Aug 20, 2022 4 min read

By Chris Dugan

Sports editor

dugan@observer-reporter.com

MAPLETOWN – When they passed out gear for the upcoming season at Mapletown High School, everyone except the equipment manager was happy about the turnout.

Thirty-two players demanded helmets and shoulder pads. That number might seem insignificant at many schools, but at Mapletown, which is the second-smallest school in the WPIAL to field a football team – Avella is the smallest – 32 is considered a large gathering.

“It has been a long time since we had 32,” said George Messich, who is in his 40th season as a head coach.

The roster is not the only place where Mapletown could have big numbers this fall.

The Maples return all but four players from a year ago, when they went 6-5 and advanced to the Class A playoffs. Eight starters are back on offense and nine return on defense. Among the returnees is senior Landan Stevenson, who rushed for more than 1,700 yards and has 3,651 in his career. Two other running backs and four offensive linemen are back.

One of the positions Mapletown must fill is quarterback. Max Vanata passed for seven TDs a year ago but he is now at Grove City College.

Messich said he plans to use one of two quarterbacks, either senior Brody Evans or junior A.J. Vanata.

Evans wrestled for Waynesburg in a co-op last year, was part of the Raiders’ WPIAL championship team and qualified for the PIAA individual tournament.

Vanata was Mapletown’s second-leading rusher a year ago and averaged more than five yards per carry.

“Both of those kids can throw the football. We’re pleased with both of them,” Messich said. “Who will be the quarterback will depend on what formation we’re in.

“Brody Evans is a dedicated winner. His freshman year, he played football and was about 125 pounds. Now, he’s around 180. And he’s nothing but muscle. I think wrestling really helped him. His confidence has increased and I’m sure wrestling had a lot to do with that. He’s been on a great team and had good years for them. His confidence is sky high.

“Vanata could be the top running back for a lot of teams,” he continued. “That’s how good of a running back I think he is. He made some great runs last year. I’m really high on him. He can run, he can throw.”

Stevenson, however, is the hub of the offense. In addition to his rushing total, he was the team’s leading receiver and scored 27 touchdowns.

“He does some things that you just can’t coach. If you could coach what he does, then every team would have three or four 1,000-yard rushers,” Messich said. “He has speed, but he has totally dedicated himself to being stronger and being in the weight room. That is going to be a big plus for him.

“Not only can Landan run, he also has the best hands of anyone I’ve seen in a long time.”

The offensive line is led by senior right tackle Cohen Stout (6-1, 245). The guards are senior Levi Howard (5-11, 170) and junior Isaac Hall (5-11, 250). Messich couldn’t say enough good things about the development of senior left tackle Grant Murin (6-4, 280), who didn’t play football until last season. The center will be a new starter, sophomore Parker Ponzoo (5-10, 210).

Juniors Evan Griffin and Roger Gradek and sophomore Brock Evans will be the wide receivers.

Mapletown must improve defensively after giving up 23.7 points per game last year. That could happen with the return of nine starters including inside linebackers Stout and Brody Evans, the top two tacklers. Everybody from Mapletown’s front eight on defense is back.

“We cannot give up easy touchdowns,” Messich said. “We gave up a few long passes for touchdowns and long runs last year. We have to work to get better at that.”

Messich said there is no clear favorite this year in the Tri-County South, which should make for better and more interesting games.

“What I like about the conference is, the last couple of years you could say West Greene was the favorite and there was no debate about that. This year, there are four or five teams that have a legitimate claim to be the favorite,” said Messich. “This is the most balanced this conference has been.”