2021 PFN Team Preview: The Laurel Highlands Mustangs @LHMustangFB @CoachKolesar @RodneyG_3rd @PABackyard

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 7, News

Nate Grella | July 27, 2021

Laurel Highlands Mustangs PFN PAGE

PIAA District 7 – Class AAAA
League: Big 8

Head Coach Rich Kolesar

@CoachKolesar

2020 Season Record 2-5

2021 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-21	vs. University (WV) (SCR)		11:00 am
08-27	@ Connellsville (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-03	vs. Southmoreland (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-10	@ Brownsville (0-0)		7:00 pm
09-17	@ Ringgold (0-0) *		7:00 pm
09-24	vs. West Mifflin (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-01	@ Belle Vernon (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-08	vs. Thomas Jefferson (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-15	vs. McKeesport (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-22	@ Trinity (0-0) *		7:00 pm
10-29	@ Uniontown (0-0) *		7:00 pm

(SCR) – denotes scrimmage

2020 RECAP

Laurel Highlands looked average at times and really bad at times during the 2020 season. The Mustangs were unprepared for the triple option offense that met them with Albert Gallatin, lost a close game at West Mifflin, and scraped out wins against Ringgold and Trinity. The second win might give reason for hope for the 2021 season as it is now year 3 of the RODNEY GALLAGHER show.

OFFENSE

The Mustangs split time between RODNEY GALLAGHER and JOE CHAMBERS at QB last season. Both return so it remains to be seen whether the Mustangs will need Gallagher’s athleticism in other areas. The Mustangs will also be looking for a feature back to pair with either Chambers or Gallagher. A main issue in 2020 was line play, and with a large amount of turnover, expect that to continue.

DEFENSE 

The Mustangs defense played admirably against teams not named Thomas Jefferson or Belle Vernon in 2020. There is enough returning where confidence should be expected. The biggest issue the defense will deal with is youth, as over half of the starters are sophomores or less which will certainly create problem in this top heavy conference.

OVERVIEW

Laurel Highlands has a benefit that most other schools on their schedule have is that they will have the most talented player on the field for ever single game. The only issue is that he is basically it. Laurel Highlands has a fairly easy out of conference schedule and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Mustangs started out the season 5-0 before a road matchup with Belle Vernon at the beginning of October.  The Mustangs showed enough at the end of 2020 to show that they might be on the upswing heading into 2021. If the trenches play average or better ,the Mustangs should be in the extended playoffs. A game at Hiller Field on October 22nd might decide their playoff fates.

Key Starters Lost
Tarrance Thomas

Offensive Starters Returning
Joe Chambers
Rodney Gallagher
Demonte Kiss
Matt Lucas
Kaleb Glebis

Defensive Starters Returning
Jayden Pratt
Danny Carney
Demonte Kiss
Rodney Gallagher
Leland Layhue

Key Newcomers
Brad Smith
Jaiden Tucker
Hunter Kooser

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