From: Josh Rowntree

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.

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George Messich has made a lifetime of fond memories during his 41 years on the Mapletown sidelines, but the 2023 season has become one he would rather forget.

Coming off an 11-1 season and a WPIAL quarterfinal appearance the year before, the Maples stumbled last fall, finishing 3-7 with just one win in the Tri-County South. But the record was not a true reflection of the team’s caliber.

“Seven of our guys got hurt,” said Messich, who took over as head coach in 1978 before briefly serving as an assistant in the 1980s. “The year before, we didn’t have a single injury. But last year, we had a game where an offensive guard came out of the game to play on the sidelines. We were down to a fourth quarterback. And with our enrollment, we don’t have four quarterbacks.”

“We thought it would have been a much better year if we had stayed healthy. But in Class A football, when you lose your two or three best players to injuries, you’re not the same team.”

According to Messich, the injuries were random, and they also hit key positions, such as a non-contact foot fracture sustained by versatile quarterback AJ Vanata.

“If we took anything away from this, it’s that a lot of young kids got playing time,” Messich said. “Every starter played a lot of football, and that helped them. We had a really nice camp. I think we’ll be competitive.”

Vanata has graduated and is replaced by Brock Evans.

“Brock is a little fast, but he’s a wrestler,” Messich said of the senior. “We wrestle with Waynesburg, and he’s a really good wrestler. He’s a tough kid. He’ll run you over and wear you down. He’s a really aggressive kid.”

Evans will be joined in the backfield by Carson Vanata — AJ’s cousin — who is only a sophomore. Tyler Howard and his cousin Josh will play receivers, as will Colton McKnight and another of AJ Vanata’s cousins, John Vanata.

The position that most intrigues Messich is the offensive line, where four regulars return, including Chase Taylor, Cam Shaffer, Ashtin Nesselroad and Coltin Halbert.

“I’m really impressed with our offensive line,” Messich said. “I tell everyone we have six starting linemen. We’re going to rotate them. Those six guys have lived in the weight room. They’re really aggressive guys.”

On defense, Evans and John Vanata will lead the linebacker group, while the six key offensive players will all turn around and play on the defensive line.

Two years ago, Mapletown had one of the better offenses in the WPIAL, scoring over 42 points per game. Last year, however, that average dropped by nearly 25 points.

Messich hopes a bit of health and additional experience will go a long way toward fixing that problem, especially as they move into conference play in the Class A Tri-County South.

If they can do that, Mapletown may be able to return to the top of the pack after a poor season.

“On paper, California and Jefferson-Morgan are really, really good football teams,” Messich said of the Tri-County South. “The other teams are pretty good, too. I think there’s going to be a lot of really close games in our league on Friday nights.”

Mapletown

Trainer: George Messich

Record 2023: 3-7, 1-6 in Class A Tri-County South Conference

All-time record: 346-491-39

SCHEDULE

Date, opponent, time

8.23 Avella*, 7

8.30 a.m. at Frazier, 7

9.6 at Chartiers-Houston, 7

9.13 at Jefferson-Morgan*, 7

9.20 West Greene*, 7

9.27 in California*, 7

10.4 Avella*, 7

10.11 Beth Center*, 7

10.18 in Bentworth*, 7

10.25 Carmichaels*, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL GUIDES

Passing by: AJ Vanata*

44-92, 643 yards, 9 touchdowns

Rush: Evan Griffin*

78–621 yards, 12 touchdowns

Reception: Evan Griffin*

13-254 meters

* Completed

FAST FACTS

• Messich is a retired teacher who taught for 31 years. He was a starting offensive lineman on Pitt’s 1976 national championship team.

• Messich’s wife, Linda, is Mapletown’s athletic director.

• Before the injuries struck in 2023, Mapletown was 2-0, scoring 29 and 28 points in the first two weeks, and then scored just 21 points over the next four weeks.

• AJ Vanata currently plays linebacker for West Liberty. He will play on the baseball team in the spring.

Tags: Mapletown