Eliminating errors key to winning season for Chartiers Valley
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Chartiers Valley linemen work on their technique during practice drills in preparation for the 2018 football season.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Connor Barrett returns to the backfield for the Colts. He scored six touchdowns last season and averaged 12.6 yards per rush.
Eliminate errors.
That’s an appropriate slogan for Chartiers Valley this football season. In order to be successful this fall, the Colts must reduce the miscues and avoid the missteps that produced a 2-8 record last year.
In 2017, the Colts averaged 320 yards per game on offense. They managed 170 through the air and 150 on the ground. However, they averaged three turnovers per game.
“Turnovers hurt production,” said second-year head coach Dan Knause. “We have to do a better job on both sides of the ball if we are to be successful.”
Though the Colts welcome former Class 6A giants as Bethel Park, Baldwin and Peters Township into their league, along with perennial playoff powers West Allegheny, Upper St. Clair and Woodland Hills, they have many reasons to be positive about their ability to contend for the Allegheny Eight Conference championship once they remedy past mistakes.
The Colts return six starters on offense, including four linemen, and seven starters on defense, not to mention both of their special-team weapons in placekicker Griffin Beattie and punter Thomas Heckroth.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Troy Donofrio will be among the top targets in the passing offense at Chartiers Valley this season.
Beattie, who converted 10 extra points and scored a TD last year, looks to be the newcomer at quarterback as the junior battles Socrates Boulis, a 6-1, 160-pound sophomore, for the position vacated by Reed Bruggeman. The recent graduate passed for 1,690 yards and 19 touchdowns. Yet, the Colts threw 11 interceptions in 2017.
The Colts also lost offensive weapons in Steve Alauzen, Anthony Doyle and Dylan Ablak. Alauzen led the team in rushing with 593 yards on 92 carries for a 6.4 per-carry average and two scores. Doyle led the Colts with 30 receptions for 652 yards and 10 scores. Ablak caught 18 passes for 420 yards and 2 TDs.
Connor Barrett returns to the backfield. The 6-2, 208-pound senior scored six TDs, rushed for 296 yards for a 12.6 average and had 20 receptions.
J.T. Allen also has the ability to run as he averaged 4.3 yards per rush last season but the 6-1, 180-pound senior is the team’s veteran receiver. Thomas Heckroth (5-8, 155), Troy Donofrio (5-8, 165), and Caleb Nelson (5-9, 134) also add to the set of receivers for the Colts.
Though Ryan Vercammen graduated, seniors Hunter Curran (6-0, 265), James Lang (5-11, 245) and Jayden Davis (6-0, 250) return to the offensive line. While Lang is a guard, Davis and Krausa are the tackles. Nathan Kraemer, Hunter Richie, Chase Bruggeman, and Seth Bauman afford the Colts depth on the line.
“With four returning offensive linemen who have starting experience, we have an opportunity to be a good offensive front,” Knause said. “With our newcomers, we also add depth and athleticism.”
Knause did caution that “we must reduce turnovers from last season to reach their full potential.”
Because they return their defensive front, the Colts likely will maximize their potential.
A center on offense, Curran also is a veteran starter at tackle on the defense. Seniors James Lange (5-11, 245) and Michael Rennie (5-11, 183) return to the defense as starters at end.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Griffin Beattie drops back to pass during camp while Chartiers Valley coaches and players watch the action.
Junior Sean Banas (6-1, 223) moves from end to inside linebacker. Barrett returns, too. Hence, Knause believes the pair will be the core of the unit, which will have new starters on the outside. Knause also looks for Ty Thomas to be a leader. The 5-9, 185-pound senior missed last season because of an injury.
Senior Troy Donofrio (5-8, 165) and Allen anchor the secondary from the safety slots. Heckroth is a new starter at one of the corners while the other was up for grabs with as many as four players battling for the spot during camp.
“Defensively, we look to be a more aggressive unit to cause more turnovers than we did during the 2017 season,” Knause said.
Likewise, Knause expects the Colts to display the same aggressiveness on special teams as several athletic underclassmen come to the forefront, including Jordan Demus. The 5-9, 150-pound sophomore is also expected to help in the secondary.
Newcomers expected to contribute on both sides of the ball are senior John Riley (5-10, 190) and Antonio Zambrano (5-9, 155). o