Serra headed in right direction

It has been in small increments, but Serra Catholic has improved its win total since hiring Tony St. Angelo as its head coach in 2013.

In 2013, the Eagles’ lone win came on a forfeit. Serra Catholic won its first game played under St. Angelo in its season finale in 2014 against Wilkinsburg.

The Eagles bumped that total up to three wins a year ago and are off to their best start under St. Angelo in 2016. Serra Catholic currently sits at 2-1 overall and 0-1 in Class 1A Three Rivers Conference.

“I think we made some progress,” St. Angelo said. “The kids are playing more as a team. That is the difference so far. Different kids are stepping up each game. The kids have stuck together.

“Last year, we were a young group. We are a year older. Last week we showed how to face adversity where we would not do that last year.”

Down, 20-19, entering the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Evan Hornick threw his third touchdown of the game and second to JaQuae Jackson for the goahead score in the Eagles’ 25-20 win at home against South Side Beaver. Also having a big game for the Eagles was sophomore running back Khalil Smith with 153 rushing yards.

“Those three have been doing a great job,” St. Angelo said. “We share the ball around. I try to be more balanced every year. When it is your day, it is your day. When it is not, then you do your part.

“We had to adjust on the fly a few times. Sometimes the play dictates adjustments. Every time we go into the game, we like to be 50-50.”

Serra Catholic may benefit from moving into a new conference and out of the same one as Clairton, Jeannette and Greensburg Central Catholic. However, playing against the best teams in Class 1A has prepared the young Eagles squad to step up their game.

“We faced a lot of Class A teams like we were so it hasn’t been much of a difference yet,” St. Angelo said about his new conference. “We will see a difference in numbers against some of the teams later in the season.”

The difference may be evident in two weeks in the Eagles’ non-conference matchup with Class 3A Seton-LaSalle. For now, the Eagles will turn all their focus to their second conference game of the season tonight as they travel to Avonworth.

“We just have to practice hard,” St. Angelo said. “We have to control what we can control. I think we have done well this year just worrying about us. We need to focus on what we are doing, too.

“We just take it one game at a time and keep competing. Our major goal is to get into the playoffs.”