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Colts will depend on young talent for success this season

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Chartiers Valley offensive lineman Mason Morgan (No. 75) works on his blocking technique under the watchful eye of head coach Niel Loebig.

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ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC James Pachis (No. 82) maneuvers his way around battling tacklers during a third-down drill at Chartiers Valley football training camp. Pachis is one of three returning starters for the Colts. A versatile player, the senior is a running back that can be counted as a receiver in the Colts' spread offense.

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Chartiers Valley’s Dylan Price works on his tackling techniques using dummy pads during training camp.

BRIDGEVILLE – Chartiers Valley boasts only three returning starters, and its roster features 18 freshmen and 16 sophomores. Yet, second-year coach Niel Loebig plans to win during this football season.

“We are very young,” said Loebig, noting the Colts dress just 13 seniors. “But that is not always a bad thing. Inexperience is not all bad. As a coach, I look at it as a strength.

“We have guys flying all around, getting to the ball. They are soaking everything up like sponges. They listen very well. They play and practice hard, and they are willing to learn.”

This season, there has been plenty to learn. Loebig has implemented a new offense, a spread-option similar to what Georgia Tech runs, and adopted a 3-4 defense.

“We adjusted as coaches and made changes that are tailored to our strengths and suited to the talents of the players that we have,” Loebig said.

Talent starts with veterans such as Mike Roper, James Pachis and Christo Boulos and continues down through juniors such as quarterback Jake Collins and sophomores such as defensive lineman Logan Ford, who was voted a team captain.

Loebig said Collins is a different QB than Josh Lapiana, who graduated after passing for 1,629 yards last season.

“Jake is much more athletic,” Loebig said. “He’s a dual threat. He can run and he can pass,”

Roper and Pachis will be relied upon to rush. However, they can catch a pass out of the backfield. Pachis had 14 receptions for 180 yards last season to go along with 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Roper missed most of last year with injuries.

“Mike and James are enthusiastic leaders,” Loebig said. “They have done a great job as leaders, making sure everybody is in the right place. We look for consistency out of the backfield with them. We look for them to do well.”

The Colts anticipate a whole new receiving corps will do well. While Patrick Malcolm is the tight end, Shane Waldern, Jared Nelson and Anthony Egnatz are expected to be the top targets.

“They have to be playmakers,” Loebig said. “Our route running needs to improve and get better.”

With Boulos as anchor, the offensive line has already gotten better. The 5-10, 355-pound senior is a veteran alongside Joe Testa, a senior with some experience. The rest of the men up front are newcomers: junior Tyler Terrell, sophomores Nathan Keifner, John Sexauer and Daniel McGeough.

“They may be inexperienced but they have developed into a very athletic O-line,” Loebig said. “They are doing what we asked of them. They are coachable and running well together. We are getting what we need out of them.”

Loebig requires only offensive line play from his stellar six. It’s a philosophy he adopted while an assistant coach at Duquesne University.

“It’s important,” he said. “When the offense comes off the field, those guys will sit together and we will make adjustments. If we see things, the coaches will make changes and that core group will know where we need help.”

Based on last year’s statistics, defense is an area where the Colts need help. CV surrendered 358 points, an average of 39.8 per game during a 1-8 season.

While Roper provides help at inside linebacker, which featured a fierce competition in camp among Alec Curran, Anthony Onomastico and Dante Panucci, the newcomers provide more than just enthusiasm. Their size, athleticism and desire will benefit the Colts as they seek to better that area of their game.

Though a sophomore, the Colts expect a solid year from Dominic Pocci at outside linebacker and Steven Alauzen, a freshman, has done a nice job so far.

At the corners are juniors Dylan Price and Delmar King. At safety are Egnatz and Reed Bruggeman, a freshman, whom Loebig says has worked hard, is processing things and showing a lot of desire.

The defensive line features Ford at nose guard and senior Tyler Williams and junior Giancario Legister. “Williams has a non-stop motor. Ford is very physical. He has size and runs around making plays. Legister is big and athletic. When people come to our games, people will want to know who he is. He makes plays.”

The Colts must make many plays if they anticipate reaching their goals. Loebig feels Week 2 will be important to the Colts because they host West Allegheny, the defending WPIAL Class AAA champion.

“No doubt, West A is the team to beat. They are the program we’d like to be like; consistent and battling for championships every year,” Loebig said. “We want to compete and keep improving. Each week that is the goal so by Week 9, hopefully, we will be a good enough team to get into the playoffs. Once you get to the playoffs, you have a chance.”

With Austin Fisher handling the kicking duties, CV has a chance to score many extra points. He is the goalkeeper for the soccer team.

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