2024 Football Preview: Marian Catholic Colts

Head Coach: Billy O’Gurek

Assistant Coaches:
JD Hackenberg
Jim McHugh
Charlie Connely
Scott Marek
Rory Dixon
Josh Skotek
Julian Cerullo

Team Name: Marian Catholic Colts

District: District 11

Class: 1A

League: Colonial-Schuylkill League, Division C

2023 Record: 7-5

8/25 Schuylkill Haven (AA) 7:00 pm W 27-0
9/01 Minersville Area (A) 7:00 pm L 39-41
9/08 @ Catasauqua (AA) 6:00 pm L 0-28
9/15 Sayre (A) 7:00 pm W 41-7
9/23 @ Nativity BVM* (A) 7:00 pm W 12-6
9/30 Mahanoy Area* (A) 7:00 pm W 21-13
10/06 @ Shenandoah Valley* (AA) 7:00 pm W 30-0
10/13 Williams Valley* (AA) 7:00 pm L 6-13
10/20 @ Tri-Valley* (A) 7:00 pm L 6-16
10/27 Pine Grove Area (AAA) 7:00 pm W 20-7
11/03 Tri-Valley (A) 7:00 pm W 14-6
11/10 @ Minersville Area (A) 7:00 pm L 12-28

Key Starters Lost:
FB-DE Jesse Rodino
OL-DL James Rodino
QB Bruce Hopeck
WR-DB Brandon Klitsch
WR-DB Nova McGuire
WR-DB Michael Silliman
DB Dylan Zullo

Key Returning Players:
Offense:
TE – Michael Gelatko
RB – Rory Dixon
OL – Aidan Milkovits
OL – Julian Hermany
OL – Mason Soult
OL – Zach Holt

Defense:
DE – Michael Gelatko
DL – Aidan Milkovits
LB – Charlie Hower
LB – Zach Holt
DB – Rory Dixon

Special Teams:
Punter – Michael Gelatko

Offensive Starters Returning:
TE – Michael Gelatko
RB – Rory Dixon
OL – Aidan Milkovits
OL – Julian Hermany
OL – Mason Soult
OL – Zach Holt

Defensive Starters Returning:
DE – Michael Gelatko
DL – Aidan Milkovits
LB – Charlie Hower
LB – Zach Holt
DB – Rory Dixon

Special Team Starters Returning:
Punter – Michael Gelatko

Key Newcomers:
QB Dylan Rodino, sr.
QB-DB Nick Shigo, jr.
QB-WR-DB Matt Spino, jr.
QB-LB Gregory Tirpak, fr.
RB-LB Jah Bushati, jr.
WR-DB Hunter Sartori, jr.
WR-DB Michael Johnson, sr.
WR-DB Tyler Price, fr.
TE-DE Chase Hower, sr.
TE-DE Rocco Griguoli, so.
OL-DL Connor Rehnert, sr.
OL-DL Sam Turrano, sr.

2024 Returning Player Stats:
Michael Gelatko – 23 catches, 381 yds, 1 TD; 80 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT
Rory Dixon – 211 carries, 1,005 yds, 8 TD; 37 tackles, 1 sack
Charlie Hower – 103 tackles, 3 sacks
Aidan Milkovits – 72 tackles, 3 sacks
Zach Holt – 60 tackles, 1 sack
Julian Hermany – 22 tackles
Michael Johnson – 18 tackles
Hunter Sartori – 15 tackles

2024 Outlook:
Offense: Return our leading rusher and receiver from last season, plus four offensive linemen, but need QB to emerge from the group competing to replace graduated starter Bruce Hopeck and to develop additional playmakers who can step up when called upon.

Defense: Return the foundation of successful defense that allowed 13.75 ppg. Gelatko and Milkovits are tough up front & return two starting LBs in Hower & Holt but need someone to develop into more of a playmaker role to replace All-State Rodino Brothers who graduated.

Special Team: Gelatko was All-Area punter. Excited about the addition of jr. Jah Bushati, who has potential to be a threat at place kicker.