From:

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.

Fox Chapel senior offensive tackle Blake Kuhn believes the Foxes have put in a lot of work to end a long losing streak, but to put in the time and effort to build something bigger, Fox Chapel needs wins.

The Foxes last won a game in 2021 when they defeated Upper St. Clair in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs, and have lost 21 games in a row since then.

“The last two years we haven’t been successful at all,” Kuhn said. “A lot of the kids who weren’t there when we won last time need to see a win to make all the hard work we’ve done over the last few years mean something. We’ve accomplished so much, but we don’t have much to show for it. I wish people could see what we’re doing and that it’s going to be different this year.”

The Foxes open the season with a non-conference home game against Allderdice. Fox Chapel begins Northeast Conference play on September 13 when it hosts defending champion Penn Hills.

The Foxes are still improving their offense. Max Melocchi and Joey Geller will be tasked with leading Fox Chapel’s Wing-T attack as quarterbacks. Both players were used heavily last season as the Foxes were forced to use four quarterbacks due to injuries.

“They both had their moments,” Fox Chapel coach Dave Leasure said. “They both did well in 7-on-7. They’ll both play until one pulls away from the other.”

The Foxes will bring back their second-best receiver from last season, Lincoln Burgess. Victor Nernberg will play a key role at running back. Anthony Forquet will also be asked to contribute in the backfield.

Thomas Billings will give the Foxes another option in the passing game when he moves from tackle to tight end.

D’Angelo Hamilton will anchor the defensive line. Nernberg will also be asked to play linebacker, while Burgess will help out in the defensive backfield.

Fox Chapel will also have a new addition on special teams. Kicker/punter Harran Zureikat transferred to the program from Shady Side Academy. He has drawn interest from Division I schools and Leasure said he will help out on kickoffs and punts.

“Having a kicker of his caliber will be a big help,” Leisure said. “Not only on extra points and field goals, but when everyone gets the ball into the end zone on kickoffs, the opponent can’t return it and has to start from their own 20-yard line. He’s got a cannon leg. He can kick 60-yard field goals.”

Kris Bandurski, a senior offensive/defensive tackle, said there is a group at Fox Chapel dedicated to the sport.

“The group we have now is something special,” said Bandurski. “Everyone comes and wants to be part of it.”

Fox Chapel

Trainer: Dave Leasure

Record 2023: 0-10, 0-5 in Class 5A Northeast Conference

All-time record: 226-383-8

TIME SCHEDULE

Date, opponent, time

8.23 Allderdice, 7

8.30 a.m. at Baldwin, 7

9.6 Bone, 7

9.13 Penn Hills*, 7

9.20 a.m. in North Hills*, 7

9.27 a.m. in Pine-Richland*, 7

10.4 Franklin Regional, 7

10.11 at Plum*, 7

10.18 am at Shaler*, 7

10:25 a.m. East Allegheny, 7

* Conference game

STATISTICAL GUIDES

Pass: Max Melocchi

24-52, 376 yards, 1 touchdown

Rush: Adrian Valdez

56-196 yards, 1 TD

Reception: Tyrese Samuels*

17-189 yards, 1 TD

*Completed

BRIEF INFORMATION

• Fox Chapel’s season opener against Allderdice will be its first this century against a non-WPIAL school.

• The Foxes suffered five clean sheets defeats last season.

• Fox Chapel last had a successful season in 2017.

• Fox Chapel will open the season with three consecutive non-league games.

Tags: Fox Chapel