Panthers prepared to turn around fortunes
Thomas Vissman, left, and Brandon Ford are two key cogs in Upper St. Clair’s offense. A Pitt recruit, Ford will anchor the line while Vissman, a junior, carries the football. He rushed for 855 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Nick France pushes a tackle dummy forward as he works on his blocking technique during Upper St. Clair’s preseason football training camp.
Upper St. Clair assistant coach Tim Robbins directs his lineman during a recent preseason workout.
UPPER ST. CLAIR – Though an ardent New York Yankees fan, Jim Render scoffs at Lefty Gomez’s philosophy of “I’d rather be lucky than good.”
“I rather think that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” the Upper St. Clair football coach said.
With that type of providence, the Panthers plan on having a better season than last year. In overcoming a heap of misfortune, USC qualified for the playoffs. The Panthers finished 4-6 after their season-ending loss to North Allegheny, 24-0.
“Last year, we had some terrible luck, from cancer to mono to ACL tears. We had everything,” said Render, who didn’t even mention the loss to Montour, in which an interception returned for a touchdown on the last play of the game turned victory into defeat. “If we are a bit luckier and if we develop continuity, then we have a chance.”
The Panthers have an opportunity to contend for the Southeastern Conference championship because of the experiences they gained last year, their size, attitude and work ethic.
“Our goal is always to contend for a conference title and compete at a higher level. We didn’t do a good job of that last year,” Render said.
“It’s all relative. You still have to put it all together on the field.”
For USC, putting the pieces together will be a little easier this season. Unlike last year, when they had to replace 21 of 22 starters, the Panthers return several players who started more than one game in 2014.
“They didn’t play all of the time but they have more experience playing under the lights than we did the season before. A lot more experience than a year ago,” Render said.
Most of the experience returns on both sides of the line. After illness – pneumonia and mononucleosis – Brandon Ford and Matt Fennell moved into the starting lineup last year. So did Ryan Harkleroad, who overcame a bout with cancer.
“He is much healthier and stronger this year than last year,” Render said.
A tight end on offense, Harkleroad also is a starter on the defensive line. Fennell is USC’s left guard and Ford is the right tackle. The 6-5, 285-pound senior is a Pitt recruit.
Though he did not begin the season as a starter, Gabe Houy took a lot of snaps by the end of 2014. He is working with Jay Pollock, a guard, at center. After missing his junior year because of an ACL tear, Jay Miller is healthy this fall. He played as a sophomore and gained plenty of quality reps. Nick Kartsonas and Jordan Rust also started a couple of games last season for the Panthers.
“None of those guys started a lot of games but last year a combination of the five started at different times. There just was no continuity,” Render said. “They are experienced but they don’t have a lot of exposure. During camp, we tried to build cohesiveness.”
On offense, the Panthers have plenty of talented athletes with experience. Thomas Vissman and Doug Wagner are most experienced. A junior tailback, Vissman led USC in rushing with 855 yards on 136 carries. He scored six touchdowns, averaged 6.3 yards per carry and 10 yards per catch.
“Vissman is a strong young man. He’s constantly working to improve his speed,” said Render. In addition to participating in track this spring, Vissman worked with a speed coach. Plus, his parents are both educated as physical therapists. A big day for the family is to work out together.”
Wagner led the Panthers in receiving. The senior, who also is a basketball player, caught 25 passes for 407 yards and two touchdowns.
Who gets him the ball this year is a good question.
Quarterback is “a work in progress” with three players each separated by one class year. Gunnar Lund is a senior, Jackson Geisler a junior, and Jack Hansberry a sophomore. USC might use two of them as Lund can play the flanker and H-back positions. Lund is USC’s red-zone quarterback. He scored three touchdowns last year. Geisler started the playoff game when Dan Trocano (1,062 yards, 9 TDs) was injured.
“He’s a passer with a live arm,” Render said. “He just needs game experience.”
Other skill players include Connor Brennan, Deonte Johnson, Kevin Chrissis, Blake Kadar, Don Folino and Jack Burton. Brennan and Johnson have experience as wide receivers. Chrissis can be utilized as a running back, wide receiver and flanker.
Chrissis, along with Kadar, Brennan, Johnson and Wagner, also will play on defense. All are either safeties or cornerbacks. Most of the guys on the offensive line will play on the interior or as ends on the line with Angelo Rhad joining in the mix.
“We have big guys on the interior,” said Render, “and we feel we have depth to keep them fresh.”
Though Vissman and Lund return on the outside, linebacker is a primary concern for the Panthers on defense. Connan Rooney, who will handle the punting, and Eli Grape, who was a state qualifier in wrestling last winter, look to fill the vacancies created by the graduation of Jesse Slinger and Marcus Galie. Slinger was an all-conference punter. Galie led USC with 11 touchdowns last year.
“We lost two very good linebackers,” Render said. “So experience is an issue.” Other than Vissman and Chrissis, none of the linebackers has played a lot. The group includes Burton, Nick Werhya, Hansberry and Dominic Cepullio.
Upper St. Clair hosts Penn Hills in its season opener Friday. Although Woodland Hills, whom the Panthers play Oct. 2, is favored to win the league, the Panthers tied the Wolverines for the Southeastern Conference title last year. Penn Hills boasts Toledo recruit Billy Kisner.
“It appears to be the toughest conference (in Quad-A),” said Render. “Woodland Hills has the most Division I prospects and the most speed and we haven’t fared too well against them recently. Penn Hills is confident. Bethel Park and Mt. Lebanon, too. But, Penn Hills is pivotal. It will help overall if we get the opening win. It would definitely give us a boost.