NWPASports.com

2024 MERCER MUSTANGS PREVIEW

MERCER – A new classification, a new co-op agreement with Commodore Perry and a remade region are a few of the headlines for the Mercer Mustangs entering the 2024 season.

Mercer moved up to Class 2A for this current two-year cycle. The agreement with neighboring Commodore Perry has brought nine athletes into the varsity program, which boosts the roster to 35 players.

Longtime local rivals Farrell, Sharpsville and Wilmington have returned to the league schedule as part of Region 1. Mercer will also play Kennedy Catholic and Reynolds in conference play this fall.

“Camp has been good. We’ve had a good summer and a good camp. The kids are doing well and working hard,” Mercer head coach Jeff Lockard said. “I think that the big thing for us is that this team has to find a new identity. We’re on a good, positive track for that. Once we find that, I think we will be in good shape.”

Four veterans return on the offensive line for the Mustangs. Junior Derrick King returns at tackle while senior Anthony Allen, senior Tyeler Bidlack and junior Myron Glaros have all started at guard.  Mercer also welcomes senior William Guy, who started for Lakeview in 2023 as part of Commodore Perry’s previous co-op agreement. Sophomore Matthew Chess, another Commodore Perry student, is also in the offensive line mix, according to Lockard.

“We have a good nucleus up front,” Lockard said. “That makes things a little easier.”

Junior quarterback Rider Chiappini returns for his second season as the pilot of Mercer’s Delaware Wing-T offense. He completed 23 of 45 attempts for 303 yards in 11 starts as a sophomore. “I thought Rider got better as the year went on,” Lockard said. “We’re in good shape there.”

Junior fullback Alex Leftheris started during the first half of 2023 and will likely be the starter in the center of the backfield this fall. At halfback, senior Bradie James, junior Parker Puskar and sophomore Owen Algoe are looking to secure starting spots.

Mercer graduated halfbacks Daemyin Mattocks and Carter Addison, who combined for 2,105 yards and 28 rushing touchdowns last season. “You don’t replace the ‘Pony Express,’ but I think these kids are talented enough to pick up the slack and be very competitive,” Lockard said.

Senior Colton Davis returns at tight end while senior Jaheim King, junior Ben Godfrey and sophomore Shane Aites are battling for time at split end. Godfrey led Mercer with nine catches last season.

Allen and Davis are penciled in to start at defensive end while Chess, Guy and Derrick King are the contenders at defensive tackle.

Glaros, Leftheris and Puskar look to hold down linebacker posts. Aites and Algoe have the inside track at cornerback and Jaheim King returns at free safety. Chiappini and Godfrey also saw time in the secondary in 2023.

“I think we have some kids who are battling it out. The best thing is competition in practice and that makes everyone better,” Lockard said. “We’re blessed there. We’re in pretty good shape.”

Davis will kick and punt. Aites is the returning holder while Derrick King returns as snapper.

Mercer opens the season at Class 4A Franklin, then hosts archrival Lakeview in Week Two. Mercer also faces Greenville, Saegertown and Slippery Rock in non-league action.

“We have a pretty competitive schedule,” Lockard said. “We’re excited. I think we can put together a very solid year. We’ll see how the ball bounces. Last year, I think the football gods were on our side a couple of times and you need that in the course of the year. Good teams make some breaks, too.”