BEES CELEBRATE 2015 CAMPAIGN
By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer
Monday night, November 23, 2015
RICHFIELD – The memories of a season well-played. The recollection of so many days spent together. The lifting. The practices. Game night. Coaches. The good times. That’s what high school football is all about. And it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helps turn boys into young men like no other.
That well-crafted product was on display yesterday evening here at the Days Inn & Suites as the Bees and their families gathered with their coaches for one final get together.
The Brecksville-Broadview Heights football program saluted its players at its annual post-season banquet. It was the perfect ending to a fine 7-3 season.
Brecksville went 4-3 in its first year in the Suburban League National Division. The Bees were in good company as their three losses were to playoff teams; Nordonia, Stow-Munroe Falls and Hudson. The Knights were an first-round post-season exit however the Bulldogs (Division I) and Explorers (Division II) continue their outstanding seasons as both advanced to a state semi-final game.
The Bees were in good company last night because they were with each other. A more classy group of young men you won’t know. First class. That’s they way this program operates.
The atmosphere was light and casual. The food was good. And by the time the house lights were dimmed for the traditional highlight film, which capped the event, you could walk away proud to know what “Playing Like a Bee” really means.
Head coach Jason Black served as master of ceremonies. His style is keeping things moving right along. And they did until oft-quoted defensive coordinator John Shirilla got a hold of the microphone. But what would you expect from an Italian fella who hails from the South Side of Youngstown?
Brecksville’s freshmen, sophomores and juniors were recognized. But the night belonged to the twelve senior members of the squad. The guys who were the glue that held things together, literally, when the injury bug visited the Bee Hive way to often this fall.
Heart and Soul
Coach Black spoke of a pair of seniors that were the heart and soul of the 2015 Bees in Tyler Tupa and Danny Shirilla. Wasn’t it just yesterday these two were standing next to me on the sideline as ball boys?
Tupa and Shirilla were chomping at the bit back then, waiting for their chance to wear the red and gold under Friday nights bright lights. When the time came both produced in big time ways.
Shirilla, a captain, started 33 varsity games. He earned all-conference honors in both the Southwestern Conference a year ago as well as in the Suburban League this fall. Danny, who played several positions and all of them well, naturally assumed the quarterback position when junior Luke Strnad was injured in the second quarter of the week six game against Nordonia. A week later Shirilla engineered a victory over arch rival North Royalton as the Bees claimed the Golden Shoe for the fourth time in five years.
“Danny is a great leader of our football team,” said Black. “His amazing performance in his Senior Night game when he threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns against Stow will forever cement his legacy as a Bee.”
Captain Tyler Tupa was a three-time all-league selection. The wide receiver/defensive back was also an all-district and all-state honoree. Tupa, who will play at Ohio University next year, caught 37 passes for 768 yards and eight touchdowns in an abbreviated season. Fittingly he scored the games only touchdown in the contest for the Golden Shoe. Tupa, with a sense of humor, recalled his long walk home from North Royalton with Coach Black his freshmen year. But fans of his and the program will recall his relentless pursuit of excellence on the gridiron and his climb to the number two spot on the programs total career points board with 232. Coach Black mentioned a bruising run Tupa had against NORO. It was a play I won’t soon forget either. “Tyler is a tough, physical play maker,” Black said.
Defensive Side of The Ball
P.J. Austin transferred back to Brecksville from Holy Name. He decided to play football again his senior year. And his coaches and teammates, as well as P.J. himself, are glad he did. “His attitude and play on the field earned him a spot,” John Shirilla said in his talk about Austin.
Pound-for-pound you won’t come across a tougher hombre on the field, or a higher quality individual off it. Niall Lewison, also a captain, was a joy to watch play. His nose for the ball was perfectly suited for the position he played. The star position is a hybrid between a DB and linebacker in Shirilla’s scheme. “Niall was the cornerstone of our defense. He was a two-time all-conference player. Niall is a tough, hard-nosed kid. And old-school type of player. In his career he had 206 total tackles. And this past season Niall had 18 tackles for a loss.”
Dee Line Was Fine
Assistant coach Mike Glaser introduced Bobby Gladding, Andy Siegman and captain Ryder Seballos.
Gladding was injured the past two seasons however he was a big part of this group and the fabric which made this senior class one to remember. “Bobby did whatever he could to help his team and support his teammates,” Glaser said.
