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2025 SHARPSVILLE BLUE DEVILS PREVIEW

SHARPSVILLE – "Youth is a circumstance you can't do anything about. The trick is to grow up without getting old." - Frank Lloyd Wright.

The 2025 Sharpsville Blue Devils are hoping that the famed architect's quote comes true this year as a sophomore-heavy roster will help pace the Blue Devils this fall. Graduation claimed nine starters on each side of the ball for Sharpsville but a 20-man sophomore class, coupled with a handful of seniors and juniors, will look to keep Sharpsville in contention this year.

"I've been coaching a long time," 30th-year head coach Paul Piccirilli said. "This is the youngest team I've ever had. There's a lot of promise for the future. But for the seniors' benefit, the future is now. As we get better, I'm hoping we can compete.

"The kids understand what's ahead of them, but they think that they can do anything. That's the greatest thing about being a kid."

Sharpsville's Delaware Wing-T offense will feature a pair of letterwinners at the guard positions on the offensive line. Junior Jordan White returns for his third season as a starter at guard while sophomore Roman Massey plugs into the other spot. Massey saw action as a reserve during his rookie season.

Junior Leland McCarrell takes over as the center while senior Journey Cornelius and junior Ryan Bair are set to start at tackle.

Sophomore Luke Adkins has the inside track at tight end while 6-foot-3 sophomore Lincoln Breit will likely start at split end.

In addition to White, Sharpsville's other returning offensive starter can be found in the backfield as sophomore Geno Currie returns for his second season. Currie emerged as a freshman by rushing for 1,014 yards and a team-leading 19 touchdowns. The 215-pounder also caught six passes in 2024.

"Geno is a moose," Piccirilli said. "He has good leverage, he keeps his balance, he runs low to the ground and he keeps his legs moving. Being only a sophomore, he has a great future ahead of him. He might be carrying the ball more than we want him to, but I hope he gets 20 to 25 carries a game."

Senior Will Vogan and junior Caleb Koncar are penciled in as the halfbacks in the three-back attack. Vogan had eight carries last season as a part-time starter on offense. Sophomore Brady Gerlach takes over as the starting quarterback after seeing limited action in 2024.

Defensively, Sharpsville will feature Massey and White at defensive tackle. Bair and sophomore Tom McNutt take over at the end positions. Adkins and junior letterman Brennon Huffman are the inside linebackers. Currie could also see time at linebacker after earning All-Region 1 Second Team distinction last year.

Senior letterman Michael McClearn and Breit will be the cornerbacks. Koncar and Vogan are at safety while sophomore Landen Hassel will play the "Monster" position.

Sophomore Finn Leary takes over as the kicker. Vogan will punt.

"A lot of these guys didn't play a lot last year because we had nine seniors on offense and roughly nine on defense that started," Piccirilli said. "That's our biggest problem, getting these guys to understand what we're doing. Offensively, we're taking it slow until they comprehend what they need to do.

"The kids are enthusiastic, so we'll keep it simple and then add on."

Sharpsville went 8-4 last year and advanced to the District 10 Class 2A title game. The Blue Devils will again compete in Region 1, along with D-10 Class 2A champion Farrell, District 10 Class 1A champion Wilmington, D-10 semifinalist Reynolds and Class 2A Mercer. Sharpsville's non-conference schedule features games with Class 3A foes Girard and Slippery Rock, along with Mercer County rivals Greenville and Lakeview.