While both the Quad North and Quad East have similar looks with the addition of only one team, the Quad South and Quad West were forced to do something we have all done battling construction this summer…merge.

With five team dropping to Class AAA this offseason, the two smaller school conferences in Class AAAA were forced into one, the new Quad Southwest Conference.

GATEWAY:

There is little argument that the cream of the new Southwest crop is last season’s South Conference champion, the Gateway Gators.

In 2003, the Gators went 8-1 in the regular season and were one of the favorites to make it to the finals. However a 30-27 loss to North Hills in the Quarterfinals dashed the Gators title hopes.

While Gateway will feel the sting initially of the losses of such standouts such as Mortty Ivy, Jai Wilson, Eric Wofford and Corey Sattler, head coach Terry Smith’s cupboard is hardly bare.

Now in his third season as head coach of his alma-mater, Smith has one of the crown jewel’s to turn to offensively in senior running back Justin King.

The 6’0 185-pound running back/defensive back is not only one of the top players in the WPIAL, but King is being heavily recruited with 50 scholarship offers from schools across the country. Some scouting services have him ranked among the top 10 in the country.

Last year, King, who has been timed in the 40 at 4.3 seconds, rushed for 1,763 yards while scoring 31 touchdowns.

“He’s a leader,” said Smith who doubles as Justin’s coach and stepfather. “He’s not a very vocal guy, but he works hard than anybody out on that field. There’s a reason he is as good as he is, he treats every practice like it’s a Friday night.”

King isn't the only valuable piece of the puzzle back for the Gators.

Junior Aaron Smith will move over from receiver to Quarterback while sophomore John Ditto is expected to take over at wide out.

There are a total of 11 returning starters, including the linebacker foursome of Dan Lohyde (6’2, 220), 2003 leading tackler Mike Barlak (6’2, 212), Justin Colbaugh (5’10, 198) and Ryan Kwiatkowski (6’2, 230).

FOX CHAPEL:

Now in his fourth season, head coach Todd Massack hopes the Foxes can take a step forward this season after taking one back last year.

In 2002, Fox Chapel finished 6-3 and made the playoffs. Last year however, the Foxes struggled, finishing tied for last place in the Quad West with a 1-9 overall mark.

The Foxes return 8 starters from last year, including 6’2, 215-pound Tight End and Linebacker Richard Weiland.

Also back is Receiver Ed Dannenlueller (5’11, 155) and Running Back Paul DeLuca (5’9, 170).

Up front, Fox Chapel will rely on the likes of Jim Stewart (6’1, 200), Brad DeHart (6’3, 235) and Jim Sellers (6’3, 265)

One newcomer the Foxes will rely heavily on will be junior Quarterback Mark Covelli (6’1, 185).

KISKI AREA:

For the first time in several years, there won’t be a McKillop wreaking havoc for the Cavaliers against Kiski Area opponents.

Gone are Chris McKillop (Class of 02) and Scott McKillop (Class of 03) after playing a large part in recent success enjoyed by the Cavaliers. In the past three years, Dave Grimm’s Cavs have amassed a record of 19-10 with three straight postseason appearances.

Many people feel this year’s team will make it four straight.

Kiski Area will be led by junior Quarterback Mychal Skinner (6’2, 192) who takes over for the multi-dimensional Adam Gunn.

LATROBE:

The post Ryan Flynn era begins for the Latrobe Wildcats.

Latrobe was searching for a third straight playoff berth in 2003, and thanks to Flynn, jumped out to a 3-0 start. However 4 straight losses helped knock the 'Cats out of the playoff picture.

However Pat Murray's team ended up winning 2 of the final 3 games to salvage a 5-5 season.

Senior returning starters Nick Wasylik, Rob Mickinak and Andy Stas will be counted on to provide strength along the line.

McKEESPORT:

Year in and year out, one of the team’s you know will contend for a conference title/playoff berth is George Smith’s McKeesport Tigers.

The Tigers will look to a pair of returning starters to lead the offense.

Expect to see Travis McBride run the ball a lot behind the likes of Lawrence Green this season.

On defense, one of the top defensive backs returns as Juan Butler leads the Tigers who hope to improve on 2003.

A year ago, the McKeesport finished 6-3 in the regular season and in third place in the Quad West before falling to eventual champion Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs.

PLUM:

The dean of coaches in the new look Southwest Conference is Plum head man Bill Rometo.

Rometo begins his fourth decade of coaching the Mustangs, 16 of which he has been the head coach at Plum.

After making the playoffs in each of the first two years of this decade, the Mustangs have been postseason spectators the past two years.

However if Plum hopes to take part in this years playoffs, it appears they will have to ride the arm of Quarterback Gino Rometo. The younger Rometo (6’2, 195) threw for over 1,100 yards in 2003.

Also back for the purple attack is split end/defensive back Phil Mains (5’11, 185) along with three big boys up front: Joe Hadley (6’2, 230), Arpan Shah (5’10, 230) and all-conference defensive lineman Matt Kachurik (5’11, 240).

Newcomer Ryan Webb, only a sophomore is expected to handle most of the Mustang ground attack.

TRINITY:

Ed Dalton hopes to turn around the Hillers program…again.

When he first took over at Trinity High School, Dalton helped turn around a dormant program, turning the Hillers into a playoff team in 2000 and 2001.

However they are now distant memories after a 4-6 season in 2002 followed by a 3-7 season last year and a spot with Fox Chapel in the basement of the old Quad West.

Two players who are expected to lead the way if the Hillers are to return to the Class AAAA playoffs are Tight End Mark Faldowski and Defensive Lineman Joe West.

MSA SPORTS NETWORK PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH:

1) Gateway Gators

2) McKeesport Tigers

3) Kiski Area Cavaliers

4) Latrobe Wildcats

5) Trinity Hillers

6) Plum Mustangs

7) Fox Chapel Foxes