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Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.
Andy Tatsch of Latrobe catches a ball during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition in July.
John Wetzel of Latrobe throws during the WCCA 7-on-7 competition in July.
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Ron Prady has been coaching Penn-Trafford for 10 years, so he knows exactly what it takes to win in Class 5A.
This should help the Latrobe coach’s team in its third year return to 5A after two positive years in 4A.
“Depth is a big key,” Prady said. “You have to be able to fill in for guys and have reliable (substitutes) that you can bring in.”
“Everyone says they don’t have enough depth, but you have to develop the guys. (Class) 5A is more of a tough battle week in and week out.”
Two consecutive winning seasons and two playoff victories, along with some Division I college talent and a renewed sense of pride, have Latrobe determined to get back in the race.
The team finished 8-4 last year and 7-5 two years ago – the Wildcats hadn’t won that many games in a season since 1971 – and has the chops to make the postseason for the third consecutive year.
Resurgent Latrobe defeated West Allegheny in the first round last year before scaring perennial power Aliquippa with a 37-29 loss in the quarterfinals.
“At the end of the day, we haven’t won anything yet,” Prady said. “But we’re getting there. We’d love to be something like a PT or a Belle Vernon, programs like that. I think we can do some good things and build on what we’ve done.”
Senior Division I freshmen Alex Tatsch (Penn State) and John Wetzel (Marshall) will lead the way. Tatsch is a physical linebacker who had 111 tackles and four sacks last season, while Wetzel is one of the WPIAL’s best dual-threat quarterbacks and a gifted safety. As a junior, he ran and threw for more than 1,000 yards – the only player in school history to do so – and accounted for more than 30 touchdowns while making 73 tackles and three interceptions.
He was the team’s best runner, but is likely to receive significant support.
Tatsch also plays running back and is a strong ball carrier for the Wildcats, complementing the tenacious senior Brady Prohovic (590 yards) and the speedy senior Chris Cochran.
“We have a lot of really good team members who don’t get a lot of recognition,” Prady said, “and that’s OK with them. But they’re just as important to what we want to do.”
Junior Andy Tatsch, who has an offer from West Virginia, should be among the preferred receivers along with junior Sawyer Butina, junior Josiah Finch Kutzer and seniors Vince Gaskey and Tyler Bauer.
The Wildcats must replace deep threat and leading pass catcher Ja’Tawn Williams, who is now at Clarion. Williams was also a threat on kick and punt returns.
The H-backs are senior Jack Drnjevich, who tore his ACL in the playoff game against Aliquippa but has recovered, and junior Owen Burket, with senior Tim Meyers as tight end.
Drnjevich is the best returning receiver with 20 catches for 240 yards.
Two important linemen are returning: seniors Cody Krall and Caleb Lehman. Both have been regular players for three years.
The return of senior center Marco Scarton should also benefit the line. He broke his ankle during heat acclimation week last year.
Other linemen include senior right tackle Anthony Scarton (6-4, 250), junior Luke Kolenc, junior Wade Enick and sophomore John DiPasquale.
“One of the things I learned at Penn-Trafford was the value of using substitutes in the second half,” Prady said. “Those reps are important for the guys going forward.”
On defense, Alex Tatsch (6’3″, 220 lbs.) will lead the pass rush and Wetzel (6’1″, 195 lbs.) will control the secondary – both are known for their hard hitting. But keep an eye on senior middle linebacker and three-year starter Bradan Bronson, who has quietly been the team’s second-best tackle behind Tatsch.
Also in the linebacker rotation are Drnjevich, Cochran, Burket and Prohovic as well as junior Cash Achhammer and junior Izzy McMahon.
Wetzel and Andy Tatsch are the safeties, with support from junior Luke Tomko and sophomore Clayton Burket.
With both cornerbacks out, Prady had to rely on five players competing for playing time, including Gaskey, Butina, junior Danny Noonan, Bauer and senior Aidan Roach.
Meyers is a reliable defensive end, with Krall as nose tackle and Lehman on the other end.
Marco Scarton and DiPasquale are down linemen – the Wildcats use three.
Latrobe forced 20 turnovers last year, including 13 interceptions, and that continued trend could give the offense more time on the field.
“Turnovers are game-changing,” Prady said. “They lead to success. At the same time, you have to take care of the football.”
Latrobe
Trainer: Ron Prady
Record 2023: 8-4, 4-2 in Class 4A of the Big Eight Conference
All-time record: 475-556-38
TIME SCHEDULE
Date, opponent, time
8.23 in Connellsville, 7
8.30 Plum, 7
9.6 at Norwin, 7
9.13 at Franklin Regional*, 7
9.20 Armstrong*, 7
9.27 Forest Hill*, 7
10.4 Kiski area*, 7
10.11 in Pine Richland, 7
10.18 am at Gateway*, 7
10.25am Penn – Trafford*, 7
* Conference game
STATISTICAL GUIDES
Pass: Johannes Wetzel
69-119, 1,289 yards, 17 touchdowns
Rush: Wetzel
159-1,117 yards, 16 touchdowns
Reception: Ja’Tawn Williams*
33-756 yards, 14 TDs
* Completed
BRIEF INFORMATION
• Latrobe has reached the WPIAL playoffs 13 times in school history, but has never qualified three years in a row.
