Aug 22, 2018 3 min read

Walking off the field with the game tied, 14-14, at halftime in a Week 9 nonconference matchup against Elizabeth Forward, Burgettstown head coach Mark Druga was not second-guessing himself.

His mission was to remove as many starters – several of whom were bruised, beaten and broken from what turned into a grueling second-half stretch of regular-season games – as possible.

“Our goal was to win a playoff game,” Druga said.

A plan was in place to enter the playoffs healthy. The Blue Devils needed to formulate a strategy to avoid a first-round exit and matching the result of their last three playoff appearances (2009, 2015 and 2016). In those three games, Burgettstown was outscored 132-20.

So when Seth Phillis drilled a 37-yard field goal as time expired to defeat Neshannock in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs last season, it not only ended the recent misery but stopped a 40-year drought without a victory in the postseason.

Nine months later, and entering his fourth season as the Blue Devils’ coach, Druga has a new plan for the postseason: make sure last year wasn’t a one-win wonder.

“This senior class doesn’t know anything but playoffs, which is something that can’t be said about Burgettstown over the years,” Druga said. “Last year was a combination of my first three years as a head coach.”

A trip to the playoffs for a fourth straight year hinges on experience on the offensive and defensive lines, along with the combination of new faces filling in for several departed skill position players.

Burgettstown returns four of its five starters from last year’s offensive line: Angelo Fratini, Ethan Brothers, Riley Kemper and Colby Greene. Brothers also will play linebacker – a depleted position for the Blue Devils – while the other three are mainstays up front on the defensive line.

“They are the focal point for our team,” Druga said. “Many of them have been starting since they’ve been sophomores, so they have a ton of playoff-caliber experience. It’s always nice to have great skill, but if you don’t have a line, you aren’t going anywhere.”

The skill positions are where Druga might have to get creative. Quarterback Ryan Lounder, tight end Jarred John and running backs Austin Safreed and Nic Speer have graduated.

Druga said to fully take advantage of the offensive line, the team needs to have better production at the running back position.

“That’s one area where we have to stay healthy and have more production,” he said. “It’s always a challenge to replace a quarterback. Fortunately, we have some very good candidates, including Jake Lounder, Ryan’s younger brother, and Nate Neal. The key will be replacing the skill.”

The Blue Devils will have to do so by playing in their third conference in four seasons, along with being the only team in all six classifications of the WPIAL to play four of its first five regular-season games on the road.

Brentwood, Carlynton, Fort Cherry, Serra Catholic, Seton-La Salle, South Allegheny and South Side Beaver join Burgettstown in the Class 2A Three Rivers Conference. None of those teams was in the Blue Devils conference over the last two seasons.

“The travel time has been cut considerably,” Druga said. “Everybody, other than two teams, are just a stone toss away. It’s exciting. We have already been doing our homework on several of these teams. Hopefully we can pick up right where we left off.” o