Trending
Progress often can be measured in ways other than by a team's record. That is especially true in the offseason when teams build the foundations for the seasons ahead.
Time will tell how many games Central Mountain wins this fall, but its offseason progress could be measured in light years. As young as Central Mountain is a positive trend. The Wildcats reached a second straight District 6 Class 5A final and produced their first winning record since 2009, but 15 players, including the majority of the starters graduated from that team. Only four seniors remain this season.
Still, if Central Mountain can make the kind of strides in season that it did throughout the offseason it may keep pushing the ball forward. Therefore, the excitement remains and maybe the present will be as bright as the future looks.
"I've seen big improvement. You coach for so long and sometimes improvement is hard to find and see and it's been evident with this group and that's nice to see," second-year coach Shanon Manning said. "That work ethic has been real good. The overall summer attendance has actually been better than last year and we have a lot of good kids that are putting a lot of effort in. Very rarely, have I worked with a team throughout the summer and seen these big of jumps in improvement."
Look at outstanding teams in any sport over years and that success often is built upon that same kind of relentless work. Thus, Central Mountain has a strong foundation in place as it continues its upward climb. The program had endured some dark years before breaking out in 2020 and reaching the district final. The Wildcats returned to the championship last year, and while many names are different this year, these players have the belief that the results will not.
Manning has seen a similar story unfold before. The long-time coach helped transform Bellefonte during his seven years there and fielded one of his youngest teams in 2016. That squad, however, negated its youth with ferocious work and a selfless attitude, winning five games and reaching districts. That acted as a springboard and Bellefonte captured the district championship the next year, part of a four-year run in which it reached the championship each time.
"I'm really pleased with their confidence and their willingness to do anything that is asked of them," Manning said. "We've worked them. I'm not sure I've pushed any team harder than this group. They put the effort in and are focused on doing whatever is best for the team and whoever is lining up to the left and right of them. That is really encouraging."
Manning's best teams have displayed selfless attitudes. That is one reason he is especially high on these Wildcats. Nobody is focusing on what their statistics could be or what kind of personal glory he could achieve. Helping the team grow as one is the primary focus.
"They're willing to do whatever is good for the team regardless of what they want to do individually. If I could trade one characteristic for any it's selflessness and we have selfless kids who identify with the team," Manning said. "The root of selflessness is honestly, work hard and being committed. We go with the CAT Philosophy of … commitment, adaptability and tenacity."
That provides the backbone for Central Mountain entering the season as different players start filling in the holes left by last year's graduated starters. Brady Myers saw some time at quarterback and could start there this season. Ben Herrick and Thomas Sprague also are in the mix and provide depth. Rocco Serafini played well at running back and could one of the team's main ball carriers. Central Mountain also is receiving a lift with several successful multi-sport athletes joining the team, including Braylon Corter, Cru Stover and Nate Helms.
Junior Connor Foltz developed into one of the area's best wide receivers and will be flanked by some other players who could be poised for breakout seasons. That list includes Corter, Kevin Grenninger and Dom Longworth. Foltz sets a tone with his competitiveness and the others provide a combination of speed and toughness.
Foltz, Grenninger and Myers also started in the secondary last season and that strong group highlights the defense. Serafini seems ready to have a breakout year and Tarantella could anchor the defensive line. Dylan Baker is another from an energetic group who could provide a boost on both the offensive and defensive lines.
Players up and down this roster are excited about giving Central Mountain a lift. Just because they are young, does not mean these Wildcats cannot shine. Whatever the price it takes to succeed, this team is willing to pay for it.
"The vibe I get is that everyone is confident. They believe in who we are and what we're doing," Manning said. "We have a lot of kids that are willing to play hard."
2022 Football Players to Watch
Connor Foltz, WR/DB: As a sophomore last season, Foltz established himself as one of the area's top receivers and had one of the best seasons in program history. Starting for the first time, Foltz was third among area receivers in yards and fourth in catches through 11 weeks. He finished with 49 catches (second in Central Mountain history) and 858 yards (third). Foltz has good hands, runs well after the catch and can create big plays. He averaged 17.5 yards per catch, caught four touchdowns and topped 100 yards three times. He played a fabulous game against Selinsgrove and one of District 4's stingiest defenses, catching an area-best 12 passes for 165 yards. Foltz went over 100 yards three times in his last five games and had at least 63 yards in each of those games. With Central Mountain being young, don't be surprised it tries utilizing Foltz out of the backfield as well. He also is a reliable defensive back who made 23 solo tackles and collected two sacks against Selinsgrove.
Brady Myers, QB/DB: One of the top candidates to replace standout Brett Gerlach at quarterback, Myers possesses many of the qualities that Central Mountain's long line of multi-faceted quarterbacks have. The junior can throw and run and is a good all-around athlete who was the only quarterback other than Gerlach to throw more than two passes a year ago. The 6-foot signal caller completed both pass attempts against Warrior Run and also threw a 42-yard strike against Mifflinburg. He saw some of his most extended playing time against Midd-West, running for 30 yards on four carries. Whether at Bellefonte or Central Mountain, coach Shanon Manning has a good track record of developing versatile quarterbacks and Myers could be the next in line. He also could break into the secondary and provide a spark there.
Rocco Serafini, RB/DB/LB: Obviously, Central Mountain has some gaping voids in the backfield. Serafini is one of the candidates to help soften that blow. He can run with some burst and power and averaged 5.3 yards in limited action, also scoring a touchdown. Serafini took that score 25 yards for a score against Warrior Run, running over a defender en route to the end zone. He made a bigger impact defensively and could play either in the secondary or at linebacker this season. Serafini averaged five tackles per game and enjoyed a breakout game against Milton. That night, Serafini made a career-high nine tackles, including seven solos, and two for loss. Nearly all of Serafini's 30 tackles were solos and he is a player who seems to put himself in the right position at the right time.
Giovanni Tarantella, OL/DL: Stop if you have heard this one before, but Central Mountain is really young. That is apparent in all areas and especially up front. Tarantella, however, could help the new look lines prosper as the year continues. He made a nice impact in four games last season and made pancake blocks in three different games. He also delivered a strong performance in a Week 3 win against Bloomsburg, producing a sack and a QB hurry. The senior could assume both a productive and leadership role for a team that will need a lot of both this season. He is one of several players who has been waiting for an opportunity like this and could be ready to cash in.
--By CHRIS MASSE