McGuffey’s successful senior class ready to tackle bump up to Class 3A
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Tuesday, August 13, 2024 | 6:01 AM
McGuffey quarterback Logan Carlisle leads the team back to the field after a run during practice on Monday, Aug.12, 2024, at McGuffey High School.
McGuffey head coach Nate Parry works with his team during practice on Monday, Aug.12, 2024, at McGuffey High School.
McGuffey head coach Nate Parry talks with Logan Carlisle during practice on Monday, Aug.12, 2024, at McGuffey High School.
McGuffey’s Malachi Ealy works out during practice on Monday, Aug.12, 2024, at McGuffey High School.
McGuffey’s Aiden O’Dell works out during practice on Monday, Aug.12, 2024, at McGuffey High School.
McGuffey quarterback Logan Carlisle talks with Lincoln Jhnson during practice on Monday, Aug.12, 2024, at McGuffey High School.
McGuffey head coach Nate Parry works with his team during practice on Monday, Aug.12, 2024, at McGuffey High School.
Logan Carlisle won’t fret too much about the McGuffey football program bumping up to Class 3A this season. The Highlanders have a large senior class with players accustomed to playing both ways.
Carlisle, a senior quarterback, believes that McGuffey has the mentality to carry its success into the Western Hills Conference.
“A good thing about McGuffey is that everyone in the football program is tough,” Carlisle said. “It would take a lot to get someone out of the game. We know we have to build stamina over the summer for when the season starts.”
McGuffey is coming off a strong season. The Highlanders finished 8-4 and reached the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals before losing to Washington. McGuffey will open this season with a nonconference matchup against its old rival Aug. 23.
The Highlanders will now be in a conference with Avonworth, Beaver, Central Valley, Hopewell, North Catholic and Quaker Valley. First-year coach Nate Parry took over after serving as an assistant coach in the program since 2014.
Parry is excited to lead the program, which has a senior-heavy roster that has won “since they were in diapers.”
McGuffey will have some new wrinkles this season. Parry added defensive coordinator Dan Rovira, who has 30 years of coaching experience.
“I think we are going to stay aggressive like we have in years past,” Parry said. “We are going to have some new looks. (Dan) brings a lot of experience to the table.”
McGuffey is fortunate to have many experienced players back. Carlisle is a dual-threat quarterback who can help open up the Highlanders’ offense. He will feel better after getting surgery on a torn labrum he suffered his freshman season.
Carlisle missed four games last season due to the pain in his shoulder.
“My doctor did a good job of putting me back together,” Carlisle said. “It was terrible. Every time I moved the ball across my body it would hurt.”
He will have Aiden O’Dell and Malachi Ealy in the backfield. Lincoln Johnson will be one of McGuffey’s top targets in the passing game.
The Highlanders also have plenty of experience in the trenches. Right tackle Reno Presto is a returning starter at right tackle, while Rian Johnson and Memphis Hadrych will be counted on to help anchor the line of scrimmage.
“Our run game will be strong,” Presto said. “Our offensive line is a bunch of hogs and dogs up there. We like to pound the ball down people’s throats.”
Reid Teagarden is a player Parry said McGuffey will count on to play both ways. Aaron Suppler (OL/DL), Julian Asbury (OL/DL), Sheldon Hanna (WR/DB), Dan Furmanek (RB/LB) and Lei Shaffer (LB/FB) will also be asked to go both ways.
Presto knows everyone has to stay in shape to find a way to make the postseason.
“You have to be in shape from Day 1,” Presto said. “You can’t be slacking at all. With us moving up, we’ll face bigger guys who get more breaks than we do. You have to fight more, and you have to want it.”
McGuffey
Coach: Nate Parry
2023 record: 8-4, 5-1 in Class 2A Century Conference
All-time record: 308-432-25
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23 Washington, 7
8.30 at Trinity, 7
9.6 at West Allegheny, 7
9.13 Central Valley*, 7
9.20 North Catholic*, 7
9.27 at Beaver*, 7:30
10.4 Hopewell*, 7
10.11 at Avonworth*, 7
10.18 Highlands, 7
10.25 at Quaker Valley*, 7
* Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Connor Crowe
51-99, 701 yards, 6 TDs
Rushing: Dylan Droboj
139-667 yards, 10TDs
Receiving: Malachi Ealy*
12-218 yards, 5 TDs
*Returning
FAST FACTS
• McGuffey has won a playoff game in three of the past four seasons.
• The Highlanders won their lone WPIAL Class 3A championship in 1994.
• First-year McGuffey coach Nate Parry played collegiately at Division II West Liberty (W.Va.) University.
• McGuffey was eliminated in the Class 2A playoffs last season by rival Washington.
Tags: McGuffey
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