Belle Vernon relying on senior leadership
With no hesitation, Belle Vernon football coach Aaron Krepps can rattle off the names — as well as statistics and achievements — of each of the Leopards 13 returning lettermen, including five seniors.
But four of those seniors hold a special place in Krepps’ mindset as he begins his third season at his alma mater, where he starred a decade ago.
Jake Burritt, WR/LB; Adam Cole, FB/LB; Ian Dobbins, QB, and Kevin McNeil, RB/S represent the Leps’ returnees who have lettered in each of Krepps’ two seasons at the helm.
“They all started as sophomores in my first year and each stands out athletically,” Krepps noted. “They have a strong football IQ and they understand the game. Since Day 1, they have been good learners and they are passing on their understanding of our system and work ethic to our underclassmen.”
An All-Big 8 Conference wide receiver, Burritt (6-0, 215) is an “exceptional athlete with a big body for a high school receiver,” noted Krepps. “He has the maturity and understanding of what it takes to be an outstanding high school receiver. He runs good pass routes and battles for every ball.”
In referring to Cole, a two-time all-conference linebacker who led the team in tackles last season, Krepps nearly ran out of superlatives.
“He was a phenomenal linebacker as a sophomore,” Krepps beamed, “and last year was the best defensive player in the conference and the best linebacker in Class AAA. He is the epitome of what a linebacker should be in western Pennsylvania. He is tough, instinctive and a ferocious tackler.”
Dobbins brings outstanding athletic talents to the field, where he has started at receiver and cornerback since Krepps was hired. Earning all-conference recognition as a junior, Dobbins, who is moving into the quarterback slot this season, qualified in the 100-yard sprint at the WPIAL track meet last year, and is ranked third academically in his senior class.
“Ian is smart, he understands our offense and is an elusive runner, so he will add another dimension at quarterback,” Krepps observed.
McNeil, Belle Vernon’s final two-year returning senior letterwinner, however, has yet to play an entire season due to injuries.
In his sophomore season, McNeil, who lettered primarily on special teams, caught a pass coming out of the backfield, but suffered an injured left knee when he was tackled. Last year, playing safety, his foot got stuck in the turf, injuring his right knee.
But as his senior season opens, McNeil is “one hundred percent healthy,” he said. “I was nervous as our pre-season began, but I overcame the nervousness and everything is working out. Both knees are stable and my speed is back. I never gave up because of the injuries and everything is different this year.”
Much to the delight of Krepps, who explained that, “as a sophomore, Kevin was able to grasp our defense and became our leader in the secondary last year. With respect to the injuries, he has a great attitude and has demonstrated a lot of resolve. He’s determined to come back strong and is a starting safety and in the mix at running back.”
Being a senior and growing into the system with Krepps, McNeil has seen Belle Vernon’s progress under Krepps’ leadership.
“Every year with coach Krepps we get better,” McNeil said. “As seniors we completely understand what he is trying to accomplish and we are passing that understanding to the younger players. We see his leadership and his knowledge of the game and how he prepares us for every situation. Under him we have improved in every aspect of football. He teaches us to do the little things necessary to be successful and breaks down everything to make sure we understand every single detail. We are honored to be playing for him.”
Under Krepps, Belle Vernon has qualified for the Class AAA playoffs both seasons, but suffered season-ending opening-round losses both years.
“As seniors and two-year lettermen, we are planning to do more than just make the playoffs,” McNeil said.
Belle Vernon opens the 2011 season at Hopewell and hosts McGuffey in week two to begin Big-8 Conference play.