VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • 27
SPRINGDALE EYES STRONG START
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Coach: Seth Napierkowski
2019 record: 6-4, 2-4 in
Class A Eastern
All-time record: 413-466-30
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 Riverview* 7
9.19 at Bishop Canevin*# 7
9.25 Leechburg* 7
10.2 at Greensburg C.C.* 7
10.9 Jeannette* 7
10.16 Imani Christian* 7
10.23 at Clairton* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
#AT DORMONT STADIUM
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Dmitri Fritch
30-67, 433 yards, 7 TDs
Receiving: John Utiss
5-136 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Christian Vokes*
140-1,106 yards, 19 TDs
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• Springdale has won eight
of the past 10 meetings with
rival Riverview, including last
year by a 33-0 score.
• Napierkowski is 13-18 over
his first three seasons as
coach of the Dynamos.
• Springdale averaged
27.7 points last season and
36.7 in its six victories.
Name Pos. Ht/Wt. Cl.
Legend Ausk QB/DB 6-2/160 Jr.
Justin Botinovch RB/DB 5-7/150 Sr.
Dakota Boyce OL/DL 5-11/190 Sr.
Noah Bradley RB/LB 5-9/150 Fr.
Alex Caldwell OL/DL 5-5/250 Sr.
Logan Dexter WR/DB 6-2/175 Jr.
Nathan Folmer OL/DL 6-0/240 So.
Demitri Fritch WR/DB 6-4/175 Sr.
Giovanni Galasso OL/DL 5-7/190 Fr.
Andrew Harmon TE/LB 6-1/160 Jr.
Matthew Haus K/P 6-0/180 Sr.
Gage Howard OL/DL 5-11/180 Jr.
Josh Kaminski OL/DL 5-9/200 Jr.
Cavin Kindler RB/LB 5-11/170 Sr.
Ashton Krebs TE/LB 5-11/180 Jr.
Brayden Layhew RB/DB 5-8/140 Fr.
Terry Leas OL/DL 6-3/180 Sr.
Ricky Martinelli WR/DB 5-9/165 Jr.
Austin Murray OL/DL 5-11/235 Fr.
Shane Parsons WR/LB 5-10/160 Fr.
Ryan Reinsfelder RB/LB 5-8/185 Jr.
Landon Richards WR/DE 6-0/135 Fr.
Joe Rogers OL/DL 6-0/200 Jr.
Chris Savko OL/LB 5-10/165 Jr.
Gio Savko OL/LB 5-8/175 Jr.
Matt Sovick OL/DL 6-1/245 So.
Mark Spence OL/DL 5-10/320 Fr.
Giovanni Tommarello OL/DL 5-9/190 Fr.
Ashon Tyree OL/DL 6-0/265 Sr.
Johnny Utiss WR/LB 6-1/170 Jr.
Chase Weihrauch WR/DB 5-11/150 Fr.
Ethan Zahner OL/DL 5-6/190 Jr.
ROSTER
The last shall be first as Springdale prepares
for what it expects to be a season unlike any
other.
When the WPIAL, in response to the
season-changing options presented by the PIAA
amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,
adopted a model for football involving game
movement and elimination, Riverview, the
Dynamos’ chief Class A Eastern Conference
rival, was moved from the regular-season finale
to Sept. 11, the new season-opening date.
“Obviously, whenever we play them, it’s
going to be a big game,” said Springdale coach
Seth Napierkowski, who guided his team to a
6-4 record last year.
“It’s probably fitting in a crazy year like this we
would play Riverview to open the season instead
of at the end. I’m excited for it, and I know the
kids will be pumped up. They have a new coach
over there, and I know they’re going to want to
make his mark right away against their biggest
rival. It should be a pretty intense game. ”
Other changes saw the elimination of Springdale’s
Week Zero game against Deer Lakes and
the conversion of the Week 1 game against
Shady Side Academy to a scrimmage.
“It is what it is, and I am happy they at least
came to some resolution that allows us to have
football this fall,” Napierkowski said.
“Despite the layoff in the spring and summer,
the guys have been working really hard to get
ready for the season. When we resumed workouts
(in July), they came prepared mentally and
physically as possible. They did a good job on
their own with more limited resources. We’ve
put in a couple of new things on both sides
of the ball, and they’re picking it up. That’s
a testament to their willingness to learn and
the fact that a lot of these guys are going to be
two- and three-year starters.”
The core of returning talent, senior quarterback/
wide receiver/defensive back Dmitri
Fritch said, is ready to lead the team to a playoff
spot out of an always-tough conference
that also includes Bishop Canevin, Clairton,
Greensburg Central Catholic, Imani Christian,
Jeannette and Leechburg.
“We’ve all been working hard on the field
and in the weight room, and we’re just ready
to play,” Fritch said.
“Coach (Napierkowski) told us to control
what we can control.”
Junior quarterback Legend Ausk is hoping
for redemption after a collarbone injury cost
him the majority of his 2019 season.
“No one ever wants to get injured and miss
time, but I think Legend was able to sit back
and see the game from a different perspective
and learn some things,” Napierkowski said.
“He came back ready to learn and get better.”
Napierkowski said Fritch and senior Cavin
Kinder did a good job stepping in under center
last year under the circumstances, and
they could see time at quarterback in a few
packages.
“They both bring a different element and are
pretty versatile,” Napierkowski said. “You’ll
see Cavin in the backfield and also the slot.
Fritch will be at receiver and also at slot with
the hopes of taking advantage of some matchups.”
Napierkowski said juniors John Utiss (slot/
linebacker/safety) and Logan Dexter (wide
receiver/safety) also return to increased leadership
roles.
The offensive line has experience with senior
Dakota Boyce (guard) and juniors Gio Savko
(center) and Ethan Zahner (guard). Junior
Gage Howard (guard/tackle) and sophomore
Nathan Folmer (tackle) also are expected to
play a role in the trenches.
Howard and junior linebacker Ashton Krebs
were among the team leaders last year in tackles
with 42 and 47, respectively. Howard added
31⁄2 sacks and recovered three fumbles.
Kindler, from his linebacker spot, led the Dynamos
in tackles (84) and added three sacks and
an interception. Fritch picked off four passes
and added 38 tackles.
by MICHAEL LOVE
SPRINGDALE • EASTERN
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