Youthful experience key to KO’s success
Though in his first season as a starter, Alex Smith has makings of being a standout quarterback for Keystone Oaks.
Keystone Oaks head coach Greg Perry instructs his linemen on the proper blocking and tackling techniques. The Golden Eagles return an experienced line that will help settle a rookie quarterback this season.
Keystone Oaks senior Shayne Farrell powers his way through the block during an offensive line drill.
Experienced youth is no misnomer when describing the Keystone Oaks football team. For when a squad graduates just four seniors, one can bet it also returns many veterans.
Hence, Greg Perry approaches his second season at the helm with guarded optimism. He welcomed back five sophomore starters and a mix of seniors who have at least nine games of experience from a 3-6 campaign in 2014.
“I learned patience,” said Perry, who coached 20 seasons at Seton-La Salle before moving across McNeilly Road to the head position at Keystone Oaks last fall. “We had so few seniors last year and the first week of the season we were down to three after losing one to a season-ending injury.
“It’s hard in any sport to be competitive if your players are on the younger end. The good thing that makes you happy is that they are coming back. If they put the time in during the offseason, too, then you reap rewards. Hopefully, they have grown physically and mentally. They have adapted to each other and to our system. Plus, we expect them to have a lot of energy.”
But can the Golden Eagles summon the energy to successfully battle the likes of South Fayette, Steel Valley, Seton-La Salle and South Park in the Century Conference? The Lions are the two-time defending WPIAL and PIAA Class AA champions and ride a 32-game winning streak into the season. The other three teams qualified for the playoffs with the Rebels reaching the Final Four in the WPIAL tournament.
“With that tailback back,” Perry said of DeWayne Murray, “Steel Valley will be tough. South Park returns a lot and Seton has some good pieces back even though they lost a key lineman to Central Catholic. But, until they fall of the pedestal, South Fayette is the team to beat in all of Class AA. Until you beat them, they are still the champions.
“This is one of the hardest conferences in Class AA,” Perry deduced. “You fight to stay alive to play in Week 10. That’s what we are all shooting for.”
Because of their experience at all positions sans quarterback and the defensive secondary, the Golden Eagles just may be able to attain that objective. They certainly can be considered the dark horse.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Perry stated. “If we stay healthy, I’m excited about our prospects. We expect to have a better season than the last one. We hope to get things going again.”
Thanks to a veteran line and an experienced backfield, the Golden Eagles will advance as they break in a new quarterback to fill the vacancy created by Kobe Phillippi’s graduation. Phillippi passed for more than 3,000 career yards, including 1,656 last year.
Joey Kazalas anchors the line. A three-year starter, the senior is a returning guard and defensive tackle. Senior Keynon Griffiths started last year at guard and defensive end. Seniors Zayne Jastrzebski, a two-way tackle, as well as juniors Tim Mazzarini at center and Christian Forrisi at guard also are veteran lineman. Senior Leo Palmer is a returning starter at tight end.
Having an experienced line is an advantage as Alex Smith assumes control of an offense that Perry used at Seton-La Salle to produce a succession of quarterbacks that threw for more than 1,500 yards, including Pittsburgh Steelers backup, Bruce Gradkowski.
A junior, Smith (6-4, 180) possesses a strong arm and athleticism that the Golden Eagles plan to exploit. Smith excelled at basketball as a freshman.
“We are putting a lot on his shoulders, but the good thing for Alex is he has seniors in front of him on the line who will help him get through until he becomes comfortable. They’re not shocked when the lights come on. They won’t have those jitters.
“Alex will have to grow and understand and be ready to play the next play but that’s why quarterbacks want to play the position,” Perry continued. “They get all the glory and they get all the blame and all the other things that come with the position when things go wrong.”
With juniors Devin Thomas, Nick Hrivnak and Dylan Knorr as well as senior Stephen Kazalas-Kelley to rely upon, Smith should survive the ups and downs that inexperience may cause. Thomas and Kazalas-Kelley are experienced runners. Thomas averaged 4.6 yards per rush. Hrivnak ranked No. 2 on the team in receiving. As a sophomore, he caught 29 passes for 428 yards and four scores. Knorr averaged 17.3 yards per catch.
“We should be able to run the football and protect our quarterback because of our experienced line,” Perry said. “But, we are young all around. In high school football and in an ideal world, you like to have it both ways. But, we’ll take the line. How the line goes, we go.”
KO’s front seven will determine the defense’s success. Kazalas, Giffiths, Jastrzebski and Palmer all played last year on the defensive line. Forrisi, Mazzarini and Dan Riley have good size. The depth is such that the Golden Eagles can keep players fresh.
KO suffered a setback this summer when Cody Cerminara tore his ACL in a dirt bike accident. The senior would have started at outside linebacker. Shawn Malone will fill the vacancy while Dan Black and Kazalas-Kelley return as inside linebackers.
In the secondary, three-quarters of the unit did not play much last season. Knorr and Joe Tortorella have locked up safety slots. Ryan Tarr, a special teams player last year, will see action in the secondary.
“We are a little green back there so we hope the older guys up front can help us,” Perry said. “Youth in the back end is a concern on defense.”
Because the conference graduated quarterbacks such as Phillippi, Tyler Perone and Brett Brumbaugh, the latter a state record holder, passing might not be as prolific. “All the big passers last year in the conference are gone so I’m not sure if it will be the same. Our secondary needs to grow up,” Perry said.
After opening the season Friday in a non-league game at Apollo-Ridge, the Golden Eagles host South Fayette in the Century Conference opener.
“We hope we can stop the run and put pressure on the opposing quarterback because of our experienced line. That should help the back end,” Perry said. “But, we do need to grow up quickly in key spots that we are young, particularly at quarterback and in the secondary.”