TRIB TOTAL MEDIA • 63
CAIN LATTA
COACH VINCE SKILLINGS
SCHEDULE
Coach: Vince Skillings
2018 record: 9-3, 7-1
All-time record: 264-345-14
Date Opponent Time
9.11 North Catholic* 7
9.18 at Deer Lakes* 7
9.25 Freeport* 7
10.2 Southmoreland 7
10.9 at Valley* 7
10.16 East Allegheny* 7
10.23 at Burrell* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Paul Koontz
53-104, 658 yards, 8 TDs
Receiving Matt McDowell
15-204 yards, TD
Rushing Justin Huss*
203-2,020 yards, 27 TDs
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• Derry made the WPIAL
Class 3A title game in 2018
and has made the district
semifinals three times in four
years.
• Skillings was drafted by the
Dallas Cowboys in the sixth
round of the 1981 NFL Draft.
• The Trojans has five playoff
wins in school history. Four of
them have happened in the
last three seasons.
• Derry has lost one home
game since 2016.
DERRY LOOKING TO
KEEP UP RUN OF SUCCESS
A change in leadership does not signal a
change in style.
At Derry, the concept of grinding the opponent
down with basic blocking and running the
football will continue, albeit with several potential
ball-carriers who possess varying styles.
But a new, 4-3 stack defensive scheme initiated
by first-year coach Vince Skillings could
charge up the Trojans on the other side of the
ball.
Derry (9-3) won six straight games last year
and posted a pair of shutouts. But Skillings
wants more because he believes more can
happen.
“We want to dominate defensively,” said
Skillings, a former Derry star who played
defensive back at Ohio State and was an NFL
Draft pick in 1981.
Former coach Tim Sweeney, another Derry
alum, made a surprise move last year when he
resigned and became coach at Baldwin. That
opened the door for Skillings, who admittedly
didn’t think he would get the Derry job but has
cherished every second of it, even with the
inconsistencies and revolving doors associated
with the covid-19 pandemic.
“We have had very good numbers at the varsity
and middle school levels,” Skillings said.
“We’re in the low to mid-20s at the varsity level.
I just want to build on what coach Sweeney so
greatly established here.”
Justin Huss was the offense last year for Derry,
which has experienced quite a turnaround
in the last five seasons, reaching the WPIAL
playoffs four straight years, including three
semifinal appearances.
Huss ran for 2,020 yards and scored
32 touchdowns.
“He was outstanding,” Skillings said.
But with Huss gone, the senior-heavy Trojans
may turn to more of a committee in the
backfield.
Seniors Amari Graham and Pryce Donovan
and junior Eric Catone are positioned to replace
Huss’ production.
The shifty Graham, who showed flashes in
the playoffs last year, looks like the favorite
to start.
Senior Paul Koontz returns at quarterback,
but he has been hampered by an injury, which
could open the door for seniors Matt McDowell
or Nick Detore.
There is a chance, Skillings said, that he
could use all three signal-callers.
“We’re considering it,” he said. “Unless one
really rises up and takes control.”
McDowell was a key receiver last year as he
lead the Trojans with 15 catches for 204 yards.
He likes what Skillings has done with the program
so far.
“Coach Skillings has quickly formed a strong
connection with the team,” he said.
“He is a great leader and provides an immense
amount of football knowledge and
experience, especially to the defensive backs.
My teammates and I are excited to have coach
Skillings be a part of the Derry football family.”
All-conference center Cain Latta will anchor
the offensive line that Skillings calls the
strength of the team.
Other linemen to watch include senior Elijah
Penich and juniors Dylan Rhoades and Noah
Cymmerman.
Skillings also likes his defensive secondary
led by Donovan, Graham, McDowell and
Detore.
Standout kicker Chance White also is back.
by BILL BECKNER JR.
DERRY • ALLEGHENY