West Greene aiming for continued improvement
Rob Burchianti/For the Observer-Reporter
By John Sacco
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Daily improvement and incremental gain are of the utmost importance in the West Greene High School football program.
“We don’t like to put a lot of emphasis on wins and losses early in the year because we don’t know what we’re going to have until after camp,” said West Greene head coach Beau Jackson, who is now in his third season at the helm.
“There are a lot of factors out there that are out of our control, whether it be injuries or other things. We just try to get the best out of our guys.
The Pioneers have five starters returning on both sides of the ball, according to Jackson.
A year ago, the Pioneers went 4-6 overall and 4-3 in the Class A Tri-County South Conference to finish in a three-way tie with Bentworth and Carmichaels for third place and the final playoff berth. Bentworth won that spot on a tiebreaker. West Greene averaged 16.5 points per game while yielding 32.9 per game.
One of the players Jackson and the Pioneers will be counting on is senior offensive lineman and linebacker Colin Whyte (6-2, 260) – a fourth-place finisher in the PIAA Class AA wrestling tournament earlier this year. He takes that wrestling mentality onto the football field.
“He does everything we ask of him,” Jackson said. “He’s a hard worker and a tough player – a really tough player.”
Other players expected to boost West Green include senior linebacker and wide receiver Matthew Wassil (6-8, 210) and senior two-way lineman Hunter Gorby (6-1, 190).
“He started for us last year and he started in spurts two years ago,” Jackson said of Gorby. “So, I guess you can say he’s a two-year starter.”
Another senior starter is Bruce Smith (5-10, 175).
“He’s a big weight room kid,” Jackson said. “He’s strong and we’re more than excited to see what he brings to the table this year as well.
“Really, with all those guys, we’re excited for the leadership that they will exhibit,” Jackson continued. “It’s just a really good group of kids. When we talk about character, we stress that it’s just about the talent you put onto the field. What happens off the field is just as important to us.”
Junior Mason Ansell (5-11, 190) returns up front and will be integral to the success of the offensive line.
The Pioneers do have to find replacements for quarterback Lane Allison, who passed for 1,411 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, and Hayden Hamilton, who was the team’s leading rusher and receiver.
Jackson said the conference could look a lot like last season with the early favorites being the top two finishers from a year ago.
“I would say it’s probably going to be Jefferson-Morgan and California at the top,” Jackson said. “I can see us and Beth-Center being in the same boat, except their kids are a little bit older than we are. They’re young but they’re going to be pretty talented. I can see them being up there.
“Other than that, I can’t really say. I don’t know. I think it’s going to be the other teams for that third or fourth spot. Bentworth has some skill kids and Carmichael has some size. Mapletown is always going to be consistent and Avella is going to have a good line. I think they have a lot coming back.”
Wet Greene opens the season against three playoff teams from last season including Class AA Waynesburg, Class A Monessen and two-time defending WPIAL Class A champion Fort Cherry.
“It’s the same boat we were in last year,” Jackson said. “It’s tough. It’s a tough start.”
“Hopefully, we can lean on the upperclassman.”
West Greene’s coaching staff includes John Coss, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, Billy Becker, Doug Nehis, Brian Ralph Jackson, Brian Andrew Jackson, Gary Whyte and Matt Cunningham.
The Class A playoff system remains the same as last season. Sixteen playoff spots are available. Playoff berths will be based on team records using section games, the top three teams in each section qualify for a playoff spot plus four at large bids, determined by the football committee.
The conference champion will host its opponent in their opening round of the playoffs. In all other opening games, the higher seeded team will host its opponent.
The WPIAL will determine playoff sites for all other rounds.