Gambino hit the ground running with Cougars
Charleroi蘑菇视频 Nikko Pellegrini (14) carries the ball against Carmichaels during a game at Myron Pottios Stadium.
Charleroi's Tyler Bercik (32) and Cole Marucci (7) block for quarterback Brendan Harps during a game against Albert Gallatin at Myron Pottios Stadium last year. Bercik and Marucci both return for their senior season.
When Marc Gambino was hired as the new Charleroi football coach in March, he quickly laid the foundation for his program and hit the ground running shortly after.
鈥淲hen I was hired, it was just after track and field started,鈥� said Gambino. 鈥淲e were able to get things going in April with conditioning and lifting, and we were able to get outside in May.
鈥淲ith spring sports going on and with it being a small school, we tried to get as many as we could.鈥�
It took a little bit of effort, but Gambino is happy with where things have gone since.
鈥淚 anticipate having 27 or 28 players,鈥� said Gambino. 鈥淭hings started to really click about a month ago and I am pleased with how we have progressed.
鈥淚 am happy with where we are at.鈥�
After spending the last seven years as an assistant at Elizabeth Forward after a run at Clairton before that, Gambino knows his team will be in for a battle most weeks playing in the Century Conference.
鈥淭he conference looks like a meat grinder,鈥� said Gambino. 鈥淲ashington, McGuffey, Sto-Rox, Brentwood, there are a lot of good teams.
鈥淲e are going to have to be prepared going into every game, and that is what we are doing.鈥�
When asked about expectations and goals, Gambino is taking things slow.
鈥淲e go day by day, play by play,鈥� Gambino said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 look at the scoreboard, try to win every play, try to win every day.
鈥淲e get out of bed wanting to win.鈥�
Gambino chose for the Cougars to have a Week Zero scrimmage instead of playing a game.
鈥淲e have a young team, a new coach and a new system,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are better off getting a second scrimmage in.鈥�
When asked about returning starters, Gambino did not hesitate to say that what players did last year is not as important as what they do in camp and in scrimmages.
鈥淓verything is open,鈥� said Gambino. 鈥淭here are some guys who have had a really good spring and a really good summer, and we have pretty good senior leadership.
鈥淭here are some guys I have high expectations for, and we some young guys, some freshmen as well.鈥�
The Cougars will have a two-quarterback system with junior Cole Marucci and freshman Jackson Kerenko.
鈥淐ole took the reigns as a leader and will be at quarterback or at wingback,鈥� Gambino said. 鈥淗e is very versatile, and Jackson is doing really good.鈥�
Another player Gambino mentioned was junior Danny Hudock, who will see time at wing back, running back and wide receiver.
Gambino is pleased with what he has seen up front so far.
鈥淥ur offensive line is our strength,鈥� said Gambino. 鈥淲e have seniors who have been busting their butts, have great attitudes and are giving their all.鈥�
Seniors Josh Rodabuagh, Logan Collins, Kenny Weaver, and Nick Polinski are entrenched on the line with senior Tyler Porter, junior James Cole and freshman Jake Lilley battling it out for the fifth spot.
Another senior leader, Tyler Bercik, will see time at tailback and tight end, as will sophomore Bobby DiPiazza. Sophomore Connor Luck will see time at running back, while senior Nikko Pellegrini will play wing back and wide receiver.
All the offensive linemen will also platoon on the defensive line in the two-platoon system, while Bercik and DiPiazza will be the inside linebackers. Hudock, sophomore Connor Lucock and junior Xavier Thomas are the outside backers.
The defensive backs will be Marucci, Pelligrini, sophomore Noah Pletcher, Keranko and senior Moises Delice.
Charleroi opens play Week 1 when it hosts California in a nonconference game.