Fresh faces
JACKSON TWP — Inexperience can lead to a long season.
In the case of the Seneca Valley football team's offense, it could very well lead to a lot of long gains.
SV graduated players who accounted for nearly 60% of the team's rushing and receiving output from 2020, which included a 4-2 record in the regular season before bowing from the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs.
That group included the team's top two leading receivers in Connor Lyczek and James Sprentz and versatile running back Ethan West, who, despite injuries accounted for over 400 yards from scrimmage in the four games in which he played.
But head coach Ron Butschle believes a fresh approach will help lead to big plays from a pool of players who, in large part, did not receive many offensive touches a year ago.
“I've also been the (offensive coordinator) here for a while, but my ego isn't that big,” said Butschle. “We've brought in Ryan Lehmeier to run the offense. I knew he was a great guy, but he knows Xs and Os, too.
“We've been a zone running team with some gap scheme mixed in. We're not really changing what we do, but how we do it. We'll be playing at a fast tempo. With the guys we have coming back, it suits us well.”
Junior Graham Hancox is set to be the starter at quarterback after limited time last season. He completed eight passes for 35 yards and two interceptions in 2020.
“His first start was in the playoffs against North Allegheny (a 21-7 semifinal loss),” said Butschle. “There was a lot of pressure on him, but he did well. He's big (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), strong and can run.”
SV's top returning producer on offense is senior running back Nolan Dworek, who put up 554 yards from scrimmage, including 447 on the ground, and scored seven total touchdowns. Those numbers came in an abbreviated season in which the team's opener against NA was canceled due to COVID-19 exposures.
“I'm more than ready to go. I can't explain how excited I am for this season,” said Dworek. “With the new offense, it's going to be fun.”
“Nolan is explosive, can run and catch the ball and can block, too,” Butschle said.
Another player looking to make a difference at running back is senior Tyler Yurich, who is a veteran of the varsity team, but has played almost exclusively on defense.
He was listed as a wide receiver on last year's roster, but did not catch a pass. This year, SV hopes to put his game-breaking speed to use in the backfield.
As a member of SV's track team last spring, Yurich ran the 100-meter dash in 10.71 seconds. He and Dworek both helped SV break the school record in the 4x100 relay with a time of 42.56 seconds.
Hancox will have several big targets to throw to, including wideouts Aiden Lyczek, Luke Lawson, Brandon Ross and Chris D'Appalonia and tight end Lucas Lambert. They combined for 14 receptions worth 139 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. But more opportunities should lead to more production from a group filled with largely untapped potential.
“(The receiving corps) is filled with 6-3, 200-pound guys and they're all athletic,” said Butschle. “They are going to cause matchup problems for opposing teams and we're looking forward to it.”
Owen Moran is the only returning starter on the offensive line and will be at right guard. Butschle said the rest of the front “is not set in stone”, but did allow that senior Ben Correll could be the starter at center.
“He could've started last year if not for injuries,” he added.
Like the offense, SV's defense will have a lot of first-year starters. Two exceptions will be defensive end Lambert and Yurich at linebacker. Both players had two sacks in 2020 and Yurich added 40 other tackles.
Players who saw playing time last year and will look to excel in bigger roles will be Moran at tackle and Lawson and Dworek at the safety positions.
“We're inexperienced on that side of the ball, too, but this could be the fastest defense we've had in a while,” Butschle said.
“I'm confident about what the defense can do,” Yurich said. “We have some new guys, but they can get the job done.”
Camden Bush and Brian Olan will handle the place-kicking and punting duties, respectively.
“I expect us to compete for a (Class) 6A title, but we have to put it all together,” said Butschle.
SENECA VALLEY
2021 Schedule
Aug. 27-MOON, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 3-PINE-RICHLAND, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 10-at North Hills, 7 p.m.; Sept. 17-HEMPFIELD, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 24-at Norwin, 7 p.m.
Oct. 1-at Central Catholic, 7 p.m.; Oct. 8-CANON-McMILLAN, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 15-at Baldwin, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22-at Mount Lebanon, 7 p.m.; Oct. 29-NORTH ALLEGHENY, 7:05 p.m.
2020 results (4-3)
Hempfield 38-0, Norwin 35-3, Central Catholic 7-33, Canon-McMillan 31-17, Baldwin 19-16, Mount Lebanon 27-28
Playoffs
North Allegheny 7-21
