Pottsville's JuJu Bainbridge looks for running room during a Schuylkill/Colonial Red Division game against Lehighton at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Danie Mae Photography)

Pottsville Area simply ran out of time before last season began. Hired in March 2024, head coach Mike Brennan and his staff did all they could to close the gap as the days slipped away during a too-short offseason. The Crimson Tide won some battles but got pushed around in some others, the size and strength deficit painfully obvious in a few losses.

They had some great highs — like victories over Blue Mountain and Allentown Central Catholic. And they had some crushing lows — like last-second losses to Tamaqua and finally to Southern Lehigh in the District 11 Class 4A semifinals — that left Pottsville with a 6-6 season.

“Even though things didn’t work out exactly like we wanted them to, we certainly took a step in the right direction,’’ Brennan said.

The next step was obvious — get to work in the weight room. That process began in earnest last December and continues to today and beyond. The progress showed up when the Tide won the strength competition and placed third overall at the Schuylkill United Way High School Football Challenge in June at North Schuylkill High School. The host Spartans and Blue Mountain finished 1-2 in the 14-team event.

 “We’ll physically look different,’’ Brennan said. “More developed, thicker in the lower half. We’ll continue to lift throughout the season.’’

Now, in Year 2 under Brennan, Pottsville’s players and coaches know the expectations of each other, how things are to be done, how everything should look. Last season’s newness and uncertainty has been replaced by confidence, respectful confidence.

At Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Media Day on July 30, the t102sportsnow.com staff asked each head coach to break down his squad. Here are some of the responses and other assessments as Pottsville prepares to open the season Friday, Aug. 22, at home against Shamokin Area.

3 key players

JuJu Bainbridge (sr., RB-LB)

Andrew Allen (jr., QB-DB)

Logan Kessler (sr., OL-DL)

Pottsville went into last season searching for a starting quarterback and a featured running back.

The Tide found both, and they both return this season. Allen took over the signal-calling duties and completed 134-of-227 passes for 1,814 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He looks to take his game to another level in Year 2 in the offense.

Meanwhile, Bainbridge darted, glided and powered his way to 1,128 yards and 16 TDs on 200 carries. He displays great vision and decision-making on his runs, and tackling the visibly stronger 195-pounder with a full head of steam won’t be easy.

Kessler, a 6-foot-2, 240-pounder, is one of three returning starters up front at tackle, along with senior bookend tackle Cole Cesari (6-1, 265). Senior Brody Baddick (6-0, 235) returns at center to give the skill players time and space to do their work. Senior Jacoby Hay and junior Eli Accardi are working at guard. 

3 key newcomers

Brody Eroh (jr., RB-LB)

Nick Huda (jr., WR-DB)

Donovann Durham (jr., WR-DB)

Three members of the Tide’s 19-man junior class will look to make their marks at the varsity level.

Eroh will fill one of the outside linebacker spots opposite Bainbridge or junior Max Clews, who could shift to the defensive line. Eroh is also the No. 2 running back and could spell Bainbridge with some carries.

Huda will compete for time as a slot receiver and as a cornerback on defense.

Durham, a 6-1, 180-pounder, came on toward the end of last season with a pair of catches in the District 11 Class 4A playoff win over Allentown Central Catholic. He could also see time at cornerback.

3 key losses

Tsirell Curry (WR-DB)

Brayden Evans (LB)

Tahlil Flucker-White (DL)

Curry became Pottsville’s big-play threat in the passing game last season, finishing with 45 receptions for 840 yards and six TDs. He will be tough to replace.

Likewise, Evans and his 114 tackles leave a huge hole at linebacker after emerging to earn a spot on the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Class 4A All-State Team.

Flucker-White flashed by disrupting plays and making big stops up front, compiling 67 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss.

Others to watch

Senior wide receiver Christian Alvarez (23-324) is the top returning pass-catcher for the Tide and will be looked upon to lead that position group.

Senior linebacker Brody Herndon leads a defense that could have seven new starters this season. Herndon made 70 tackles a year ago.

“Brody Herndon is the glue that holds it together,’’ Brennan said.

Junior safety Shay Strencosky displayed great ball skills a year ago to rank third in the area with five interceptions. Cesari is back at nose guard, too. 

Raising the bar

Talking about last season’s tough losses and the Tide’s 1-2 record against its Schuylkill County rivals, Brennan didn’t mince words.

“It’s not good enough,’’ he said flatly.

The physical growth is one part of the foundation Pottsville needs to get where it wants to go. Another is a competitive, aggressive drive mixed with buttoned-up, precise execution when it matters most.

For example, when the Tide need a defensive stop in the fourth quarter to preserve a lead or convert on third-and-2 to get a first down to run out the clock, they’re more equipped to make the decisive play.

“Last year we weren’t quite sure. … This year we’re going to be a more aggressive football team and a much more confident football team,’’ Brennan said. “We are closer to having the ability to achieve our goals.

“We’ll win more of those 1-on-1 battles because we’re a little more mature, tougher, and the expectation level has increased,’’ the coach added. “We still have to go out there and do it.’’ 

Special specialists

Pottsville should be excellent in the kicking game with the return of placekickers Allen (16-of-18 extra points, 3-of-4 field goals) and Alvarez (15-of-18 extra points). Allen is also the punter.

Long snappers Eroh and Herndon are back as well as punt returner Huda.

Special teams often make the difference in close games, and the Tide should be equal to or better than most opponents in this part of the game.

Murderer’s Row

Pottsville’s schedule is filled with powerhouses. Start with Week 1, when the Crimson Tide host Shamokin Area, ranked No. 7 in Class 4A in the Pennlive.com state poll. Southern Lehigh, No. 2 in Class 4A; and defending state champion Northwestern Lehigh, No. 1 in Class 3A, are league opponents. So are North Schuylkill, Blue Mountain and Lehighton, among others, meaning Pottsville will have to be on its game every week.

Even the Tide’s scrimmage against Mount Carmel features a Red Tornadoes squad that ranks No. 6 in the Class 3A poll. 

Bottom line

Pottsville should be better this season. In many areas. Whether that translates into more victories and a deeper playoff run remains to be seen.

The Tide still won’t be considered a “big’’ football team, but they will be significantly stronger across the board than they were last season.

The offense, with eight returning starters, could be explosive, especially with Allen and Bainbridge in their second year as starters and leaders. A few receivers must emerge to improve the passing game and provide the balanced attack Pottsville wants. When teams bring their safeties up to stop the run, Allen and the receivers must make them pay through the air.

The crux of the whole season may rest on how well the Tide play defensively. Can they reload rather than rebuild with a lot of players in their first season as full-time varsity starters? Will some game-wreckers emerge on that side of the ball?

On a roster of 58, including 13 seniors and 19 juniors, Pottsville has the pieces to put a quality football team on the field. Much of the foundation has been laid; now it’s time to build on that.

“We want to be a program that competes for championships every single year,’’ Brennan said. “We don’t think we’re that far off, but the bottom line is we’ve got to come out and compete. If we win more of those situational battles, that should translate into more wins.’’

Pottsville Area Crimson Tide