Nativity's defense gang-tackles Mahanoy Area's Kyler Quick (32) during a game Oct. 4, 2024. (Photo by Justin Reed / Skook News)

When asked what needs to go right for Mahanoy Area to have success this season, first-year head coach Mick Connolly needed just one word to answer:

“Everything!!!’’ he said at Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Media Day on July 30.

When the Golden Bears tee it up for the season opener, Connolly will have been head coach for a grand total of 58 days — less than two months in round numbers. The Mahanoy Area School Board officially hired Connolly as head coach at a meeting June 26, and he went right to work assembling a coaching staff; ramping up the players’ offseason training; learning what kind of skills each player brings to the table; organizing those talents into a framework of a depth chart; and installing the playbook with the new and returning athletes.

Time ran short, and soon heat acclimation week arrived. During the first week in full pads, Connolly put the pieces together as Mahanoy Area’s players competed for starting jobs all over the field.

The initial roster contained just 28 players, but the Bears are working to get more students onto the gridiron.

It won’t be easy, but Connolly said he’s in this for the long haul. After all, the 55-year-old Connolly is Mahanoy City man, born and raised. He’s a 1988 Mahanoy Area High School graduate who played football for legendary head coach Bill Fazio, after whom the field at Alumni Stadium in named.

“We might take our lumps this year, but we’re going to work hard,’’ Connolly said. “We’re going to come around, and we’re going to turn this thing around.’’

At media day, the t102sportsnow.com staff asked each head coach to break down his squad. Here are some of the responses and other assessments as Mahanoy Area prepares to open the season Friday, Aug. 22, at home against Catasauqua.

“It’s super exciting to play on that field and now to be a head coach on that field,’’ Connolly said. “To me, it’s very, very special.’’

3 key players

Kyler Quick (sr., RB-LB)

Owen Ogrodnick (sr., WR-DB)

Ben Lagaza (jr., C-NG)

Quick is the team’s leader on both sides of the ball. A state qualifier in wrestling, the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder is a load to bring down when he carries the ball. Quick got the call 146 times and rushed for 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He averaged a healthy 7.4 yards per carry. Mahanoy Area needs another big season from Quick to put some wins on the board. Quick also will be a major factor on defense from his linebacker spot.

Ogrodnick is another of Mahanoy Area’s nine seniors who will be called upon to provide leadership.

Lagaza, a 6-0, 240-pounder, figures into both the offensive and defensive lines, where Connolly said the key position battles will be held to find capable blockers, run stuffers and pass rushers. 

3 key newcomers

J.D. Kowalchick (fr., QB-DB)

John Redgate (fr. TE-DE)

Stanley Boris (soph., WR-LB)

Kowalchick projects to start the season under center as Mahanoy Area looks to rebuild its program. Freshman quarterbacks usually come with growing pains and learning curves, so putting Kowalchick in positions where he can succeed will be key for the coaching staff.

Redgate, another of those freshmen the Bears will look to, has good size at 6-1, 193, and Boris is an up-and-coming player who will contribute on both sides of the ball.

3 key losses

Levi Terry (QB)

Mike Oblas (WR)

Kyle Pollack (OL-DL)

Terry had a solid senior season as the signal-caller in 2024, rushing for 677 yards and 11 TDs and passing for 511 yards and five TDs.

Oblas quietly had a productive season, scoring seven touchdowns and five two-point conversions for 52 points.

Pollack is a big loss up front, where Mahanoy Area could use more experience and size.

Rising stars

A pair of seniors return with some experience to help the Golden Bears solidify their lineup on defense. Damien Contreras (LB) and Yandel Santos (DB) are among the seniors who will have to play big roles for Mahanoy Area. Senior Josue Quispe will look for time at wide receiver and defensive back.

Junior Braylon Komosinsky should be a factor on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Freshman Quinton Rucker brings a versatile skill set to the table as he’s listed as a quarterback, wingback, linebacker and cornerback. Expect him to find a spot somewhere in the lineup.

Bottom line

Connolly and the Golden Bears have their work cut out for them. There’s no way around it. The late start and virtual lack of an offseason program will be difficult to overcome. So will low numbers.

On the plus side, Connolly got to know many of the freshmen and sophomores on this year’s varsity team when he spent the past two seasons as the junior high head coach at Mahanoy Area. That familiarity — the coach with the players and the players with the coach — should help in the transition to a third head coach in as many seasons at the varsity level.

“When I moved up to the seventh and eighth grade, we had huge success,’’ Connolly said. “I’ve seen these kids develop, and I want to continue to see these kids develop.

“We will be a very young, inexperienced team,’’ he added, “working hard to get better every day within a dominant league.’’

Mahanoy Area Golden Bears