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Trinity’s offense confident, but defense will be key

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Trinity running back Joey Koroly slips through the line for a gain during practice. Koroly is expected to be a centerpiece in what could be a very good Trinity offense.

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Trinity head coach Jon Miller, right, talks with Hillers quarterback Garrett Briant during practice.

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New Trinity head coach Jon Miller talks to the team during a break in practice.

Trinity’s football program seemed destined for another disappointing season last year. After a Week 5 loss to Thomas Jefferson, the Hillers had dropped 13 of their last 15 games under head coach Ryan Coyle.

The defense was ineffective and the offense was stifled by teams with winning records, but things quickly changed. Trinity won three consecutive games, averaging more than 40 points during the streak, and became a playoff contender.

A loss to Ringgold ended those playoff hopes and marked Coyle’s last game as head coach. Insert Jon Miller, who becomes Trinity’s third head coach in five years. Miller spent time as an assistant under some of the most successful coaches in WPIAL history.

The traditional, yet deliberate, Pro-I offense the Hillers ran for the past three years is gone. Miller installed an up-tempo spread attack that will take advantage of Trinity’s athleticism on offense, including sophomore tailback Joey Koroly.

There are plenty of question marks on offense as the Hillers work to establish an identity. However the pieces fall into place before Trinity kicks off Friday against Belle Vernon, Miller will have an experienced offensive line to lead the way.

Seniors Mac Chambers, Toby Cullings, Brandon Wolfe, Trey Banco and Jacob Dobich, and sophomore Ben Phillis, are some of the linemen expected to block in Trinity’s fast-paced attack.

In a camp where competition is the theme under a new coaching staff, there are few guarantees.

“I think you have to figure out what you do best and we don’t know yet,” Miller said. “We have no idea what we’re going to be. We have a great running back in Joey Koroly – I think he’s going to be a star. Our offensive line will be phenomenal. (Quarterback) Garrett Briant is going to be a great football player.

“We have a lot of nice parts. We are going to do what we do best, but right now, I have no idea what that is.”

Briant, a senior, is the leader at quarterback, but he will be pushed by sophomore Dylan Kern. Briant, who played outside linebacker and tight end as a junior, is mobile and has the arm to hit receivers in stride.

The Hillers had flashes of offense last fall, but they averaged just 16.4 points per game against opponents with winning records. Establishing consistency and a rapport with wide receivers will be key for Briant if the Hillers are to increase the scoring production.

“Garrett looks good. He’s a really good player,” senior wide receiver Sam Trapuzzano said. “Last year, he played tight end, so he’s an athlete. He’s shown he’s athletic as a baseball player and I think he’s going to run the system pretty well.”

The offense has proven playmakers and is a unit that has established a camaraderie during summer in 7-on-7 passing camps, but the defense needs a makeover. The Hillers allowed 29.3 points per game over the past three years and gave up more than 40 points four times last year.

“Our focus is defense. We have to improve from years past,” Miller said. “We spent more time tackling and being in good defensive positions. Everybody is coaching on defense.

“We all pitch in to make sure we’re on the same page. That’s going to be a big focus as we start the season. The offense will take care of itself.”

On defense, the strength will be the line with the bulk of last year’s starters returning, but they will be asked to play different positions and are being pushed by underclassmen. Senior Josh Durig and junior Saul Wells are back at linebacker, but the secondary will have a new look. Trapuzzano has been shifted to cornerback and Briant will see time at both safety positions. Senior Austin Young also will contribute.

The Hillers will use multiple alignments under defensive coordinator Brendon Steele, who played at Canon-McMillan and Waynesburg University.

“I think our strength will be stopping the run. We have huge linemen returning and a good, strong linebacking corps coming back,” Durig said. “Our safeties and corners will be shutdown. We’re pretty set.”

Trinity’s senior class grew up watching the glory days of Hillers football with former standouts such as Andrew Sweat, Mike Yancich and Kenny Wilkins, but the program has not won a playoff game since 2007. The group is hoping to bring success back to Friday nights at Hiller Field.

“I remember going to the games when I was real young to watch Andrew and those guys play,” Trapuzzano said. “Hopefully, we can do that again. This year we have really good senior leadership and this is a great group of guys. I think we’ll bring a lot of excitement back this year.”

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