TRIBUNE-REVIEW • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • 13
BELLE VERNON RELOADS
AFTER MEMORABLE YEAR
Tr i b L I V E H I G H S C H O O L S P O R T S N E T W O R K
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DANE ANDEN
Coach: Matt Humbert
2019 record: 10-2, 6-1
All-time record: 325-235-7
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 at McKeesport* 7
9.18 West Mifflin* 7
9.25 at Thomas Jefferson* 7:30
10.2 at Laurel Highlands* 7
10.9 Ringgold* 7
10.16 at Trinity* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Jared Hartman*
127-175, 1,766 yards, 30 TDs
Receiving Larry Callaway*
144-1,046 yards, 16 TDs
Rushing Nolan Labuda*
48-586 yards, 12 TDs
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• Rostraver Township and
Bellmar high schools merged
to become Belle Vernon Area
in 1965. The district is located
in Fayette and Westmoreland
counties.
No. Name Pos. Ht/Wt. Cl.
1 Devin Whitlock QB/DB 5-8/165 Jr.
2 Braden Laux QB/LB 6-4/180 Fr.
3 Quinton Martin RB/DB 6-3/190 Fr.
4 Jackson Jewell QB/DB 5-11/185 Sr.
5 Giovanni Weightman WR/DB 5-9/140 Fr.
6 Adam LaCarte WR/DB 5-9/140 Fr.
7 Dane Anden RB/DB 6-0/180 Sr.
8 Tanner Steeber QB/LB 6-0/170 So.
9 Jacob Hrach WR/DB 5-9/140 So.
10 Jake Gedekoh RB/DB 5-10/160 Fr.
11 Colton Lee WR/LB 5-8/135 Fr.
12 Landen Baron TE/LB 5-8/135 Fr.
13 Ian Maloney WR/LB 6-1/195 Sr.
14 Reiley Wiant QB/LB 6-1/185 Jr.
15 Cole Weightman TE/LB 6-2/210 Jr.
16 Jake Haney WR/DB 5-11/160 Sr.
17 Aiden Johnson TE/DB 6-0/185 Fr.
18 Logan Cunningham WR/DB 5-9/175 Jr.
19 Zaria Taylor WR/DB 4-11/116 Fr.
20 Tyler Kovatch K 6-0/175 Jr.
21 Jake Wessel WR/DB 5-9/140 So.
22 Evan Pohlot WR/DB 5-11/145 So.
23 Joe Klanchar WR/LB 6-1/200 Jr.
27 Anthony Miklos WR/DB 6-1/150 Jr.
28 Chase Ruokonen WR/DB 6-0/150 So.
30 Ryan Hamer RB/LB 5-9/205 Jr.
32 Tanner Moody RB/LB 5-6/130 Fr.
33 Colt Manown RB/LB 5-8/165 So.
34 Zach Spano RB/LB 5-11/80 Sr.
35 Xander Zilka TE/LB 6-1/195 Sr.
36 Austin Hoffman RB/LB 5-8/135 Fr.
39 Connor Glaspey WR/DB 6-0/145 Jr.
43 Logan Hoffman RB/LB 5-11/180 Jr.
44 Jack Bryer RB/LB 6-0/210 Jr.
50 Dylan DeWitt OL/DL 5-10/210 Fr.
51 Zach May OL/DL 5-11/250 So.
52 Dakota Marion OL/DL 6-2/245 Sr.
53 Zach Zelenski OL/DL 5-7/155 Fr.
54 Luke Bryer OL/DL 5-9/170 Fr.
55 Izak Sobczak OL/DL 5-9/190 Fr.
56 Ryan McGrew OL/DL 6-2/260 Jr.
57 Tristan Kmetz OL/DL 5-11/240 Fr.
58 Anthony Evans OL/DL 6-3/260 Sr.
59 Josh Playchak OL/DL 5-9/208 Fr.
60 Jake Heckel OL/DL 5-8/200 Fr.
61 Nate Farley OL/DL 6-3/250 Sr.
62 Dylan Larson OL/DL 5-8/215 Jr.
63 Tanner Hackenson OL/DL 5-9/181 Fr.
64 Noah Clegg OL/DL 6-0/190 Jr.
65 Connor Youngblood OL/DL 5-5/330 Jr.
66 Carson Matusik OL/DL 5-9/260 Fr.
67 Dalton Vitez OL/DL 5-9/320 Fr.
68 Tommy Kovatch OL/DL 6-0/240 Jr.
69 Perry Riggle OL/DL 5-8/251 Fr.
70 Jacob Pfarr OL/DL 5-7/190 Fr.
70 Dane Levi OL/DL 6-2/230 Fr.
71 Steve Macheska OL/DL 6-4/220 So.
72 Craig Dongilli OL/DL 5-9/172 Jr.
73 Nate Gongaware OL/DL 6-2/260 Fr.
74 Eden Shemesh OL/DL 6-3/250 Sr.
75 Cole Youngblood OL/DL 5-8/330 Sr.
76 Scott Mastin OL/DL 6-2/245 So.
77 Blake Jensen OL/DL 5-11/250 Fr.
78 Domenic Sasko OL/DL 5-9/220 Fr.
79 Chad Metikosh OL/DL 5-8/240 Sr.
80 Willie Schwerha K 5-10/165 Fr.
81 Dylan Seliga WR/DB 5-11/150 So.
82 Brandon Barber TE/LB 6-0/175 Sr.
ROSTER
Since Matt Humbert was hired
as the football coach at Belle Vernon
in 2014, the program has seen
steady improvement.
The Leopards have defeated perennial
power Thomas Jefferson,
won the conference title twice,
