CTK ’16: 5-A Allegheny Nine Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 18, 2016 | 2:55 PM

One of the best aspects of the football realignment is the potential to build new and exciting rivalries. The Allegheny Nine Conference certainly provides some captivating possibilities, as former Quad-A Powerhouses Woodland Hills and Upper St. Clair are now joined by an elite team from AAA, West Allegheny.

Six of the nine teams qualified for the postseason in 2015, with North Hills, Hampton and Chartiers Valley joining the aforementioned three. Meanwhile, two teams that finished at the bottom of their respective Quad-A conferences, Baldwin and Fox Chapel, join former AAA squad Moon to round out the newly-formed 5A section.

The conference will certainly not lack experience in the coaching ranks, as it includes WPIAL legends George Novak, Jim Render and Bob Palko, along with other coaches like Tom Loughran and Jacque DeMatteo, who have enjoyed lengthy and very successful tenures.

Without further adieu, here’s a look at the 5A Allegheny Nine Conference.

BALDWIN HIGHLANDERS

Baldwin is likely a school that will welcome the football realignment, as the Highlanders struggled mightily in 2015. The purple-clad team was winless in Southeastern Conference play, with its only victory coming against Butler, 45-22.

To compound matters, the Highlanders lost their two most potent offensive weapons, as quarterback Brandon Schleicher and athlete Nick Altavilla both graduated. Schleicher passed for more than 1,200 yards and also rushed for more than 300. Meanwhile, Altavilla hauled in nearly 700 yards receiving, and he showed his ability as a QB, as well, passing for more than 400 yards.

In his fourth year at the helm of Baldwin, Pete Wagner has a very talented player he will likely lean on to provide offense in 2016. Glenn Ford contributed just 83 yards receiving last season, but he has good size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and speed to become a much bigger asset this campaign. He will also play an integral part in the Highlanders’ secondary.

Joining Ford among the key returning two-way starters is Artie Priore, a lineman who led the team in sacks and tackles for loss last year. Meanwhile, running back David Johnston, who compiled more than 150 yards each as a rusher and a receiver, will likely add to his offensive output. Johnston will also serve as the team’s punter. Aaron Novak and Josh DeNardo return to the linebacker corps on a defense that otherwise lacks experience.

In order to improve from last year’s performance, the Highlanders will need several newcomers to contribute, with receiver Dre Howell, defensive linemen Charles Harris and Noah Bartic and offensive lineman Lucas Perfetti among the likeliest candidates.

While Wagner likes the balance his team has shown at the offensive skill positions, he will likely see some growing pains as an array of players get their first meaningful snaps at key positions. How quickly those newcomers find their rhythm will likely be a major factor for a Baldwin team hoping to press the reset button this season.

CHARTIERS VALLEY COLTS

The Chartiers Valley baseball team captured gold in the spring, but the Colts will have to make major strides to achieve the same level of success this year on the gridiron. Last campaign, Chartiers Valley finished 4-4 in the Parkway Conference, but the season ended on a sour note with a four-game skid, including a 36-7 playoff loss to Belle Vernon. The offensive output was a clear indicator of team success, as the Colts scored 27 or more points in all of their wins, and 13 or less in their setbacks.

The passing attack could take a hit, as QB Jake Collins (1,204 passing yards, 806 rushing) has graduated, as have the Colts’ top two receivers, Delmar King and Joe Antonucci. Chartiers Valley does return a potential gamebreaker in Steve Alauzen, though. The rising junior running back, who will also serve as kick returner, compiled 600 yards on the ground in 2015, and he’ll be joined in the backfield by Dom Pocci.

Meanwhile, three starters return along the offensive line, with tackles Dan McGeough and Nathan Kiefner back, as well as guard Logan Ford. That experience up front could be critical for the success of Reed Bruggeman, who will take over the quarterback duties.

