NEW BRIGHTON — New Brighton has had a tough go of things throughout the past two seasons, dropping 20 consecutive games after making it to the WPIAL Class 2A quarterfinals in 2021.
This season, however, John Macuga becomes the program’s second head coach in three seasons, replacing Tony Caltury who took over for the program's all-time wins leader Joe Greco in 2022.
Macuga is a graduate of New Brighton Area School District and this season is looking to start changing the culture within the program to return the team to its winning ways, where it found success in 2021.
Even though the Lions went winless over the past 20 games, the team looks to carry some momentum into the 2024 season after putting together two solid efforts against Riverside and Freedom Area to end the 2023 season.
New Brighton is a young group this season with a slew of underclassmen, but the player who will be leading the charge for the Lions this season will be senior wide receiver Michael Veon.
Last season for the Lions, Veon was the team's top target on the offensive side of the ball, hauling in 47 receptions for 857 yards. Along with the solid receiving numbers as a junior, Veon found the end zone on 12 separate occasions in 2023.
Head coach: John Macuga (First season as head coach)
2023 record: 0-10
Top players lost: None
Top players returning: Michael Veon
Offense: The Lions have a young group on the offensive side of the ball but will be led by receiver Michael Veon, who put together an impressive year last year. If the senior can put up similar numbers once again in 2024 and can have some supporting cast around him, New Brighton can have a shot of stringing together some wins throughout the season.
More: Beaver County Times' 2024 High School football preview
Defense: Defense will be a point of emphasis this season for the Lions after struggling to limit the big plays last season and also could not keep the ball out of the end zone. In eight of the team’s 10 games last season the team allowed over 30 points. Along with his prowess on the offensive side of the ball, Veon will be back defensively as well, which can provide stability in the secondary for the Lions. If New Brighton can limit the big plays on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions can find themselves fighting in games this season.
Classification: 2A
Last WPIAL playoff appearance: 2021
Last WPIAL title: 1994
WPIAL titles: 3
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: New Brighton ushers in new era under graduate John Macuga
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