PREVIEW: Brockway Wants to Erase the Sting of District 9 Championship Game Loss

BROCKWAY, Pa. (EYT/D9) — The returning members of the Brockway football team hadn’t even left the snow-dusted field in Bradford on a frigid mid-November night last year when they began to think about next season.

Namely, not feeling that way again.

(Pictured above, Brockway receiver Matt Brubaker is lifted in the air by lineman Reese Yahner after catching a touchdown pass in the District 9 Class A semifinal game against Redbank Valley last year/photo by Madison McFarland)

The loss to Port Allegany in the District 9 Class A championship game stung for the Rovers, who the week before had toppled two-time defending district champ Redbank Valley, 7-3, in a display of toughness and determination to reach the title tilt.

“Going to the district championship game and losing — it’s tough,” said senior offensive and defensive lineman Reese Yahner. “You gotta take it on the chin. We’re just hungry for more.”

Fortunes in Brookville have been on the rise.

Three years ago, the Rovers won just two games in a COVID-shortened season. Then a promising 4-6 campaign followed, leading into last year’s 8-5 run that included a pair of playoff wins before the loss to the Gators.

With a bevy of talent returning, Brockway is thinking big.

And the rest of D9 believes in the Rovers, voting them the favorite in Class A.

But head coach Jake Heigel knows preseason outlooks mean nothing. On the field is where it matters and he is banking on another step forward.

He has a determined group. And a dedicated one.

“I think it’s just about the offseason preparation,” said junior offensive and defensive lineman John Varischetti. “We all had a similar goal in mind and did everything we could to reach that goal.”

“Like Johnny said, that offseason preparation is huge,” Heigel added. “But also gelling in camp, figuring out what our strong suits are and what our weak points are. Collectively, it’s been the best offseason we’ve had because of these guys. I mean, they’ve put in so much work, and you hope they kind of get the fruits of their labor.”

Brockway did a lot of things well last season.

The Rovers’ spread offense, the brainchild of offensive coordinator Frank Varischetti, was one of the most potent attacks in the district last season.

Quarterback Braydon Fox threw for 2,611 yards and 33 touchdowns. The junior has already amassed 5,179 yards and 56 passing TDs in his first two seasons.

But his main target, Alex Carlson, graduated.

Carlson caught 89 passes for 1,064 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Dylan Hanna also graduated. He had 27 receptions for 603 yards and 12 TDs.

Seniors Andrew Brubaker and Matt Brubaker return. They combined for 50 catches and four touchdowns. So does junior Blake Pisarcik, who is also a gifted wrestler.

Down the stretch last season, Brockway showed off its running game behind Jendy Cuello.

The senior back gained 1,410 yards on 252 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. In the final six games, he was the workhorse, rushing for 939 yards and six touchdowns. In the win over Redbank, he gained 166 yards on 41 attempts.

“Each team that you play is different. You need to have a different game plan every week,” Heigel said. “And if you’ve played a team twice, that second time might be totally different. We believe we have the tools and the players to be able to pretty much fill every spot right now and can be a little more diverse in what we do.”

That’s a scary thought for opponents.

But it all starts up front with the line and Yahner and Varischetti are determined to anchor that unit, which will have to dig up three new starters.

“I think it’s all about our communication on the line,” Varischetti said. “That’s what allows us to be successful. We’re talking before every play, going over things, asking questions, whether it is to each other or our coaches. And, obviously, Jendy and Bray and all the other skill guys are gonna get a lot of the credit. That’s fine with us, though. We just wanna win and do whatever it takes to win.”

“We take pride in what we do,” Yahner said.

They have also become leaders on both sides of the ball.

“They got the other guys to commit and understand how much work it takes to start on the line,” Heigel said. “I’m very impressed with how they’ve almost forced some guys to be committed. That’s sometimes what leadership is. I tell them all the time, being a leader isn’t always being the most liked guy on the team.”