Young Lions ready to step up and show off skills
Landon Lutz works on a strength and conditioning drill during preseason football practice at South Fayette High School. Lutz is expected to be the Lions' starting quarterback.
South Fayette football coach Joe Rossi stresses a point to his players during a post-practice huddle.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
South Fayette football coach Joe Rossi makes a point during a post-practice huddle.
Nate Deanes is one of South Fayette's top skills players, excelling at running back and wide receiver. Though a sophomore, he saw time as a starter last year in the defensive secondary.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Keon Johnson will flex his muscles on the offensive and defensive lines for the Lions. A senior, Johnson registered a team-high eight sacks, 69 tackles and four tackles for losses during SF’s 4-4 season in 2021.
South Fayette players work on an agility drill during summer conditioning camp.
South Fayette linemen work on their agility skills during summer conditioning camp.
By Eleanor Bailey
Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
McDONALD – The long wait is over for South Fayette. Though young and inexperienced, the Lions are eager to make their mark on a program that boasts two state championships and four WPIAL titles since Joe Rossi assumed the head coaching position in 2007.
Rossi concurred the Lions graduated a ton of talent but this year’s club is prepared to improve upon a so-so season in 2020. The Lions placed third in the Allegheny County Six Conference behind Peters Township and Upper St. Clair. They finished 4-4 overall after a first-round playoff loss, 47-7, to eventual WPIAL and PIAA champion Pine-Richland.
“We started a bunch of seniors last year but the kids behind them got plenty of experience, especially at the junior varsity level. It’s their turn now and they are hungry and anxious to show what they can do in a great league.”
Justin Caputo and Keon Johnson demonstrated they could play in the league as last year both earned all-conference honors. Additionally, Caputo gained all-state accolades.
A senior, Caputo anchors SF’s special teams. He averaged 47 yards per kickoff and 34.1 yards per punt. He connected on all 23 of his extra points and is 81-for-85 for his career. He was 4-for-5 in field-goal attempts.
“He’s a good one and an easy-going kid,” Rossi said. “He’s certainly a weapon for us.”
Johnson (5-9, 255) is SF’s trump card in the trenches. A 5-9, 225-pound senior, he is a returning two-way starter at offensive tackle and defensive end. He registered a team-high eight sacks, 69 tackles and four tackles for losses.
“Keon is thick and explosive and has playmaking abilities,” Rossi said. “He comes up with the tackle or sack when you need him.”
On the offensive line, Johnson will be joined by returning starter Jonathan Lesko (6-0, 225) and Alex Hall (6-2, 245), who started last year at defensive end. Cameron Roskinsky (6-0, 235) has shown “great promise” in starting on both sides of the line as well.
Paul Azoury, Aiden Lockett and Ethan Knox are pushing for starting slots on the offensive line while Azoury, Knox and Nate Spolnick look to contribute on the defensive line.
“While we will rely on Keon, Alex and Lesko a lot we look for those others to play a big part,” Rossi said. “They all have shown developing leadership capabilities and are coming together.
“From youth to the NFL, the glamour goes to those others guys like quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers but success in football hinges on the linemen.”
Connor Harcarik and Nate Deanes will be leaders at linebacker and in the defensive secondary, respectively.
Harcarik, who started every game last year, will be joined in the middle of the defense by Sam Rosato and Spence Hondru. The junior is related to Peters Township product and Miami (Ohio) University freshman Corban Hondru and former Upper St. Clair and Delaware standout Mark Hondru.
“(Spence) can be an X factor,” Rossi said. “He’s physical like his cousin and a playmaker like his father. He will be a good one.”
Sophomores Michael Gimigliano and Morgan Spagnolo are also in the mix at linebacker while Logan Yater will help anchor the secondary with Deanes at free safety. Connor Cirra and Christian Brandi are in the mix at cornerback.
“We are inexperienced on defense but we have a lot of potential,” said Rossi. “We have to gel together, make our reads and not give up the big plays. We are very young and have not seen all those formations so we have to overcame that.”
Offensively, the Lions have many hurdles to clear as they try to fill voids at the skill positions caused by graduation, particularly at quarterback and wide receiver.
Landon Lutz looks to fill the slot vacated by Namen Alemada. An all-conference performer, Alemada passed for 1,751 yards last year. A 6-5, 225-pound senior, Lutz is a dual-sport athlete. His skills as a basketball player complement his quarterback style.
“He has a big frame and he can run. We have not had a kid that size who could use his legs as well as his arm,” explained Rossi. “He’s got the arm and got the legs. The total package.
He would have been a starter on a lot of other teams last year. We look for him to continue the tradition of quarterback here. He fits the mold. He throws well and he is determined to lead the team.”
Harcarik will carry the load along with Yater, Rosato and Gimigliano as the Lions try to replace their top four receivers, including Charley Rossi. An all-state selection, Rossi finished his career among the Lions’ all-time reception leaders. He rolled up 2,156 career receiving yards and 21 touchdown grabs.
Though a sophomore, Deanes should lead a dynamic backfield that includes junior Christian Brandi, who is making the transition to varsity after an outstanding JV year, and H-backs Harcarik and Rosato.
Rossi is excited about Deanes. The 5-9, 165-pound sophomore started at cornerback as a freshmen.
“He can do it all,” Rossi said. “He has good hands, good feet. He has a chance to be a good player.
“We have fun kids in (the skill) positions,” Rossi said. “We just need those kids to step up because we basically are replacing everyone. While they may have started here and there, we’ll have 9 or 10 new guys.”
Through 7-on-7 passing camps, Big Man Challenges, routines workouts and practices as well as annual outings to Austin Lake in Ohio, the Lions have bonded and are prepared for the 2021 campaign.
“All those things are helpful and develop camaraderie,” said Rossi. “They are fun events but important in promoting cohesiveness among the players and we need that this year because this is the greenest we have ever been as far as replacing guys. When you are this young, your goals and expectations are to get better each week.”