Loaded with talent, Serra wants state title

By JOSE NEGRON
jnegron@yourmvi.com

The expectations shared by those in the football locker room at Serra Catholic are the same this season: Win a conference title, claim a WPIAL championship and capture a state title.
“We want to go all the way, 16-0 or bust,” Serra Catholic head coach Jose Regus said. “We want to jump in the driver’s seat, drive down the road and take on what we have to take on. We have a lot of confidence heading into the season, but we also want to take it one game at a time and give 100%.”
There’s no need for the Eagles to find any additional motivation heading into the new campaign.
After experiencing what they did last season, this year’s veteran-heavy group is prepared to tackle the new challenges head on.
Serra is coming off a season in which five of its games, including three conference games, were canceled due to COVID-19. The Eagles ended up 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Allegheny Conference play. They advanced to the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals with a win over McGuffey before falling to Sto-Rox, 49-38.
“It was hard keeping the kids focused,” Regus said. “We had a few games we prepared for and then we got to Thursday before being told it was canceled. It was tough, but we pushed through it and kept them ready.”
A talented and experienced group of players are set to return to “The Nest”.
The Eagles’ offense will be led by senior quarterback Max Rocco, who is entering his third season as the starter.
Last season, Rocco threw for more than 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“We’re looking for a lot out of Max this year,” Regus said. “He has the receivers to have a 3,000-yard season if he wants.”
There will be plenty of scoring threats involved in Serra’s passing game, including all-conference senior wide receivers Terrell Booth and Jayvon Campbell-Holt. The duo combined for more than 800 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago.
Other contributors will be seniors Zach Weber and Pharoh Fisher and juniors Daiquan Chatfield and Amire Spencer. Spencer, a transfer from Brentwood, led the Spartans with 17 catches for nearly 300 yards last season, along with six total touchdowns.

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