Blue Devils intent on reversing last season’s disappointment
Mt. Lebanon football players do wind sprints at the end of a workout.
Eric Kraus attempts to elude a tackle while Evan Averberg-Johnson looks on during Mt. Lebanon training camp.
Eddie Jenkins returns to quarterback the Blue Devils.
Matt Hoffman will anchor the line for Mt. Lebanon. The three-year starter is a Penn recruit.
MT. LEBANON – Though he has a son in the United States Marine Corps, Mike Melnyk has adopted an Army slogan for Mt. Lebanon’s football season.
“Our goal is to be the best that we can be,” said Melnyk, who enters his third season as Blue Devils’ head coach. “Our goal is to get the most out of our kids and prepare for playing to the best of our ability. We do that then results will come. If we focus on what we do and be the best we can be, then the rest will take care of itself.”
With a wealth of talent and depth, the Blue Devils likely will have success reversing a 3-6 record from a year ago.
For starters, Lebo returns quarterback Eddie Jenkins. The junior emerged as the starter late in the season and in four games completed 50 of 74 passes for 752 yards and seven touchdowns.
“Eddie showed that he can be a quality quarterback in this league,” Melnyk said. “He brings a unique skill-set to the table that is not easily duplicated. His arm has gotten stronger and he has made great strides during the offseason. He’s heady and he doesn’t get flustered. His passing game is extremely accurate. He’s tough to tackle, and he has the ability to make plays. He can make things happen.”
Jenkins will make things happen in the passing game with veteran targets such as Shane Lefever, Patrick Kimball, Nick Tommasi and Brennan Wells. Lefever caught 24 passes for 297 yards, three scores and two extra points. Tommasi followed with 12 catches and Kimball had two. Tommasi excelled on Lebo’s WPIAL championship lacrosse team and Kimball was a top hurdler in the WPIAL.
“Patrick is a great athlete and Nick will be an impact player while Shane has come into his own,” Melnyk said. “He grew as a player and made big plays for us last year that we expect him to be our No. 1 receiver.
“We have a lot of targets. At wide receiver, we have a lot of depth and talent. Skill positions and depth at those positions are our strength.”
Senior Joe Stabile and sophomore David Harvey have emerged in the backfield. Melnyk also expects Patrick Moeller and Alex Engler to be impact players.
“Joe is a hard-nosed runner and David has shown a lot of promise,” Melnyk said. “We have sophomores and juniors who have shown a lot of potential, kids who will make a name for themselves. Offensively, we will be balanced between the running and the passing. We will try and force other teams to defend everything.”
Opposing defenses might have a challenge as three-year starter Matt Hoffman anchors the offensive line. The 6-3, 251-pound right tackle will play football at the University of Pennsylvania after his senior season.
On the line, Paul Grattan joins Hoffman at the other tackle spot. He started four games last year. First-year players Evan Averberg-Johnson and Ashlie Pusateri anchor the guard slots. While Hunter Cazin played last year on defense, he also will be used on offensive line. Chris Lippert adds depth.
Matt Christman plays the pivotal role on the line. A tackle last year, he centers the ball in Lebo’s shotgun offense. “The position is huge,” said Melnyk. “Not only does he have to get the football to the quarterback but the center also has to be ready to step up and block in space. So far, Matt has been doing a good job.”
Along with the Cam Haley, the Blue Devils will rotate the offensive linemen into the positions on the defensive line.
“We have seven or eight ready to rotate in. We have depth up front so we are going to be able to keep people fresh,” Melnyk said.
“Our kids have worked hard and gotten stronger. They have gotten more athletic during the off-season. Plus, we are more experienced,” Melnyk continued. “We just need to stay healthy.”
Depth and athleticism also aid the Blue Devils on special teams as well as defense.
Rob Costantino returns as placekicker. He converted 8 of 9 field goals and connected on 20 extra points. “He’s an experienced weapon to come back. One of the best,” said Melnyk. “He’s a huge benefit to us.”
As a bonus, Lefever is a standout punter. However, he also anchors a crowded defensive secondary at free safety. While Stabile and Wells are the strong safeties, Jenkins is in the mix at cornerback with Tommasi, Englert, Tyler Quach-Dao and Vince D’Orazio. Because it is made up of interchangeable parts and because of its depth, Melnyk will roll people into the secondary so as the Blue Devils many not have to use Jenkins too much. The competition, he adds, has been good for the players and good for the team because everybody improves.
Because of Ben Bruni, the middle of Lebo’s 4-3 defense is much improved. He is a three-year starter at linebacker. “He is the heart and soul of the defense,” said Melnyk. “He plays with a lot of leadership. He sets the tone.”
Harvey and Matt Papich, who will be a slot receiver on offense, will set the tone in the middle as well because they garnered experience last year. Tom Gramm, who took a year off from football, returns and will help at linebacker as will sophomore David Abbondanza and junior Dante Dalesandro.
Regarding his defense Melnyk said the team’s speed is better and ‘they all are very athletic and able to adjust to the offensive schemes in the league. Plus, the senior leadership coming back is a tremendous asset as the Blue Devils attempt to compete in what Melnyk deems the most difficult conference in Pennsylvania. He cites Woodland Hills as the prohibitive favorite in the conference because the Wolverines were at Heinz Field last year and they return a wealth of talented players as well as a good coach in George Novak. In addition to Penn Hills, which returns a talented quarterback, Melnyk gave a nod to the rival to Lebo’s south. “[Jim] Render always has his team [USC] prepared,” he said. “They will be there.”
The Blue Devils want to be there. They want to make the playoffs and just as all programs’ goals are, the ultimate focus is Heinz Field, says Melnyk. He believes he has the leaders to get there. “Our seniors have been in the heat of the battle for a conference championship as well as experiencing not making the playoffs last year. They can draw from those two experiences. They know what we want to do and not do and they have set out to make corrections.
“No question we want to make the playoffs. We expect to be there … ,” Melnyk continued. “The players have made the level of commitment we expect. Work as hard as we can. Control the things that we can control. Take care of business. The results will be a byproduct of that.”