For Cougars’ new coach, the future is now
Charleroi senior Jake Lemmon strips the ball from a teammate during a recent practice.
Charleroi senior quarterback Matt Carr looks to pass during a recent practice.
Players gather around the head coach Donnie Militzer for instruction during practice.
CHARLEROI – When first-year head coach Donnie Militzer first saw his 13 senior players and a roster large enough that Charleroi ran out of helmets to distribute, he realized expectations needed altered.
Even for a program that hasn’t reached the WPIAL playoffs since 2004 and finished 2-7 a year ago.
“We’re here to make the playoffs. We want to make the playoffs right away,” said Militzer, who a year ago was preparing to coach his first season for perennial Class AAAA power Gateway.
“We’re not here to build. We’re here to win. I’m not telling those 13 seniors we’re building for the future. That’s not fair to them.”
Things haven’t been easy in recent years at Charleroi, which has struggled to compete in the rugged Class AA Interstate Conference.
The same could be said for Militizer’s 2013 season at Gateway.
There, Militzer replaced Terry Smith, whose departure was awash with controversy. Though Militzer guided the Gators to an 8-3 record and a spot in the WPIAL quarterfinals, he was told after the season other candidates would be interviewed for the position.
Militzer opted not to reapply.
In May, Militzer, the principal at Madonna Catholic Regional School in Monongahela, was unanimously hired by the Charleroi Area School Board. He replaced Ed Jenkins, who resigned because of health reasons after two seasons.
“There’s different issues everywhere you go. There’s always things to deal with,” Militzer said. “What’s great here is the support is unbelievable. Here, they’re happy to have you and they make you feel appreciated.”
Militzer gave back by working hard to build Charleroi’s numbers.
“We (identified) a few kids in the building who looked like athletes,” Militzer said. “You want anyone in the school who can play to be a part of the team.”
The result is a 38-player roster, a rejuvenated attitude and some offseason success the Cougars hope carries over into the season opener against Southmoreland.
Behind senior quarterback Matt Carr, who missed all but two games last year to injury, Charleroi won small-school division passing camps at Washington & Jefferson College and Youngstown State.
And Carr figures to hold the keys to Charleroi’s success in the regular season. Because of Carr’s abilities, the Cougars installed a more pass-oriented spread offense.
“He’s really a player. In two games last year, he threw for more than 500 yards,” Militzer said. “If he stays healthy, he’s going to put up some good numbers. He’s a leader. He’s so calm and he buys into what we’re doing.”
Among Carr’s potential top targets are Blake Carmello, Trey Douyon and John Arnold, a 6-9, 255-pound junior tight end who is drawing college interest.
Another plus for the Cougars offense is returning experience along the line. Mason Thomas, Jake Lemmon, Kevin McClellan and Chad Waggoner all started last year and all four are seniors.
While the offense appears ready to put up points, stopping the opposition is another matter, and it’s been Charleroi’s biggest problem in recent seasons.
The Cougars allowed 375 points last year. Only Burgettstown (428) allowed more in Class AA. In 2012, Charleroi yielded 355 points.
“Toughness is what we’re looking for. When I look at the game film from last year, either one person would make a tackle or the other team would end up scoring,” Militzer said. “It’s about having some guys and having some pride. We have to have 11 guys who won’t quit and get to the ball every play. I don’t care if they make mistakes. I want them to be aggressive.”