• Latrobe has not hosted a playoff game since 1984.
• Alex Tatsch, who committed to Penn State, received 20 scholarship offers from Power Five schools, including Notre Dame, USC, West Virginia, Stanford, Pitt and others.
Former linebacker Tyler Altman (2003, Indiana) was the last Latrobe player to sign with a Power Five program straight out of high school.
Also from Latrobe, lineman Chad Reed signed with Pitt in 1998, while linebacker Bob Baum signed with West Virginia in 1993.
• John Wetzel, the Wildcats’ playmaking quarterback and safety, is a Marshall commit on defense. He had 14 Division I offers.
SERVICE SCHEDULE
No., Name, Pos., Class
1, Roman Agostoni, K, sr.
2, Brady Prohovic, RB/LB, sr.
3, Tyler Wisniewski, QB/S, well.
4, Sawyer Butina, WR/CB, Jr.
5, Chris Cochran, RB/LB, Jr.
6, Jack Dmjevich, HB/LB, sr.
7, Izzy McMahon, TE/LB, jr.
8, Clayton Burket, QB/S, well.
9, Luke Tomko, QB/S, jr.
10, John Wetzel, QB/S, sr.
11, Aiden Roach, WR/CB, sr.
12, Logan Jeskey, QB/DB, front.
13, Dom Scarton, QB, also.
14, Josiah Finch, WR/CCB, jr.
15, Andy Tatsch, WR/S, jr.
16, Aaron Gaskey, QB/DE, front.
17, Austin Slezak, QB/LB, front.
18, Cash Achhammer, RB/LB, jr.
19, Eli Meeder, WR/CB, so.
20, Danny Noonan, WR/CB, jr.
21, Mason Barley, RB/LB, jr.
22, Alex Smith, RB/CB, also.
23, Vinnie Gaskey, WR/CB, sr.
24, Owen Burket, HB/LB, jr.
25, Alex Tatsch, RB/LB, sr.
26, Russell Fry, TE/LB, Jr.
27, Ethan Echevarria, WR/S, jr.
28, Grady DePalma, WR/CB, Jr.
29, Dakota Haupt, TE/LB, so.
30, Ramone Williams, WR/CB, jr.
31, Josh Hodge, RB/LB, sr.
32, AJ Yeboah, RB/LB, forward.
33, Avery Chappel, RB/LB, fr.
34, Dom Angelicchio, RB/S, fr.
35, Tyler Bauer, WR/CB, sr.
37, Austin Coffman, TE/LB, so.
39, Ben Slater, WR/LB, so.
40, Nick Bauer, WR/CB, so.
42, Nolan Miney, WR/S, fr.
43, Kalvin Clayton, RB/LB, forward.
44, Bradan Bronson, HB/LB, sr.
45, Dylan Frye, WR/CB, also.
46, Colton Calabrace, RB/LB, front.
47, Joey Favata, WR/LB, Jr.
48, Joe Mahoney, TE/LB, Jr.
49, Gio Castillo, HB/DL, so.
50, Shawn Myers, OL/DL, forward.
51, Anthony Scarton, OL/DL, sr.
52, Gamin Owens, OL/DL, v.
53, Brady Kronenwetter, OL/DL, like this.
54, Ray Firek, OL/DL, so.
55, Sandro Castillo, OL/DL, sr.
56, Shooter Deuel, OL/LB, v.
57, Michael Brosnick, OL/DL, jr.
58, Joe Poche, OL/DL, fr.
59, Jon DiPasquale, OL/DL, like this.
60, Sage Sevacko, OL/DL, so.
62, Wade Enick, OL/DL, Jr.
63, Joe Lauber, OL/DL, jr.
65, Vince Wirick, OL/DL, fr.
66, Vinny Calabrace, OL/DL, fr.
67, Seth Watt, OL/DL, fr.
68, Dylan Miller, OL/DL, that is.
71, Cody Krall, OL/DL, sr.
72, Caleb Lehman, OL/DL, sr.
73, Luke Morrison, OL/DL, Jr.
75, Landon Nipar, OL/DL, fr.
76, Dakota Mullooly, OL/DL, sr.
78, Marco Scarton, OL/DL, sr.
79, Lucas Kolenc, OL/DL, jr.
80, Cass Helman, WR/CB, so.
81, Austin Hazen, TE/DL, Jr.
82, Patrick Shaker, WR/CB, front.
83, Trevor Krull, WR/S, fr.
84, Daniel Fisher, HB/LB, jr.
86, James Rafferty, WR/CB, Jr.
87, Tim Myers, TE/DL, sr.
88, Alex Amond, WR/CB, also.
89, Vince Razza, WR/LB, forward.
91, Max Dominick, WR/S, fr.
92, Aidan Maestrole, WR/CB, fr.
93, Ryan Haber, WR/DB, forward.
94, Luke Thompson, TE/LB, fr.
97, Warren Agostoni, K, so.
99, Mitch Horner, K, Jr.
Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. Reach him at [email protected].
Tags: Latrobe
