2021 PFN Team Preview: The Avella Eagles @EaglesFootball18 @RyanCecchini @PABackyard
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 7, News
Nate Grella | July 11, 2021
Avella Eagles PFN PAGE
PIAA District 7 – Class A
League: Tri-County South
Head Coach Ryan Cecchini
2020 Season Record 5-3 (5-2)
2021 Schedule
DATE |
OPPONENT |
LOCATION |
TIME/SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08-21 |  @ Cornell (SCR) |
10:00 am | |
| 08-21 |  vs. Bethlehem-Center (SCR) |
Cornell | 10:00 am |
| 08-27 |  @ Mapletown (0-0) * |
7:00 pm | |
| 09-03 |  @ Fort Cherry (0-0) |
7:00 pm | |
| 09-10 |  vs. Burgettstown (0-0) |
7:00 pm | |
| 09-17 |  @ Jefferson-Morgan (0-0) * |
7:00 pm | |
| 09-24 |  vs. West Greene (0-0) * |
7:00 pm | |
| 10-01 |  @ California (0-0) * |
7:00 pm | |
| 10-08 | vs. Mapletown (0-0) * |
7:00 pm | |
| 10-15 |  vs. Bentworth (0-0) * |
7:00 pm | |
| 10-22 |  @ Carmichaels (0-0) * |
7:00 pm | |
| 10-29 |  vs. Monessen (0-0) * |
7:00 pm |
* – denotes league game
(SCR) – denotes scrimmage
2020 RECAP
Avella shocked the region last year by winning 4 of their first 5 games of 2020, more wins than their past 4 seasons combined. Avella made it to the WPIAL quarters before being blown out by the future 1A champion Jayhawks.
OFFENSE
Tanner Terensky led the way for the Eagles as a primary downfield pass catching target for new QB KJ RUSH. Rush returns, however COLE DAVIDSON and BRANDON SAMOL have to make up for Terensky’s lost production. Tyler Cerciello, NOAH MARKLE and AUSTIN OILER led a dynamic backfield that rolled against weaker TCS Teams, and the latter two return. FISCHER and HUMENSKY return from an offensive line that rolled weaker competition, however more will need to prove themselves.
DEFENSE
A talented LB corps return in RUSH and MARKLE, however the Eagles will need to have someone up front emerge with the loss of all-conference Robert West. Fischer and Rankin return in the middle, however Coach Cecchini might utilize more 3-4 and 2 linemen sets to make up for the lack of outsite rushers The secondary looks deeper and more experienced despite the loss of Tanner Terensky.
OVERVIEW
The Avella Eagles outperformed everyone’s expectations in 2020 last season and took advantage of a weakened West Greene and Carmichaels to make the WPIAL playoffs. In 2021, the Eagles are a known commodity. The air raid attack will lend itself as a benefit against a division not normally suited to guard it. With teams across the conference reloading and looking more capable, don’t expect the Eagles to compete for the conference title, but with the expanded playoffs, Avella should and will likely advance to the playoffs. A three game stretch against West Greene, California and Mapletown will make or break the Eagles season and decide whether they will be heading to the big dance, or on the outside looking in.
Key Starters Lost
Robert West
Tanner Terensky
Dylan Gzikowski
Offensive Starters Returning
KJ Rush
Noah Markle
Austin Oiler
Brandon Samol
Harrison Fischer
Brian Humensky
Defensive Starters Returning
KJ Rush
Noah Markle
Harrison Fischer
Brian Humensky
Cole Davidson
Key Newcomers
Matthew Cerciello
Austin Oiler
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