By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

HEAD COACH

Patrick Youel

(14th year, 74-61 career record)

PATRICK YOUEL

THE TEAM

Coaching Staff: John Kinsey, assistant head coach; Mike Stiles, offensive coordinator; Rick Reynolds, special teams coordinator; Elliott Thomas, Brady DeRemer, Marc Frisone.

2022 Record: 5-6 overall.

Returning Lettermen (13): Case Myers, sr.; Zack Balk, sr.; Aiden McClelland, sr.; Preston Bello, sr.; Kyle Booher, sr.; Zack Tessean, sr.; Nick Vallelonga, sr.; Austin Mejia, jr.; Antonio Mejia, soph.; Zach Keto, soph.; Caleb Miller, jr.; Jack Muldowney, jr.

Lettermen Lost (12): Michael Phillips, Randy Williams, Matt Donovan, Austin McLean, Carson Dunn, Joe Kline, Robert Elliott, Nate Muncy, Brady Corley, Matt Wood, Roo Hose, Evan Riffle.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

“We have depth in the skill positions,” Youel said.

“We bring back four starters on the offensive line, but we need to develop depth with some young guys.”

The Pirates will continue to run their single-wing offense.

“We are excited to expand on that,” Youel said.

QUARTERBACKS

The trio of Antonio Mejia, Joe Sharish and Nathanael Rivera make up the depth chart for the Pirates.

None have seen any significant varsity action, with last year’s starter Randy Williams (718 yards rushing) now graduated.

RUNNING BACKS

Case Myers returns for his senior season and is the top returning rusher on the team. He finished last season with 279 yards on the ground. He is dangerous in other ways, as well, as he was also the team’s leading receiver with 512 yards on 29 receptions. In total, Myers scored six touchdowns.

Also providing production out of the backfield will be Austin Mejia, Aiden McClelland, Dylan Donell and Maverick Wood.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The group of Zack Tessean, Kyle Booher, Caleb Miller, Prston Bello and Zack Balk will be the starters, while Nick Vallelonga, Landon Durstine, Richie Nutter, Malachi Ketler and Cash Leonard will provide depth.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Myers will be used out of the backfield as a receiver, as well, as the Pirates look to get the ball in his hands for his playmaking abilities.

Other aerial threats will include Jack Muldowney, Zack Keto and Peyton Donovan.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

“We bring back three of our starting defensive linemen, and we feel that we have some depth in our secondary,” Youel said.

The linebackers have the skill, but only one player returns that saw extensive varsity minutes last year.

LINEBACKERS

The group will consist of McClelland, Donell, Wood, Sharish, Durstine and Avery Giuffre.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The defensive front will include the group of Miller, Bello, Tessean, Booher, Vallelonga, Shaun Stewart and Jayden Jones.

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH

Maverick Wood, Landon Durstine, Nathanael Rivera, Peyton Donovan, Joe Sharish, Jayden Jones.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN

“We are going to play a lot of first-time varsity players,” Youel said. “They are capable and talented, but they need to gain experience fast. And, as always at a school our size, we have to stay healthy.”