Filling gaps will determine Raiders’ fate
Waynesburg running back Matt Snyder is tackled by Andrew Cain during practice.
Waynesburg’s Colin McCracken has moved from tight end to quarterback.
Waynesburg’s Cole Garrett stretches with his team during warmups before a practice session in August.
WAYNESBURG – Russ Moore, Waynesburg’s veteran head coach, has been around long enough that he knows a good high school football team when he sees one. He has coached quite a few of them.
Moore also has been around the game long enough to know when a team is in rebuilding mode or headed for a long season.
One team, however, has puzzled Moore. It happens to be the one he’s coaching this year.
“I can usually sit down before the season and pick out what our record will be, and be off by no more than one win,” Moore said. “I can’t do that this year.”
The reason the Raiders are a mystery is they have a large hole in their offense. That hole measures more than 4,500 yards, which is how many rushing, passing and receiving yards running backs Hunter Cenname and John-Glen Davis, quarterback Colby Collins and wide receiver Dom Sarra combined to produce over the last two seasons. All four have graduated.
“We’re missing a lot of guys who you can’t replace, but I like what we have,” Moore admitted. “We have the tools. These kids have worked hard in the weight room and we have some size. We do have the tools to be a very good football team.”
Waynesburg was very good last year before a series of injuries knocked the season off track, but not before the Raiders advanced to the Class AA playoffs. Waynesburg lost Davis and fullbacks Jack Fudala and Jacob Tretinik to injuries during the regular season and Cenname was injured on the opening kickoff of a playoff loss to eventual WPIAL and PIAA champion South Fayette.
Though Waynesburg lost handily to South Fayette, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2003 re-energized the Raiders’ program. The participation numbers are up significantly in the middle school program and the varsity team has been thinking for months about anther playoff run.
“Last year was supposed to be our year. Having that opportunity taken away from us because of injuries has set the tone for this year,” said Fudala, a senior fullback who had offseason surgery to repair two knee ligaments but has been given a clean bill of health.
“We feel like we’re not a one-and-done playoff team again. We’re better than that.”
Tretinik, who had a knee ligament and meniscus repaired, said those Raiders who were injured last year want to take out some frustration that lingers from not participating in postseason play.
“The injuries have given us a purpose for this year,” he said. “The rehab work has made me more prepared. Now, we’re ready to hit somebody.”
If the Raiders are playoff bound again, then it will be because they have found capable replacements for Davis and Cenname, who combined for 3,696 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns over the last two years.
“We have some big holes to fill,” Moore said. “I think we have some square pegs and I need to figure out how to put them in the round holes. Then I can fill in the star and triangle. They might not fit the puzzle right away.”
Even with the key losses, Waynesburg has a deep stable of backs including Fudala and Tretinik at fullback and halfbacks Zach Eisiminger and Matt Snyder.
“Eisiminger hasn’t yet realized what he can do. He’s a good north-south runner but he has some speed,” Moore said. “Snyder has worked his butt off. He hasn’t missed a day in the weight room and he’s had a great camp.”
The Raiders received a boost when junior Hunter Robinson, a standout baseball player, decided to play football. He’s the son of former Waynesburg running back Lee Robinson, who helped the Raiders to a Century Conference championship in 1988.
“He’s an athlete,” Moore said of the younger Robinson. “He’s good, but he hasn’t played since seventh grade.”
Junior Colin McCracken will shift from tight end to quarterback and bring a hard-nosed attitude to the position.
“He’s a wrestler who also is an all-conference linebacker,” Moore pointed out. “He’ll bring that tight end/linebacker/wrestler mentality to quarterback.”
Juniors Derek Wilson and Branden Sanders will replace McCracken at tight end. Senior Cole Garrett becomes the wide receiver and also is the backup quarterback.
While the running back position suffered major graduation losses, it was the offensive line that gave Moore the most concern during camp.
“The line is always a concern,” he said. “People have questioned my line every year I’ve been here. … John-Glen and Hunter could make a line look good, but I like the skill of our linemen.”
Senior Jonathan Cogar (6-3, 250) was a two-year starter at left tackle and has been moved to right tackle. Junior Chase Owens (6-1, 250) takes over at left tackle. Junior Jacob Berrier (5-10, 235) and freshman Spencer Lesinski (6-1, 215) will be the guards. Center has been an open competition during camp. Senior Robbie Miller has been a two-year starter on the offensive and defensive lines, but he was in National Guard training during all of the Raiders’ camp.
“Robbie is quick, a good pulling guard who was always around 190 pounds,” Moore said. “I hope he doesn’t come back at 160 pounds. We don’t have many linemen.”
Moore says his linebackers, led by McCracken and Fudala, are the best facet of the defense. Tretinik should be a force at defensive end.
“This could be a year when I have to do my best coaching,” Moore admitted. “I have to find out what this group is. We’re working to get an identity.”