Defensively, the Colts return six starters with a bevy of talent. Chief among those players is Pocci, a three-year starter and first-team All-Conference performer at linebacker. He’s joined by fellow linebacker Anthony Onomastico, who holds the same accolades. Last season, Onomastico impacted the game in countless ways, as evidenced by his three interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles, while also handling punting duties. McGeough and Ford are joined by Dante Panucci as returners on the defensive line, while CJ Saluga is back at safety.

Depth along the lines could be an area of concern, however, for Niel Loebig’s squad. Nonetheless, the fourth-year head coach was clear that his goal for the Colts in 2016 is to claim the conference championship.

FOX CHAPEL FOXES

Similar to Baldwin, Fox Chapel was winless in conference action, with the Foxes’ lone triumph coming against Hempfield Area in the season finale. That win potentially could serve as a springboard to success in 2016, as the team enters its second season under the guidance of coach Tom Loughran.

The good news for the Foxes is that they will return their quarterback and their top receiver in 2016. The offense will need to be better for Fox Chapel, as the Foxes notched just 22 total points during a five-game span in the heart of their schedule in 2015.

Dimitri Spina enters his senior season under center, although he’s hoping to improve upon his 860 passing yards and ugly 1-11 touchdown-to-interception ratio from last year. He will likely be aided by the return of senior receivers, Connor Romango, who compiled nearly 300 yards, and Gary Davis. With All-Conference performer Thomas Smith (912 rushing yards) gone from the backfield, though, the Foxes will need to fill the void in the ground attack.

Four returning offensive lineman should help alleviate that issue, though, as Jesse Cohen, Jack Feczko, Ron Tran and Riley Michael will hope to provide space in the trenches. Meanwhile, former offensive lineman Jack Brown will transition to tight end in 2016.

Defensively, four starters return, including Brown, who will slide back from defensive line to linebacker, where he will join Luke Brown. Also, Romango will likely be a mainstay in the secondary.

Alec Patsko’s return from injury could provide a needed boost for the Foxes. With only one familiar opponent from a year ago (North Hills), the Foxes will look to quickly adjust to their new foes, while making the necessary internal improvements to produce better results in 2016.

HAMPTON TALBOTS

Hampton was a playoff team in Class AAA last season, but now playing with many former Quad-A schools, the Talbots will likely face a more rigorous slate. Jacque DeMatteo’s team finished 7-4 in 2015, including a playoff victory against Montour, before bowing out to powerhouse Central Valley in a lopsided defeat.

While the Talbots lose some of their offensive standouts, including leading rusher Matt Rech and receiver Shane McMillan, Hampton does return an accomplished signalcaller in Ross Andersson. Anderson eclipsed 1,000 passing yards last year, and will be joined at the skill positions by running backs Alex Bianco (243 rushing yards) and Mike Hoffner, and receivers Tyler Steedle and Dylan Zihmer.

Hampton also should be solid in the trenches, as they return three two-way starters along the lines. Those players include Jacob Joyce, Bill Geis and Jesse Berzonski. Furthermore, Bianco, Hoffner and Zihmer will anchor the linebacker unit, while Andersson and Steedle return to the secondary.

To add to the list of returning starters, Sam Werling is back as the kicker after he booted five field goals and 21 extra points in 2015.

While the starting units should have the requisite skill and experience to again compete for the playoff spot, the Talbots must develop depth behind those players.

MOON TIGERS

After consecutive first-round playoff exits, the Tigers took a step back last year. Moon failed to reach the postseason, as the Tigers won just two games in the Parkway Conference, against Blackhawk and Hopewell. Despite the poor record, the Tigers battled hard against some of their top competition, such as Central Valley (41-28) and Montour (28-21). 

Now entering his second season at the helm, Moon coach Brendan Hathaway hopes his squad will turn some of those competitive losses into W’s. Including his previous stops, Hathaway boasts a career mark of 55-28, so his track record suggests success could be on the horizon.

