Aug 22, 2015 3 min read

McGuffey: 7-3 (6-2 Class AA Interstate Conference)

The Highlanders’ move to the Interstate Conference could not have come at a better time. Sure, they would have been competitive had they stayed in the Century Conference, but moving into a section with natural rivals like Washington, Waynesburg and Mount Pleasant is perfect for the growing program. Last fall brought plenty of excitement to Claysville as McGuffey snapped a five-year playoff drought, won seven games and came very close to a conference title.

If you don’t remember, the Highlanders led 14-7 in the third quarter behind James Duchi and Nate Whipkey. The lead could have been greater if they hadn’t committed three personal fouls in the first 24 minutes, but DeQuay Isbell’s punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter shifted momentum and the Prexies never looked back.

What about McGuffey’s Week One loss to Mount Pleasant? If it weren’t for a slow start, the Border War could have been a battle between two undefeated teams. They averaged 35 points per game and produced almost 4,000 yards of total offense. The offense was one of the best in WPIAL Class AA and the defense allowed just 14.7 points per game.

The question people keep asking me is whether the 2014 was the product of a strong senior class or is McGuffey football a contender?

Yes, that senior class was impressive, but the Highlanders are here to stay. While head coach Ed Dalton has featured a power-running game in his first three seasons, the offense will look different in 2015. Junior Marcus Czulewicz (6-2, 195) takes over at quarterback and brings a different element. He is more than capable of passing to his strong receiving corps and will use his size to run the football in an option offense. Sophomore Adam Townsend and junior Spencer Gillispie will likely split carries. Duchi ran for 1,378 yards and 19 touchdowns last fall. McGuffey won’t have a single back put up those numbers. Though neither is as physically imposing as Duchi, both they capable of combining for similar numbers.

Losing Adam Narigon and Steve Clemens hurts, but Czulewicz can turn to Shaun Sanders, Nick Haynes and Connor Thompson – three players who got plenty of experience last fall. The biggest question will be the line, which has a ton of size, but lacks experience. McGuffey is the one program in the conference that rivals Wash High in terms of numbers and strength.

The Highlanders’ secondary returns intact with Sanders and Czulewicz lining up outside with Gillispie and Haynes at safety. Two players to watch are linebackers Chase Miller and Luke Shingle. If the defensive line produces, those two are going to have big seasons.

McGuffey can’t get distracted by the talk of Wash High. It hosts Mount Pleasant in Week One, which will be one of the top games to open the season. The Vikings are always strong, but they lost athleticism and can’t match the Highlanders’ size. We’re still 13 days away, but I’m guessing I’ll be making the trip to this one.

Players to watch: Marcus Czulewicz, Nick Haynes, Shaun Sanders, Connor Thompson, Chase Miller.

Biggest Game: Week Nine at Wash High. I think the matchup with Mount Pleasant is as important and could be just as intriguing, but this one earns the hype after last year’s classic. The conference title could be on the line again.

Stat to think about: McGuffey’s offense got all the attention in 2014, but the defense was outstanding with 69 tackles for a loss.