Steel Valley's 2005 football season started in January -- in the weightroom.
Coach Rusty Firestone installed a new workout regimen in which the team dedicated more time to lifting weights. Firestone believes his players will be able to compete against the stronger teams in the Class AA Century Conference.
"We've struggled at times," Firestone said. "because we were overmatched physically at times. Hopefully, we've corrected that problem."
In the Century, Steel Valley must face South Park (9-2, 7-1), South Fayette (7-3, 6-2) and Seton-La Salle (13-1, 8-0) -- last season's WPIAL Class AA champion. Steel Valley was outscored, 106-31, by those three teams.
Now, with a little more muscle, Steel Valley believes it can cut that margin against those tough conference foes, if it doesn't actually defeat them.
"They have a lot more confidence," Firestone said.
Offensively, they'll be led by senior quarterback Gabe Gerson, going into his fourth year as a starter. In 2004, he completed 74 passes for 915 yards and six touchdowns.
"It's nice to have a field general back," Firestone said. "He's a very intelligent kid, and he manages the offense well. He does a great job."
Firestone explained that Gerson doesn't have the strongest of arms, but he makes smart decisions when he decides to use it.
Gerson, however, will be without running back Luther Harper, who accounted for 738 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns. Gerson will have to rely on a rushing attack that will be manned by several backs. No matter who lines up in the backfield, Firestone knows the offensive line must produce.
"The offensive line will be key to our success, how quickly they gel as a unit," Firestone said.
If Steel Valley's offense can produce, Firestone believes his defense will do a better job than it did last year, when it allowed an average of 32.2 points in its seven losses.
"Lack of offensive output," Firestone said as the reason his defense struggled. "We had too many three and outs. That wears on the kids."
Steel Valley will be more experienced, with several sophomores stepping up from the freshmen team that went 5-2.
"Our freshman had a productive year," Firestone said. "There's a nice core nucleus of sophomores coming up."
With the youth coming up and the experience he has returning, Firestone is excited about his team's prospects.
"What excites me is trying to get ready for our first game against West Mifflin," he said. "It's a tough way to start off our season, against a rival like that. We're looking to kick things off."
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