Moon hopes momentum carries over

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 | 9:45 PM

While Moon missed the WPIAL playoffs last year, a late-season surge provided the Tigers with a boost.

Moon snapped a three-game losing streak and closed the fall with wins over Baldwin (44-16) and West Allegheny (27-20). That wasn’t enough to get the Tigers (5-5) into the postseason, but it gave them hope.

“It’s a confidence booster. It just shows you can play with anyone as long as you prepare,” Moon senior Brady Sunday said. “We’re trying to pick up from where we left off. We’re trying to get better and win some games. We’re pretty excited. We think we’ll be able to do pretty well.”

The Tigers will be tested right away this fall, though. They open with nonconference games against Montour, Mars and Pine-Richland.

“It’s good. They are like practice games, in a way,” Sunday said. “You want to win them, but they are setting you up for conference games. Playing tougher teams is better to get us ready for what we’ll see in the conference.”

Graduation hit Moon hard, especially on offense. The Tigers are looking to restock most of their skilled position players. It starts at quarterback, where Moon has to replace longtime starter Cole Konieczka. Dante Clay and Richie Forkey are battling for the starting job. Clay was the junior varsity quarterback, but dislocated an elbow last season. Forkey is back out for the team after taking a couple seasons off.

“Offensively, we’ve struggled a bit because we’re trying to find a quarterback,” Moon coach Ryan Linn said. “I anticipated that struggle. Once we determine who that starting guy is, we will get better.”

Seniors Ramone Dean and Sunday bring experience back to the offense. Sunday led the team in rushing with 335 yards a year ago, while Dean (16 catches, 153 yards) is the team’s leading returning receiver.

“We’ll kind of lean on those guys early on and make it easier on the quarterback. We will try to keep the offense similar, but maybe add more running than a traditional spread will give you all the time,” Linn said. “It’s a blessing to be able to look to a guy like Brady. He is old school and tough. He doesn’t wear gloves. There’s no flashy stuff. He doesn’t like tight clothing. Most kids wear the smallest size jersey and pants as possible. He is a throwback runner. When you put the ball in his hands, he’ll make a play.”

Brendan Luffey, Shawn Hytla and Jon Nuccetelli return experience to the offensive and defensive lines.

“We graduated three starters from the defensive side of the ball, and the defense has been doing pretty well,” Linn said.

Simon Unis, Jake Cunningham, Dalton Dobyns and Jack Tollan are back on the defensive line, too. Christian Tanner, Jamal Littlejohn and Sunday return as starting linebackers.

“This will be their second year starting on defense. It’s so nice to see,” Linn said.

“They are all on the same page. There’s good communication going on, and the kids are being confident in what they’re doing.”

Malcom Johnson returns as a starting cornerback, and Dawson Snyder will see time, as well. Logan Young and Dean are at safety.

“I think our defense should carry us,” Sunday said.

The Tigers hope to keep their momentum going.

“We have Montour, Mars and Pine-Richland to start the season. Those games could go any of three ways,” Linn said. “They are great for us because they don’t matter for us in terms of playoffs. We just need to make sure we maintain and get ready to roll when it comes to conference play.”

Schedule

Coach: Ryan Linn

2017 record: 5-5, 4-4

All-time record: 326-440-19

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, Montour, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Mars, 7 p.m.

9.7, Pine-Richland, 7 p.m.

9.14, Baldwin*, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Chartiers Valley*, 7 p.m.

9.28, Bethel Park*, 7 p.m.

10.5, at Peters Township*, 7:30 p.m.

10.12, at Upper St. Clair*, 7:30 p.m.

10.19, Woodland Hills*, 7 p.m.

10.26, West Allegheny*, 7 p.m.

*Class 5A Allegheny 8 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Cole Konieczka*

130-252, 1,558 yards, 12 TDs

Rushing: Brady Sunday

110-335 yards, 8 TDs

Receiving: Anthony Panucci*

41-547 yards, 4 TDs

*Graduated

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

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