Two-time defending champion Belle Vernon adds new pieces to her place

From: Charles Curti

Monday, August 12, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.

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Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert has always been averse to scheduling games in Week Zero, believing it is more beneficial to play a second practice game where he and his team can more accurately evaluate players without the pressure of having to win a game.

The holding of this second training game will take on even greater importance this season.

The Leopards have won back-to-back PIAA titles in Class 3A with a large, successful graduating class and will have a host of new players to look to in 2024. In addition, the Leopards are making the jump to Class 4A, where they will play in the Big Six Conference with Chartiers Valley, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Thomas Jefferson and Trinity.

Frankly, none of the players who will be a mainstay of the lineup are unprepared. All have gained at least some experience over the last two seasons.

However, Humbert said he and his team will mix and match a lot in the preseason and likely the regular season as well.

“Just two years ago, it would take us until the fourth or fifth week to figure out the personnel aspect,” said Humbert, who is entering his 11th season with BVA. “Even though you feel like you have a lot of time in the offseason to prepare for who’s going where and who’s doing what, sometimes you just have to see these kids in live-action situations on a Friday night.

“It’s about the puzzle pieces, and one of our keys is whether the puzzle pieces can be put together sooner rather than later.”

The key puzzle pieces include three seniors: RB/LB Kole Doppelheuer, WR/DB Alonzo Wade and WR/DB Anthony Crews. Their listed positions may end up being just an indication of where they will be. Crews, Humbert said, could be in line for Quinton Martin’s role: He could be used in different spots on offense to maximize his matchups/contacts.

Junior running back Deaubre Lightfoot, who started as a fullback in the PIAA final, also returns and offers the Leopards numerous options in terms of skill.

“We try to be as versatile as possible,” Humbert said. “I think the great thing about these kids is that they’re a little bit versatile.”

Three players are competing for the quarterback position: junior Curtis Wade, who spent some time at quarterback last season, including one start, senior Chase Mertz and sophomore Jace Gedekoh.

Regardless of who plays quarterback or fills the other skill positions, their success will depend on a revamped offensive line. Juniors Ryan Kent and Jude Minniti are considered favorites for two of the starting spots. The remaining three spots, Humbert said, will likely go to four players: sophomores Ethan Baron and Dalton Daumit, junior Tim Schwerha and senior Tyler Zelenski.

Despite so many unknowns with new starters and a new classification, Humbert remains confident that the Leopards will continue to be contenders.

“For us, all farmers are in their place,” he said. “Very optimistic about everything. I just think it’s one of those things where you have to stay healthy as always. If we can stay healthy, I think that makes us a serious contender.”

Doppelheuer added: “We have a lot of talented guys coming back and I think a lot of them, like myself, will step up and become leaders this year. I think we’ll still be a very good team considering who’s still there and who hasn’t graduated.”

Belle Vernon

Trainer: Matt Humbert

Record 2023: 13-1, 5-0 in the Class 3A Interstate Conference

All-time record: 366-241-7

SCHEDULE

Date, opponent, time

8:30 a.m. in Aliquippa, 7

9.6 Central Valley, 7

9.13 in McKeesport, 7

9.20 South Fayette, 7

9.27 by Thomas Jefferson*, 7

10.4 Chartiers Valley*, 7

10.11 Laurel Highlands*, 7

10.18 am at Ringgold*, 7

10.25 am in Trinity*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL GUIDES

Passing by: Braden Laux*

113-175, 1,641 yards, 19 touchdowns

Rush: Quinton Martin*

114-1,161 yards, 16 touchdowns

Reception: Martin*

53–753 yards, 7 touchdowns

FAST FACTS

• Belle Vernon (2022-23) is one of only two teams to win the WPIAL Class 3A title in the last five years. Central Valley (2019-21) is the other.

• Coach Matt Humbert needs eight wins to reach 100 during his tenure at Belle Vernon.

• The Leopards were one of four PIAA champions to repeat last season, along with St. Joseph Prep (6A), Southern Columbia (2A) and Steelton Highspire (A).

• After the only loss in 2023 (to Thomas Jefferson), Belle Vernon scored at least 49 points in the next seven games, including two WPIAL playoff games

SERVICE SCHEDULE

No., Name, Pos., Size/Weight, Class.

