Coach has Ford City on a roll

Ford City's football team went undefeated for the first time since 1941 and clinched its third consecutive Allegheny Conference championship this season. The Sabers have won or shared the conference title four out of the past five years.

For the Sabers' accomplishments, Ford City coach John Bartolovic has been named the Leader Times football Coach of the Year.

Ford City finished the season 10-1, losing to Riverside in the WPIAL Class AA quarterfinals. Bartolovic gave his players the credit for the successful season.

"We tell the kids we expect to win," Bartolovic said. "They bought into it, and we have kids who are willing to work in the offseason."

Within six years, Ford City's football program has gone from not being on the radar screen in terms of success to being a perennial contender to win its conference.

"That first (conference title), you kind of thought it was never going to happen," said Bartolovic, who has been at the Sabers' helm for 10 seasons.

Ford City is getting respect around the WPIAL. The Sabers' No. 2 playoff seed this fall was their highest WPIAL playoff seeding ever. Bartolovic deserves a lot of credit, according to senior Carter Haponski.

"He gets us prepared mentally and physically for each game," Haponski said. "He's a great coach, well prepared. We respond and respect that a lot."

On top of being well prepared, Bartolovic teaches the game well, according to senior Doug Bush.

"He knows how to talk to you and motivate you without yelling," Bush said. "He's a great coach, a great teacher and a great game planner, watches films and makes game plans that shut teams down."

One feather missing in Bartolovic's cap is a trip to Heinz Field for the WPIAL championship game and a Class AA title. Bartolovic said he and his coaches are determined to achieve those goals.

"But, our first goal is always to win the conference and make the playoffs," Bartolovic said. "We've been close these past few years."