‘Family Affair’
Southmoreland football staff includes two father-son combines ALVERTON – Like father, like son can be taken at its literal meaning at Southmoreland.
Not many schools around the state can say that football coaching is really a “Family Affair,” but that is a doubleheader statement at Southmoreland. In fact, one of the sons could be called his dad’s “boss” in one sense.
Head coach Bobby Thompson has two father-son combines on his staff, Bob Cavalier and his son Zack, working with the offensive and defensive linemen, and offensive coordinator Brian Pritts, the son of head junior high coach Rick Pritts.
Thompson said, “It can be interesting at times.”
Rick is a 1966 graduate of Southmoreland, and has been coaching there since 1980, along with his regular work at General Carbide.
Brian played wide receiver and safety for his dad before graduating in 1990, then graduated from California University of Pa. He now teaches sixth grade and has been on the coaching staff since 1995, starting with the junior high team and now serving as offensive coordinator.
Brian is quick to say, “I learned a lot from my Dad, especially how to handle people and pressure. As a player, I don’t know who I caught it from more, him or Coach Thompson, but it was a real experience all around. I worked with him on breaking down films and that eventually helped get me started in coaching.”
So, do they ever disagree?
Brian smiled, “We have had our disagreements, but mostly as player and coach. Now he asks me questions for the junior high runs basically the same offense. But seriously, it’s nice to know that I can now help him out the same way he helped me.”
Bob Cavalier graduated from Geibel Catholic High in 1969 then went to Penn State and graduated from Slippery Rock University of Pa. in 1973. He came to Southmoreland in 1987, where he worked under Thompson two years, then with Bill Schreckengost five years and since 1995 with Thompson again.
At Slippery Rock, a knee injury knocked him out of football, but he noted, “I had made friends with several coaches, and they let me work on the sidelines, keep stats, attend team meetings, and in the process, I learned a lot about the game from them.
“My Uncle Gene Cavalier (former Uniontown coach) gave me many insights on how to handle certain situations and how to deal with people. And I learned from my Dad (Mike) who had played on the Connellsville teams of the early 40’s with Wally Stroller, John Lujack and Dave Hart. He was a very big influence on me, especially teaching me how to face adversity.”
Bob noted, “Coaching Zack was easy. He had a lot of football savvy, and when he was on the field, he was an “Iron Man” player. If he made a mistake, I let the head coach handle it, but we did talk about it and the game in general, after we got home. He was very receptive, and it was a good experience sharing ideas.”
Bob said he also “learned a lot from Bobby in the way of defensive and offensive strategies. He is very good at holding a unit together. I also learned a lot from Tom Dolde (now retired Connellsville defensive coordinator), especially on defense. I appreciate my roots and often reach back for whatever gives me strength.”
Zack graduated from Southmoreland where he played three years “when we didn’t have a whole lot of substitutes.”
He played offensive guard and strong side inside linebacker, earning three letters, plus all-conference honors in 1997. He then graduated from Bethany College (W. Va.) and is now working beside his dad in coaching the offensive and defensive linemen.
Zack added, “Things are a lot different now. The first day on the field as a coach I was still looking at the situation through the eyes of a player. But it has been a great experience so far, and I’m enjoying it.”
So, do they ever disagree?
Zack laughed, “Sure, we disagree, but then we always come to an agreeable conclusion. Dad has been so much help to me over the years. He got me interested in football when I was in the fourth grade and I have enjoyed it ever since. When I was done as a player, I missed the game, and when this season started I felt like something was really missing, so I got into coaching.”
Maybe Southmoreland’s coaching lineup could be called a spin-off from “All In the Family” – at least in a football sense.