Going into this season, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ranked the Foxes second in WPIAL Class 4A, based on their performance last season and the potential for the team in 2020. Those are lofty expectations to live up to, but Coach Erik Ingram is confident that his team’s depth, combined with a lot of athletes who are can play multiple positions, will be powerful keys to their success.
Among the players pegged to lead the team are returning senior starters Clayton Humbert, Nate Lazzara, and David Merriman, and junior Ashton Schutzman. Seniors Ethan Flanders, Jake Mulhern, Jack Nury, and Anthony Shin have joined the top lineup, as have junior Sean Ahia and sophomore Colin Westerberg.
“Clayton will return as our keeper,” says Coach Ingram. “He is a kid who gets along with everybody and brings a lot of confidence to the field. In my opinion, he is one of the best in the WPIAL, and he’s come into the season even more prepared than ever. Nate is prepared for a breakout season, has a great touch on the ball, and is strong tactically. He plays center forward, but has a lot of versatility and can play anywhere. He’s spent a lot of time in the weight room getting bigger and stronger.
“David is an attacker and an outside back. He has a fantastic attitude, is super fit, and should have a great year. And, Ashton will play midfield and defense again and some center back. He’ll be more of an impact player this year. He’s put a lot of work into his skills, conditioning, and in the weight room. He will definitely run our defense.”
The coaches know they also can count on Ethan, a four-year varsity player, who is big, fast, and hard-nosed. He is one of the players whose versatility will be tapped to play wing and anywhere in the back. Jake also is loaded with technical talent and potential, sees the field well, and is a great one-on-one player, says Coach Ingram.
“Jack will play somewhere on the back line,” adds the coach. “He brings a lot of leadership to the team, comes to every competition with a fantastic attitude, and instills confidence in the players. Anthony has a good amount of varsity experience, and we plan on putting him in the midfield or as a center back. He is a very consistent, steady player who puts in a strong effort every game.”
Another player to look for is junior J.P. Dockey, whose athleticism could earn him a starting position in the midfield.
While there are no guarantees of winning among the teams in a very difficult section that includes Seneca Valley, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, and Shaler Area (a program that has made tremendous strides in the past few years), Coach Ingram is happy with his lineup and the intangibles that can make or break the best teams.
“We are just as good as any team we will face this season,” says the coach, who has been elected by his peers as a WPIAL Class 4A coach of the year multiple times. “I’m very proud of them. Besides the great chemistry among the players, we have great leadership. But even more, this is a very stressful time of not knowing whether or not we will have a season, or how long it will last. These guys have done everything we’ve asked them to do on and off the field.”
