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HS football preview: Belle Vernon

No easing into Bryer era at Belle Vernon

By John Sacco 4 min read
article image - Mark Marietta
Quarterback Curtis Wade passed for more than 1,000 yards and was Belle Vernon’s second-leading rusher a year ago.

In the case of the Belle Vernon Leopards, don’t judge a book by its cover – or its first five games.

First-year head coach Scott Bryer and Belle Vernon start this season with games against Aliquippa (home), at Central Valley, McKeesport (home), at South Fayette and then host Thomas Jefferson.

Bryer just chuckled when asked about the Leopards’ first five challenges after playing a second scrimmage against West Allegheny rather than a Week Zero game.

“We’re not easing into anything,” Bryer said.

Belle Vernon’s offense will be led by senior quarterback Curtis Wade and senior running back Deaubre Lightfoot (5-10,165).

Adding experience at receiver senior Nick Mahalko (6-2, 177).

“Offensively, skill-wise, with Curtis coming back and Lightfoot we’ll have two there who have experience and production. We have three back on the offensive line,” Bryer pointed out.

Those three players who saw significant playing time up front include senior Jude Minniti (6-3) – a starter last year – junior Ethan Barron (started a few games) and junior guard Dalton Daumit (6-1).

Defensively, Bryer thinks the Leopards will have a strong linebacking corps. That unit will include senior David Bergstedt and junior Jace Gedekoh (6-0, 173).

Belle Vernon, after winning consecutive PIAA championships in 2023 and 2024, went 4-5 overall last season. The Leopards finished 3-2 in the Class 4A Big Six Conference, losing to Thomas Jefferson, 42-14, and to Trinity, 31-21, to finish in third place. The Leopards were eliminated from the playoffs by McKeesport, 34-11.

Belle Vernon will again contend with Chartiers Valley, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, TJ and Trinity in conference play.

“We have a lot of new guys in terms of people filling in and in starting positions,” Bryer explained. “We’re looking at improvement every week. We’ll see progress through the effort and that’s needed on a daily and weekly basis. I’m looking for them to show up every day with the right attitude, wanting to get better every day and being in it for the long run.

“Obviously, the beginning of our season is very difficult. I think our first five or six games are against teams that are legit contenders for winning WPIAL championships and playing even deeper into playoffs. We have our work cut out for us and that just adds to the challenge. I know we have five new starters on offense and six new starters on defense, so I’m putting some young and inexperienced guys out there in some tough situations right off the bat.”

The top two teams in each Class 4A conference, plus two at-large wild cards, will be selected to represent an eight-team postseason field.

“You’re always going to put Thomas Jefferson at the top until someone knocks them off,” Bryer said. “Cherp (Jaguars’ Coach Bill Cherpak) does a great job and they obviously had a great year last year. They return another strong team this year and you look at them to be up at the top again. Yeah, we battled with them the last year and with Trinity. I think they’re going to have another really solid team as well.”

Bryer is eager to start his first campaign as Belle Vernon’s head coach. He is an elementary principal in the Mount Pleasant School District and succeeds Matt Humbert.

Prior to being a Belle Vernon assistant, Bryer was assistant head coach/defensive coordinator at Mount Pleasant from 2001-2008. He is a South Allegheny graduate and earned his teaching degree from Robert Morris University and a master’s degree from PennWest California University.

Bryer previously coached at Belle Vernon under former head coach Aaron Krepps.

“It’s very exciting,” Bryer said. “It’s more. It’s an honor to be able to do it. I’m glad that people think high enough of me to give me this opportunity. To be able to have so many good coaches come on staff just reinforces that excitement.

“I’ve known these kids for a long time and this program has meant so much to me and my family the last 10 to 15 years. I’m excited to keep it moving forward and I look forward to all the challenges that come with it.”

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