By:
Wednesday, August 7, 2024, TRIB-LIVE
Fox Chapel senior offensive tackle Blake Kuhn believes the Foxes have put in plenty of work to halt a lengthy losing streak. But for the time and effort to build into something greater, Fox Chapel needs victories.
The Foxes last won a game in 2021 when they upended Upper St. Clair in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs. Since then, it’s been 21 straight defeats.
“For the past two years, we haven’t had much success at all,” Kuhn said. “A lot of the kids who weren’t here for our last win, they need to see a win so that all of the hard work for the past few years means something. We’ve done so much, but we haven’t had much to show for it. I wish people could see what we are doing and that it will be different this year.”
The Foxes will open the season with a nonconference game at home against Allderdice. Fox Chapel will start Northeast Conference play when it hosts defending conference champion Penn Hills on Sept. 13.
The Foxes are still in the process of sorting things out on offense. Max Melocchi and Joey Geller will be tasked with quarterbacking Fox Chapel’s Wing-T attack. Both players were pressed into action last season, as injuries forced the Foxes to play four players at quarterback.
“Both guys have had their moments,” Fox Chapel coach Dave Leasure said. “Both of them have done well in 7-on-7. They will both play until one separates himself from the other.”
The Foxes will return their second-leading receiver from last season, Lincoln Burgess. Victor Nernberg will be an important contributor at running back. Anthony Forquet will also be asked to contribute in the backfield.
Thomas Billings will give the Foxes another option in the passing game when he moves from tackle to tight end.
D’Angelo Hamilton will anchor the defensive line. Nernberg will also be asked to play linebacker, while Burgess will help out in the defensive backfield.
Fox Chapel also will have a new addition on special teams. Kicker/punter Harran Zureikat transferred into the program from Shady Side Academy. He has drawn interest from Division I schools, and Leasure said that he will help out with kickoffs and punts.
“Having a kicker at this level of his caliber will be a big help,” Leisure said. “Not just with extra points and field goals, but anyone putting the ball into the end zone on kickoffs means the opponent can’t return it and they have to start from their own 20-yard-line. He has a cannon of a leg. He’s capable of kicking 60-yard field goals.”
Kris Bandurski, a senior starting offensive/defensive tackle, said Fox Chapel has a group that is dedicated to the sport.
“Our group we have right now is something special,” Bandurski said. “Everyone shows up and wants to be there.”
Fox Chapel
Coach: Dave Leasure
2023 record: 0-10, 0-5 in Class 5A Northeast Conference
All-time record: 226-383-8
SCHEDULE
Date, Opponent, Time
8.23 Allderdice, 7
8.30 at Baldwin, 7
9.6 Knoch, 7
9.13 Penn Hills*, 7
9.20 at North Hills*, 7
9.27 at Pine-Richland*, 7
10.4 Franklin Regional, 7
10.11 at Plum*, 7
10.18 at Shaler*, 7
10.25 East Allegheny, 7
* Conference game
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Max Melocchi
24-52, 401 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Adrian Valdez
56-196 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Tyrese Samuels*
17-189 yards, 1 TD
*Graduated
FAST FACTS
• Fox Chapel’s season-opener against Allderdice will be its first against a non-WPIAL school this century.
• The Foxes were shut out five times last season.
• Fox Chapel last had a winning season in 2017.
• Fox Chapel will open the season with three consecutive nonconference games.