PT determined to get back on playoff path
Peters Township running back T.J. Kpan works on blocking on the sled during practice. Kpan averaged more than five yards per carry last season.
Peters Township offensive lineman Michael Burket, left, uses pads to block Jake Reardon.
McMURRAY – Last season was the first time in Rich Piccinini’s tenure as Peters Township’s football coach that his team’s final game was played during the regular season. In the first three seasons, the Indians broke the school record for consecutive trips to the playoffs, then took a step back to a 2-7 record last year.
“We are putting last year in the past,” Piccinini said. “We went to the playoffs my first three years. That is a record at the school. We took a one-year hiatus. We are looking to get back to the playoffs. We believe we are a Quad-A playoff team.
“We talk about last year. We are not happy about it. We have a new and rejuvenated attitude. We use that as motivation to make sure we don’t repeat our same mistakes.”
Competing in the WPIAL’s version of the SEC, the Indians are well aware there are no weeks that can be taken lightly. With powerhouses Mt. Lebanon, Penn Hills, Woodland Hills and Upper St. Clair on the schedule, Piccinini knows that playoff spots from the Southeastern Conference are tough to secure.
“We think it is the best conference in the WPIAL,” Piccinini said. “It is a tough game every single week. All these teams have such great traditions. Every team has a great coach.”
On offense, the Indians will run a pro-style with a new quarterback for the first time in Piccinini’s tenure. Cory Owens’ four-year run at quarterback concluded last year and he is now attending James Madison University.
“Those are big shoes to fill,” Piccinini said. “We are taking our time with it.”
Competing for the starting quarterback job is junior Blake Smith and sophomore Jake Cortes.
“We are going to (pick) one,” Piccini said. “It is not bad that we don’t know which one yet.”
Also returning on offense is junior tailback T.J. Kpan, who will begin his second season starting in the backfield. Kpan has a good mix of speed and strength, and rushed for a team-leading 510 yards a year ago, averaging more than five yards per carry against some of the best defenses in the WPIAL. During offseason workouts, Kpan bench-pressed 330 pounds and ran a 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds.
Anchoring the offensive line will be Jake Reardon. At 265 pounds, Reardon broke the school record by bench pressing 410 pounds.
No matter who is behind center, the Indians will have some strong receiving options with junior Alan Snyder and seniors Clayton Yeates and Connor Manning. Snyder will be in his second season as a starter and plays defensive back. Yeates also is a two-way player, taking on the role of outside linebacker. He caught 20 passes last season. At 6-2, 220-pounds, Manning serves as a bigger target at tight end. He will also take on inside linebacker responsibilities.
Like every team, the Indians’ primary goal is to get back to the playoffs. It is what PT does with those opportunities in conference games that matter.
The Indians last won a playoff game in 2003. They lost four straight times in first-round games prior to missing the postseason last year.
“Our goal is always to get back to the playoffs,” Piccinini said. “We are a stronger and much better conditioned team. We refocused as a team and have a better attitude this season. We are going to use last year as a stepping stone but we are looking forward to moving on.
“You have to compete all season and get there. It’s a whole new game when you get to the playoffs. Our goal is getting there and then turning it on once we are there. There are no weak teams in the playoffs. We have played some of the higher seeds in our history.”
Peters Townships path to what it hopes is redemption begins Friday at Woodland Hills.