Big Andy Siegman became a force this fall. The 6-4, 230-pound two-way tackle spent quality time in the weight room and became a heck of a football player. “Andy was extremely receptive to coaching and was a beast in the weight room,” said Glaser. “He got better every week.”
“Ryder Seballos was a leader on the field as he is in the classroom,” Glaser said of the teams high-motor, lightning-quick, undersized defensive end. Seballos, whose personality can illuminate a stadium, missed several games after suffering a shoulder injury. He may have not been on the field during those weeks that felt like an eternity to him, but his leadership was always present.
Pride and Skill
Josh Underwood was the Bees running back. And boy did he become a good one this season. Josh lost the better part of his junior campaign due to an ankle injury. He made up for it this year which was his plan all along. “Josh matured into a terrific back. He ran with power as a senior averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He ‘pounded the rock’ as we like to say. It was great to see him get into the end zone for the first time in his career early in the season. And his 200 plus yard game at Wadsworth was a big factor in us winning there,” said assistant Jason Simonetti.
The multi-dimensional Zach Venesile is another young man who had what started out to be a promising season cut short due to injury. Venesile, a high-level student in the classroom, played at least five positions. That’s how valuable he was. So when he was injured the ripple effect, just as with Strnad’s injury, came into play. “Zach is truly a player who gave everything he had in every situation. He exemplified what it means to ‘Play Like a Bee’,” Simonetti said.
Interior Linemen
Kurt Walcutt, who was in his first season as a varsity assistant, called up Dean Campbell, Nick Sokolowski and Eddie Sternad. All three are linemen.
You never forget your last high school football game. Campbell saved his best for last when he recovered a fumble on the first play of the second half at Hudson that breathed life into the Bees dimming playoff hopes. “Dean is a hard worker. And the kind of kid every team needs,” Walcutt said.
Nick Sokolowski was a first-team all-league performer at tackle. Soko was a three-year starter and an impact player because of his size, athleticism and intensity on the field. Off the field he is an outgoing guy who is quick to flash a smile and shake your hand. Soko will make a good fireman some day. And at Brunswick he may have extinguished his first fire as his last play sack of the Blue Devils quarterback solidified an impressive road win for BBHHS. Sokolowski racked up 64 tackles and nine of them were for a loss. He added five sacks to his resume. “Sometimes Nick marches to the beat of his own drum,” said Walcutt. “But he gave one-hundred percent on every play on Friday night.”
Eddie Sternad is a brawler. The kind of guy who likes to get low to the ground and battle in the trenches. You can usually see him in the middle of the action as a nose tackle mixing it up with the big bodies inside. An ultimate competitor Sternad had a never-say-die attitude. His leadership was contagious on the sideline. “Eddie anchored the middle of our defensive line. He had 48 tackles and made second team all-conference,” Walcutt said.
2015 BEES TEAM AWARDS:
Co-Most Valuable Players … Danny Shirilla and Tyler Tupa.
Defensive MVP … Niall Lewison.
Co-Offensive MVP’s … Luke Strnad and Josh Underwood.
Most Valuable Defensive Lineman … Victor Bierman.
Most Valuable Offensive Lineman … Nick Sokolowski.
Most Valuable Offensive Skill Position Player … Sam Wiglusz.
Most Valuable Linebacker … Nick Zakelj.
Ironman … Wilson Sternad.
Co-Special Teams Players of the Year … Michael Graham and Michael Rose.
Most-Improved Awards … P.J. Austin, Andy Siegman, Eddie Sternad and Zach Venesile.
Coaches Awards … Dean Campbell, Bobby Gladding and Ryder Seballos.
A Million Thanks
On a personal note thanks to the Bees and coaching staff for allowing me total access for another season. From day one of summer activities through 7-on-7’s and scrimmages right through the ten-week grind, it was a treat to spend time with all these young men. The respect they always showed toward me is second to none.
Thanks so much to Josh Underwood for his very kind and well-spoken words. Josh introduced himself to me at a 7-on-7 at Baldwin-Wallace on a warm summer evening a few years back. I was flattered then when he told me he reads my stories. I was humbled last night when he addressed the crowd and presented me with a generous gift card to Austin’s. Josh Underwood, like the entire Brecksville-Broadview Heights football program, is pure class.
See You At The Bee Hive!
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