Despite low numbers, Hawks eye playoff run
Bethel Park linemen James Gmiter, Ryan Kelly, Brandon Johnson and Joe Dietz finish sprints during conditioning drills.
Bethel Park head coach Jeff Metheny (center) explains an aspect of the offense to tight end Jake Dixon (right) while Jon Miller, assistant coach, and other players watch.
Alex Minton hauls in a pass during practice. The Bethel Park senior is a versatile tailback that can be counted on for key receptions this football season.
ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC Levi Metheny will look to lead Bethel Park into battle this football season. The junior enters his third season as starting quarterback for the Black Hawks. He is also one of the anchors on defense, which features a veteran linebacking corps.
BETHEL PARK – Jeff Metheny looks across the campus of Bethel Park High School and shakes his head. Entering his 21st season as head football coach, Metheny can’t explain why numbers are down.
“Pick a box and check it: Football requires hard work. There’s too much specialization. Fear of concussions,” Metheny said. “It’s the same everywhere. I really don’t know what the answer is, but we have everything here. We have a beautiful school and facilities. No one has three turf fields on campus.
“There is a lot of value in playing football. No. 1, you learn discipline and you learn about hard work. You get a basic knowledge about caring about your team and teammates, working with other people. Learn all that and you will have a chance to be successful in life.”
While the Hawks might need a few more bodies, Metheny is excited about the players on hand. They will fit nicely into his plans as he shapes BP into a contender.
“Whatever our numbers, our goal never changes,” said Metheny. “Our goal is to make the playoffs and win the conference. That’s the goal every year.”
Despite losing 25 seniors, including Mike Grimm to Pitt, and Ryan Sosnak to New Hampshire, these Hawks feature quality players, who are intent on improving upon last year’s 6-4 record. Bethel Park finished third in the Southeastern Conference with a 6-2 record.
“Losing 25 seniors is part of the reason why we are down in numbers. That senior class was big,” said Metheny. “We need our young guys to step up and grow up fast.”
Two years ago, Levi Metheny grew up fast as he quarterbacked the Hawks as a freshman. He threw for more than 1,000 yards and guided BP to the WPIAL Quad-A quarterfinals. Injuries prevented Metheny from enjoying a sensational sophomore season. He passed for only 329 yards and four scores. Metheny, however, led the team in scoring with eight touchdowns. He completed 36 of 76 attempts and tossed just one interception.
“Levi’s healthy,” said Metheny of his son. “Plus, he’s gotten quicker and stronger. I think basketball helped him a lot. Of course, he didn’t slow [Malik] Hooker of New Castle down,” said Metheny with a laugh, referring to the Ohio State football recruit who led the Hurricanes to a state title in hoops.
“We are excited about Levi. He’s a good leader. … It’s good to have somebody who can take care of the ball and make plays.”
The junior will be relied upon to also make plays on defense. The outside linebacker will play a bigger role.
“He’s more part of the defense, a lot more,” Metheny said.
Linebacker is BP’s most experienced position as Alex Minton, Connor McGinnis and Jake Dixon return with Levi Metheny. The trio also will play pivotal roles on offense.
Dixon, who is a standout hitter in volleyball and a center in basketball, shares tight end duties with McGinnis.
“Jake’s a great kid, super athletic. He can jump and run,” Metheny said. “With Connor, we have experience at tight end. That will be an important position for us. It will help lesson the loss of some of our other skill players.”
Meanwhile, Minton led BP in rushing and receiving last season. He hauled in 10 passes for 125 yards and rushed for 496 yards on 82 carries. He scored seven touchdowns.
“Minton is versatile,” Metheny said. “We’ll continue to throw to him a lot.”
While the Hawks will miss Danny Emma (South Carolina) and Zach Enick (Pitt), they can rely upon Max Michalski and Jake Lewis as dual threats and depend upon the skills of Chiante Pryor and Luke Fondelier as wide receivers.
“Max will play a lot more,” Metheny said of the senior receiver. “Jake can catch the ball and he runs good routes. Pryor is a good player. He’s got a lot of talent and great speed. He’s fast and elusive. A lot of our young players are. We just aren’t real big. But we have a nice mix of young guys who can also play.”
How well the line plays will determine BP’s success. In BP’s schemes, Metheny says all the guys are interchangeable. Ryan Kelly, Marc Dunlap, Sean Davis, Chris Pauley, Brandon Johnson and Joshua Sosnak are key linemen.
Newcomers, such as freshman James Gmiter, could have an impact on the composition of BP’s line. “[Gmiter] has a lot of talent,” Metheny said of the freshmen.
In Chris Papalia, the Hawks have a senior who earned all-conference honors last season as a punter. He will play on both sides of the ball this fall, as a wide out on offense and a free safety in the defensive secondary. Lewis should be the strong safety.
“We have guys back there who have a lot of talent,” explained Metheny. “They are just young and have to get playing time. They are physically gifted, but they have never been on the field for Friday Night Lights.”
The Hawks open the season against Quad-A champion Central Catholic Friday. Then, they host WPIAL runner-up Woodlands Hills and defending Southeastern Conference champion Upper St. Clair.
“Overall, the league is tough, and we will know something about this team after the first games,” said Metheny.
“Woodland Hills and Penn Hills will be good. Lebo will be better, no question, and even though they lost a lot, USC will be good.
“With our schedule, we have to stay healthy. We will get better if we can stay healthy. But to play this game, to play football takes a lot of sacrifice by a lot of people to make a team successful.”