Boyertown Area Senior High Football Brings A New Coach and a New Approach to the 2022 Season

by Philip E. Repko*

Head Coach Justin Konnick points to one significant culture change he and his staff hope to cultivate in the Boyertown Football program – one that has already begun, and which harkens back to a time when Coach Konnick was a Boyertown football player himself. That difference-making element is cohesion. 

New to the Boyertown sideline as a head coach this fall, Konnick remembers when Boyertown Midget football implemented the same principles, terms, and attitudes as the Junior High football programs at East and West. The freshmen gridders then brought to the high school a level of confidence and skill that gave players and coaches the advantage of common language and common goals.

Coach Konnick, a 1997 BASH grad, as well as a graduate of West Chester University, is well-known in coaching circles, though in many instances it has been baseball that has been the focus of his coaching expertise. Now Coach Konnick has shifted his entire attention to getting the Boyertown football team ready for their August 26th home opener vs. Upper Perkiomen.

The Bears finished 4-7 in 2021 under former coach TJ Miller, who left after 5 seasons with the Bears, paving the way for Coach Konnick to put on a football cap to go along with the baseball cap he has worn for 12 seasons at Penn State Berks, and the one he has worn with the Legion baseball program for the past two seasons.

The football program began its preparation almost immediately after Coach Konnick was hired. Prospective players - and there are more than thirty with some varsity experience - reported to the weight room for off-season conditioning. Off-season installation also began quickly, as the staff was named and those coaches adopted responsibilities as efficiently as possible.

Konnick will serve as his own Offensive Coordinator, calling plays built upon Wing T principles he learned first in high school. Also on the sidelines will be Defensive Coordinator Troy Lambert who plans to deploy a multiple-front defense that will take advantage of the skills his personnel already possess. Other coaches include Jason Henley, Brendan Dunn, Anthony Fardella, Ryan Schwager, Anthony Balletta, and Jeremy Hetrick.

To foster the cohesion and consistency desired, Coach Konnick will also have Middle School East and West head coaches on the sidelines on Friday nights. Ron Hagen, MS East HC, and Greg Lutz, MS West HC will each get an up-close view of the attitude and commitment the Bears’ staff will be building.

Konnick was careful in naming players to watch for the fall. “The players will all earn their time and assignment once the pads start popping in a week or so,” he explains. That said, the staff is certainly hoping that experienced players will find a way to make significant contributions this fall. In the backfield, Cole Yesavage will bring experience carrying the ball, while Anthony Paranello and Ryan Gehris have taken snaps at QB. Among those competing for time at other skill positions will be Jason Oakes, Cade Sennott, and Gio Daddario.

Offensive linemen with varsity time include Matt Cavalari, Jacob Carney, and Cole Marinello.

Coaches hope previous playing time will help Gavin Chamberlain (LB), Anthony Panarello (LB), Nate Deming DT, Ethan Lutz (DB), and Nick Panarello (DE) serve as important contributors on the defensive side of the ball.

All the coaches have been heartened by the attitude and effort the gridders have brought to the weight room during off-season. Nothing is more important than a tireless work ethic when people and programs are intent on bringing a culture change to a team or program.

Boyertown will compete in the large school Liberty Division of the PAC, along with Spring Ford, Perkiomen Valley, Owen J. Roberts, Methacton, and Norristown. Coach expects that Perk Valley and Spring Ford will continue to be the teams to chase, but collected and concerted effort-- cohesion and consistency-- may well be difference makers for the Boyertown Football program during the Justin Konnick era.

[Players in photos:  #74 Nathan Deming, #12 Anthony Panarello, #64 Nash Conrad, #57 Michael Ricci, #19 Nick Panarello, #62 Cole Marinello]

[To see additional photos, click on center of bottom photo and then scroll left or right.

Photos courtesy of Boyertown Athletics/Sue Begany; Ross Smith, BASD Athletic Leader]

[*Phil Repko is a BASH class of '79 alum and former sports editor of The Cub, BASH's student newspaper.]

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