New Charleroi coach knows team won’t get outworked

By: Jose Negron
Thursday, August 25, 2022 | 8:01 AM

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Soon after he was hired as head coach at Charleroi, Mark Gambino reached out to a former coach to get a little inside information on the team he was taking over.

“He told me, ‘They will work hard for you,’” Gambino said. “He said, ‘Set the tone and they’ll work.’”

Gambino has been working with his new team since April and has had a first-hand look at how hard his kids have worked.

“A few weeks ago, we were conditioning and I was standing on the 40-yard line with a smile on my face because they’re in shape, they’re bought in, and they’re working hard,” said Gambino, who was hired in March to take over for former head coach Brady Barbero. “I’m very pleased at what I’ve seen.”

Gambino wasn’t a part of the coaching staff when the Cougars won just two games last season, and he’s not letting the past dictate his expectations for this year’s group.

Gambino, who was an assistant coach on Mike Collodi’s staff at Elizabeth Forward last season, said his team is going to live “play by play, series by series and quarter by quarter.”

“We’re just going to do us and let the chips fall,” he added. “Hopefully we’re going to shock some people, but we’re going to focus on just doing what we do.”

As far as his offensive gameplan goes, Gambino said simplicity will be key.

“We’re going to keep it basic,” he said. “We’re going to do a few things and try to do those few things well.”

Starting at quarterback, Gambino has a pair of athletes he’s going to be able to rely on in senior Cole Marucci and freshman Jackson Keranko.

“I don’t want to say it’s a battle because Cole is so versatile that he can play receiver, tailback and wingback. He can play every position basically aside from offensive tackle,” Gambino said. “It’s all going to depend on where he fits and what’s going to make us a better team.”

Gambino described Keranko, despite being a first-year varsity player, as confident, cool and calm.

“He has fun. You can just tell that he enjoys the game,” Gambino said. “I don’t know too many coaches who have that blessing of having two solid guys at quarterback. They’re neck and neck right now when it comes to who could get the most time. I honestly couldn’t even flip a coin.”

The Cougars have a number of talented running backs to rely on, including juniors Gianni Pellegrini and Danny Hudock.

“Those guys are looking very good,” Gambino said.

Sophomore Conner Lucock will also be a factor at tailback in addition to senior Tyler Bercik and sophomore Bobby DiPiazza. The latter two will likely play significant roles at tight end as well, joining football newcomer Ben Shields, a senior who has started on both the basketball and baseball teams.

“He has really impressed us so far,” Gambino said of Shields. “He has some nice size for a tight end.”

For the most part, Charleroi has its starting offensive line already set.

Senior Kenny Weaver will be the anchor at center, while fellow seniors Logan Collins, Nick Polinski and Tyler Porter will join him. The final spot is up for grabs, and Gambino said junior James Cole and freshman Drake Lilley are battling for it.

“I think our line is going to be our strong point,” Gambino said. “I know we’re inexperienced up there and from what I’m reading, that’s our weak point, but they really look good as a unit.”

Defensively, Bercik and DiPiazza will line up at inside linebacker with Lucock and Xavier Thomas, a transfer from Brownsville, on the outside.

Up front, the Cougars have a number of guys they can rely on, including senior Josh Rodabaugh at defensive end.

“The kid is just an animal,” Gambino said. “He’s looking pretty good.”

There are some players who could find starting roles at defensive back, but Gambino said Hudock will be the leader in the backfield.

“Defensively, I think it’s going to click as everything rolls along,” Gambino said. “I came in with Mike at EF and we want to do the same things we did over there. We want to be fast and physical and fly to the ball.”

On special teams, the Cougars will welcome a new kicker in junior Taylor Ramsdell, one of the top players on the girls soccer team.

“She’s been unreal,” Gambino said. “She’s been working out with us for a few weeks and has done a fabulous job.”

Charleroi will look to turn some heads as it returns to Class 2A’s Century Conference this season. The Cougars will be joined by Brentwood, Keystone Oaks, McGuffey, Sto-Rox, Washington and Waynesburg.

“It’s a meat grinder,” Gambino said of the conference. “There are no easy weeks for us. It’s going to be a grind.

“We just need to stay focused and worry about us.”

Charleroi

Coach: Mark Gambino

2021 record: 2-7, 2-4 in Class 2A Century Conference

All-time record: 568-456-60

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.26 at Steel Valley, 7

9.2 California, 7

9.9 at Yough, 7

9.16 Sto-Rox*, 7

9.23 Jeannette, 7

9.30 at Keystone Oaks*, 7

10.7 McGuffey*, 7

10.14 at Washington*, 7

10.21 Brentwood*, 7

10.28 at Waynesburg*, 7

*Conference game

Tags: Charleroi