Aug 22, 2018 4 min read

In Ryan Cecchini’s first season as head coach at Avella in 2011, the Eagles were 0-9.

They were outscored 383-56.

As one of the smallest schools to play football in Pennsylvania, the season wasn’t uncommon. Avella won only five games in its previous eight seasons.

But Cecchini and the Eagles turned the program around from 2012-14. Avella won 17 games over the three-season stretch, making the playoffs twice – something the program hadn’t done since 1976.

In the last three years, though, the program has slipped back to where it was before, winning only five games since 2015.

Cecchini said matter-of-factly the way to turn Avella around again is by more kids coming out to play football and staying dedicated.

“I think it starts with getting more kids out,” he said. “We don’t have a lot to pull from. We’re one of the smallest schools in the state that plays football. The challenging part is to get bodies out. We were fortunate during some of those years we had a couple of large classes.”

Avella graduates anywhere from 35 to 45 kids a year. Cecchini said there are 62 boys at the high school, 23 of which he expects to be on the roster. The percentage of boys playing football at the school, he realizes, is surely one of the highest in the state.

“This year, we only have four seniors and four juniors,” he said. “The majority of our roster is sophomores and freshmen. We’re going to be a younger team this year, but hopefully if they gain experience they can pull it out. If they all stick it out we can do something like we did back then.”

To make up for the lack of bodies, Cecchini said the coaching staff gets “creative.” That means limiting contact, removing half of the offensive line for some plays in practice and coaches playing positions.

“We have to limit our contact in practice because we can’t afford to lose anybody in practice,” he said. “We always have coaches stepping in. Sometimes I play linebacker to help give them a look of where guys are going to line up. We’re a hands-on coaching staff, for sure. We have to think outside the box.”

The Eagles lost seven seniors to graduation, including Matt Craig and Dylan Markle, who combined for 30 of the team’s 48 receptions last year. Avella will also need to replace three starting linemen. Cecchini said 5-11, 265-pound Randall Kidwell will be the hardest lineman to replace from last year’s unit.

“Randall Kidwell was probably one of the best two-way linemen in the (Tri-County South) conference,” Cecchini said. “He played guard and defensive tackle for us. He’s a big loss for us, especially on defense. He was such a good run-stopper in the middle.”

Despite the losses, the Eagles are bringing back their best offensive player in Swiss Army knife Owen English. The 5-10, 150-pound athlete threw for 438 yards, rushed for 637 yards and added 85 yards through the air while splitting time between quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He accounted for 13 of the Eagles’ 18 touchdowns.

As if playing the three main positions on offense isn’t enough, English also plays defensive back and is a member of the marching band, which he participates in while wearing his football garb at halftime.

“He does a little bit of everything,” Cecchini said. “He’s going to move around. Our goal is to get him the ball. He’s our best player and our best athlete. We have to get creative so defenses can’t key on him to get him the ball in open space.”

Cecchini said senior Noah Taylor will spend time at quarterback, with the hope that he can stay there full-time if English is having success in the backfield.

Senior Frank Craig, Cecchini said, could keep defenses from keying on English. Craig ran for 250 yards last season but missed four games with a broken arm.

“Getting him back healthy will take some of the pressure off Owen,” Cecchini said. “(His injury) hurt us with another option to give the ball to. He’s been healthy, and we’re looking him to have a good year.”

Cecchini is hoping for Robbie West to “take a big step.” The sophomore plays offensive line and linebacker. He totaled 70 tackles last season. o