Bethel Park expects to surprise opponents
Max Blanc leads Joe Thimons, Dylan Wentz and Dylan Fusca in an agility drill during summer football workouts at Bethel Park. Blanc is battling for the quarterback spot.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris, Jason Nuttridge and Troy Volpatti listen intently as defensive backs coach Jeff Joyce explains a situation they will face this fall at Bethel Park.
By Eleanor Bailey
Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
BETHEL PARK – Bethel Park graduated 25 seniors. The Hawks also return only one true starter from last season’s 7-4 playoff team that lost to eventual Class 5A champion Gateway, 17-13, in the quarterfinal round of the WPIAL playoffs.
Those facts, however, do not translate into a rebuilding year. Nor do they mean a sub-par season awaits the Black Hawks.
“We don’t use the ‘R’ world. We don’t talk about rebuilding around here,” said Brian DeLallo, who enters his second season as coach. “Every day in practice we are more encouraged.
“Sure, we are not going to out-athlete anybody. We need to be smarter, more prepared, more physical and mentally tougher. We can’t turn the ball over and make mental mistakes. We do all those things, we are going to surprise some people. We are going to be better than anyone thinks.”
The Hawks are going to do just fine because they are competitive and enthusiastic. They will use their youth as an asset.
“We may lack experience but we will not use that as an excuse,” DeLallo said. “Our job as coaches is to get these guys ready. We are not going to change our standards.
“Some say youth is a concern but it is exciting seeing how great a job they are doing. They are so enthusiastic and coachable. It’s energizing. They attack their workouts and they take coaching well.
“No one is expecting anything of this group and that makes them driven. They challenge each other and there is great competition at every spot and that makes it exciting. These kids have waited for this moment. They are going to find a way to play well and get the job done.”
Max Blanc is battling Jason Nuttridge for the quarterback spot. At 6-4, 190, Blanc is “bigger, taller” and possesses the “stronger arm” while Nuttridge is a “shifty runner” who throws the ball well. Heading into camp, the race between the junior and the sophomore was a dead heat.
“They both are doing a great job of learning the offense and being leaders on the field,” said DeLallo. “It’s a win-win situation for us because they both have done what we have asked them to do. It will be awesome to see who steps up and gets the job but we could go with both – something we’ve never done before. But they are so supportive and root for each other. They are cool and mature and don’t get all geeked up about fighting for the job.”
The pair know they don’t necessarily have to account for the 1,082 passing yards and 8 TDs thrown last season by Anthony Chiccitt, who matriculated to Robert Morris University. They easily can hand off to Troy Volpatti. The 5-9, 170-pound junior ranked third behind Sean McGowan (956 yards, 11 TDs) and Jehvonn Lewis (519 yards and 10 TDs). McGowan and Lewis were also BP’s top receivers with 28 and 19 grabs, respectively.
In addition to Volpatti, BP’s backfield could feature Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris and Blake Streagle, a sophomore who DeLallo says is lightning quick. Senior Dylan Fusca started some games last year and Weston Konopka, another junior, has shown promise.
“We think we have three or four good halfbacks after Troy,” DeLallo said.
Though the Hawks graduated their top six receivers, Jason Muench has moved to the forefront of what should be a deep position.
“Jason will do a great job for us, DeLallo said. “He’s got some experience and smarts. He’s a coachable kid and his football IQ is through the roof, which also makes for a great leader.”
While Gavin Moul and Erich Raymond have the makings of great fullbacks long into the future as both are sophomores, the Hawks are building an entire offensive line as Zach Haddox represents the lone experience at guard. Other frontrunners for spots on both sides of the line include Anthony Cellitti, along with Aidan Currie and Koby Goelz, who are sophomores and play tight end.
“The line is definitely a work in progress. It’s how we can configure the best guys,” DeLallo said. “We have a giant group of kids, a sea of sophomores and juniors, that all seem to have similar abilities. We’ve talked about a two-platoon system.”
The Hawks will rely upon underclassmen as this year’s senior group includes 12 players, five of whom are new to the team.
Ackerman adds strength to the defensive secondary, having started games during his career. He is a safety along with Muench and Volpatti. On the corners, six players were fighting for the two spots: Kadosh-Harris, Jack Kirchner, Austin Caye, Dinari Clacks, Jeremiah Hamilton, Jack Reilly and Nuttridge.
“It’s super competitive,” DeLallo said. “We have good young players, all of whom could start.”
At linebacker, Moul and Fusca played plenty last year. Currie and Kusan lend depth to the position.
“Linebacker is the one spot we return experience. Otherwise, we are starting all over. We have more depth at linebacker than anywhere else on defense. We are concerned about our lack of experience and how deep we can go on the line,” DeLallo said.
Special teams are less worrisome. Michael Francus will handle the kicking chores. The senior is the starting goalkeeper on the soccer team. A junior, Cody Geddes is the frontrunner for punter.
“Michael can kick the living daylights out of the ball and we are excited about Cody,” DeLallo said.
Though they participate in the “toughest conference” in the WPIAL, DeLallo anticipates the Hawks will be competitive. He said Peters Township, which is the defending conference champion, could be considered the favorite because the Indians are “loaded” with returning talent.
“They are definitely the frontrunners to win the WPIAL because they have so much coming back but our league is ridiculous and we’ve added South Fayette and Pine-Richland, both perennial playoff teams,” DeLallo said. “There are no dogs on our schedule.”