Aug 22, 2018 5 min read

Question marks abound regarding Bethel Park this season, but the Hawks are optimistic they will unearth answers as they prepare to challenge for a conference championship at the Class 5A level as opposed to the 6A division.

On the 10th anniversary of winning their first WPIAL title, the Hawks vacate the Class 6A Southeastern Conference, where they ran the table in capturing a championship in 2017 with a 6-0 record and finished 8-2 overall after a playoff loss to Penn Hills. This season, they move into the Class 5A Allegheny Eight Conference, where they will be challenged by familiar foes such at Baldwin, Chartiers Valley, Moon, Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, West Allegheny and Woodlands Hills.

To contend, the Hawks must rebuild. On both sides of the ball, they graduated all of their linemen, including James Gmiter, a four-year starter who has matriculated to West Virginia, Connor Whooley (Carnegie Mellon), Gavin Vargesko (Slippery Rock) and Dan Kwiatkoski (Slippery Rock). Off to Slippery Rock, too, is Tanner Volpatti. The tailback rushed for 1,213 yards and scored 24 touchdowns.

“To lose all your linemen and a great running back is hard. It would be difficult in any scenario but in this league’s it’s a challenge,” said Jeff Metheny, who is in his 25th season as coach of the Hawks.

“In this conference, there are a lot of good coaches and players. The talent is really good and the coaches are so competitive that you have to be perfect to beat them. But, we are going to do what we’ve always done.

“Our goals are always the same. Win the league and make it as far as we can in the playoffs. To lose all those guys and win our conference would be a heck of an accomplishment.”

What the Hawks achieve hinges upon their ability to establish the run. So, building a new offensive line is imperative.

The construction project starts with Brandon Greco. He has experience, having played at tight end last year. Seniors Corey Hardinger (6-0, 235) and Ben Hultz (6-0, 275) fill the tackle spots while Brandon Cole and Jake Dowell are the guards. Senior Mike Conaboy is a guard while Nathan Currie plays tackle and Cooper Shoemaker, a junior, is a backup tight end. Alex Dudowski centers the ball, Austin Cortopassi (6-4, 230) will play somewhere on the offensive line, perhaps tight end. He is a starter on defense at outside linebacker.

“How our O-line develops will tell the tale of where we are going. Those kids have to figure it out,” Metheny said. “No question, they have potential. They are not afraid of big guys or good linemen because we practiced against them every day last year. Though they might not have a lot of size, they are more athletic than the other kids.”

Athletic and experienced are BP’s skill players.

For starters, the Hawks return Anthony Chiccitt. The junior quarterback completed 50 of 98 passes for 999 yards and nine scores last year.

“We expect big things from him,” Metheny said. “There’s a lot to like about him. Anthony’s a real smart kid and he understands the offense. His timing is good and his decision-making skills are great.. He has pocket poise. He doesn’t rattle. He has great composure. He does a lot of things and he does them well.”

Jevhonn Lewis and Luke Surunis run well from the tailback slot while Tiger Burkes is a force at fullback. All are experienced. Lewis averaged 8 yards per carry and Burkes 6.9 yards. Surunis rushed for 197 yards and two scores.

The Hawks also have versatile receivers in Sean McGowan, Will Patrizio and Fred Sauer.

“Last year, we scored as many points as we ever had. We might not be like that this year but we have talented athletes to take the pressure off (Chiccitt),” Metheny said. “We have good guys. Fred has good wheels and good hands. He can run and catch the ball. Jevhonn has experience. Luke can run downhill like Volpatti. He has shown he can run the football. Tiger is a big, physical kid. Sean cuts well. Will has pretty good speed. They all are hard workers.

“If they stay healthy and we get experience up front, then we have a chance to be good.”

On defense, the Hawks also have a chance to be good once their linemen develop. Dowell and Hultz are the nose guards while Hardinger, Cole and Cortopassi serve as tackles along with Currie and Dudowski.

Burkes anchors the linebacking corps, which includes Conaboy, Tyler Thimons, Shoemaker, Greco, Surunis, Jack Evans and Anthony Klase.

Jared Yantak settles the secondary. The strong safety, like Burkes, started last season.

Lewis also is a veteran, having started at cornerback. Sauer defends the other cornerback spot and McGowan is the free safety. The Hawks also like Jared Miller and Liam Sauer on the corners and Dom Esposito at the strong safety in certain situations.

While the Hawks hardly ever use slogans as motivation, they have adopted a philosophy for the 2018 campaign.

“There’s going to be a lot of trial and error until they get (experience)” said Metheny. “We need to be patient. We have work to do but I’m still enthusiastic about the season.” o