avonworth, Central Valley,
Hopewell, Keystone Oaks and
Quaker Valley.
“Obviously, we want to win some
games,” Phillips said. “We need to
win to generate some enthusiasm
not only this year but to get more
kids out. A lot of kids don’t play
because they don’t see a light at
the end of the tunnel.
“We think we have a chance to
compete. The conference is a little
more advantageous, and we can be
in more competition during those
games.”
Phillips also liked the geography
of the new conference, especially
by adding nonconference games
against nearby Aliquippa and
Blackhawk.
“I’m excited about the conference,”
he said. “Our kids get excited
no matter who we play. We’re
playing a number of schools that
are rivalries, more so than last year.
“This year, right across the river
is Hopewell. Just down from there
is Central Valley. Right beside us
is Quaker Valley. The kids know
them, and they’re really excited to
get back into playing closer teams
to us, kids they know. It’s brought a
lot of enthusiasm to our program.”
by BILL HARTLEP
Coach: Don Phillips
2019 record: 0-10, 0-7 in
Class 4A Tri-County West
All-time record: 435-478-40
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 Keystone Oaks* 7
9.18 at Aliquippa 7
9.25 at Blackhawk 7
10.2 Hopewell* 7
10.9 at Avonworth* 7
10.16 Central Valley* 7
10.23 at Quaker Valley* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Richard Morrell
Rushing Deyvon Gill-Marin
FAST FACTS
• Ambridge has struggled to
a 1-38 mark the past four
seasons.
• Last year, the Bridgers averaged
just 4.7 points per game
while allowing 44.3.
• Phillips has also had
coaching stints at Ellwood
City, West Allegheny, Center,
Monaca and Rochester.
• Gill-Martin, a third-year
starter, scored three touchdowns
last season.
DEYVON GILL-MARTIN