Sep 1, 2015 3 min read

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Before the rash of injuries, was there a more physical team on offense in the area than Waynesburg?

Luckily for them, Waynesburg had two of the more physically imposing running backs in the area last season – Hunter Cenname and John-Glen Davis. Several injuries derailed the season, but it was a major success. The Raiders broke through under head coach Russ Moore – reaching the postseason for the first time since 2003 – and showed that high school football teams can still win with a power-running game.

With seven starters gone on both offense and defense, including the two bruising backs, can Waynesburg repeat that success this fall?

The new stable of running backs has to help fill the void. Jack Fudala and Jacob Tretinik are lining up at fullback, while Zach Eisiminger and Matt Snyder will spilt carries at halfback.

Expect junior Colin McCracken, who shifted from tight end to starting quarterback, to run out of the wildcat and he’ll keep teams off balance with his arm. A standout wrestler, McCracken is athletic and physical (6-1, 190). Moore is also confident that he can develop chemistry with several weapons, including Derek Wilson, Branden Sanders and Cole Garrett.

Waynesburg’s offense moves through the running game. If it can develop a strong line, watch out. The Interstate Conference is pretty open this season. Senior Jonathan Cogar, a two-year starter at left tackle, has been moved to the right side.

Junior Chase Owens is at left tackle, while Jacob Berrier and Spencer Lesinski will be guards. Count on center Robbie Miller to be the center again. It’s a group that averages 228 pounds, but there is not much depth. If injuries hit like they did last season, the Raiders could be in trouble.

The defense allowed 22.8 points per game last season, but remember this: Waynesburg lost to Washington and Mt. Pleasant by an average of just 4.5 points. That’s how close the Raiders were to competing for the conference title.

By the time they faced McGuffey in Week 8, injuries set in and got even worse in the first half at Highlander Stadium. In my opinion, Moore was certainly in the conversation for coach of the year in the area.

Numbers are not on his side this fall. I counted 35 players on Waynesburg’s roster, including just 11 linemen – two are freshmen.

I do expect the offense to score some points and surprise some people, but the depth is a concern. If they avoid injuries, the Raiders have to be a playoff contender.

Players to watch: Jack Fudala, Jacob Tretinik, Colin McCracken, Robby Miller, Jonathan Cogar

Biggest game: It’s difficult to pick a particular game, but how about Week 1 at Burgettstown? The Blue Devils return a lot of talent and there is excitement under new head coach Mark Druga. We’ll get a good feel for where both teams stand after this one.

Stat to think about: As O-R sports editor Chris Dugan reported in today’s football preview, which hopefully you picked up on a newsstand, The Raiders lost 4,500 total yards because of graduations to Cenname, Glen-Davis, Colby Collins and Dom Sarra.