McDowell football team banks on senior leaders to make another PIAA playoff run
The start of the 2023 District 10 football season is right around the corner. Visit GoErie.com throughout August for updated videos and photos from team camps. Here is one in a series of previews for all 39 D-10 teams:
McDowell Trojans
Coach: Brad Orlando (10th season, 72-32)
2022 record: 10-3 (1-1 Region 6)
2022 playoff results: Defeated Butler 62-7 to win the District 10 Class 6A championship. McDowell then defeated Allderdice 42-15 in a PIAA 6A subregional before losing to State College 57-50 in triple overtime in the PIAA first round.
Assistant coaches: Aaron Slocum, Chris Spooner, Matt Forne, Matt Glass, John Ferraro, Shawn Carlson, Justin Hall, Nate Davison, Zach Edmiston, Dave Frank
More: Preseason prep: Everything you need to know for the 2023 District 10 football season
Next set of senior leaders
McDowell has a problem each year, but it's a good problem to have. The Trojans always graduate a big senior class. While it means McDowell has some inexperience the following year, it also means a large group of juniors are ready to step up as seniors. The Trojans graduated a strong senior class from last year including Artis Simmons, Christian Santiago, Ben Moore, Phil Schweitzer, Niko Grack, Joey Orlando, Troy Peterson, Carson Hardik, Ray Jackson, Ricky Gladden, Avery Brine, Trey Goodwine, Nick Desanto, Nick Vogan, Angel Ruiz, Ryan Visosky, Elijah Gibbs and Jack Srok.
McDowell returns five starters on offense, including seniors Cooper Cousins, a Penn State commit, Ryan White and Aidan Probst on the line and Bobby Blue at running back. James Zigler is another returning starter as a junior wide receiver. The Trojans could fill holes left by graduation with seniors Dominic Berarducci (running back), Drew Pilatowski (tight end), Travis Beers (tight end), Ricky Russell (line), Ari Richards (line), Parker Romines (line), John Dawson Ruiz (line), Eric Neavins (running back), Ben Moyak (line), Jackson Johns (wide receiver), Benny Whitaker (wide receiver) and Leo Whitaker (wide receiver). The McDowell defense brings back White on the line, Berarducci and Stephon Porter at linebacker and Zigler, Jake Hower, Matt Herbe and Blue at defensive back.
Rebuilding the offense
McDowell graduated most of its offense from last year, including two quarterbacks, most of its wide receivers and almost all of its running backs. Junior Blayze Myers takes over under center this year and was turning heads at the youth levels growing up. He has several weapons on the outside to throw to, including Zigler, Hower, Kayden Dodds, Johns, Gavin Magorien and both Whitakers. Blue brings back experience at running back, while Porter could see an uptick in carries as well. Berarducci is listed as a running back but could be used as both a rusher and as a receiver for the Trojans. McDowell also has a special teams weapon with Alex Sontheimer at kicker and punter. He can change field position with long punts and drill long field goals to cap off drives.
Schedule
Aug. 25 at Walsh Jesuit (Ohio) 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 at Barberton (Ohio) 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 vs. North Allegheny 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Erie* 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Ohio) 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 vs. Cathedral Prep* 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 vs. Meadville 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 vs. Dohn Community (Ohio) 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 vs. Butler* 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 at St. Francis (N.Y.) 7 p.m.
*Region 6 game
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDowell returns a large senior class to lead the way
