TriStateFootball.com

2016 Snapshot: Greensburg

A 1-9 showing in 2014 had Greensburg head coach Scott Moore looking for changes. The Pirates scrapped the 100% commitment running the veer to a more wide open approach. Moore and his squad took to the spread offense as the team went 5-6 last season gaining 3,896 yards with more than 2,000 of that through the air.

Optimism and energy are charging the football programs future as Greensburg has a solid foundation on which to continue the rise of the revised Pirates. “We return all of guys up front and we certainly are expecting those guys to lead the way. We also added another dimension to our offense last year through the air,” Moore says. “This team has the potential to be very good. The offseason and summer will determine what path we will go down.”

Greensburg Pirates

Greensburg Pirates

When the smoke has cleared, there is a good chance we could be looking back at Greensburg as one of the most pleasant surprises of 2016. Building confidence with early season victories could have a snowball effect on soaring confidence for the Pirates. That will make Moore’s troops a bear to deal with.

Class 3A, Sectional 30
2015 RECORD: 5-6, 2-1 in EIAC 3A Division
COACH: Scott Moore (40-41 @ Greensburg, eight years, 40-41 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Dylan Cain, Sr, OL/DL – An All-EIAC 3A o-line performers as a junior, Cain is one of the best down linemen in the conference. He was also in on 5t2 total tackles with two sacks in ’15.

Cody Bauer, Sr – Bauer teams with Cain to make one of the leagues best interiors. He was an All-EIAC 3A offensive line selection as a junior.

OTHER RETURNEES
Sam Slusher, Sr, RB/QB/LB – One of the real workhorses on the Pirates Slusher gets it done on both sides of the ball. He finished last season with 75 total tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries. On offense, Slusher amassed 573 yards from scrimmages (269 rushing, 304 receiving) while finding the end zone seven times.

Zach Pokrzywinski, Sr, WR/DB – The top returning receiver in the EIAC Pokrzywinski had 41 receptions for 633 yards with nine touchdown catches in a breakout junior season.

Tyler Able, Sr, LB – Expect Able to step up and make contributions like you would expect a senior to. He is poised for a big year.

Gavin Amburgey, Sr, DE/OL – Part of the stellar line play for the Pirates Amburgey registered 21 total tackles including three tackles for losses a year ago.

Thomas Stephens, Sr, RB/DB – A healthy Stephens will be a big boost for the Greensburg backdield and secondary.

NEWCOMERS
A cast of inexperienced but talented skill position players has Moore smiling. Junior Taylon Hogg will compete for the starting quarterback position. Sophomore’s Aaron Black and Joey Woods could solidify the ground game for the next three campaigns. For 6-foot-4 senior Trey Vonderheide his role as a receiver could be a prominent and productive one.

Linemen Ian Tressler, Tanner Yonts, Jacob Pitcher along with fullback Skylar Codray will allow Greensburg to absorb blows and administer poundings to the opposition.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(26-31 overall)
Sectional Champions (2) – 2012, 1989

2016 SCHEDULE
The usual suspects are on the list Shelbyville, Jennings and the Pirates seven EIAC rivals. Greensburg will play all three of their EIAC 3A games on the road. If they can pull it off a conference title will be well earned.

STARTING OFF STRONG:
This will be the 20th consecutive season that Greensburg has opened with rival Shelbyville (4A) followed by Jennings County (5A) in Week 2. The Pirates have lost to both of those teams 11 times in the last 19 years putting themselves in a 0-2 hole before the start of EIAC play. Greensburg has only had five winning campaigns in the last 11 years. The Pirates are a combined 8-2 versus Shelbyville and Jennings County in those years.

CLOSSE CALLS:
Seven of Greensburg’s 11 games last fall were decided by eight points or less. The Pirates went 3-4 in those

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply