Get To Know The High School Football Coaches

None — Media John Simon Apollo Rid Media John Simon Apollo Rid

Apollo Ridge's John Simon:

"Definitely this year, we have a lot more experience, and we're looking forward to it. The play makers are running their routes more crisper. We're getting a new football field. The kids are excited."

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Media Neil Tkatch Am Media Neil Tkatch Am

Ambridge's Neil Tkatch:

"The goal is obviously to make the playoffs. We need to improve, and I expect us to do that. A lot of it is just mental for us. We need to believe we can do it."

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Media Jason Kekso Avon Media Jason Kekso Avon

Avonworth's Jason Kekseo:

"We are all excited in the Avonworth community. They are a very aggressive group of kids, but they're also very intelligent. I think you're going to see a very well played, disciplined game of football."

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Media Jeff Beltz Beav Media Jeff Beltz Beav

Beaver's Jeff Beltz

"Our expectations are rooted in our rich football tradition, and we are hedging our way closer towards 600 wins for our program. We are not going to see that milestone eclipsed this year, but we have been a consistent team in the last decade."

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Media Aaron Krepps Bv Media Aaron Krepps Bv

Belle Vernon's Aaron Krepps:

"We're definitely looking forward to this season. You get the first year under your belt, and you're more comfortable. We're looking forward to some upperclassmen returning. Overall, it should be a good year for us."

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Media Blackhawk Joe Hamilton Media Blackhawk Joe Hamilton

Blackhawk's Joe Hamilton

"We see a team that has a lot of potential. What has hurt us is we are down to 10 seniors, so we'll have to count on some of our juniors and sophomores to help us out. We also play in a very difficult conference. We hope we don't get injured, and in the end, we'll end up in good shape."

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Media Rick Murphy Brashear Media Rick Murphy Brashear

Brashear's Rick Murphy:

"Any year we don't make the championships, after coming off of two back to back state titles, it was something the kids and staff had a hard time with. It's a learning experience and motivating. We have a great group of sophomores we're looking to develop. One of our strengths is upfront"

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Media Tim Sohyda Cm Media Tim Sohyda Cm

Canon McMillan's Tim Sohyda:

"(Being in AAAA), it's a grind. You have the Jim Renders. It's a great challenge. I think it's a lot harder to play defense than offense. We need to control the football. You won't see me throwing the football around. We don't have any Peyton Mannings. If you watch the tapes of us playing, they run real well."

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Media Terry Fetsko Ch Media Terry Fetsko Ch

Chartiers Houston's Terry Fetsko:

"It's always hard work. You have a different group of kids come in each year. We have a great group of players who are underclassmen. Last year was the first year since I've been coaching that we missed the playoffs, so we want to get back there."

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Media Dan Knause Corn Media Dan Knause Corn

Cornell's Dan Knause:

"You always want more time as a coach. Once August hits, I don't know about other coaches, but you start having sleepless nights. This group of seniors is a very special group. The kids have become good football players and intelligent football players."

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Media Ellwood Don Phillips Media Ellwood Don Phillips

Ellwood City's Don Phillips:

"These kids are excited. There has been a great, great turnaround. When I first took this job, we had a number of lineman who couldn't bench 200 pounds. Now, we have kids who can bench 300 pounds. They can be very good. My goal is to get them to play at their very best."

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Greg Botta Coaches Corner

Franklin Regional's Greg Botta:

"We lost a lot of key people. We were senior dominant last year. We have four kids vying for the (quarterback) position. There are so many positions open, and we want to make sure we get the best people on the field."

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Ray Reitz Coaches Corner

Greater Latrobe's Ray Reitz:

"Right now, we want to get more physical. In the weight room, they're doing a great job. We can't worry about our opponents. We need to clean our game up."

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Muzzy Coaches Corner

Greensburg Central Catholic's Muzzy Colosimo:

"Offensively, we are going to be able to run the ball. With Terrance (Stepoli) back there, he is definitely a runner. We have a quarterback who has had a phenomenal summer. It's nice to have that kind of depth at that position. Defensively, we have 3 DBs who are sophomores. We have two other young guys. They both like to hit. We think this is the best defensive backfield we've had."

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Casey Coaches Corner

Greensburg Salem's Casey Cavanaugh:

"Last year was a very exciting year. This year's group ... very excited to build upon them. The turnout this summer has been great, and we're really excited about this season."

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Media Hampton Jacque DeMatteo Media Hampton Jacque DeMatteo

Hampton's Jacque DeMatteo:

"It is a different team. It is a different season. I'm really impressed with the hard work by some individual players right now."

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Media Hopewell Dave Vestal Media Hopewell Dave Vestal

Hopewell's Dave Vestal:

"It's a touch section. We have kids who work extremely hard. Our kids expect to do well. (Running back Rushel Shell) is the only returning starter. He's a great leader. He pulls others on the team with him. When he works hard, they work even harder."

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Media Nick Kamberis Ko Media Nick Kamberis Ko

Keystone Oaks' Nick Kamberis:

"With me, one game at a time. Nothing is taken for granted. We've been in the playoffs the past couple years, so hopefully that will be a good starting point."

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Media Kiski Troy Wilson Media Kiski Troy Wilson

Kiski's Troy Wilson:

"We're in the beginning stages. It's the second year of me being the coach and trying to change the program around. Now, we went back to basics. We're actually coming together as a family."

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Media Knoch Mike King Media Knoch Mike King

Knoch's Mike King:

"The kids we have have real strong characters. We started off 0-5 last year. We told them, 'hang in there. Good things are going to happen to you.' They believe that and worked hard."

