Experienced Charleroi adding to foundation
By Bill Hughes
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
A season ago, Ty Aeschbacher and his coaching staff got off to a late jump in taking over the Charleroi football program as he wasn’t hired until late February, only six months before the first game.
The Cougars did not win a game in 2023, but that was last year, and now with a full offseason to prepare his team, Aeschbacher is pleased with the improvements he has seen.
“It has been great to see the guys consistently coming (to the weight room) and to see their max numbers jump.
“We just maxed out this past week, and I am super happy with how the offseason went.”
One of the biggest struggles for Charleroi last year was tackling, so Aeschbacher and his staff used a unique approach to tidy things up.
“We put a huge emphasis on tackling last year and want to improve this year,” he said. “With us having our wrestling room at the gym, we were able to get in there and teach some drills. Hopefully, this helps and also brings toughness.”
The Cougars were extremely young last season, and the experience of the 2023 season should do nothing but help in every facet of the game.
“Last year, we were younger,” Aeschbacher said. “But having a full offseason, this is the first time they have had the same system year after year.
“Between 7-on-7s, practices, seeing film, we won’t have as many missed assignments. We will come out on a better page and assignment.”
Aeschbacher said there is a nice mix of experience and youth on this year’s team.
“I feel good with where we are up front and with some skill players as well,” he said. “We will have some familiar faces shine and we will get some younger guys involved. We have to build on our foundation and keep it going.”
The Cougars return eight starters on offense and seven on defensive.
A key offensively will be up front, and Aeschbacher pointed out several returners in senior Miguel Acevedo, junior Jack Cardenas, and junior Drake Lilly.
“Miguel is a super important part of the line and anchors us,” Aeschbacher said. “He could be at tackle or guard. Last year, Jack played everywhere from running back to tight end to tackle and then center. He is a good leader.
“Drake moved around last year from center to the other line positions and is starting to come into his own.”
Junior quarterback Jackson Keranko is back at quarterback, and Aeschbacher is excited to see his signal caller’s growth.
“I can’t say enough good things about him,” Aeschbacher said. “We have seen how much he has grown mentally and physically.”
The other returning starters on offense are senior running back Bob DiPiazza, junior back Connor Luckock and senior receiver Daniel Nusida. Those three, along with Keranko, will serve as captains.
“Bob was a key rotational back for us,” Aeschbacher said. “Connor is a great staple, and Daniel is sure-handed and gets his hands on the ball.”
Other offensive players Aeschbacher mentioned were receivers, senior Noah Pletcher, junior Jamael Payne, and sophomore Braden Lunger as well as junior running back Nate Rock.
The returning starters on defense are DiPiazza at middle linebacker, Payne, Pletcher, and Lunger in the secondary, Nusida, who started at both outside linebacker and strong safety, Lilly at end and Luckock at outside linebacker.
“DiPiazza does a great job of having a feel for the game,” Aeschbacher said. “He is the heart of our defense.”
Rock saw plenty of time last season at outside linebacker and he will be there again this season.
Three other players mentioned were end Kaden Pace-Davis and linemen Jerimiah Kearns and Peyton Reed.
Senior Landon Barcus, an all-conference kicker a year ago who will play soccer at Pitt-Greensburg, returns to handle the placekicking duties.
The Cougars are in the Class 2A Century Conference with Washington, Waynesburg, Carlynton, Keystone Oaks, Seton LaSalle, and Sto-Rox.
“Wash High is always at the top, and Seton LaSalle looked impressive at 7-on-7s,” Aeschbacher said. “Waynesburg has shown a lot of growth and has guys back.
“It is always a very competitive league, and it is important to continue to grow and go from there.”
The Cougars open the season when they travel across the Monongahela River to take on long-time rival Monessen.
“It is great for the communities that the game is happening again,” Aeschbacher said. “It is for bragging rights, and it also gave the guys extra motivation during the offseason.”