1, Kole Doppelheuer, RB/LB, 5-11/150, sr.

2, Anthony DiCenzo, WR/LB, 5-6/170, jr.

3, Curtis Wade, QB/DB, 6-1/175, jr.

4, Alonzo Wade, WR/DB, 6-2/200, sr.

5, Anthony Crews, WR/DB, 5-11/175, jr.

6, Dominic Ghilani, TE/DL, 6-3/225, sr.

7, Ean Tatar, DB/WR, 6-0/170, fr.

8, Preston Rathway, K/P, 6-1/160, jr.

9, Deaubre Lightfoot, WR/DB, 5-10/165, jr.

10, Jace Gedekoh, QB/DB, 5-11/165, so.

11, Christian Burns, WR/DB, 5-10/130, so.

12, Nick Mahalko, WR/DB, 6-1/150, jr.

13, Chase Mertz, WR/DB, 5-11/170, sr.

14, Cam Black, QB/LB, 6-1/150, front.

15, Vander Raczkowski, RB/LB, 5-8/140, fr.

16, Caleb Horner, WR/LB, 5-7/150, jr.

17, Rylee Doppelheuer, QB/DB, 5-4/100, fr.

18, Bradey Gabrovsek, RB/LB, 5-9/185, sr.

19, Jason Petrusky, WR/DB, 5-9/135, jr.

20, Mitchell Daley, RB/LB, 5-6/155, jr.

21, Chase Petrosky, RB/LB, 5-8/155, well.

22, David Bergstedt, WR/LB, 5-7/160, so.

23, Braylon Bassett, WR/DB, 5-8/135, fr.

24, Cameron Jenko, RB/DL, 6-2/225, so.

26, Joel Lawver, RB/DB, 5-9/140, so.

27, Nicolas Angelo, WR/DB, 5-6/125, so.

28, Keadon Johnson, 6-0/140, that is.

29, Suyash Sapkota, WR/DB, 5-6/135, jr.

31, Andrew Bickerton, WR/DB, 5-7/135, so.

32, Andrew Selembo, TE/DL, 5-11/185, fr.

33, Brayden Minahan, WR/DB, 5-10/145, so.

41, Robert Allshouse, WR/DB, 5-6/145, so.

42, Skyler Gush, RB/LB, 5-11/175, that is.

45, Mason Baughman, WR/LB, 5-10/150, so.

46, Angelo Spoto, RB/LB, 5-7/140, so.

50, Jake Zelenski, OL/DL, 5-7/180, fr.

52, Eli Triffanoff, OL/DL, 6-2/220, jr.

53, Hunter Mckenzie, OL/DL, 5-11/230, fr.

54, Ethan Baron, OL/DL, 6-0/210, that is.

55, Tyler Zelenski, OL/DL, 6-1/220, sr.

56, Ryan Kent, OL/DL, 6-2/260, jr.

57, Sean Keller, OL/DL, 5-6/170, fr.

58, Dalton Daumit, OL/DL, 6-1/225, that is.

59, Gino Scalise, OL/DL, 5-6/230, fr.

61, Caleb Cunningham, OL/DL, 5-8/200, so.

63, Braden Dillon, OL/DL, 5-11/220, so.

64, Zander McGavitt, OL/DL, 5-7/160, fr.

65, Shaun Roberts, OL/DL, 6-3/270, jr.

66, Tyler Koons, OL/DL, 5-11/180, fr.

68, Timmy Schwerha, OL/DL, 6-1/240, jr.

69, Nate Kostelnik, OL/DL, 6-3/240, jr.

70, Jude Minniti, OL/DL, 6-4/235, jr.

73, Randy Munsky, OL/DL, 5-11/280, so.

77, Connor Cunningham, OL/DL, 5-9/230, fr.

78, Josh Zdrojewski, OL/DL, 6-2/220, sr.

79, Derek Deleonibus, OL/DL, 6-0/220, so.

79, Camden Matusik, TE/DL, 6-0/180, so.

80, Jackson Alexander, TE/LB, 6-4/205, jr.

86, Zayden Carter, WR/DE, 6-0/150, fr.

88, Luca Ghilani, WR/DB, 6-2/170, so.

Tags: Belle Vernon