Lofty standards
CRANBERRY TWP — A season that includes an 11-1 record, a conference title and a trip to the WPIAL semifinals would be considered a successful effort by most high school football programs.
But Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic holds itself to a different standard.
The Trojans' one defeat last season came against Jeannette in the district semifinals, leaving the team wanting more.
“The goal is always to win a state title,” said second-year coach Jason Gildon.
Leading CWNC toward that highest of expectations will be senior running back Mario Latronica, who gained 1,058 yards last year and was a Black Hills Conference First Team selection. He is the team's lone returning starter at a skill position.
“He is very familiar with what we want to do (in the spread offense),” Gildon said of Latronica. “He is bigger and stronger this year and has taken on the challenge of leading us on that side of the ball.
“From the standpoint of being a senior and the only returning starting skill player, I think it's natural for a person in that situation to feel pressure. But we have a lot of starters returning on the offensive line and other players who will be counted on to make plays, so it's not like Mario will be out there alone.”
Latronica was a freshman on CWNC's WPIAL and PIAA title team in 2013. He learned a lot as an underclassman.
“I was always running behind P.J. (Fulmore) and Jerome (Turner),” Latronica said of the 2013 and 2014 seasons. “They taught me how to be a man on and off the field.”
Latronica has set an individual goal of rushing for 2,000 yards this year. If he reaches that number, his offensive line will have a lot to do with it. Center Seth Benson and guards Cole and Dane Friedt all return as starters.
“It's great to have those guys back,” said Gildon. “Hopefully, they can pick up where they left off last year. They're all bigger and stronger.”
The Trojans do have a big hole to fill at quarterback where the graduated Erick Taylor accounted for 41 total touchdowns and nearly 2,900 yards of offense in 2015.
Four players are battling to be the starting signal caller, junior Ryan Maziarz, last year's backup, among them.
“It's a nice problem to have,” Gildon said of the players pushing each other. “We will have a healthy competition and we'll just wait and see.”
Dom Serventi, Michael Tomlin and Joey Porter, Jr. will provide their quarterback a talented group of receivers to throw to.
“Dom played a lot last year and will start this season,” Gildon said. “And I like what Tomlin and Porter bring to the table.”
“We are faster this year than we've ever been,” said Latronica of the Trojans' speed at skill positions. “There's no team in (Class) AA as fast as we are.”
Inside linebacker Tiahjure Harp, outside linebacker Tyler Elwood and safety Maziarz will lead a strong defense. Elwood and Maziarz were named all-conference last season.
“I believe you have to be able to play both an even and an odd front,” Gildon said. “You never know what offense an opponent is going to run from week to week.”
The Trojans are now a Class AA team and will compete in the Midwestern Conference. Rival Avonworth is no longer a conference foe, but the teams will meet in a non-conference showdown Sept. 30.
Another notable game on the Trojans' schedule is Sept. 16 against Class AAA power Central Valley.
