Aug 22, 2018 4 min read

Any discussion about the top teams in this year’s WPIAL Class 4A football has to include the Belle Vernon Leopards.

These are some tough cats.

Belle Vernon, which went undefeated during the 2017 regular season and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals before being eliminated from the championship chase by rival Thomas Jefferson, return a bevy of talented and experienced players.

The expectations are as they have been and will be as long as Belle Vernon is coached by Matt Humbert.

“The expectations are similar to what they are any year,” Humbert said. “This season is no different. We always try to have our kids with the mindset. We want to compete to win each game, to win the conference and to be playing football in late November.”

Belle Vernon might be good enough to play into December this season.

But Humbert warns that it takes more than good players and experience to reach the top.

“I always say if you can’t take care of tomorrow, those long-term goals or thoughts will never come to fruition,” Humbert said. “We feel confident we can play with the best in Class 4A. But you’re always a few injuries away from being average or mediocre. I’m a realist and our kids know that. This is a process and we have to take care of what is in front of us each and every day to get to where we want to be at the end.

“Our kids have bought into that.”

The Leopards will again battle Thomas Jefferson for the top spot. West Mifflin, Trinity, Greensburg Salem and rival Ringgold also will provide certain challenges for Belle Vernon.

The return of starting quarterback junior Jared Hartman (6-1, 210), the top two tailbacks from last season in senior Mason Pascoe (5-7, 170) and junior Larry Callaway 6-0, 190), senior tight end Anthony Bertram (6-0, 215) and juniors Hunter Ruokonen (6-0, 170) and Nolan Labuda (5-7, 160) and four senior offensive linemen in tackle Anthony Rebar (6-3, 240), guards Kirk Popelas (6-2, 265) and Collin Palotta (6-0, 245), along with center Eric Oblak (6-3, 235), makes the offense formidable and explosive.

“The return of those offensive linemen, seasoned, veteran kids has been so helpful,” Humbert said. “We have to do less teaching and gained more repetition – quality reps. We have six or seven kids along the front line who will help us.

“We have guys who didn’t necessarily start each game but played a decent amount.”

Defensively, Belle Vernon also has a talented front, linebackers and secondary.

Senior Jake Fine (6-0, 170) and Labuda return at cornerback. Popelas and Palotta are back up front and senior Nino Kuntz (6-2, 240) and Bertram return at linebacker.

“We have a solid defensive line and we feel like we have enough puzzle pieces to use multiple people there,” Humbert said. “We have a solid secondary and good linebackers.”

In addition to Calloway, who also plays linebacker, and Ruokonen, a defensive back, Humbert said other emerging players are senior receiver/linebacker Joe Federer (5-5, 155) and junior two-way lineman Hayden Baron (6-0, 240).

Belle Vernon also will be aided when injured junior linebacker/receiver Andrew Pacak (6-1, 210) returns from injury in midseason.

The Leopards also will feature a strong kicking game with the return of junior Cameron Guess (6-0, 190), one of the best placekickers and punters in the country.

“More than extra points and field goals, Cam allows us to gain field position with his touchbacks on kickoffs and his punting ability,” Humbert said. “He gives us the opportunity to keep opponents deep and make them drive 80 yards. He’s a complete specialist.”

Belle Vernon is a team that has no significant weakness.

“I think we have always been a confident team,” Humbert said. “We have kids who are resilient and who believe. You have to earn your place every season.

“We think the possibilities are there. But there is no way other than working hard for what you get. I know our kids understand that and buy into that.” o