2021 PFN Team Preview: The Bentworth Bearcats @BentworthHigh @Drewpetrisek @PABackyard

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 7, News

Nate Grella | July 22, 2021

Bentworth Bearcats PFN PAGE

PIAA District 7 – Class A
League: Tri-County South

Head Coach JJ Knabb

@BentworthHigh

2020 Season Record 3-4

2021 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-21	@ Carlynton (SCR)		10:00 am
08-27	vs. Brownsville (SCR)		4:00 pm
09-03	vs. Waynesburg Central (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-10	@ Frazier (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-17	vs. Monessen (0-0) *		7:00 pm
09-24	@ Carmichaels (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-01	vs. Jefferson-Morgan (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-08	@ West Greene (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-15	@ Avella (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-22	vs. Mapletown (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-29	@ California (0-0) *		7:00 pm

* – denotes league game
(SCR) – denotes scrimmage

2020 RECAP

Bentworth started the season barely getting into the endzone in their first three however finished the season scoring at a clip among the leaders in the conference. Trent Cavanaugh and Owen Petrisek left their mark on a program that they led 1st and 2nd in rushing in school history. The Bearcats won 2 of their last 3, one of the games a swan song for Cavanaugh and Petrisek in an upset against a playoff team in Avella.

OFFENSE

Owen Petrisek and Trent Cavanaugh dominated so much of the offense in the past three season that there will for sure be a learning curve. The line they ran behind lost arguably the two best blockers, however ETHAN LUKETICH, LEACH and HEINRICH return in key areas. The good thing for the Cats is that they figured out who their QB was last year in SETH ADAMS. They will need someone to run the ball, and Owen’s brother DREW PETRISEK looks to be the prime candidate.

DEFENSE 

The Bearcats lose maybe the best LB tandem in the TCS last year and will have to search for their replacements. The defense struggled last season and this year might be that much worse with the dynamic duo graduating.

OVERVIEW

Last season, JJ Knabb took a job as a lunch monitor in order to get participation from the team from 15 to 22. This season, he might have to be a hall monitor and parking attendant to help get more students.  The Bearcats have the benefit of not having to worry about QB, but with an improved TCS this season, the Bearcats won’t have the benefit of getting close wins against inexperienced teams like they did last year. Bentworth has 2 out of conference games to open the season that should give the Bearcats confidence entering conference play, however, 4-6 might be the ceiling on a team that will be desperate for playmakers. Don’t be surprised if the Cats open up with a 4-2 record and lose out the rest of the way.

Key Starters Lost
Trent Cavanaugh
Owen Petrisek

Offensive Starters Returning
Seth Adams
Vitali Daniels
Caleb Peternel
Ethan Luketich
Billy Leach
Ethan Heinrich

Defensive Starters Returning
Cameron McGaw
Billy Leach
Ethan Luketich
Ethan Heinrich
Caleb Peternel

Key Newcomers
Drew Petrisek
Vitali Daniels
Noah Youngblood

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews