TRIB TOTAL MEDIA • SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 • 29
ANTONIO CLARK AND
PAYTON MOLTER
Coach: Roy Hall
2020 record: 10-2, 6-1 in
Class A Eastern Conference
All-time record: 766-320-48
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
8.27 at East Allegheny 7
9.3 Sto-Rox 7
9.10 at Ligonier Valley 7
9.17 Riverview* 7
9.24 at Imani Christian* 7
10.1 Leechburg* 7
10.8 Springdale* 7
10.16 at Bishop Canevin*% 7
10.22 Greensburg C.C.* 7
10.29 at Clairton* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
% AT DORMONT STADIUM
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Brad Birch**
117-184, 1,676 yards, 30 TDs
Rushing Roberto Smith*
131-792 yards, 16 TDs
Receiving Brett Birch**
46-669 yards, 11 TDs
*GRADUATED
**TRANSFERRED
FAST FACT
• Jeannette has 766 wins, the
most in WPIAL history.
JUST 1 STARTER RETURNS FOR
DEFENDING CHAMP JEANNETTE
MASON-GELDER
FUNERAL HOME, INC.
201 N. First St., Jeannette
724-523-5539
Serving Our Community Since 1931
Randy G. Gelder Supervisor
Brenda Gelder Ribar Funeral Director
Sara A. Gelder Funeral Director
adno=190342 “Good Luck Hawks”
Roy Hall is not sure how this season — his
last with the Jayhawks — will play out, but he
knows what the main goal is for his football
team.
“Survival,” he said. “We want to keep our
kids healthy and do everything we can to get
through the season. We have kids here who are
working hard and want to be here.”
The defending WPIAL champions and PIAA
runners-up in Class A could be in for a rise and
fall like no program has seen over one year’s
time. This could be the most challenging season
the traditional power has seen.
After a rash of transfers dealt the WPIAL’s winningest
program a troubling blow, the Jayhawks
begin the season with one returning starter, little
game experience and low roster numbers.
They were hovering around 20-22 players
during summer workouts. Some newcomers
are band members playing football for the
first time.
Coaches are cautiously optimistic a season
can happen and the team can compete.
“It’s a one-day-at-a-time thing,” Hall said.
“We’re just preparing for our first scrimmage
and our first game. Usually by this time of year,
I know what we have. This is the first time in
my career I don’t know.”
The lone starter back is senior lineman Justin
Shank, an all-conference pick on defense. He
and senior Savion Harper will be keys on both
lines. Depth behind them is a different story.
“Everyone else is young and will be new,”
Hall said.
Senior Antonio Clark, who did not play
football last year, has shown some skill as a
running back and linebacker.
Senior Tyler Horn and sophomore Payton
ROSTER
No. Name Ht/Wt. Cl.
1 Jeremiah Williamson 6-1/190 So.
3 Matt Riston 5-11/151 Sr.
7 Antonio Clark 5-10/190 Sr.
9 Payton Molter 5-11/165 So.
10 Andrew Ross 5-9/140 So.
16 Tyler Horn 5-11/155 Sr.
17 Ashtyn Molter 5-8/130 Fr.
18 Lonnie Greene 6-2/210 Fr.
19 Hunter Blasowich 6-1/155 So.
21 Brayden Anderson 5-6/131 So.
23 Mason Yates 5-7/175 Sr.
33 Michael Mason 5-10/150 So.
35 Mike Pitzer 5-7/165 Sr.
50 Samuel Harper 5-7/ 205 Sr.
Molter were competing for the starting quarterback
spot left vacant by Gateway transfer
Brad Birch, a rising sophomore standout and
Division I prospect who threw for 1,676 yards
and 30 touchdowns.
Other transfers included seniors Brett Birch
(Gateway) and Taishaun Jamison (Greensburg
Central Catholic), juniors Ryan Kimmel (GCC),
Jaydin Canady (GCC), Eli Binakonsky (Hempfield)
and Louis Callaway (Woodland Hills).
52 Christopher Heminger 6-1/170 Sr.
54 Nathanael Gantt 6-0/220 Jr.
55 Justin Shank 6-2/285 Sr.
57 Warren McCarthy 5-10/170 So.
58 Nathan Moore 6-2/282 Sr.
59 Jaron Poole 5-9/327 Fr.
62 Tamiron Stevens-Blew 6-2/200 Sr.
63 Jesse McCurdy 5-8/210 So.
65 Gavin Holemeyer 5-7/175 So.
66 Nathaniel Christoff 5-11/185 Sr.
67 Nick Stuchell 5-11/240 Fr.
69 Mitchell Steel 6-1/190 Jr.
71 Savion Harper 5-11/260 Sr.
72 Matthew Cox 6-2/250 Sr.
Junior Basil Wilson moved to Texas.
Sophomore Michael Mason and junior Matt
Ross are looking for carries at running back,
and sophomore Quwonez Jackson is a receiver
with potential.
Senior Chris Hemminger could make an
impact at defensive end.
Jeannette had 11 seniors, three juniors, nine
sophomores and eight freshmen on a tentative
preseason roster.
by BILL BECKNER JR.
JUSTIN SHANK
JEANNETTE • EASTERN
GoodLuckJeannetteJayhawks!
John V. Graziano Funeral Home Inc.
Jeannette Funeral Director: James P. Graziano, Supervisor
Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans Available - "Service Is More Than Just A Word With Us"
228 N. Second St., Jeannette, PA • 724-523-5433 • johnvgrazianofuneralhomeinc.com
adno=187586
1.800.909.8742
2X2-FIL-4
Don’t miss out! Convenient home delivery
of your newspaper is available.
Call today!