Running back Matthew Dunning, who paced the Tigers with eight scores, is gone. So is fellow running back Noah Angelo, who had five touchdowns, and quarterback Austin Konieczka.

Replacing those skill positions, as well as establishing an identity, will be crucial for the Tigers. Rayquan Glover, entering his sophomore year, could be a major factor. The diminutive receiver scored three touchdowns in 2015.

Additionally, they will have the benefit of a returning starter at an undervalued position, as kicker Nick Morrow is back in the fold after notching 19 PATs and four field goals as a sophomore.

NORTH HILLS INDIANS

The shortcoming of the Indians in 2015 was an obvious one: offense. North Hills scored 10 points or less in six of their games, which resulted in a 3-4 record in Northern Eight Conference play. Additionally, the three teams the Indians defeated – Fox Chapel, Butler and Shaler – were among the weaker squads in Class Quad-A.

Still, the Indians qualified for the playoffs, but suffered a lopsided defeat to Penn-Trafford in the opening round. With the clean slate, Pat Carey’s crew looks to get back to the postseason in 2016 by producing better results offensively.

Running back Nick Santucci will be a focal point of the Indians’ attack, both through the air and on the ground. He compiled more than 650 yards rushing, as well as 400-plus yards receiving, both team-leading marks. Joining him among the most accomplished skill players will be Brice Walker, a receiver who eclipsed 200 yards in 2015.

With QB Jake Elsayed gone, the Indians will need to break in a new signalcaller. Whoever lines up under center figures to have an experienced offensive line in front of him, as the Indians return the vast majority of players from that unit.

If North Hills can find the recipe for offensive success this year, the Indians could be a team that not only qualifies for the postseason, but can make a deep run.

UPPER ST. CLAIR PANTHERS

Upper St. Clair has long been a football powerhouse under the guidance of Jim Render, and after a few subpar seasons by Panthers’ standards, the team could return among the conference elite in 2016.

The Panthers went 4-3 in the Southeastern Conference last year, but were exiled from the playoffs by Central Catholic courtesy of a 49-0 defeat. USC proved to be a streaky squad throughout the campaign, winning the first two games, followed by three losses in a row, three consecutive wins, and finally back-to-back losses to round out the slate. The defense was uncharacteristically porous, as it allowed 21 or more points in each of the final eight contests.

In 2016, USC will lean heavily on a pair of stud performers. After rushing for 1,364 yards last year, Thomas Vissman should be one of the top running backs in the WPIAL. The senior, who committed to Yale over the summer, also caught 10 passes and scored 16 touchdowns. While his size (210 pounds) allows him to run with great power, he also had the speed to score on a 71-yard scamper last season.

One of the key reasons for Vissman’s success was the play of offensive tackle Gabe Houy. Houy recently gave a verbal pledge to Pitt, choosing the Panthers instead of nearly a dozen other offers.

Quarterback Jackson Geisler also returns after throwing for 767 yards last campaign, although his top two weapons, Doug Wagner and Kevin Crissis, both graduated.

WEST ALLEGHENY INDIANS

In Bob Palko’s 22 years at the helm, West Allegheny has been an elite program and perennial title contender, and this year should be no different. The Indians were among the best in Class AAA last year, although they failed to return to the title game after three straight appearances.

Instead, the Indians went 8-3, including a 14-0 playoff loss to eventual champion Thomas Jefferson in the second round. The other Indians’ defeats came against Parkway Conference foe Central Valley and Quad-A powerhouse Woodland Hills. In all of their regular season victories, the Indians’ offense was potent, scoring 41 or more points.

Some of the most prolific weapons have graduated, though, including the running back tandem of Terence Stephens and Whitney White that combined for more than 2,000 yards and 33 touchdowns. Kenny White is back in the fold, though, and he proved to be extremely explosive in limited opportunities. White rushed for 406 yards on just 19 carries, and he likely will greatly increase those numbers in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Indians’ passing game should be strong, as QB Nick Ross (663 passing yards) returns, as does his top receiver, Brandon Lipford (19 catches, 355 yards). Brennen Simmons is a newcomer who could make an impact at tight end, as well.

