Experienced Avella could be in Rush to win
By Joe Tuscano
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@obserer-reporter
AVELLA – Armed with most of its starters back from last year, Avella High School’s football team is looking to make some noise in the Tri-County South Conference.
Coming off a 3-7 season and with 15 starters returning, the Eagles might be preparing for a WPIAL playoff appearance. It would be their fifth in the last 16 seasons.
“I’ve got a lot of players returning, eight on offense and seven on defense,” said Avella head coach Ryan Cecchini. “We’ll have a veteran team that has seen a lot in the past.”
None more important than junior Chas Rush, who plays quarterback. Last year, Rush accounted for more than 1,000 yards running and throwing the football.
“He started off really good but then he broke his hand,” said Cecchini. “We had to adjust the offense because we’re normally under center. So we moved to the shotgun and he had to catch the snap and pin it against his leg. That sort of disrupted the timing of our whole offense. Now that he’s back, we can take advantage of having him healthy.”
Rush accounted for nine total touchdowns last season and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.
“I see myself as no better than anyone else on the team,” Rush said. “I’m going to try the best I can to win football games. I hope everybody gets along well. I see myself as being a captain on the team and pulling the team together.”
Rush said he is more of a runner than a passer but he can do both. Last year, he rushed for 620 yards and passed for 384 yards.
“I am a lot better running the football,” said Rush. “During the offseason I worked on my vision on the field and my strength.”
Rush said the Eagles can be as good as they want to be.
“We know some teams are good and some teams not as good,” said Rush. “We have to play every team with confidence.”
Helping Rush and the Eagles along will be Bryce Wright, who ran for 182 yards and caught four passes for 52 yards.
“We’re going to try to open it up a little more because Bryce is an excellent athlete,” Cecchini said.
Noah Kimberland, who transferred in from Weirton Madonna, is the other running back. Holden Fisher (6-4, 280) will start at left tackle and Eddie Craigo (5-9, 230) will settle in at left guard. Sawyer Kramer (6-1, 210) will center the line. Right guard is up for grabs in camp and right tackle is Cody Day (6-2, 210).
“I feel like we have a lot of guys back on the line,” Cecchini said. “They’re not necessarily the biggest but we do a lot of pulling and I feel our guys are athletic enough to do that.”
The defensive front will include Fisher, Craigo, Kramer and Day.
Rush will slip into linebacker on defense with Kramer and Isaiah Stokes (5-9, 210). Wright. Kimberland and Darren Ruschel will fill up the secondary.
Cecchini is wary of the same teams in the conference and says its top two from last year could be there again this fall.
“The two teams at the top of the list are Cal and Jeff-Morgan,” Cecchini said. “Those are the two we were fighting for first place. If you want to make a move, then you’ve got to knock one of those guys off.”