The past decade hasn’t been too kind to Jefferson-Morgan, with nine losing seasons and just one playoff appearance dotting the 2010s.
But as Aaron Giorgi prepares for his fifth year in charge of the Rockets, he senses a different feel around the program.
“There’s definitely a buzz of optimism around the team this year and moving forward,” Giorgi said. “Whenever you’re dealing with so many young kids, you don’t necessarily know how that’s going to translate into wins and losses the first time. But these kids keep putting the work in year after year. I feel like we’re working toward a better future here at Jefferson-Morgan. Hopefully it translates into wins this year and fewer losses, but I definitely look forward to the future with this group of kids.”
The impetus for Giorgi’s confidence? A work ethic that is rarely shown by teams as young as Jefferson-Morgan, which will feature large freshmen and sophomore classes. On the field, that combination of youth and work ethic shines through in the Rockets’ backfield, which features junior Jonathan Wolfe and sophomore Liam Ankrom.
The two will anchor a running game that makes up the core of Jefferson-Morgan’s offense behind an offensive line that returns four starters from a year ago.
“In Tri-County South, that’s what most of our teams do, is run the ball,” Giorgi said. “So we have to establish the run game first and then use the passing game off of the run.”
The passing game is a source of more uncertainty following the graduation of Jacob Broadwater, last year’s starting quarterback and an all-conference linebacker. In Broadwater’s stead, Giorgi will turn to the youth movement that has overcome the rest of his team.
Sophomore Colt Fowler got some reps last season in relief of Broadwater, as well as occasional snaps at wide receiver. Giorgi, though, anticipates a camp battle between Fowler and rising freshman Cole Jones.
“They have a lot of control,” Giorgi said. “Both kids are very intelligent kids, I’m putting a lot on them this year as far as the play call and control of the line of scrimmage. Both kids are handling it exceptionally well, so they’re bringing intelligence and they’re also going to bring in pretty strong arms. I feel like for the first time in a long time, we’re going to have a true quarterback back there, no matter which one we go with.”
Wolfe and Ankrom will also be critical pieces defensively, with Ankrom at safety and Wolfe at outside linebacker in Giorgi’s 3-4 scheme. The Rockets’ young front seven also features juniors Colby Rutan and Owen Maddich at defensive end, both of whom will take starting experience into their junior seasons.
But Jefferson-Morgan’s work to flip its 2-8 record from a year ago doesn’t end with the personnel, especially at a school with limited numbers to select from.
“Work ethic’s the biggest thing,” Giorgi said. “Showing up to practice every day, having a good number of kids there every day really helps out.”
So far this year, those numbers have been encouraging, but Giorgi knows the work doesn’t stop there.
“We have to get the kids game-ready,” Giorgi said. “Again, you’re dealing with a lot of young kids so you have to get them game-ready without much contact because of the new rules. ... So you have to get these kids game-ready as fast as you can and I feel confident we can do that, once again because of the attendance for practice and the work ethic thus far.”
Coach: Aaron Giorgi
Years at school: 5
2018 record: 2-8
WPIAL Playoff Appearances: 16
Returning starters: Offense 8, Defense 7
Key returners: Jonathan Wolfe (5-9, 215, Jr., DE-FB), Liam Ankrom (5-5, 165, So., S-RB)
Keys to success: Settling on a starting quarterback, running the ball well, getting young team varsity-ready.
Schedule
Aug. 23 | Waynesburg* | 7 |
Aug. 30 | at Chartiers-Houston | 7 |
Sept. 6 | Mapletown | 7 |
Sept. 13 | Monessen | 7 |
Sept. 20 | at Avella | 7 |
Sept. 27 | at California | 7 |
Oct. 4 | Riverview* | 7 |
Oct. 11 | OLSH* | 7 |
Oct. 18 | at West Greene | 7 |
Oct. 25 | at Bentworth | 7 |
*Non-conference game
First Published: August 12, 2019, 10:00 a.m.