Since Mike Junko was named Upper St. Clair’s new coach in January, he hasn’t had much down time.

“It’s been busy,” he said. “We’re making some changes. We’ve made changes with the staff. We’ve made changes with the offense. Just day to day, every day has a new set of challenges with those changes. All positive changes, so we’re excited about them, but it does require a lot of heavy lifting.”

Junko knows he has a high standard to uphold. He didn’t take over just any program. He took over one that for the previous 40 seasons was guided by Jim Render, a coaching legend and the all-time winningest coach in WPIAL history. Render, who retired after last season, finished with 406 wins.

But Junko is no stranger to Render or Upper St. Clair. He played quarterback for Render and was a backup on the 1989 team that won WPIAL and PIAA titles. The past two seasons, Junko was a member of Render’s staff, last season getting an up-close view of Render’s pursuit of his 400th win. Junko is also a social studies teacher at the school.

A number of last season’s assistants were retained, Junko said. He called that a priority. Junko also added some coaches he had coached with in the past, giving the Panthers a mix of old and new. Junko, who was the offensive coordinator at Mt. Lebanon for a couple of seasons, will run the offense. Josh Ficorilli will serve as defensive coordinator. It’s the position he held at Quaker Valley when the Quakers won WPIAL and PIAA titles in 2017.

Junko said that a lot of the terminology has been changed, and that the team’s approach offensively will be a little different. Still, expect the Panthers’ identity to remain the same.

“I think one of the hallmarks of Upper St. Clair football is the physicality,” said Junko. “That’s something that we don’t want to lose. We want to keep that reputation as a physical football team on offense and defense. With that said, we’re going to be a balanced attack. We’ll throw the ball if that’s what’s required. In today’s football, teams defensively will do a good job of taking away what you do well.”

This will be an Upper St. Clair team that enters the season without a great deal of experience. In fact, the Panthers return just three starters from last season’s team that went 8-3 and lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs. Junior David Pantelis is back at wide receiver and cornerback, senior Brandon Shearer returns at fullback and linebacker, and senior Roman Murgi is back at center.

“We’re really young, but with a young player you get a lot of buy-in. And when I say young, I mean inexperienced. Not exactly in age,” said Junko, whose team includes 18 seniors.

Pantelis (6 feet 1, 190 pounds) should be one of the top players in the conference. He’s one of the leading returning receivers in Class 5A, having finished last season with 38 catches for 548 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Junko said Pantelis has great range and the ability to take away one side of the field. Pantelis led the Panthers with four interceptions a season ago.

“David has matured a lot this offseason,” Junko said. “In the past, he played with his brother, Chris, who was very talented. Chris graduated, so David has had to stand on his own. And he has really impressed me with the way he has been a leader. He has some of the finest ball skills of any receiver I’ve ever coached. He has tremendous awareness. He’s made some catches that are highlight-reel catches.”

Who will be throwing the ball to Pantelis and his fellow receivers is still to be determined. Junior Ethan Dahlem has been the front-runner at quarterback, but he has been pushed by senior Heath Erdos and sophomore Jamie Smith.

At running back, Junko said three players have stood out — juniors Jaden Keating and Luke Banbury and sophomore Ethan Heister. Banbury is a transfer from Seton LaSalle.

“When I was the coordinator at Mt. Lebanon for a number of years, I adopted a philosophy of having multiple backs who can do different things,” said Junko. “Jaden is really quick. Luke is a power runner. Ethan has good speed.”

Murgi, who Junko said has been a leader in the weight room, will anchor the offensive line. Senior Brian McCombs also has some experience.

Look for senior Danny Harkleroad, who will be used as an H-back, to be another key player offensively.

On the defensive side, Junko believes his team’s biggest strength may be linebacker. Shearer, the Panthers’ leading tackler last season with 69, will lead a group that includes Banbury and seniors Joe Lackner and Will Phillips.

Two other players to keep an eye on are senior defensive back Ben Lund and junior defensive end Brandon Coe.

It’s a season of change at Upper St. Clair, but that hasn’t stopped its legendary former coach from checking in every now and then.

“Coach [Render] stopped by W&J for a 7-on-7 tournament, so the kids got to see him there,” Junko said. “He’s tried to keep somewhat of a distance. When there’s a change, you have to give a little bit of room, but I’m sure he’ll be around.”

Brad Everett: beverett@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BREAL412

Coach: Mike Junko

Years at school: 1

2018 record: 8-3

WPIAL playoff appearances: 37

Returning starters: Offense 3, Defense 2

Key returners: David Pantelis (6-1, 190, Jr., WR-CB), Brandon Shearer (5-11, 205, Sr., FB-LB), Roman Murgi (5-11, 255, Sr., OL-DL)

Keys to success: Becoming familiar with new terminology and a new system. With three starters back and a lot of inexperienced players, learning on the fly.

Schedule

*Non-conference game

First Published: August 19, 2019, 10:00 a.m.