As the dog days of summer wind down, the Black Hawks are preparing to hit the gridiron for the 97th time in program history.

With 492 program wins, there is great enthusiasm in the locker room that this year’s squad could reach the impressive 500-win milestone under third-year head coach Phil Peckich.

When asked about what the team is doing to prepare for the upcoming season, senior lineman Gavin Baluh said, “We are preparing for the season by making sure that everyone knows the playbook and we don’t mess up anything.”

The Black Hawks are coming off a 2024 campaign, in which they reached the WPIAL semifinals with a 10-3 record, but graduated First-Team All-Conference performers Ja’Vaughn Moore (RB), Ryan Petras (WR), Tanner Pfeuffer (QB), and Clancy Orie (DE). Regardless, the Hawks are planning to reload with a talented group of players and a senior-laden leadership.

A pair of First-Team All-Conference seniors return in tackles Santino Lamolinare and Bryan McGuire, both of whom will anchor the trenches alongside returning starters in junior guards Nate Purcell and Ryan Bergia.

Seniors Gavin Baluh and Zach Hultz will solidify an impressive front line, while senior Jovian Smith and sophomore Nate Cirincione will handle tight end duties.

“Our culture right now is just being able to hit someone that isn’t our teammates because this is where football becomes actually fun, and we aren’t doing these gruesome 14-hour days anymore. But just don’t run past this season because we are trying to continue the excellence that came from last season and win the WPIAL championship,” said Baluh.

The backfield will feature the electrifying David Dennison, a senior tailback, alongside senior Charlie Simmons at fullback, while junior Tyler Miller will also see reps.

“David is poised to have a breakout year,” said freshman lineman John Antonucci.

Senior Evan Devine takes over as the signal caller for the Hawks, and will have a talented trio of junior receivers to throw to in Santino Nowozeniuk, Brady Bruckner and Will Sabatos.

“Evan has a great arm and is very intelligent with the ball in his hands and I’m expecting a big season from him and the whole offense,” said Sabatos.

On the defensive side of the ball, the line will consist of Lamolinare, McGuire, Bergia, Purcell, Cirincione and sophomore Trey Johnson. The linebacking corps will feature Simmons, Dennison, Smith and senior Tim Ondo.

The no-fly zone secondary will feature three-year starting safety Kahanu’ola Kuewa, and First Team All-Conference Safety Sabatos, who will be joined by Nowozeniuk and Bruckner at the corners.

The Hawks open the season with three consecutive home games against Seneca Valley (Aug. 22), Mars (Aug. 29) and Armstrong (Sept. 5), with kickoffs at 7 p.m.