Resilience, fortitude enable CV to clear hurdles
During practices leading up to training camp, Aaron Fitzpatrick posted a word on the chalkboard and provided an inspirational quote to guide his Chartiers Valley football players for the week.
While determination, camaraderie, commitment, consistency and fun were among the representative terms, Fitzpatrick emphasized resilience and fortitude.
“If the Xs and Os aren’t going the way I want, I want the boys to understand that they are stronger, tougher so that when life hits them with adversity, they will have become resilient because we’ve preached to them to believe in yourself and overcome those moments,” Fitzpatrick said.
As for fortitude, Fitzpatrick explained by using a quote he read. “Basically it says that we as people saw the storm coming. As the waves would drown most, we pulled out surfboards and rode out the tempest. We were prepared. That’s what we are trying to do here. Prepare the players.”
In 2024, the Colts must be ready for bigger challenges. Because of the WPIAL realignment, Chartiers Valley will compete in Section 3 with dominant Class 4A powers Belle Vernon and Thomas Jefferson, not to mention Trinity and Ringgold. The Leopards are the defending WPIAL and PIAA champions while the Jaguars have won 10 district and five state titles.
“There are all teams to be respected and we are excited to play them,” Fitzpatrick said. “As tall as they may be, these tasks are what we want to take on. We have to step up. We don’t want to be a team that lays down or a group that cannot handle these moments. We will fight our way through it.
“Last year, we showed we can be competitive and finish games. We can hang. After going to the playoffs we got a taste of it. We want to be there again. We want more success. We just need to play and stay competitive for four quarters, play with consistency and work through the struggles. We are planning for better results.”
Despite a 3-8 record, the Colts qualified for the playoffs last year because all of their victories came in the Parkway Conference. CV lost to Mars, 44-19, in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Because this is the third year under Fitzpatrick, the Colts have high expectations.
“We are real excited about where we are. Because this has been three years in the making, we are expecting results this year. Time’s up,” Fitzpatrick said. “We believe we can be a dangerous team.”
The Colts have plenty of weapons upon which to rely on offense.
Mike Lawrence was embroiled in a quarterback battle with Luke Miranda during training camp. According to Fitzpatrick, both juniors exhibit “pure athleticism” and are “dual threats” because of their mobility and arm strength. Both will start on defense: Lawrence at outside linebacker. Miranda at free safety.
Tayshaun Lewis looks to be CV’s premier running back as well as cornerback in the secondary. The junior was a standout sprinter and long jumper on the track team.
“Tayshaun is extremely shifty. He has vision unlike any I have coached or seen. He also can turn on a dime,” Fitzpatrick said.
In addition to Lewis, Fitzpatrick says that the Colts have “horses in the stable” and their skills will be utilized depending on what offensive packages CV utilizes.
A tight end, Justin Terhune will be used more as an H-back while Tristan Milligan will be used in the traditional sense. Braedyn Stern, John Papariella and sophomore Zach Efthimiades contribute to the depth in the backfield.
Julius Best and Jake Lewis, both basketball players, as well as the Czarnicki brothers, Jack and Dylan, headline the receiving corps. Best has been the team’s top performer at 7-on-7 competitions this summer.
“Julius is a smooth route runner. He’s able to get up and get a ball. He has a high ceiling,” Fitzpatrick said. “Jake is another workhorse. He has grit and tenacity. The Czarnickis are interchangeable. When it comes to possession, they are a solid tandem. Reliable. They run through traffic and do the dirty work.”
Robbie Modelo at tackle and Joel Buerkle at center have done the job in the trenches in the past along with Nicholas Evangelista. Tristin Mayo has experience and will be utilized at guard or tackle along with Anthony Mousessian, Destyn Zrelak and Nicholas Crisanti.
“We’ll have a good athletic line. Those guys are the most important piece in the puzzle because they are the heartbeat and soul of the team. They have put in the extra work and become leaders because they believe and bought into what we have established.”
On the defensive line, Modelo is the anchor as he possesses the most experience. “He has stepped up in overall leadership and work ethic,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s a guy that has been through it.”
At linebacker, the Colts look to fill the void created by Tyler Glover’s matriculation to Duquesne University with Terhune. A junior, he started last year and saw playing time as a freshman. Tyler Hughes, Papariella, Lawrence, Dyan Czarnicki and Chad Wright bring experience to the middle of the defense as well.
In addition to Miranda, Best and Lewis anchor the defense at cornerback and free safety. Jack Czarnicki and Aiden McGettigan will also be utilized in the secondary.