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Media Ken Wright Lang Media Ken Wright Lang

Langley's Ken Wright:

"I love high school football season. There is no other sport like it. We're looking to be a physical team this year. These guys are working hard this summer and we're going to carry it over into the season."

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Media Jim Ward Mckee Media Jim Ward Mckee

McKeesport's Jim Ward:

"We have an experienced team coming back. We got some kids we're really exciting about. The kids have been working hard to this point. The competition in AAAA is outstanding ... some great coaches and players."

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Media Andy Pacak Mon Media Andy Pacak Mon

Monessen's Andy Pacak:

"We have a lot of talented kids this year. With any small school, our goal is to stay healthy. The five seniors have excelled in the classroom and been good role models."

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Media Lou Cerra Mon Media Lou Cerra Mon

Montour's Lou Cerra:

"I think the team has a chance to be really, really good. We have eight returning starters on offense. The defense lost eight starters, but the new kids stepping in look ready."

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Media Na Art Walker Media Na Art Walker

North Allegheny's Art Walker:

"We are young and inexperienced in a lot of areas and experienced and seasoned in others Camp is vital for us this year and our first game against State College will be a great learning experience for us against a quality opponent."

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Art Trag

Norwin's Art Tragesser:

"I'll be rooting for (Penn Trafford) them, but my new situation, I just love it. I was extremely excited to get the job. Penn Trafford and Norwin are big rivals. It will be a fun game. Our system will be different, both offensively and defensively. We'll throw it. If running the ball works, we'll do that too."

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Media Jacen Morris Pea Media Jacen Morris Pea

Peabody's Jacen Morris (WR and DB):

"It's a trying time because our school is closing. A lot of parents enrolled their kids in other schools. Seeing the school close is heartbreaking, but we're going to go out with a bang."

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Media LaRoi Johnson Pea Media LaRoi Johnson Pea

Peabody's LaRoi Johnson:

"We have a couple returning starters coming back. We only lost two seniors last year. I think we're going to shock a lot of people. Our kids have been working hard all summer."

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Media Trent Jones Pea Media Trent Jones Pea

Peabody's Trent Jones (DC):

"You always want to go out on top. You don't want to leave on a bad note."

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John Ruane Coaches Corner

Penn Trafford's John Ruane:

"There's enough talent to be successful at Penn Trafford. They need to believe they can win. I'm starting to see they believe it. If they can believe, they can win."

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Media Bill Gallagher Perry Media Bill Gallagher Perry

Perry's Bill Gallagher:

"We've been blessed with a great group of leaders. We have 16 seniors on the team, and they've been leading the way. This summer, we threw the ball at USC, Pitt and Gateway. They're really working hard. Not only are the great football players, but they're also great students."

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Media Pine Clair Altemus Media Pine Clair Altemus

Pine Richland's Clair Altemus:

"The outlook for the 2010 football season for the Pine Richland Rams is very promising with 13 returners back, speed at the skill positions and experience on the offensive line. We should challenge for a AAAA playoff spot."

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Media Bob Mcintyre Qv Media Bob Mcintyre Qv

Quaker Valley's Bob McIntyre:

"This is my first year there. We're happy with the progress we've made since March. I think the kids will work hard. The kids are good kids ... intelligent kids. I think you'll see the effort from the kids this year."

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Matt Humbret Coaches Corner

Ringgold's Matt Humbret:

"We have good thoughts going into this season. I know we're playing in a tough conference with good competition, but we have a lot of kids returning. The entire coaching staff is very excited."

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Media Jason Bell Schen Media Jason Bell Schen

Schenley's Jason Bell:

"These kids worked really hard to get to where they're at. Traditionally, we're a basketball team. We're glad to be a target. We could be on the bottom, so we're happy about our position. We're really talented and have a lot of athletes, but for the most part, our kids are really fast."

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Don Holl Coaches Corner

Seneca Valley's Don Holl:

"These guys had a great off-season and continue to build on some of the great things that happened last season. Certainly, we want to make the playoffs. Last year was my first year here. The approach is a little bit different this year. We've got some really good kids who can make some plays for us whether it be in traditional or unique ways."

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Media Joe Rossi Sf Media Joe Rossi Sf

South Fayette's Joe Rossi:

"We have six kids who have started since their freshman year. We have a good nucleus coming back. They're leading the young guys. They're a group of leaders who do a good job. We want to get to Heinz Field, and we're going to work hard to achieve that."

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Media South Brian Pritts Media South Brian Pritts

Southmoreland's Brian Pritts:

"The last two years have been awfully tough on us. We've played a lot of young kids, and now they're coming into their own. We're hopeful we can get things turned around. What we put on the weight room wall is 'win today.'"

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Media Ed Dalton Trin Media Ed Dalton Trin

Trinity's Ed Dalton:

"We have a pretty good core, but we're inexperienced. We're going to rely on some sophomores. They're pretty good athletes."

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Media Jim Damico Wa Media Jim Damico Wa

West Allegheny's Jim Damico:

"It's all about conditioning and getting to where we need to be mentally and physically. The expectations are high. They (the players) know that."

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Twins Coaches Corner

Westinghouse's Monte, Ramon Robinson:

"It feels good coaching together. We played together our whole lives at Westinghouse. It's good to come together and turn this thing around."

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The coaches with photos and videos attended Skylights Media Week. Coaches who didn't attend can e-mail their information to webstaff@wpxi.com.

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