TE Mac Bresnahan wants to be top target in Franklin Regional passing game

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, August 10, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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When Franklin Regional needed to make a big play in the passing game the past two seasons, Ayden Hudock delivered.

Hudock caught 42 passes for 957 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2022 and had 48 catches for 803 yards and 11 scores in 2023.

But Hudock has graduated, and senior quarterback Chase Lemke must find a new go-to guy.

Mac Bresnahan, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound tight end, would like to be that guy.

The senior caught only four passes for 76 yards as a junior and wants to change that.

“We knew coming into the season that a lot would be changing on offense and defense,” Bresnahan said. “We have a new defensive coordinator, and we’ve always had a good wide receiver that we could rely on.

“Someone had has to step up in the wide receiver position, and I’m planning to step up. We have five or six receivers trying to fill that role, and we’ve all been doing great. I want to lead the team in all receiving stats and get eight sacks on defense.”

Lemke said he has been working with all the receivers, looking for the guy or guys he can count on. He likes Bresnahan’s size.

“Mac’s going to be a key asset to the offense,” Lemke said. “This year, I expect him to step up. We’re putting him in situations to make plays.”

Added Bresnahan: “I’ve been working out with the quarterbacks. I want to make sure I’m that next big pass target. Since we don’t have that guy, I want to be that guy.”

Franklin Regional coach Lance Getsy said Bresnahan has been working hard and is starting to get looks from colleges. If he performs well, he expects more offers to flow in.

“He’s worked real hard, and with that size and that work ethic, he’s earned that right to be a target,” Getsy said. “He’s dedicated himself in the weight room and put on a good weight that he wanted.

“He’s worked on his speed. He’s a lot faster and worked on the craft of blocking. He still has a lot of work to do, but he’s made a lot of strides. I also like him at outside linebacker coming off the end.”

Bresnahan is also excited about playing defense, which he hasn’t done.

“With the new defense, we changed from relying on pass coverage to we’re sending five players on every play, and teams only have a second to get off the pass,” Bresnahan said. “I’m excited about that.

“I went to a lot of camps. I’ve learned how to be aggressive and be that guy. It’s me telling myself I’m better than that guy across from me, and I’m going to get past him.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional