Aug 22, 2018 5 min read

Mike Melnyk loves a challenge. So there is no question he relishes the tasks ahead as he enters his seventh season as head coach of the Mt. Lebanon football team.

The Blue Devils return seven starters on offense and seven on defense from a team that finished runner-up in the conference but posted a 6-5 overall record last season. They will compete in the newly organized Quad County Conference with eight of the biggest schools in the WPIAL: Butler, Canon-McMillan, Central Catholic, Hempfield, North Allegheny, Norwin, Pine-Richland and Seneca Valley.

“We are playing in the best conference in the state of Pennsylvania,” Melnyk said, noting Pine-Richland’s state championship last fall and Central Catholic’s back-to-back PIAA final appearances in 2015 and 2016.

“This is as good as it gets. That’s the reason I came here (to Mt. Lebanon) to play the best in the state. It’s a great challenge.”

Melnyk will challenge himself and his football acumen. This season, he is taking on the responsibility as defensive coordinator. During the offseason, he visited Michigan, his alma mater, and Wisconsin in preparation for his new duties.

“I still have a lot to learn but I like a challenge,” said Melnyk, who has 20 years of experience as an offensive coordinator. “Hopefully, I can draw from the experience I gained from all those years spent on the offensive side of the ball. It gives you perspective because you know what gave you problems.

“I’m really excited about this. I just hope I don’t screw things up.”

If he does, Casey Phillips and Andrew Cappucci will correct them. They are Melnyk’s offensive coordinators, in charge of the high-powered operation, which produced two 1,000-yard passers last season. One of them returns, Seth Morgan.

The 5-11, 165-pound senior completed 90 of 148 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 TDs. With 157 yards rushing, he adds another element to the offensive attack.

“Seth is excited to have his show. He did a nice job as a part-time player last year but there will be no sharing this season,” Melnyk said. “Seth has a strong arm. He can make all the throws that we need him to make but he’s a dual threat. He can hurt you with his legs as much as his arms so we will use the run as a weapon because his escape-ability puts stress on defenses.”

Lucas DeCaro will stress the secondary. While the 5-11, 165-pound senior played in the shadows of the state-record breaking receiver Aidan Cain (101 receptions for 1,749 yards and 14 TDs), DeCaro caught 43 passes for 750 yards last fall.

“Lucas had a tremendous year and those stats, most years, might lead the WPIAL but Aidan overshadowed him,” Melnyk said. “Lucas is ready to step up and be our No. 1 guy. He is up for the challenge. He might have to work harder for his catches this season but he is capable of doing that.”

While Melnyk added DeCaro has “nice chemistry” with Morgan, other targets for the Blue Devils include Mason Ventrone, who has started at cornerback on defense since his freshman year; Evan Jones, who will play outside linebacker on defense; Tim Walters, a starter at defensive end; and Sam LaSota, who played the slot last year.

Michael Palmer and Cam Powers anchor the running back spot. Both are returning starters on defense: Palmer at linebacker and Powers at end. Sam Rolfsen, who is a linebacker on defense, and Everett Lafever round out the tailback position and Ben Greenwood, a veteran inside linebacker, spells Powers at fullback.

“Our backfield will be by committee,” Melnyk said, “but those are all excellent athletes.”

On the line, Mt. Lebanon lost two good ones to excellent academic/football programs – Coleman Coco to Colgate and Colby Sordsol to William and Mary. “While we won’t have the size or strength of those guys,” Melnyk said, “we will gain mobility. We have solid guys returning; guys who grew up in the offseason. They grasp their opportunity.”

Nathan Hughes, J.B. Nelson and Nathan Hoaglund anchor the line. A 5-11, 175-pound senior, Hughes is a two-year starter at center. A 6-5, 220-pound junior, Nelson is a two-year starter. A 6-1, 225-pound senior, Hoaglund is a three-year veteran and two-year starter at guard.

Other contributors on the line will be Michael Freilino, who played defense last year, Max Baker and Tom Peters.

“We have guys who have really dedicated themselves and worked hard in the weight room to become bigger, faster and stronger,” Melnyk said. “We have solid kids who have played before, have each other’s backs and we can roll in either on offense or defense.”

Joining veterans Greenwood, Rolfsen, Palmer, DeCaro and Jones in the middle of the defense at linebacker will be Eddie Kubit and Nick Maloney. Charlie Gordon and Ventrone anchor the secondary, which welcomes two newcomers in sophomores Brodie Campbell and Maurice Plummer on the corners and junior Jack Sullivan at the free safety slot.

Attrition is a concern for the Blue Devils as they entered camp with 60 players on the roster and many two-way performers, who also pull special-teams duty. o

“The big question is are we going to be playing with the same guys that we start with. Playing in our league takes its toll. Our situation is to manage the roster, stay healthy and be ready to compete on a weekly basis and for the push at the end of the year,” Melnyk said.

“Realistically, our goals are to make sure we get into the playoffs and be as competitive as possible in the new conference. Once you are in the playoffs, then you can start talking about championships.”