Seton LaSalle looking to maintain momentum after .500 campaign

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, August 18, 2024 | 6:01 AM

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Seton LaSalle made a dramatic improvement as a team in 2023.

The Rebels upgraded from a 0-10 record in 2022 in coach Tim Storino’s first year as field boss to a 5-5 overall mark last season.

The Rebels made significant improvements on both offense and defense, going from scoring 114 points in 2022 to 303 in ‘23, and dropping its defensive total from 470 to 238.

“We return a host of talented kids and have expectations of winning a conference championship and going 1-0 each week in the playoffs,” Storino said. “Last year was a blessing. We will forever be grateful to those 10 seniors who went 0-10 their junior year and then responded last season to teach our younger players how to start winning. They laid the foundations for our program for years to come.”

The 10 seniors on last year’s squad were WR/DB Alex Barker, K Nick Cherry, RB/LB O’Malley Daly, WR/DB Connor Jozwiak, TE/LB Ian March, OL/DL Stephen Mescan, OL/DL Jonathan Peters, OL/DL Geary Smith, WR/DB Logan Walsh and WR/DB Aric White.

Storino and his staff have been witnessing an elevated performance by the Seton gridders in the offseason.

“For the first time in over two years, this summer felt like the football summer workouts that I was accustomed to,” Storino said. “Every workout was highly attended by our players. There was an energy and high level of focus.

“This group of players is confident and believes they are going to win football games. This group has taken on the message from our coaching staff about accountability and being effective communicators. We are excited.”

Optimism carries the day at Seton LaSalle thanks to the return of 10 starters from 2023, led by seniors Michael Pastirik (QB/LB), Logan King (RB/DB), Carson Barone (FB/LB), Brayden Carter (OL/DL) and Ethan Patsey (OL/DL).

“I expect we will build off the momentum that started last season with a strong camp to build even tighter bonds,” Pastirik said. “The upperclassmen have lived through a winless season and contributed last year to a good turnaround, so they are humble but hungry for more.

“I am honored to lead this group of guys on the field this year. My goal is to bring out the best in everyone. There are so many amazing athletes on this team that we are going to be dangerous. Definitely keep your eyes open; there’s a lot of young guys and new names on our team that are going to be doing big things.”

The 5-foot-9, 161-pound Pastirik passed for 1,060 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions last year.

“Mikey did great for us last season,” Storino said. “He’s a year older and stronger, and has improved his foot speed, as well.

“He has a high football IQ, He gets the ball out fast, and understands our offensive system. He’s a great student-athlete, a man of faith and a wonderful leader.”

King (5-10, 200) was a top rusher on the team behind Daly (857 yards, 16 TDs).

Look for the 5-10, 190-pound Barone to provide his share of blocking on offense along with Carter (5-9, 230) and Patsey (6-0, 235).

Other returning starters include junior TE/LB Will Martin (6-3, 215), sophomore WR/DBs Khalil Taylor and Nelson Coleman, plus sophomores Brody Dilla (OL/DL) and Jaylen Smith, a 5-11, 237-pound offensive/defensive lineman.

“Will Martin is a returning starter at outside linebacker,” Storino said. “He broke his hand midseason or he would have been leading our team in tackles, sacks and TFL.”

Players looking to make an impact include junior Aaron Loritts, seniors JaSani Rivers and Jake Ranft, and sophomores Dom Fani, Legend Williams, Richard “Tre” Littlejohn and Brody Dilla.

Loritts is a 6-3, 215-pound transfer from North Hills who will play TE/DL.

“He’s a good receiving tight end and will play D1 football on the defensive line in the future,” Storino said.

Rivers (6-0, 316) should start on the offensive line.

“We have high expectations for him,” his coach said.

Fani (5-11, 228), Williams (6-1, 212) and Littlejohn (5-11, 173) will add athleticism to the lineup.

“Fani was JV offensive lineman as a ninth grader last season and is expected to start at right guard as a sophomore,” Storino said. “He has a strong work ethic and leadership skills.

“Williams has tons of potential and will see time at linebacker. Littlejohn missed last season with an illness (Lyme Disease). He is a talented wide receiver/defensive back.”

Dilla (5-10, 240) transferred from Baldwin in January and likely will start at center.

A large group — 14 athletes — were all-conference selections last year, led by a trio of first-team honorees, Taylor (WR), King (DB) and Daly (ATH).

White (WR), Geary Smith (OL), Taylor (KR), Cherry (K), Patsey (DL) and Daly (LB) earned second-team status.

Honorable mention selections were awarded to March (WR), Patsey (OL), Mescan (DL), Jaylen Smith (DL), Martin (LB), Coleman (DB) and Damondtae Stevenson (DB).

Seton LaSalle finished fifth with a 2-4 record in the Class 3A Western Hills Conference last year behind WPIAL finalist Avonworth (6-0), West Mifflin (5-1), Beaver (4-2) and South Park (3-3).

The Rebels appear well-stocked to make a run for the conference championship in 2024.

“Our strength starts at the top,” Pastirik said. “We are a program on the rise under coach Tim with a great staff. We have so many talented players on our team that work hard; it’s an amazing environment to be part of.”

The Rebels lost their 2023 season opener to Cornell, won four in a row then lost four in a row, and closed out the year with a 40-36 win against Sto-Rox.

Seton LaSalle

Coach: Tim Storino

2023 record: 5-5, 2-4 in Class 3A Western Hills Conference

All-time record: 373-285-13

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.23 North Catholic+, 7

8.30 Bishop Canevin+, 7

9.6 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart%, 7

9.13 at Charleroi*, 7

9.21 Carlynton*+, 4

9.27 at Waynesburg*, 7

10.4 Sto-Rox*^, 7

10.10 at Shady Side Academy, 7

10.18 at Keystone Oaks*, 7

10.25 at Washington*, 7

* Conference game

+ At Dormont Stadium

^ At Peters Township

% At Moon

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Michael Pastirik

93-148, 1,060 yards, 13 TDs

Rushing: O’Malley Daly*

190-857 yards, 16 TDs

Receiving: Khalil Taylor

35-501 yards, 7 TDs

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Tim Storino is entering his 19th year as a health and physical education teacher at Shaler. He was a QB at Bethel Park and Lock Haven. His brother, David, is the Rebels’ offensive coordinator and a teacher (academic success coordinator) at Seton LaSalle.

• Nelson Coleman, a 5-9, 162-pound sophomore defensive back known as “Mr. Lockdown,” has received a scholarship offer from West Virginia. Khalil Taylor landed 12 offers prior to the start of fall camp.

• Geary Smith plans to attend Cal (Pa.) to compete as an offensive lineman on the football team. Aaron Loritts has received a scholarship offer from Miami (Ohio).

• O’Malley Daly is continuing his football career at Emory & Henry College, a Division II school in Virginia. His twin sister Mallory, a Buffalo recruit, is the all-time scoring leader in girls basketball at Seton with 1,971 career points.

• There are four quarterbacks listed on the 2024 team roster. Michael Pastirik has been joined by freshmen Kia Jones, Jackson Williams and Jack Meade. Khalil Taylor also had success at the QB position at the end of last season.

Tags: Seton La Salle