Chartiers-Houston has experience for move to Double-A
Senior AJ Myers, left takes off with teammates during wind sprints on the first day of football practice at Chartiers-Houston High School.
Chartiers-Houston’s Sophomore Brandon Stopperich, left, takes on freshman Josh Cavasllo during blocking drills on the first day of practice,.
Eight years ago this month, Chartiers-Houston began its football season likely knowing that dynastic Clairton, a new addition to the Black Hills Conference that season, would win the league. The next five seasons went the same way. By the sixth, the Bears were no longer a required regular season matchup. Now, the teams were meeting in the first round of the playoffs, and this one was a 62-3 Clairton romp. Since 2005, Chartiers-Houston is 0-8 in opening round playoff games.
Point being, securing a home playoff game by finishing either first or second in the conference has proved elusive in head coach Terry Fetsko’s 12 years with the Buccaneers, whether because of Clairton or other powerhouses. The last time Chartiers-Houston hosted a postseason playoff game also was the most recent playoff win for the program, 14-7 against Clairton at the beginning of the millennium.
When home field isn’t secured, postseason success becomes that much harder to come by.
“That’s been very difficult for us to overcome,” Fetsko said. “(We’re) just not able to get over the hump.”
The upcoming season figures to mean more of the same with Chartiers-Houston bumped up to Class AA because of the PIAA’s statewide reclassification. Chartiers-Houston is the second-smallest WPIAL school at that level, and shares a section with perennial power Washington and two former Class A playoff teams in Frazier and Beth-Center.
“It’s not great,” Fetsko said. “But that’s where we fell.”
Despite the loss of 12 starters from a 5-5 team that lost 27-7 at Jeannette in the first round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs a year ago, Fetsko said he’s confident, as are the players, in the ability to fill those spots from the current roster. The process began at camp and Fetsko hopes it ends with the snapping of playoff disappointment.
What might help the Buccaneers’ chances this fall is familiarity with the playbook, as the offense will continue to use its usual spread attack and the defense hasn’t changed what it does. Fetsko minimized the adjustments needed once the regular season begins.
The team’s top two receivers from 2015, Tyrone Wormsley and Ethan Shober, graduated, but Fetsko has a sense for who can step in and make an impact. Seniors A.J. Myers, who missed the final three games of last season with a hamstring injury; Jordan Myers, who has returned to the team after a two-year absence and figures to fill in for Shober; and Jacob Cavallo, who will try to replicate Wormsley’s production from a hybrid slot receiver/tight end role.
Three offensive line positions are vacant, leaving Fetsko somewhat unsure of what he has to work with there. Many of the candidates lack varsity experience. This situation could play out at other positions because of a roster heavily laden with seniors and freshmen. According to Fetsko, there are 12 seniors and 12 freshmen, compared to just five juniors and nine sophomores, on varsity this season.
Fetsko said the speed of play and lengthy preseason, when including the various types of summer training, are two of the more common elements young players struggle adjusting to at the varsity level.
“It all depends on the individual. Some kids adjust to that very well, and it doesn’t phase them, doesn’t affect them. Other players, it takes them a year or so to get used to that type of game,” Fetsko said. “The individual players who are able to handle it and comprehend what we’re trying to teach and don’t let the intimidation factor of playing varsity football affect them, those are the players that will play sooner than the other ones.”
Fetsko said he believes the Bucs can return to the postseason despite their new and possibly more difficult conference. The challenge and goal remains securing, and winning, that elusive home playoff game.
The Bucs have experienced players, including quarterback T.J. Johnston, who threw 17 touchdowns and for more than 1,500 yards a year ago; leading rusher tailback Spencer Terling, a three-year starter at the position; all-conference offensive lineman Trey Lober; and Myers, who are all seniors.
“We’re looking for them to guide the team into the playoffs this year,” Fetsko said. “Where we have a chance to finish a little higher, get a home playoff game and then see what happens.”