He will try to fill the void left by Matt Holmes, an All-Conference performer at tight end who has transitioned to the offensive line this year. Holmes will be joined up front by Kieran Firment and Joe Gluzman.

Defensively, Firment should be the catalyst, as the defensive tackle is a three-year starter and All-Conference player. At 6-foot-4 280 pounds, Firment is an elite talent who has committed to Colorado State. He’ll be joined on the line by Holmes, who earned All-State honors as a defensive end. Kamren Cornell is a returner at outside linebacker, while White is back in the secondary. Anthony Dellovade and Will Weber are two names to remember at the linebacker spots, as well.

West Allegheny’s special teams should be a strength, as White and Lipford will return kickoffs and punts, respectively. Anchoring the unit, though, is kicker DJ Opsatnik, a four-year starter and All-State performer. Last year, he booted five field goals and 17 extra points.

While the experience is lacking in areas for the Indians, Palko points to senior leadership and team chemistry as strengths. At the end of the season, it would not be surprising to see West Allegheny once again playing at Heinz Field.

WOODLAND HILLS WOLVERINES

In a section filled with respected coaches, Woodland Hills’ George Novak might be the most accomplished of them all. The Wolverines head man has guided his team to countless dominant seasons, molded dozens of players into college athletes, and even has produced several NFL stars.

Last season was more of the same for Novak and Woodland Hills, as the Wolverines went undefeated in the regular campaign, defeating talented squads like Bethel Park, West Allegheny, Mount Lebanon and Penn Hills. Woodland Hills scored a pair of dominant playoff wins against Hempfield and Bethel Park, too, but failed to reach Heinz Field, as they were ousted 24-6 by Central Catholic in the Quad-A semifinals.

The Wolverines lost a bevy of talented players from last year’s squad, including arguably the best running back duo in all of high school football. Miles Sanders was the country’s consensus top running back, while Jo-El Shaw was a prolific back in his own right.

Sanders, who committed to Penn State over offers from nearly every major school in the NCAA, totaled 1,412 rushing on just 117 carries, scoring 16 touchdowns. Shaw, who gave his pledge to Syracuse, gained 1,274 on 144 rushes, and found the end zone 22 times. Not only did that combination dominate the WPIAL all season, but they accounted for all four touchdowns in Pennsylvania’s victory in the Big 33 Game.

Moreover, quarterback Daron Cooper is gone after passing for nearly 500 yards and an efficient 10 touchdowns with no interceptions. The top receivers, Jermaine Wynn and Jaymond Dunn, also graduated, meaning that Novak will turn to a slew of new contributors at the skill positions.

The reloading process will need to occur in the trenches, too, as Woodland Hills graduated three All-Conference offensive lineman, Eric Mitchell, Tearl Gray and Lamont Spratley. Shaw and Dunn were among four Wolverines who earned those honors on the defensive side of the ball, all of whom have graduated, too.

While the losses are significant, Novak has shown the ability to consistently develop players to fill the voids every season. Among the players who could enjoy a breakout campaign is Avram Abramovitz, a rising senior who lacks polish but has elite athleticism. The wide receiver and defensive back has top-notch size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) and speed (unofficial 4.47 40-time) to become a major contributor this season.

He will likely be just one of an array of players who could step into the spotlight and excel for Woodland Hills in 2016.

MSA SPORTS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:

1.   West Allegheny Indians

2.   Upper St. Clair Panthers

3.   Woodland Hills Wolverines

4.   North Hills Indians

5.   Hampton Talbots

6.   Chartiers Valley Colts

7.   Baldwin Highlanders

8.   Fox Chapel Foxes

9.   Moon Tigers

Tags: Baldwin, Chartiers Valley, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Upper St. Clair, West Allegheny, Woodland Hills