Aug 22, 2017 3 min read

A mixture of experienced linemen and emerging young playmakers could make Belle Vernon an interesting team this season.

Belle Vernon was 7-3 last year and won six of eight games to tie West Mifflin for second place in the WPIAL Class AAAA Big Nine Conference behind district and conference champion Thomas Jefferson.

The Leopards lost to West Mifflin, 19-0, in the opening round of the WPIAL playoffs. That was on the heels of an undefeated regular season and conference championship in 2015.

“One of our strengths is we return the nuts and bolts of our line,” head coach Matt Humbert said. “We had some youth on the defensive line last year. I am hoping those kids took their lumps last season, which should make us a better line this season.”

While much of the focus on Belle Vernon will center on two-way lineman Blake Zubovic (6-6, 305), a Pitt recruit, the Leopards’ offensive and defensive lines also feature junior Collin Pallotta (6-0, 260) and junior Anthony Rebar (6-3, 240). Senior Logan Petrosky (6-1, 265) also figures in on defense. Petrosky missed last season with a torn knee ligament.

“Two years ago, we won (10 straight games) and won a conference championship,” Humbert said. “We had four really good kids up front. We should have nice lines offensively and defensively.”

The coach expects offensive contributions from senior Derek Thomas (6-2, 235), a tight end, wingback and quarterback; senior receiver-defensive back Logan Pfonger (6-2, 190), an all conference performer last season; and junior wide receiver Anthony Bertram (6-0, 200).

Senior Derek Cesovski (6-0, 190) returns at running back and will be counted on to provide help with the younger members of the Leopards’ offense.

Humbert is willing to see if sophomore Jared Hartman (6-1, 200) can take hold of the quarterback spot.

“Some sophomores can handle it and for some it takes another year,” Humbert said of the young quarterbacks. 

Another weapon for Belle Vernon is sophomore placekicker Cameron Guess.

“He has a ton of potential,” Humbert said. “He missed a few games (last season). His statistics are not through the roof. Right now, he’s just a kid with a huge leg. He can put the ball on kickoffs in the end zone consistently. He’s a soccer player with a big-time leg.  If he keeps improving, he can kind of write his own ticket.”

Humbert expects the entire conference to again chase Thomas Jefferson. He pointed to West Mifflin as a top contender, lists Trinity as an emerging contender and added that Greensburg Salem and Ringgold will be formidable opponents.

“To me, Thomas Jefferson is the most consistently good program,” Humbert said. “West Mifflin has two really good linemen and some good skill kids. They are always chalk full of good athletes.”

Humbert said Belle Vernon now has a culture of success and the seniors on the roster have enjoyed success. He feels the program has made strides and will continue to move forward.

“We are all short-term based,” Humbert said. “Moving on to the long-term objective is to compete for the conference and win games in November. Right now, we’re just worried about tomorrow.

“The fact we have a lot of young kids who can contribute is a gift and a curse. Are they ready for Friday nights? Are they ready for that atmosphere and to stand out? We have some good juniors who saw limited playing time last season. We return some good players. I think we have a pretty good mix.”