Expectations still high at Belle Vernon
Ed Thompson
Belle Vernon coach and Laurel Highlands graduate Matt Humbert gets in on the action during practice at James Weir Stadium.
Ed Thompson
Belle Vernon quarterback Jared Hartman gets ready to run a play during practice at James Weir Stadium. Hartman completed 10 of 12 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns in the Leopards’ 43-0, non-conference victory over Ambridge in their lightning-shortened opener last Friday. Belle Vernon will face a much stiffer test tonight when it hosts WPIAL Class 4-A defending champion Thomas Jefferson in the Herald-Standard Game of the Week.
Belle Vernon's Joey Federer (left) and Jared Hartman celebrate after Federer scored on a drill during practice at James Weir Stadium.
Joey Federer is on his way to the end zone to score a touchdown during a drill for Belle Vernon at James Weir Stadium.
Head coach Matt Humbert has built a program at Belle Vernon Area, and the team’s success over his tenure shows as much.
However, having lost six starters on both offense and defense, is he lowering his expectations?
Not a chance.
“For us to accomplish what we want to accomplish, we have to stay healthy,” he said. “Last year, we had five or six sophomores who contributed and now they have a year under their belt.”
Humbert lost six key starters, including multiple who are now playing in college, but he has a slew of talented returning starters on both sides of the ball.
Junior Jared Hartman returns for his second season at quarterback.
A year ago, he completed 61 of 128 passing attempts for 940 yards and 16 touchdowns.
How will things be different for Hartman this year?
“This year, I can read the coverages better and pick out the defenses,” he said. “A big key for us will be the new players stepping up and we have to come together as a team.”
Four seniors return on the offensive line in tackle Anthony Rebar, guards Kirk Popleas and Collin Palotta and center Eric Oblack.
They will protect Hartman and they will also make holes for senior running back Mason Pascoe among others.
“A lot of the line is back,” Humbert said. They took some lumps at times last year but they have made progress.”
Receiver and defensive back Hunter Ruokonen has a big fan in Humbert, and the junior spoke about the season.
“Our expectations are high and we expect to make a run at a championship,” he said. “We just have to work as hard as we can to get to where we want to be.”
Senior tight end Anthony Bertram is also back as a starter on offense.
What does Humbert see as keys on offense?
“We have to stay healthy and protect the ball,” he said. “And we have to take advantage of opportunities presented to us.”
On defense, Palotta and Popelas are back as starters on the defensive line.
Bertram is back as a starting linebacker along with classmate Nino Kuntz, and both senior Jake Fine and junior Nolan Labuda return at cornerback.
“We have to be great tacklers and create turnovers,” Humbert said. “It will also be important to get off of the field on third down and win the red zone.”
Another key returning starter is junior kicker and punter Cam Guess.
“Cam is talented,” Humbert said. “I look for him to improve his touchback percentage on kickoffs and increase his hang time on punts.”
Humbert touched more on the team staying injury-free.
“The years that we have won (the conference), we have been able to stay healthy and that is always important,” he said. “For us to accomplish what we want, and that is every game, we have to stay healthy.
“Another key is that kids are paying different positions than last year and they have to fulfill their roles and it will fit in like puzzle pieces.”
Belle Vernon hosts Ambridge to open the season, and then hosts perennial WPIAL favorite Thomas Jefferson in Week 2 to open conference play.