18 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • TRIBUNE-REVIEW
22 Matt McDowell RB/CB 5-10/180 Sr.
25 Sam Jones WR/DB 6-4/195 Sr.
26 Tristan Seager WR/CB 6-3/160 Sr.
27 Mason Beeman RB/LB 6-1/215 Fr.
28 Devin Whitney WR/CB 5-9/160 Fr.
29 Nate Gray K 5-9/205 So.
31 Zack Revoir WR/DE 5-10/155 Jr.
GEORGE J. BUSH
KITCHEN CENTER
EXTRAORDINARY KITCHEN REMODELING
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30am-5:30pm • Evenings By Appointment
No. Name Pos. Ht/Wt. Cl.
2 Amari Graham WR/CB 5-8/150 Sr.
4 Nick Detore QB/FS 6-0/165 Sr.
16 Paul Koontz QB/FS 5-10/185 Sr.
18 Isaiah Ward RB/LB 5-9/215 Sr.
19 Chance White K 5-11/170 Sr.
20 Codee Hafer WR/SS 5-9/190 Sr.
724.694.9533 • 1309 W. 4th Ave., Derry
www.georgebushkitchens.com PA008809 adno=6703585
adno=128029
G o o d
Lu c k,
De r r y
Troj a n s !
34 Eric Catone RB/LB 6-0/190 Jr.
36 Ahmad Ward RB/LB 5-8/170 Fr.
42 Jordan Flack WR/CB 5-9/155 So.
43 Pryce Donovan RB/SS 5-9/195 Sr.
45 Nate Barkley RB/LB 5-8/170 Fr.
48 Hunter Wack WR/CB 6-3/195 Sr.
50 Carter Short OL/DL 6-5/300 Jr.
51 Elijah Ward OL/DL 5-10/235 Sr.
52 Brayden Mickinac RB/LB 5-9/200 Jr.
53 Jacob Court OL/DL 5-10/220 Jr.
55 Dom Patrick OL/DL 5-11/198 So.
57 Cain Latta OL/DL 6-4/225 Sr.
59 Elijah Penich OL/DL 6-1/210 Sr.
62 Dylan Rhodes OL/DL 6-1/225 Jr.
66 Noah Cymmerman OL/DL 5-9/260 Jr.
68 Carson Chamberlain OL/DL 5-9/203 Jr.
72 Donovan Titus OL/DL 5-8/220 So.
76 Dakota Beeman OL/DL 6-5/220 Sr.
77 Maddux Bush OL/DL 6-4/230 Fr.
79 Greg Smith OL/DL 5-9/240 Jr.
84 Mike Kelly RB/LB 5-8/195 Sr.
ROSTER
PAUL KOONTZ
Coach: Vince Skillings
2019 record: 9-3, 7-1
All-time record: 264-345-14
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 North Catholic* 7
9.18 at Deer Lakes* 7
9.25 Freeport* 7
10.2 Southmoreland 7
10.9 at Valley* 7
10.16 East Allegheny* 7
10.23 at Burrell* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Paul Koontz
53-104, 658 yards, 8 TDs
Receiving Matt McDowell
15-204 yards, TD
Rushing Justin Huss*
203-2,020 yards, 27 TDs
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• Derry made the WPIAL
Class 3A title game in 2018
and has made the district
semifinals three times in four
years.
• Skillings was drafted by the
Dallas Cowboys in the sixth
round of the 1981 NFL Draft.
DERRY LOOKING TO KEEP
UP RUN OF SUCCESS
A change in leadership does not
signal a change in style.
At Derry, the concept of grinding
the opponent down with basic
blocking and running the football
will continue, albeit with several
potential ball-carriers who possess
varying styles.
But a new, 4-3 stack defensive
scheme initiated by first-year
coach Vince Skillings could charge
up the Trojans on the other side
of the ball.
Derry (9-3) won six straight
games last year and posted a pair
of shutouts. But Skillings wants
more because he believes more
can happen.
“We want to dominate defensively,”
said Skillings, a former Derry
star who played defensive back at
Ohio State and was an NFL Draft
pick in 1981.
Former coach Tim Sweeney, another
Derry alum, made a surprise
move last year when he resigned
and became coach at Baldwin. That
opened the door for Skillings, who
admittedly didn’t think he would
get the Derry job but has cherished
every second of it, even with
the inconsistencies and revolving
doors associated with the covid-19
pandemic.
“We have had very good numbers
at the varsity and middle school
levels,” Skillings said. “We’re in
the low to mid-20s at the varsity
level. I just want to build on what
coach Sweeney so greatly established
here.”
Justin Huss was the offense
last year for Derry, which has
experienced quite a turnaround
in the last five seasons, reaching
the WPIAL playoffs four straight
years, including three semifinal
appearances.
Huss ran for 2,020 yards and
scored 32 touchdowns.
“He was outstanding,” Skillings
said.
But with Huss gone, the
senior-heavy Trojans may turn
to more of a committee in the
backfield.
Seniors Amari Graham and
Pryce Donovan and junior Eric
Catone are positioned to replace
Huss’ production.
The shifty Graham, who showed
flashes in the playoffs last year,looks like the favorite to start.
Senior Paul Koontz returns at
quarterback, but he has been hampered
by an injury, which could
open the door for seniors Matt
McDowell or Nick Detore.
There is a chance, Skillings
said, that he could use all three
signal-callers.
“We’re considering it,” he said.
“Unless one really rises up and
takes control.”
McDowell was a key receiver last
year as he lead the Trojans with
15 catches for 204 yards. He likes
what Skillings has done with the
program so far.
“Coach Skillings has quickly
formed a strong connection with
the team,” he said.
“He is a great leader and provides
an immense amount of football
knowledge and experience,
especially to the defensive backs.My teammates and I are excited to
have coach Skillings be a part of the Derry football family.”
All-conference center Cain Latta
will anchor the offensive line that
Skillings calls the strength of the
team.
Other linemen to watch include
senior Elijah Penich and
juniors Dylan Rhoades and Noah
Cymmerman.
Skillings also likes his defensive
secondary led by Donovan, Graham,
McDowell and Detore.
Standout kicker Chance White
also is back.
by BILL BECKNER JR.
CAIN LATTA
ALLEGHENY • DERRY