reached the WPIAL semifinals
and, finally, in 2019, reached the
WPIAL finals for the first time
since Gary Dongilli was coach in
1999.
Now, Humbert would like to see
his team take the next step: win
a WPIAL title and qualify for the
PIAA tournament.
And while Belle Vernon graduated
some outstanding players,
Humbert likes his returning cast.
He is confident the Leopards are
primed for another run.
It won’t be easy. Thomas Jefferson,
which handed Belle Vernon
its only two losses in 2019, including
in the championship game at
Heinz Field, is strong again.
Another power, McKeesport,
dropped from Class 5A to 4A and
is part of the Big Eight Conference.
Class 4A also added Aliquippa
from 3A and Plum from 5A.
“The teams that played prior
showed our young group about doing
things the right way,” Humbert
said. “Getting over the semifinal
hump was huge for the program.
“The key part of coaching is
getting the team to realize the
moment, not that you need any
extra motivation.”
Graduation took away a lot of
talented skill players, notably
quarterback Jared Hartman, a
four-year starter, running back
Larry Callaway, wide receivers
Hunter Ruokonen and Nolan Labuda,
kicker Cameron Guess, linebacker
Andy Pacak and tight end
Mitch Pohlot.
“We have a solid group of returners
that will need to lean on
their experience and dedication
over the past three years to have a
successful season this year,” Humbert
said. “Many role players have
graduated, but a large foundation
returns with many capable players
competing for starting jobs.”
The biggest hole is at
quarterback, where senior Jackson
Jewell and junior Devin Whitlock
look to fill Hartman’s shoes.
Whitlock played quarterback at
Monessen as a freshman and was
used in the wildcat last year for
the Leopards.
Humbert said he expects both
players to compete for the job.
Replacing Callaway at running
back is another concern. Senior
Dane Anden is the leading candidate
after he rushed for 288 yards
and scored two touchdowns. Junior
Ryan Hamer is the other contender
for the spot. He rushed for
188 yards.
With Whitlock possibly moving
to quarterback, there is little experience
at wide receiver.
Seniors Ian Maloney, Jake
Haney and junior Joe Klanchar
are expected to start, but freshman
Quinton Martin could challenge
for playing time.
“We used Devin a lot of different
ways last season,” Humbert said.
“And we plan on using Devin multiple
ways this season.
“We have to stay healthy and
protect the ball. We must take advantage
of opportunities presented
to us, and we must be multiple
and balanced with our run and
pass game.”
Whitlock caught 22 passes for
292 yards and two touchdowns,
rushed for 511 yards and six touchdowns
and completed 2 of 3 passes
for 6 yards and a score.
A big reason Humbert is excited
about the offense is because of the
line, headed by four-year starter
Tom Kovatch. The linemen average
250 pounds.
And while the defense returns
only five starters, led by junior
linebacker Cole Weightman and
Maloney, Humbert is comfortable
with the group.
Senior Dakota Marion returns at
end, and senior Anthony Evans is
back at tackle.
“We have to take advantage of
our returning starters that have a
year of playing experience under
their belt,” Humbert said. “We
have to be better tacklers and create
turnovers, and we must get off
the field on third down. Winning
the red zone and short yardage
situations is a must.”
by PAUL SCHOFIELD
DAKOTA MARION
BELLE VERNON • BIG 8