Exertion to determine Black Hawks’ success
Chris Pauley and James Gmiter work on their tackling techniques during preseason drills. The two are returning starters on both lines for Bethel Park.
Bethel Park players run through drills to warm up for their preseason workout. The Hawks return a wealth of experience as they hope to improve upon their 6-4 record and third-place finish in the Southeastern Conference last year.
BETHEL PARK – Exertion equals expectations. That is the mantra Jeff Metheny promotes as Bethel Park embarks on what is expected to be a successful football season. From a 6-4 playoff squad in 2014, the Hawks return experienced players at virtually every position.
“We can’t just say because we’ve got all these guys back that we are going to be good. We have to prove it,” said Metheny, who enters his 22nd season as head coach of the Hawks. “We have to continue to get better. We have some size and some experience but all that means nothing unless we set goals and work to get better.”
The Hawks boast experience at quarterback, tight end, along the line and a talented and seasoned secondary.
“Those guys were forced into playing a lot last year,” said Metheny of his defensive backs.
Three years ago, Metheny’s son was forced to play and now returns as a four-year starter at quarterback. The 6-1, 180-pound senior completed 92 passes for 1,156 yards and 10 touchdowns. He scored eight more on the ground.
“Levi is a competitor,” Metheny said, “That’s No. 1 with him. He really gets after it. It’s not about the yards for Levi. It’s whether we win the game. As a quarterback, Levi has seen it all. He does more than manage the game. He’s able to adjust to what teams give and take. He’s done a good job of that and he takes care of the ball.”
Levi Metheny’s only interception last year came in a season-opening loss to Central Catholic.
In addition to offense and special teams, Levi has been a hit on defense. He anchors a linebacker corps with Jake Dixon.
The Hawks must shore up the holes caused by the graduation of Alex Minton and Connor McGinniss. That tandem also accounted for more than 1,500 rushing yards, 36 receptions for nearly 500 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense.
“No question, it’s hard to replace guys like that,” said Metheny. “The big question mark on offense is the backfield, especially at fullback and tailback. No question the critical hole to fill is Minton’s. But for the young guys, it’s their time. They have to do it.”
While players such as Joshua Sosnak, Marc Dunlap, Chris Pauley, James Gmiter, Luke Mace, Sean Davis and Dixon will do the job protecting the quarterback and paving the path for the rushers, Terron Murphy, Charlie Davis, Christian Frazier and Chandler Dietz will be among those expected to fill the gaps caused by the loss of Minton and McGinnis. Austin Bell, Brandon Johnson and Joe Weston also will see their share of reps in the backfield. Zack Taylor will be used as a slash player much like Davis, while Jarad Lininger, Jeremy Wodarek, Brendan Todd and Tyler Shoemaker provide additional passing targets. Frazier and Dietz are expected to be the critical cogs, particularly at the inside linebacker slot.
Behind Minton, Murphy was the second-leading rusher with 275 yards on 23 carries (12.0 average) and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Davis ranked behind Dixon and Minton in the passing attack. He had eight receptions for 120 yards and five scores compared to Dixon’s team-high 26 grabs for 388 yards and two TDs. Murphy and Davis will combine with John Doleno and Zachary Taylor in the defensive secondary.
“We like that group. There’s a lot of speed and experience there. Talented and athletic,” Metheny said of the foursome that must help offset the losses to graduation by Jake Lewis and Chris Papalia.
“Offensively, Davis is explosive. He’s a dual threat. If teams decide to gang up on Dixon, Charlie will hurt you. He’s a talented athlete who works extremely hard but he needs to be here to be effective.”
The Hawks are proven on both sides of the line. Sosnak returns at center though Dunlap has experience at the position as a guard with Pauley, who is a standout wrestler and thrower on the track team. Gmiter also is a versatile athlete, competing in basketball last year as a freshman.
“His best assets are his athleticism and his ability to adjust,” Metheny said of the two-way lineman.
Mace played tackle and guard last year while Sean Davis is a tackle coming off an injury plagued season. On the line, BP also will rely upon Joe Dietz and Brendan Fagan while Jared Colbert and Ryan Bilsky will roll in at tight end and on defense.
“We have some kids that provide us depth at positions,” said Metheny. “Defensively, our strength is the front five along with Levi and Jake (Dixon). The line has lots of experience and we flip over most of those guys. If we make teams throw it, then we will be okay (in the secondary) but we do have some green spots at linebacker.”
While Metheny, Dixon, Frazier and Dietz comprise the linebacker corps, Mace and Cole Rogers also look to help the Hawks at linebacker along with Tyler Barnot.
The young Metheny handles the punting and Shawn Halligan does the placekicking though Kelsey Trischler is pushing him for the position. A track performer, she practiced during the offseason.
“She practices all the time. Hard,” Metheny said. “She’s a great athlete. Hey, if you come and work, we like you.”
If that happens, Metheny likes his team’s chances for competing for a championship. Woodland Hills, lead by Penn State recruit and four-year starter Miles Sanders, is favored to repeat as Southeastern Conference winners.
“They have a wealth of talent and the best tailback around. Penn Hills has a good quarterback returning. Upper St. Clair is going to be better and they are huge. It’s a tough league, no question,” Metheny said.
“The big thing is to stay healthy and hungry and find guys who can make plays, especially at running back,” he continued. “We want to contend for the league championship. We were right there last year,” Metheny noted of BP’s runner-up showing in the division behind the Wolverines and Penn Hills, whom the Hawks defeated.
With an opener against Central Catholic as well as only four home games and visits to the Wolverina, Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon on the schedule, the Hawks will answer some of their key questions early. “We have to be tough and ready to play, particularly at other places where people don’t like us too much. We have to play better defense, score points, improve each week and as the season goes on grow together. If we keep working hard, hopefully we will do alright. But, I like these kids. Because of my son, I’ve seen a lot of them grow up. So I expect this year is going to be special.”
Though he lost Jon Miller to Trinity, Metheny is also thrilled for his coaching staff, which includes Mike Milligan and Andy Assad, both of whom have 20 years of experience. This season, Metheny has added former scholastic standouts such as his own A.J. Baroffio and Keith Heubner. Baroffio set receiving records at Washington and Jefferson College. A Baldwin product, Heubner played at Akron. Gabe August and C.J. Seitzer, who played at John Carroll, are also on staff.
“They all played for me,” said Metheny of Baroffio, August and Seitzer. “Those guys are positive and knowledgeable,” he added of Baroffio and Heubner. “We are excited about all of them. Our coaching staff is a tight-knit group but it is nice to have a blend of the old with the new blood.”