Avon Grove

By Nate Heckenberger

nateheckenberger@gmail.com

@nheckenberger on Twitter

WEST GROVE -- First-year head coach Harry O’Neill brings with him an impressive defense resume, with his last, and most successful stint, as defensive coordinator at Unionville the previous three seasons.

So as he begins his uphill task of turning around the Avon Grove program, O’Neill sees the solution rather simply.

“The easiest way to get competitive is to fix the defense,” O’Neill said.

A challenge as grand as O’Neill’s may be easier said than done. Since the Red Devils shared a slice of the Ches-Mont National Division title in 2009 they have won just seven games. Defensively, Avon Grove has given up an average of 31.5 points and 377.6 total yards per game in the last 41 games.

“The main thing is changing the culture,” junior captain and middle linebacker Ryan Hoffman said. “Everyone has bought in. We’ve have some bad seasons and everyone’s sick of it and are working to change the culture.”

Hoffman is part of O’Neill’s optimism for improvement. Only six seniors are expected to start this season, three on each side of the ball. Two of them are on the defensive line with Kyle Speer and Taylor Kim.

Playing with a three-man front, Avon Grove will rely on its athleticism with its skill kids to make plays. Senior Kyle Harris, Doug Jones and Anthony Greider will fortify the secondary.

“Early in camp the offense was clearly ahead,” O’Neill said. “But by the weekend the defense probably surpassed them. They’re starting to click and they’re starting to get it. Our back eight is so athletic.”

O’Neill will rely on his athleticism offensively, as well. Beau Kush, who will miss the early part of the season while recovering from an injury, was a top pass catcher last fall with 37 receptions, 539 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. Henry Buchanan will be a target at receiver, also.

Sophomore Nate Jones is Avon Grove’s big-play threat from the running back position, and Doug Jones will also get some carries.

Junior Shane McLaughlin, who transferred to Bishop Shanahan early in the season last fall, came back to Avon Grove for the second time and is in competition with Nick Skulski for the quarterback position.

“I like our skill guys,” O’Neill said. “Henry Buchanan is really good and we’ll have him and Beau Kush. With Nate and Doug Jones we have some good depth there. We’re very athletic on the edges and I think we can string some plays together and get some first downs.”

It will take some time for the Red Devils to catch up to the rest of the National Division, but if they can make some stops on defense, maybe it will come sooner than later.

“I hope this year is a decent season and we get more kids to come out and make this program better for the long run,” Kim said.