O-R Athlete of the Week: Geno Pellegrini, Charleroi
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Name: Geno Pellegrini
School: Charleroi
Class: Senior
Sport: Football
Pellegrini’s week: In a dominating 64-33 Interstate Conference opening win over Washington, the senior quarterback led a Charleroi offense that looked unstoppable during all four quarters.
Pellegrini completed 11 of 17 passes for 212 yards and five touchdowns. He also hurt the Prexies with his running ability, carrying the ball 14 times for 153 yards and two scores.
“We just put in more work,” Pellegrini said. “Everyone just got better (from last year).”
The Cougars scored on three of their first five offensive plays, including when Pellegrini faked a handoff on the first play of the game, kept the ball and went 64 yards untouched for a touchdown.
Charleroi scored two touchdowns, recorded a safety and had a 23-0 lead before Washington took a snap in Cougars territory.
“It helped a lot,” Pellegrini said of the fast start. “We were hyped when we scored that first touchdown. There is nothing better than when you score on the first play. We had that play put in and knew it was going to be the first call.”
It was the most points Washington has allowed in a game since a 67-8 loss to Jeannette in 2008.
Getting over the hump: The win snapped a losing streak against the Prexies that went back to 2008. In the last three seasons, all resulting in Washington wins, the Prexies outscored the Cougars, 140-16.
“It feels amazing that we finally beat Washington,” Pellegrini said. “Every day at practice I tell my guys to go as hard as you can. You play like you practice.”
By Luke Campbell
Staff writer
lcampbell@observer-reporter.com
Another barrier the Cougars are trying to get over is winning a WPIAL playoff game – something they haven’t done in 20 years. Last season, it looked as if Charleroi was going to put an end to the streak but the Cougars were upset by Avonworth in a first-round game.
“Overcoming adversity is the biggest thing I’ve been preaching,” said Charleroi first-year coach Lance Getsy. “When a team can pull together and lean on each other, that’s when you have a group that can make it far.”
Pellegrini admits that it’s been part of a change in culture he’s seen since entering the varsity program.
“We are being pushed harder than we’ve ever been. He is a well-balanced coach. He adds discipline,” Pellegrini said about the changes with Getsy.
“We always mention that playoff game last year. We always say, ‘Don’t have another Avonworth.’ You can’t overlook anybody. We want to be the Charleroi team to go far in the playoffs, the one that gets over the hump.”