A week doesn’t go by without Anthony Brinkley talking to Tim McGorry, Jeff Pukszyn and other members of his coaching brethren. They’ve been where Brinkley is.
Brinkley’s first year as a head coach was an eventful one that ended with Saucon Valley’s loss in the District 11 Class 3A quarterfinals.
There were things he changed or plans to change regarding team meetings, film breakdown, practice schedules, game nights and so much more. He will delegate responsibility more. He also will have a more authoritative voice at times.
It takes years for a coach to feel comfortable with the direction of a program, of the stamp he’s put on it.
Brinkley feels better now, less than two weeks away from the 2024 season opener than he did last year.
“It’s a learning experience for everybody,” he said. “There are highs and lows. Myself, I’m learning a ton about how to be a head coach. The saying goes, ‘You don’t know until you know.’
“There are definitely some things I messed up on and had to adjust. Overall, we have a foundation year to build on. You’re seeing a little bit of change. Schematically, there are some things we will do differently. I’m glad to have a great coaching staff here and mentors I can talk to.”
The players have noticed the adjustments that were made to how things are getting done in the preseason.
“This year has been a lot cleaner, a lot crisper,” senior two-way starter Jack Robertson said. “Just in practice, we’re moving around a lot faster, have a new attitude this year. Everyone’s focused. We’re kind of tired of losing all the time. We’re getting a lot more done than last year.”
Three things to know about the Panthers
1. Quarterback battle since April : Saucon Valley’s starting quarterback will be … determined after Saturday’s scrimmage against Whitehall.
“We have a quarterback competition with Peter Albano and Braden Rohn, a senior and a sophomore,” Brinkley said. “They are two very different quarterbacks who have been battling since April. Both have been great about it. It’s a good problem to have with both doing well. We’ve seen progression in both.”
Albano started a chunk of games last season, throwing for 564 yards and 10 touchdowns. Rohn attempted just one pass in his freshman season but gives the Panthers versatility. If he’s not at quarterback, he will play wide receiver along with seniors Jack Robertson and Andrew Gilbert.
“Braden is definitely quick on his feet,” Robertson said. “He can evade, get out of pocket. He’s a running threat and throws a great ball. Peter is able to stand in the pocket, make reads and throws a very nice ball.”
Robertson had 40 catches last season for 594 yards and nine touchdowns. He also ran for a pair of scores. Fellow senior Jared Rohn, Braden’s brother, returns at running back. The older brother rushed for 794 yards and seven scores in 2023. He also threw for 430 yards and two scores when he shifted to quarterback late in the year.
Gilbert and Shane Kerosetz also had receptions, so whoever starts at quarterback will have weapons to work with.
He also will have a veteran offensive line to provide the skill players a chance to shine. Seniors Joey Griffith, Elijahlee Torres and Caleb Grim plus junior Joe Peterson and sophomore Nick Sheasley give the Panthers the potential to pile up points.
“That group is definitely a strength for us,” Brinkley said. “Our O-line coach Angelo Lucci does a great job with them. They take a lot of pride in being the guys up front who don’t get the credit.”
2. ‘Angry’ defense : Many Panthers will flip flop and start on defense, led by Rohn whose 110 tackles were most on the team last season. Gilbert (98 tackles), senior Josiah Hernandez (62), Grim (55), Griffith (50), Robertson (50) and Kerosetz (37) are other key returnees.
“Defense, in one word, angry,” Robertson said. “We’re an angry defense that is very eager to get on the field. We have nothing to lose, so we’re going to put it all on the line.”
Peterson and Braden Rohn are other contributors to a defense that gave up at least 40 points in five of Saucon Valley’s six losses in 2023.
Some of that can be attributed to turnovers that put the defense in bad positions or put that group on the field without much of a break.
But Brinkley also would like to see the Panthers have better responses to adversity in games, whether it’s a turnover or an early deficit.
“Let’s just keep getting better and then start focusing on opponents,” Brinkley said. “We are focusing on not turning the ball over, staying healthy and battling through adversity. We’re taking it in small pieces.”
Isaiah McNally and Noah Weiss are among those looking to fill in and provide depth on both sides of the ball.
3. Saucon Valley’s 2024 schedule
(at 7 p.m.; home games in CAPS)
Friday, Aug. 23 : at Bangor
Friday, Aug. 30 : at Palisades
Friday, Sept. 6 : PALMERTON
Friday, Sept. 13 : at Notre Dame-GP
Friday, Sept. 20 : WILSON
Friday, Sept. 27 : CATASAUQUA
Friday, Oct. 4 : at Salisbury
Friday, Oct. 11 : PEN ARGYL
Friday, Oct. 18 : SOUTHERN LEHIGH
Friday, Oct. 25 : at Northern Lehigh
Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
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