New coach Barbero has moving Cougars forward
Charleroi senior Dyelan Edwards goes through a practice drill.
Charleroi wide receivers Glenn Porter (left) and Terrence Woods practice during summer camp.
Charleroi head coach Brady Barbero prepares to throw a pass during a drill.
Charleroi players run a play during practice.
New Charleroi head football coach Brady Barbero was hired in April to take over the program after Lance Getsy resigned.
It would be understandable if Barbero made excuses about how the COVID-19 pandemic hurt the program in terms of getting to know the players and installing a new system.
However, Barbero is content with where things are, all things considered. After all, it isn鈥檛 like he could change what happened.
鈥淎ny time off is tough, but with me teaching in the district, I know the kids,鈥� he said. 鈥淟uckily, Mike LeDonne is sticking around as the defensive coordinator, so the kids know him and his system.鈥�
Another familiar face the players will know is new line coach Bill Wiltz, the longtime boys basketball coach at the school.
Like many coaches, Barbero used online resources to communicate with the players.
鈥淲e used Zoom to go over the playbook and put things in,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel like things are going really well as the kids are picking up the offense fast, as well as other changes.鈥�
The players have been putting the time in to try and get ready for the season.
鈥淭hey began working out in early June and we took a week off in July as we followed precautions,鈥� Barbero said. 鈥淲e have been going at it four days a week.鈥�
Like other teams, the missed time in the weight room will hurt the Cougars.
鈥淚f we didn鈥檛 have the pandemic, we would be bigger, faster and stronger鈥� Barbero said. 鈥淲e would be farther along with our playbook and the verbiage, but the players did a good job of learning online and I give them credit for picking it up and comprehending it.鈥�
Charleroi returns five starters on offense, the entire line, but no skill players, while six starting defenders return.
鈥淲hile we have new skill players, guys got time in last year and have experience,鈥� Barbero said. 鈥淪ophomores and juniors are coming in ready to take over the positions.鈥�
Senior two-way lineman Dyelan Edwards was the first player Barbero mentioned.
鈥淒yelan is a tough kid and a hard worker,鈥� Barbero said. 鈥淗e should be a presence on both sides of the ball.鈥�
Junior Jacob King is another two-way lineman back, as is senior Darius Cooper, a middle linebacker who will move from the offensive line to tight end.
Junior Brendan Harps takes over at quarterback, while junior Nikko Pellegrini is one of the running backs that Barbero is expecting to produce.
Barbero also mentioned three wide receivers who will look to make plays downfield in senior Glenn Porter and a pair of juniors, Brennan Shannon and Terrance Woods.
Charleroi is in Class AA and part of the Interstate conference.
鈥淲ash High is always a favorite and McGuffey returns a lot,鈥� Barbero said. 鈥淲e are in a tough and competitive conference, but our goals start with competing for a playoff spot.
That isn鈥檛 going to change.鈥�
Joining Charleroi, Washington and McGuffey in the conference are Beth-Center, Chartiers Houston, Frazier and Waynesburg Central.
This isn鈥檛 Barbero鈥檚 first head coaching job as he led California for four seasons, taking the Trojans to multiple playoff appearances during his tenure.
鈥淚 am excited to get things going,鈥� he said. 鈥淗ad Lance stayed, this wouldn鈥檛 have been possible, but we are gearing up and are almost ready to go.鈥�
The Cougars have made the playoffs three straight years, and what will it take to keep the streak going?
鈥淲e have to get solid line play and we should get it,鈥� Barbero said. 鈥淎ll of the players need to perform like we expect them to, and we need to stay healthy, as well.
鈥淚n AA football, we don鈥檛 have a lot of depth and health always plays a role.鈥�
Charleroi opens the season with a conference game at Frazier on Sept. 11.