USC sees no dropoff in Junko’s second season
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Upper St. Clair head coach Mike Junko points out particulars during a drill at summer football workouts.
David Pantelis was one of the receiving leaders in the WPIAL last season.
David Pantelis was one of the receiving leaders in the WPIAL last season.
Upper St. Clair assistant coach Wayne Capers doles out the hand sanitzer during a break in football practice.
Mike Junko gives his players instruction during summer workout drills.
By Eleanor Bailey
Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
UPPER ST. CLAIR – Mike Junko expects no sophomore slump as he enters his second season as Upper St. Clair head football coach. That’s because he’s a year wiser after the Panthers’ 7-5 campaign.
“One of the big challenges you face moving from a role as a coordinator to manager of an entire program is dealing with the daily problems that demand your attention and learning how to prioritize issues that are most important.
“No doubt, the biggest and easiest thing was implementing a new system, teaching it to the coaches and having the players learn it for the first time. This year there is much more of a comfort level. We’re mastering it. We’ve come to a point where we have ownership of it. That’s been exciting to see unfold. So we are looking for a fun year.”
Fun should translate into many victories as USC returns key components from last year’s squad that advanced to the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. The Panthers boast 23 seniors and feature one of the most dynamic aerial combinations in the district.
Ethan Dahlem returns at quarterback. Last fall, Dahlem ranked 12th in the WPIAL in passing. The senior completed 142 of 210 attempts for 2,218 yards and 17 touchdowns. Dahlem also rushed for 951 yards and 15 scores.
“Ethan’s a dual threat. He can run and throw,” said Junko. “He has matured and really understands what we are trying to do offensively. This allows him to do things this year that we couldn’t last year. He should be able to take us to new heights with his game.”
David Pantelis led the WPIAL with 77 receptions for 1,169 yards. Pantelis scored nine times and added a two-point conversion. Pantelis also starts at cornerback.
“David’s really dedicated himself in offseason and transformed his body,” Junko said. “He’s stronger and he too has grown in the offense. He’s mentally in tune with what we want to do.
“We are excited about his development because he has tremendous skills. If it’s a 50/50 ball or a ball that doesn’t look like it can be caught, David has a way of making those plays time and time again. He’s a good route runner with very good speed but he’s also a physical wide receiver. You don’t appreciate that until you see him break tackle after tackler, turning a small gain into a big play.”
Mateo Cepullio demonstrated that capability, too. The junior started every game last season and pulled in 17 receptions for 372 yards and six scores.
“In a normal year, his numbers would be impressive but then you have (Pantelis) catching 77 balls,” said Junko. “Mateo has really gotten a lot stronger and faster. He understands his role in the offense and we are excited to have another receiver like him returning with all that experience and to take some of the pressure off of David.”
USC boasts many skill players. Applying pressure to opposing defenses out of the backfield will be returning starters Jaden Keating and Ethan Hiester. Keating rushed for 305 yards and 5 TDs and Hiester had 425 yards and one score.
Luke Banbury, who was a tailback last year, will be utilized as an H-back or tight end. The Panthers also like what Samari Dreher and Jalen Mortimer bring to the backfield.
“We have very talented, skilled and experienced athletes. That gives us options. We won’t be one-dimensional. We’ll have different ways to move the football,” Junko said. “Being such an up-tempo team, we will want to keep kids fresh. We’ll play a lot of people. We’ll be deeper at positions than we have ever been. There’s good competition because there’s plenty of opportunity.”
There is little room for newcomers on the offensive line as the Panthers return four starters: Connor Schmitt at left tackle, Tim Pollock at right tackle, Joe Hough and Mark Banbury at the guard slots. Tyler Souper, who started some last season, and fellow senior Robert Gallagher along with Wyatt Kovell will contribute to the line play.
“We’ll roll a lot of kids in because, with the offense we run, we need to keep people fresh and not wear them out,” Junko said. “We are much more experienced and those guys have been playing together.”
While many of the linemen will rotate in on the defensive line, Brandon Coe will anchor the unit. He started every game for the Panthers last season. Hough started at end and Zach Fairfull has experience at the spot as well. Chase Rosenberry will also be utilized on the line.
Banbury returns to anchor an experienced linebacking corp. Junko expects him to again lead the Panthers in tackles.
Hipster and Keating are veteran linebackers. Dresser and Robbie Henricks will see playing time.
On the corners are Pantelis, Cepullio and Dahlem, who can also fill a safety slot. Aidan Besselman, Billie Salapow and Will Engel will see time in the secondary.
Hiester will handle the punting. He was all-conference last year. Aaron Volosin will do the kicking.
While the Panthers have the elements to maintain their tradition of excellence – seven WPIAL titles and two PIAA championships – they compete in the Allegheny Six Conference.
“No breaks,” Junko said. “Our philosophy is if you want to be counted among the best in the WPIAL, you better beat them. It helps give you a measure of yourself and tells you where your program needs to be. At USC, that’s part of our tradition. We embrace that. It’s a way of life.”