Rugged conference awaits young Highlanders
CLAYSVILLE – The celebratory dinner has been put on hold for too long for Nate Parry.
Parry, who took over for Ed Dalton as head football coach at McGuffey High School last year, went through the season without a win to celebrate and Parry wants to change that as soon as possible.
Part of the problem was the move up to Class 3A and into a conference that touted Avonworth and Central Valley, which finished first and second, respectively, in the WPIAL playoffs. Avonworth went on to the PIAA Class 3A finals only to lose 36-33 to Northwestern Lehigh.
To build a program that can gather that much success, a coach needs experienced players and Parry is a little short this year when it comes to that.
“We’re very young,” said. Parry. “We lost a lot of seniors last year and we do not have a lot of people in our junior and senior classes. The ones we have are returning starters. Our numbers are really good in our sophomore and freshman classes. There is a lot of talent in those groups.”
Parry will depend on a junior, Dakota Reedy, to handle the quarterback position. Reedy replaces the graduated Logan Carlisle, who went through another injury-filled season.
“He missed about half the season,” Parry said. “He really made a difference for us when he was in there.”
That left the door open for Reedy,
“He played some games for us,” Parry said. “He started against Trinity. He’s as good a practice player that we ever had. He just needs to turn that over into the actual games and I believe he can do that. He got better over the summer with the passing camps. Some of the things we’re going to adjust will help him out.”
McGuffey lost their entire backfield to graduation.
Filling the gap are Caleb Simmons, Gage Clayton, Dristan McAnallen, Brodie Wagner and Denny Furmanek.
“Down the road, they’re going to be special,” said Parry.
“We’re still going to run a three-running back offense,” Parry said. “Furmanek has had a great offseason and I think he’s going to be a really good player. I’m really excited about the whole sophomore class.”
When Reedy throws the ball, he’ll look for Wyatt Fisher, Riley Salisbury and Gabe Shriver.
Aaron Supler, who received playing time last year, centers to the offensive line. Cooper McKee and Kahne Segers will be at the guards and Matt Furmanek and Jaydon Farabee the tackles. An injury shelved Farabee’s 2024 season.
On defense, Evan Conklin joins Supler, McKee, Segers, Matt Furmanek and Farabee along the line.
Clayton, Denny Furmanek, Wyatt Hildreth, Gio Gadani and Supler are available at linebacker.
“Gage is one of the toughest kids I know,” Parry said.
Parry believes the Western Hills is one of the toughest conferences he’s seen.
“It’s very difficult,” he said. “Avonworth made the state championship game last year. When you have four of the top teams in the state, it’s tough to handle, especially when you are moving up to Triple-A. Our nonconference schedule is tough as well.
“But we have to focus on the process and not worry about anything else. Focus on practice each day. Try to get better as a team each week. Hopefully, that will get some wins for us. There were some games last year where we shot ourselves in the foot: Washington, Hopewell, Highlands. We were in those games, then we’d get 15-yard penalties, or turn the ball over. If we eliminate those mistakes, then the wins will come.”
McGuffey opens the season Friday at Washington and follows that a week later with a home game against Trinity. The conference opener is Sept. 12 at Central Valley.