2 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
INDEX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMEPLAN 2020
SPORTS EDITOR | Bill Hartlep ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | Jonathan Bombulie DESIGNERS | Brady Hunter, Jeff Vella, Melanie Wass
HIGH SCHOOL STAFF WRITERS | Bill Beckner Jr., Jonathan Bombulie, Chris Harlan, Michael Love, Greg Macafee, Don Rebel, Paul Schofield
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Fox Chapel 5
Kiski Area 6
Highlands 8
Knoch 10
Plum 11
Burrell 13
Deer Lakes 16
Freeport 18
Valley 20
Apollo-Ridge 23
Leechburg 25
Riverview 26
Springdale 27
The Tribune-Review welcomes you to GAMEPLAN 2020, an in-depth look at the upcoming
high school football season in Western Pa. It is designed to serve as a reference for high school
football fans throughout the season. Starting Friday, the Trib will begin its expanded game previews in
FRIDAY GAMEPLAN, a look at the week’s top games, players to watch and statistical leaders.
We will take you from the opening kickoff through the PIAA finals. ... And don’t forget to visit our website,
TribHSSN.triblive.com, for season previews of every team in the WPIAL.
The TribLive HSSN high
school sports staff logged on
to a video conference call for
the annual high school football
preseason meeting.
The editors and writers
started discussing the plan for
the upcoming
season, how
they would
handle the
restrictions
surrounding
the coronavirus
pandemic,
and
how this season
might work for the local
schools.
All of a sudden, another
square entered the zoom call,
and the name “The Birdie”
came across the screen.
“Here we go,” said one
reporter.
“This should be interesting,”
said another.
Finally, after everyone could
see his face for a few minutes
while he was figuring
out audio issues, the Birdie’s
squawky voice came through
the call.
“Hey, everyone! How yinz
doing?”
Right after the coronavirus
pandemic hit and high
school sports were canceled
in the spring, the Birdie flew
to an undisclosed location to
avoid contracting the virus.
He said he relaxed so he could
get ready for another season
of high school football.
“I honestly wasn’t planning
on coming back until Week
Zero,” The Birdie said. “But
there was work to be done.”
When he heard fall sports
might be canceled, The Birdie
left his private paradise and
flew straight to Mechanicsburg
to give Bob Lombardi a
piece of his mind.
“Needless to say, you can
probably thank me for high
school football being played
this fall,” he squawked.
“Seve n t y - f ive-hundred
emails? Ha! I sent at least half
of those. Same with the phone
calls too! I was in his ear at
least twice a day. You could
say Lombardi and I are best
friends now.”
The Birdie said he got a
pretty good eye on all of the
teams heading into the season,
and he was back to assuring
his colleagues that not even a
pandemic could slow him down.
“Not going to happen. Just
you watch,” he squawked as
the meeting came to an end.
Here are his preseason
picks.
Apollo-Ridge
Give me Logan “The Hammer”
Harmon and his supporting cast
of Vikings all day long. Coach
John Skiba returns Harmon,
quarterback Jake Fello, receiver
Klay Fitzroy and then some.
Best of all, they don’t have to
go through defending WPIAL
champion Avonworth.
Record: 5-1
Playoffs: Yes
Burrell
Year 3 of Shawn Liotta. Year 2
of Alex Arledge. The Bucs have
a lot of yards to replace, and it
could be difficult, but Liotta said
there’s a lot of bullets left in the
gun and the Bucs are ready to
reload.
Record: 4-3
Playoffs: Yes
Deer Lakes
It could be a rebuilding year at
Deer Lakes, but that happens
anytime you have to replace
the Alle-Kiski all-time passing
leader and a few of his top
receiving targets.
Record: 1-6
Playoffs: No
Fox Chapel
The Foxes lost a lot of talent,
including starting quarterback
Shane Susnak and running back
Sam Brown. Their success will
come down to replacing those
two seniors and reloading for
this season.
Record: 2-5
Playoffs: No
Freeport
The Yellowjackets lost a large
group of seniors and don’t
have many returning starters
coming back. It could be a long
one for coach John Gaillot and
company.
Record: 1-6
Playoffs: No
Highlands
The Golden Rams lost Jumpin’
Johnny Crise, but they return a
lot of talent, including sophomore
quarterback Chandler Thimons
and a talented offensive
line in front of him. Look for
the Rams to take a step
forward.
Record: 4-3
Playoffs: Yes
Kiski Area
The Cavaliers found their identity
midway through last year.
Kenny Blake can anchor the
running game, and they return a
solid defense.
Record: 4-3
Playoffs: Yes
Knoch
The Knights lost a large senior
class, including leading rusher
Matt Goodlin. Still, they return
a few talented individuals who
could take the reins of the
Knights offense this season.
Record: 4-3
Playoffs: Yes
Leechburg
Randy Walters is back at Leechburg,
and he is bringing the Air
Raid with him. Dylan Cook and
Co. could sling the ball all over the
field, but will they have enough to
turn it around in Year 1?
Record: 4-3
Playoffs: No
Plum
After going 3-7 last season, the
Mustangs return several key
players, including Penn commit
Max Matolcsy. In a tough conference,
the Mustangs could
take a step forward this season.
Record: 4-3
Playoffs: No
Riverview
New coach Trevor George brings
an exciting atmosphere to the
team in his first year. But the
Raiders still find themselves in a
tough conference in 2020.
Record: 2-5
Playoffs: No
Springdale
Starting quarterback Legend
Ausk is back along with several
others such as Demitri
Fritch and Logan Dexter. The
Dynamos could be exciting this
season when they are back to
full strength.
Record: 3-4
Playoffs: No
Valley
Longtime coach Muzzy Colosimo
is feeling confident heading
into this year. The Vikings have
plenty of athletes, and quarterback
Cayden Quinn is heading
into Year 2.
Record: 3-4
Playoffs: No
Last year’s record:
76-37 (.673)