Smaller roster won’t stop Keystone Oaks from vying for playoff spot

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, August 18, 2024 | 6:01 AM

Steve McCormick has worked to make every member of the Keystone Oaks football team versatile.

With only 30 players on the roster, the Golden Eagles can’t afford to have many specialists. McCormick wants to ensure that when injuries happen, they aren’t catastrophic.

That’s why the Golden Eagles have been learning to play multiple positions. McCormick said this is the smallest team the school has had during his 20 years as a head coach and an assistant.

“Usually, with a smaller roster, if you have one guy who is hurt, you have to move three guys,” McCormick said. “We’re hoping won’t have to do that as much.”

Keystone Oaks finished last season 6-5 and made the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. The Golden Eagles closed the regular season by winning five of their final six games before losing to eventual champion Beaver Falls.

The Golden Eagles will open this season Aug. 23 on the road against Deer Lakes.

Keystone Oaks was an excellent defensive team last season, allowing only 11.4 points per game. During the Golden Eagles’ six conference games, they allowed only 56 points.

Keystone Oaks lost nearly all of its secondary from last season. The Golden Eagles can rely on middle linebacker Nathan Rohe to call the defense.

Roman Pellarin will anchor the defensive line. Sean O’Brien and Jack Hrivnak will be counted on to contribute in the secondary.

On offense, the Golden Eagles will return running back Billy Bricker. He was second on the team in rushing behind now-graduated quarterback Dimajio Locante.

Senior quarterback Brenden Quarles will take over under center. Quarles will be asked to step into a role where the Golden Eagles got a lot of production on the ground from their quarterback.

Locante rushed for over 1,200 yards last season.

“He got some playing time last season and showed promise,” McCormick said about Quarles. “He’s a dual threat and can move more like a wide receiver. He’s smart and knows the offense.”

Keystone Oaks was placed in the Century Conference with Carlynton, Charleroi, Seton LaSalle, Sto-Rox, Washington and Waynesburg.

McCormick says this season will be a process the team wants to take week by week, but he expects the Golden Eagles to find a way back to the postseason.

No matter how many players Keystone Oaks finishes the season with, McCormick believes they will be prepared for the challenge ahead.

“Give me my 11,” McCormick said. “I’ll take my 11 guys against anyone.”

Keystone Oaks

Coach: Steve McCormick

2023 record: 6-5, 4-2 in Class 2A Century Conference

All-time record: 461-453-37

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Dimajio Locante*

26-54, 357 yards, 4 TDs

Rushing: Locante*

188-1,238 yards

Receiving: Giovonte Hutchinson*

14-103 yards

* Graduated

FAST FACTS

• Keystone Oaks will open conference play Week 3 against Sto-Rox.

• Golden Eagles coach Steve McCormick was a Keystone Oaks assistant coach for 15 years before taking over the top job in 2022.

• The Eagles have won six or more games in every season since 2018.

• All three of Keystone Oaks’ nonconference games to start the season are on the road.

Tags: Keystone Oaks