By: Bill Beckner Jr.


Sunday, February 2, 2025 | 4:14 PM

Youth is a state of mind. So says new Southmoreland football coach Dustin Shoaf, who might know a thing or two about the subject.

Shoaf is one of the youngest head coaches in the state at age 23.

The Yough graduate, who was hired earlier this month, does not want his age or light coaching experience — one year as an assistant at Jeannette — to be the focus.

“I went to (the College Gridiron Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas) with (Jeannette coach) Tom Paulone, and a college coach there said we don’t need more football coaches, we need more leaders,” Shoaf said. “I looked at this as an opportunity. If you’re going to be a head coach, you have to start somewhere.

“Look at FBS (college football). You see a trend of younger coaches. You look at a Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State (who is 34). This is something where I can work with our guys to compete each day and learn about life. I am really excited about what we can do at Southmoreland.”

Twice as nice

With National Signing Day approaching — the traditional one, not the early one that happened in December — local football players are looking to pledge verbal commitments to college programs so they have deals to make official.

Latrobe is giving a team in the Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference a package deal.

The Scarton twins, Anthony and Marco, each committed to IUP, where they hope to play together.

Of course, they would have to do some shuffling. They both are linemen, but Anthony (6-foot-4, 275 pounds) is expected to play on the offensive line in college, while Marco (6-0, 275) was recruited as a defensive lineman.

“Having the opportunity to play alongside my brother means a lot,” Anthony said. “It wasn’t necessarily the plan going into the recruitment process, but it did help make my decision more clear.”

Marco Scarton said once IUP became a dual-option, the siblings could not pass it up.

“We’ve always had a strong bond, and having the opportunity to continue playing together at the next level is something really special,” he said. “(IUP) felt right. The program, the coaching staff, and the atmosphere made it an easy decision. Getting the chance to be on the field together in the PSAC is going to be an incredible experience. We’ve pushed each other our whole lives, and now we get to do it at the college level. I can’t wait to get to work and compete alongside him.”

Devola commits

Franklin Regional standout defensive tackle Andrew Devola committed to Michigan Technological University, a Division II program in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Devola led the Panthers this season with 73 tackles, including 14 for loss, and six sacks.

Bruno, Crnkovic to St. Francis

Norwin lineman Colin Bruno and receiver/defensive back Michael Crnkovic accepted preferred walk-on offers from St. Francis (Pa.) and made a commitment to the Red Flash.

Bruno (6-3, 300) also snagged an offer from Lock Haven, his sixth offer overall. He had a Division I offer from Mercyhurst.

Crnkovic also had offers from Seton Hill and Clarion.

9 offers for Crosby

Greensburg Central Catholic junior Samir Crosby, the Centurions’ big-play quarterback and defensive back, continues to increase his college options.

Sacred Heart and Akron are the latest Division I programs to offer Crosby.

Sacred Heart, which formerly played in the Northeast Conference, is competing as an NCAA FCS independent. Akron is a Mid-American Conference team.

Crosby, who accounted for 2,543 yards of total offense and 38 touchdowns this season, also has offers from the Mountain West Conference, as well as the Ivy and Patriot leagues.

Kerns to Cal

Austin Kerns, a standout linebacker at Franklin Regional who only played eight games last year because of injury, announced a commitment to PSAC member Cal (Pa.).

Kerns (6-0, 215) had 51 tackles, 11 for loss, and five sacks as a senior. He also scored four touchdowns on offense.

Rock solid commitment

Elliot Premus of Southmoreland committed to play at Slippery Rock of the D-II PSAC.

Premus (6-3, 210), a big-play target at receiver and an intimidating pass rusher, had 49 receptions for 886 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, and he added 55 tackles, eight for loss, plus three sacks and two interceptions.

Recruiting

• Norwin football player Evan Archer (6-2, 230), an offensive tackle and defensive end, committed to D-II Clarion of the PSAC.

• A trio of Mt. Pleasant athletes made commitments. Soccer standout Maddie Barrick will play at Pitt-Johnstown, while Aiden Johnson will continue his soccer career at Penn State Greater Allegheny and Kaytlyn Younkin will play basketball at Westmoreland County Community College.

• Akron is the latest Division I program to offer Hempfield two-way lineman Brock Heisler (6-3, 255).

• Latrobe lineman Tim Myers received an offer to play at Edinboro.

• Jarrell Braxton, a lineman from Southmoreland who plays center and defensive tackle, bagged a local offer from Seton Hill.

• Seton Hill also offered Greensburg Central Catholic’s Tucker Lloyd, a running back and outside linebacker.

• Norwin’s Mike Strutt (6-0, 320), a nose tackle, received am offer from Seton Hill.

• The first college offer came in for Lochlan Bresnahan, a junior tight end and linebacker at Franklin Regional. West Liberty likes the speedy Bresnahan (6-2, 210).

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Latrobe, Norwin, Southmoreland