HS football preview: Connellsville
McClean appreciates Falcons’ head coaching model
Jace McClean will always tip his cap to a head coach.
One of Connellsville’s three head coaches, McClean knows that most folks turn their heads twice when they discover the Falcons employ a trio of head coaches, but after following the model the past three years with Chad Lembo and Mick Lilley, he really appreciates how one individual can handle all that goes into coaching a high school football team.
“To be honest, I really don’t know how one guy can handle being a head coach,” McClean said. “There is just so much that goes along with it. You have obligations with the media, then there is the paperwork, making sure you communicate well with the parents and administration, and all that is added to leading the team on the field.
“Obviously, that is what assistant coaches are for, but there are duties that only a head coach can complete. I think our system is working out well because everybody has a different role, and they don’t deviate from it.”
McClean is the defensive coordinator, while Lilley will direct the offense. Lembo coaches the offensive line and handles the weight lifting program.
Despite new offensive schemes that can start as early as youth league play, football games are still won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and Connellsville returns an experienced line that is senior laden.
“Our line is experienced, they have great feet, are smart and can get to the second level,” McClean said. “We want our kids to be strong, and they have been lifting, but technique is just as important, and I think Cooper Lembo is a prime example of that because he is not the biggest guy, but he plays the angles, is smart and has a ton of heart. “Cooper will also play middle linebacker for us. He is a wrestler, as are all our linebackers, and those guys, obviously, know how to tackle, and understand what hard work is all about.
“Cooper bumped up against many guys that were bigger in wrestling this past season, and that’s how he plays for us. He doesn’t back down against bigger guys.”
The Falcons had roughly 30 players regularly attend voluntary workouts this summer, while some were hindered by playing other sports and work commitments.
Ryan Brown is one of the anchors on the offensive and defensive lines, as he plays right guard and defensive end. McClean said the senior has transformed his body from last season to this by dedicating his offseason to the weight room and has been attending camps to improve his game.
Connellsville has between 20 and 22 seniors, including quarterback Caden Matthews, who is in his second year with the team after joining the team from Southmoreland. Matthews dislocated his thumb in a game against Butler last season and needed surgery on his throwing thumb, but the senior has been a workhorse this offseason.
“He is going to a bunch of camps and has a quarterback coach,” said McClean of Matthews. “He is a very important part of our offense, so we are just going to keep him at quarterback, unless we need a spark on defense because he can do the job, but we want him to be staying upright.”
Senior Jayden Mickens is the proverbial scat back, and he will also line up at safety. McClean described Mickens as a “shifty player who knows how to hit the hole and also get open.”
Junior Linkon Keller can drive a defensive coordinator crazy as a multiple-position player, who can go anywhere from quarterback to running back to wide receiver. He will start at safety on defense.
“He is a talented kid who is really smart and a leader on defense,” McClean said. “He is also not afraid to tackle, and he will come up to pop you if you are not ready. I will even leave it up to him to call some plays on defense.”
The Falcons’ offensive scheme will be predicated on the players’ strengths, and the staff will adjust if necessary.
“I believe you have to see what type of kids you have every year,” McClean said. “I know some hardcore coaches will stick with the same thing every year, but we will see what our kids have, and if necessary, tweak it. We have a good quarterback with a pretty good arm, two good backs, plus our H-backs, so I think we will be more balanced.”
Defensively, McClean wants his team to be solid tacklers, but will throw in different packages based on personnel and game situations.
“Tackling is huge, and if you tackle, you will be able to compete,” McClean said. “We will throw some different things at them, but it really comes down to tackling.”
Connellsville will play an independent schedule for the second straight season. McClean said the team is eager to play Fayette County rivals, Albert Gallatin and Uniontown. The Colonials stunned the Falcons, 29-26, last season. Connellsville ended its season on a high note in defeating the Red Raiders, 27-6.
“We still have the ‘Coal Bucket’ tradition with Uniontown, and we want to keep that in our possession,” McClean said. “That was a tough loss to Albert Gallatin last year, but you have to give credit to AG and Drew Dindl, who does a heck of a job with his kids. We have been talking about that game all year, and we don’t want that to happen again.”
McClean also pointed out a 48-41 setback to Meadville that ended in four overtimes.
“It was a great game with Meadville, but that loss really stunned us,” McClean said. “We were up 21-6 at halftime, and as a defensive coordinator, you always preach about finishing a game where you are leading at halftime.”