Aug 5, 2015 4 min read

This is the latest installment of blog posts profiling the football programs from all 21 local schools. I’ll include players to watch, who will be missed and an overall outlook on the upcoming season.

Beth-Center

2014: 9-1 (8-0 TCS)

Beth-Center has long been one of the most successful programs in WPIAL Class A. There is a catch though – most of the program’s achievements have come during the regular season.

Actually, dominant would be a better way to describe the Bulldogs’ play since returning to the Tri-County South. Beth-Center holds a 57-3 record since returning to the conference, but that has not translated to the postseason.

After last year’s first-round defeat against Riverside, B-C is now 2-7 in the postseason since 2008 and its last playoff victory came in 2009 against Serra Catholic. The Bulldogs are often the victim of tough seeding.

Despite rolling through their regular-season schedule on a yearly basis, the Bulldogs are always overlooked by the football steering committee. After rolling through the TCS and beating a solid Greensburg Central Catholic team in Week Two, B-C was handed the fourth seed behind North Catholic, Clairton and Neshannock.

The Lancers got the nod over the Bulldogs, even though the Big Seven Conference was in a down year. The result: Beth-Center had to face Riverside and lost on a late fumble. It was a devastating defeat, considering the roster.

Anthony Welsh, a 193-pound game-breaking running back, spearheaded the offense with 1,582 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging more than 13 yards per carry. He was joined in the backfield by seniors Jason Stay, Johnny Sofran and Nico Brown.

The combination was incredibly difficult for opponents to stop. First, linebackers had to find a way to tackle Welsh. Then, B-C head coach Ed Woods ran one Stay, Sofran or Brown to take advantage of the exhaustion.

It also helped that the Bulldogs had the top offensive line in the conference with seniors Dakota Vilcoss, Daniel Smith and Josh Vandivner. Welsh is back and so are two starters on the offensive line, but the senior class will be missed.

It is unknown how well the line will fare, but Woods and his staff had an impressive group of freshmen and sophomores last year. A year of growth will certainly help. Also, quarterback Trent Cunko returns for his second year under center.

As I’ve said in previous posts, this conference is wide open. Frazier lost running back Alvin Ross, who transferred to Greensburg Central Catholic, Avella is rebuilding and Mapletown could have its best team in the last decade.

Welsh, a senior, and junior Nick Pryor should keep the running game strong and Cunko will be improved after starting every game last season, but the defense could be an issue.

Not only did the Bulldogs lose bodies up front, but Stay was the captain of the defense and relayed signals from defensive coordinator Scott Faieta. Senior Frank Dreucci may inherit that responsibility, while Edward Zellie and Jake Mowl also return at linebacker.

Brown will also be difficult to replace because of his speed in the secondary, but Welsh is a very intelligent player and is one of the hardest-hitting athletes in the area. He is definitely one of the most exciting runners I’ve seen the past two years and plays with the intensity Woods loves.

Despite Mapletown’s rise, I find it difficult to pick against Beth-Center. The Bulldogs will be hungry after the devastating playoff loss last season and Woods, who has won 106 games in 16 seasons, is one of the top coaches in the area. His teams are always talented and physical, and I wouldn’t expect anything different in 2015.

Players to watch: Anthony Welsh, Trent Cunko, Nick Pryor, Edward Zellie, Frank Dreucci and Robert Work.

Biggest game: Week One vs. Mapletown. We won’t have to wait long to see where the balance of power stands in the Tri-County South. This will be an exciting, physical matchup and one to circle on your calendars. I’m also interested to see how B-C competes against GCC, which will take a big step forward this season, and of course, Frazier.

Stat to think about: Welsh has rushed for at least 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in 20 consecutive games. A standout in wrestling, Welsh will be a steal for any college program if he chooses to pursue football at the next level. Also, this is the 40th anniversary of Beth-Center’s last WPIAL title.