Charleroi trying to grow with young team
Lori C. Padilla
A year into taking over the football program at his alma mater, Charleroi head coach Scott DeUnger and his coaching staff can see the difference from last year at this time.
“Obviously, the organization of it, one year in, nothing is new anymore,” he said. “Now we own the program and there are no surprises.
“We can dictate more than in years past. We had to weave our way through last year, and now it is my program.”
The team will be extremely young again, but the experience that was gained from last year’s 2-8 season is beyond valuable, and the positive vibe about the program is helping get numbers up.
“The numbers overall have been good, and we have a half-decent senior class (number wise),” DeUnger said of the 10-player class. “Our junior class (seven) is a little light but we do have a couple good young classes.
“The sophomore class is the big one, and it is very talented. We have some up and coming freshmen, and the team has really bought into the process.”
There are 15 sophomores on the roster, including eight who started a year ago as freshmen, and there are eight freshmen on the team.
“We hope to have a JV program, and it depends on who plays on Friday nights,” he said. “It would definitely help the program out and give some of the kids some much-needed reps and experience.”
There are 11 returning starters on both sides of the ball for the Cougars, with some starting every game last year while others, “mixed and matched,” DeUnger said, depending on matchups and injuries.
“Almost every position was a starting freshman or sophomore in that lineup last year,” DeUnger pointed out.
The entire starting backfield is sophomores and returning starters, with Jaxson Klinger at quarterback, Elijah Allah and Brody DeUnger at running back, and Camden Perez at H-back. Freshman Carter Pantalo could also see his number called in the backfield.
At wide receiver, senior Braedin Lunger returns after missing last year because of injury and will be joined by classmates Braeden Todaro and Max Holmes as well as junior Max Woystek, Allah, and Brody DeUnger.
Depending on the offensive set, Perez, senior Brady Riley, Todaro and Woystek could see time at tight end.
Up front, 6-3, 270-pound senior tackle Jonathan Tillman will anchor the line. He will be joined by four sophomores in left guard Arie Hartley, center Lucas Jones, right guard Jesse McMasters, and right tackle Christian Wiley.
Senior Peyton Reed will also see plenty of time on the line, and sophomore Luke Ankney could fill in when needed.
Despite gaining experience last year on offense and averaging more than 21 points per game over the last five contests, DeUnger knows there is still a way to go for his young team.
“The bodies are there, but their minds aren’t developed yet,” DeUnger said. “They have to learn as we go, and the game, at times, is as mental as it is physical.”
The Cougars could use multiple sets on both offense and defense.
On the defensive side of the ball, McMasters, Reed, Hartley, Wiley will see time up front on the defensive line while Jones, Allah, and Perez will start at linebacker. Ankney, fellow sophomore Sy’Monte Hall, and Pantalo will also see playing time.
Lunger and Holmes are the cornerbacks, with Brody DeUnger, Brody, Wojicek, Todaro, and Klinger seeing the field at safety.
Senior Lucas Mazon will handle the kicking and punting duties.
DeUnger said he was happy to see how quickly the players wanted to get the offseason started after last season concluded.
“From day one, they hit the weight room in early November and had great numbers through the offseason,” he said. “Multisport players were in and out while playing other sports, but they had their minds on football.
“Now we need that effort on the field. We need to practice better. We have to want to practice better. Our practice ethic has been awesome. The players have been showing up early, working on things early and showing the coaches they are willing to work hard. The tempo has been great. This is how it has to be done to have a successful program.”
Now in his second year, what expectations does DeUnger have for his team?
“My expectations are always high, but realistically, we still have a young team and young starters,” he said. “Their PRs (personal records) have gone up in the weight room, and we are stronger.
“We had two wins last year and I would love to be around the .500 mark. I would love to surprise some teams this year. We will still have a lot of young starters and will have some ups and downs.”
Charleroi is in the Allegheny Conference and DeUnger knows it won’t be easy.
“Steel Valley was in the WPIAL championship game last year, and I am sure they will be a juggernaut,” he said. “South Allegheny will be another one and have some good athletes. Ligonier Valley put it on us last year, and we will also see Brownsville, Apollo-Ridge and East Allegheny in conference play.
“We can control what is in our little football home that we call the box. Last year, we worried about things outside the box. We are focused on what is inside the football box this year.”