BETHEL PARK – Three-pointers are more than just an average grade at Bethel Park. They will mean success for the football team this season.

“Unity, continuity and consistency will be the most important things,” said head coach Phil Peckich.

Although the Black Hawks qualified for the WPIAL playoffs last year, Peckish’s first season at the helm was not a successful one. Bethel Park posted a record of 4-7.

“We had ups and downs,” Peckich admitted. “The most important thing is that we know how inconsistent we were last year. In the first year, you learn as you go. We had problems with continuity in day-to-day operations. There was a lot of inconsistency on the part of the coaches and players because they were young and inexperienced. Growing pains. We’ve addressed some of those issues.”

“With players a year older and more developed and more experienced, we can really talk about goals. We know we’re playing in a well-coached and talented league, and we know we have to show up and be ready.”

Peckich has prepared the Black Hawks to compete for the conference championship, as they start nine offensive players and 10 defensive players. He expects defending WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Peters Township and archrival Upper St. Clair to be the toughest opponents.

“TJ (Plack) is doing a great job there in Peters Township and they’re bringing back a lot of players. Obviously, they’re the defending champions, which makes them one of our toughest opponents, but USC is our main rival. When we talk about goals, we talk about the first being to beat St. Clair and the second being to win a conference championship. Those are our goals and expectations.

“However, we are process-oriented. We go week by week. In training, we first compete against ourselves. Then in game week it’s about preparing for the opponent. We work hard and get better.

“We’re not letting our expectations drop,” he continued. “We have high goals. With the number of players returning, we have an experienced group to achieve that.”

BP’s experience begins with a trio of players who have been freshmen since joining the varsity team.

Clancy Orie is the anchor on both sides of the line. The 6’3″, 250-pound senior is a freshman from the Naval Academy and an all-state defensive end. As a tight end on offense, Orie recorded 65 tackles and five sacks as well as 18 quarterback hurries for the team last fall.

“He’s really honed his craft. His strength is his quick reaction off the ball and he’s worked really hard to improve his ability to catch the ball,” Peckich said. “We expect him to have a big impact. Getting a great year out of him is critical.”

Multi-purpose back Ryan Petras and quarterback Tanner Pfeuffer are expected to have outstanding seasons. Both are seniors.

Petras was the conference’s offensive MVP two years in a row. Last year, he caught 52 passes for 734 yards and ran for 409 yards on 53 carries. He scored 14 touchdowns.

Petras, who committed to baseball as a sophomore, has several football offers.

Petras, who was named All-State in football and baseball, is also back as a starter in the defensive secondary.

“Ryan is a great player. A great athlete,” Peckich said. “He’s a position player on offense and we use him to meet our needs on defense. He has great speed, is a vocal leader and is a smart player. He continues to grow. His best years are still ahead of him.”

Pfeuffer hasn’t even reached the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his quarterbacking skills. Last year, he threw for 1,888 yards and 21 touchdowns.

“Tanner has a ton of experience and leadership qualities,” Peckich said. “The biggest problem is that people underestimate his athleticism. He has a tremendous competitive spirit. You have to be an alpha to excel at this position and in this sport.”

BP has two reliable backups for Pfeuffer in Evan Devine and Brady Bruckner. Bruckner plays defensive back and will be used as a wide receiver alongside veterans Jack Bruckner and Mitch Paschl. Kahanuola Kuewa and Santino Nowozeniuk are also targets for Pfeuffer.

JaVaughn Morre and David Dennison return as running backs. William Sabatos also brings experience to that position.

In the O-line, BP returns three starters: Santino LaMolinare and Frank O’Mara at tackle and Hunter Goelz at center. Bryan McGuire and Nate Purcell competed for the guard spots along with Denzel Meyers and Gavin Baluh.

Orie, Meyers, Jovian Smith and McGuire return to the D-line. Purcell and a host of other players provide BP depth.

The Black Hawks also show depth in the secondary with Petras, Dennison, Bruckner, Kuewa, Moore, Sabatos and Jeremy Whitling.

Christian Davis is the only veteran at linebacker, but BP is excited about the talents of Charles Simmons and Tim Ondo.

“We expect big things from them,” Peckich said. “We’re excited about our D-backs and linemen, but we weren’t productive at linebacker last year, so the changes we made are good. We have guys who have done their dues and are ready to play.”