the conference title—they also captured
it last season, after a 43-year drought.
“Coming off our only conference loss
to Moon, our team was able to rebound in
a powerful manner,” says Plack. “We were
able to go on the road to Bethel Park and
Baldwin, winning by a combined score
of 68-7, ensuring us a share of the confer-
ence title with Moon.”
Plack says he contributes the team’s
success to his his players’ ability to lead,
both on and off the field.
“We were fortunate to have quality
young men, both juniors and seniors,
who were able to lead in various man-
ners,” he explains. “Our players are high-
ly competitive, intelligent, coachable, and
physical. You could see that with the way
our defensive unit smothered opponents.
Our offense could finish games running
the ball, and our entire team had the
desire to win and be the toughest team
every week.”
The dedication of Plack’s extended
coaching staff also played a critical role in
the team’s playoff journey.
“We have a great group of men on the
coaching staff who have an innate ability
to relate to our players and build strong
relationships,” he says.
Despite the team having numerous star
players, Plack says the team’s sense of fam-
ily takes precedence.
“I believe [the players] excel because
they are truly not concerned with who
makes the play,” he says. “Everyone
does an unbelievable job of supporting
each other. It is absolutely refreshing to
see, and something that a coach cannot
manufacture.”
One of those star players is senior Josh
Casilli, who has played as a wide receiver,
quarterback, and defensive back. He says
that the team felt the weightiness of the
championship game on their shoulders
when they walked onto the field.
“I think the experience we have had
from previous years and knowing what it
feels like to be so close is what ultimately
drove us,” says Casilli, 18, the team’s cap-
tain. “We wanted to get back to where we
were the previous year. We had a very
special bond with each other, from the
seniors all the way down to the freshman.
We all played for the guy next to us.”
And that single loss to Moon, which
marred their perfect regular season?
Casilli says it’s what drove the team to
work even harder.
“Losing to Moon during the regular
season causing a complete shift in fo-
cus, propelling us into our postseason
run,” he says.
Now that the team has had time to
process their first-every championship
title game, they’re looking forward to next
season. Each year, Plack says he’s faced
with new challenges—such as having to
replace all five offensive linemen at the
start of this past season.
“Next season, it will be replacing some
of the best high school football players
I’ve ever had the opportunity to work
with. The cupboard is not bare, and the
team may look different, but we will still
preach consistency, being coachable,
toughness, caring, and compete, com-
pete, compete,” he says. n
PETERS TOWNSHIP
❘
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020
53