South Fayette hopes that success in other sports will strengthen the football program

From: Andreas Johannes

Friday, August 9, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.

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This fall, South Fayette's football program will be led by new faces on the field, but they are no strangers to successful seasons representing the Lions in other sports.

Junior Drew Wehorsky will step in at quarterback for the Lions, who went 4-6 overall and 1-4 in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference last season.

He will try to orchestrate the offense of new coach Marty Spieler, who replaces Joe Rossi. Rossi resigned in the offseason after coaching the Lions for 17 seasons, winning four WPIAL titles and two state championships.

Wehorsky has been Nico Lamonde's backup for the past two seasons and even started two games in his first season. Spieler is confident that Wehorsky will take over the quarterback position because he has seen him play so well on the lacrosse field. Wehorsky, who plays attack, led the lacrosse team to the semifinals in the WPIAL Class 2A and PIAA Class 2A playoffs.

“There's a pandemic going on in our society that's making all these kids think they have to focus on one sport. I really enjoy watching our athletes play other sports, and it doesn't get any better than watching Drew compete in lacrosse,” Spieler said.

“He's got a fire in him that's not just about himself, but also about his team. When he works as hard as he does, the guys want to work hard for him. He's a competitive kid who's no different at the end of the fourth quarter than he was in the first. He's going to perform at his best all the time.”

Lamonde threw for 1,939 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions and added 302 yards on the ground. The Lions will also have to replace their best pass receiver from last season, Michael Gimigliano, who finished with 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Veteran receiver Aiden Martincic will take on a larger role as the Lions' only returning skill position player.

In the backfield, Player will rely on senior running back Talan Mizenko to replace graduate transfer Nate Deanes. Mizenko, a WPIAL qualifier in wrestling, will share duties with senior Sylas Aitken.

Aitken will also be used as a slot receiver in Spieler's spread offense.

Juniors Mason Green, Tyler Ring and Conor Hiser form the basis of the offensive line.

On defense, the Lions will switch to a 3-4 formation with Ring, an all-conference player, returning to the lineup.

Veteran middle linebacker Travis Watkins will set the tone on defense. Watkins has been successful as the team's goalie on the lacrosse field.

The Lions return four starters on defense, with Aitken at outside linebacker and junior Ray Schuler at cornerback. Martincic will play in the defensive backfield.

“These days we don’t have the big bodies we used to have,” Spieler said.

“We want to make sure we play well, keep the ball in front of us and hopefully create as much confusion as possible on offense. It's hard for offense to learn everything they need to learn, so we're going to make it difficult for them with our defense.”

The Lions began the season with two wins and a close loss before losing three straight games, going down 73-10, including losses to Peters Township and Moon.

“We have to work harder. I feel like last summer was really sloppy, but this year we've really stepped up our conditioning, our weight lifting and overall the mindset we bring to every single practice,” Martincic said.

“We have to help be great leaders for everyone else. Whether it's a scout player or a star player, everyone has to work as hard as they can.”

South Fayette

Trainer: Marty Player

Record 2023: 4-6, 1-4 in Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference

All-time record: 510-395-39

SCHEDULE

Date, opponent, time

8.23 Chartiers Valley, 7

8.30 a.m. Shaler, 7

9.6 Canon-McMillan, 7

9.13 am at Elizabeth Forward, 7

9.20 a.m. in Belle Vernon, 7

9.27 Baldwin*, 7

10.4 Upper St. Clair*, 7

10.11 in Peters Township*, 7

10.18 am in Bethel Park*, 7

10.25 am by moon*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL GUIDES

Passing by: Nico Lamonde*

172-216, 1,939 yards, 15 touchdowns

Rush: Nate Deanes*

93–487 yards, 7 touchdowns

Reception: Michael Gimigliano*

59–865 yards, 8 touchdowns

* Completed

FAST FACTS

• South Fayette has won WPIAL titles in three different classifications: Class A in 1936 and 1964, Class 2A in 2010, '13 and '14 and Class 4A in 2018.

• The Lions have won two state titles in the program’s history – 2013 and 2014.

• Player won a WPIAL Class 4A title in his final season at Woodland Hills in 2000. Player split time at quarterback with future NFL player Shawntae Spencer.

• Player has served as a college coach at Cincinnati, Allegheny, Buffalo, Florida A&M and Missouri State. Player was Mt. Lebanon's offensive coordinator under coach Bob Palko from 2020-2022 and the Lions' quarterbacks coach last season.

Tags: South Fayette