Tristan Davis took in plenty of information about how to lead and pass information to the next generation of the Penn Hills football program. The Indians' 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior center has eagerly taken on the challenge to pass the baton.
Davis learned from former Indians standout linemen Carter Lance and Kelsey Hundley.
He's hoping this group will have absorbed enough information to make waves in the WPIAL Class 5A postseason.
The Indians will open the season with a nonconference game Aug. 22 at New Castle.
"For us, we've been improving on our team chemistry and our maturity," Davis said. "We've been coming together and explaining the problems we've had and explaining how we could fix them."
Penn Hills has three starters returning on the line -- all-conference selection Camryn Price, Jayden Jones and Davis -- for an offense with explosive potential. Carter Bonner, a highly sought-after recruit who has offers from Tennessee, Rutgers, Pitt and Penn State, among others, returns at wide receiver.
"I want to make my big-time plays on third and fourth downs," said Bonner, who will also play defensive back. "I want to be the guy you want to go to. I want to make big catches and lock down the other team's best receivers."
Devin Harris, who transferred from Shady Side Academy to Penn Hills with Bonner last year, will take over at quarterback for Jay'mere Ellis. Harris saw significant time under center for the Indians as a junior, passing for 886 yards and three touchdowns.
"Hopefully, he is more comfortable with the terminology and understands the things we want him to do and the dynamic plays we want him to make," Penn Hills coach Charles Morris said. "It's always a struggle when you are coming into a new culture with new terminology. You have to find your niche and a way to lead."
The Indians will be tasked with replacing 1,000-yard rusher Naytel Mitchell.
Morris said Penn Hills has plenty of competition to take over in the backfield. Sophomore Doryan Peay, along with seniors Chase Gonzales and Jeremy Paolino, will be in the backfield rotation.
"When you bring back a core nucleus up front, that always makes you feel better," Morris said. "Football can be tough because if you lose one or two guys, it can be way different. For me, it's always about culture and discipline. These guys like playing with each other and are having fun together."
Davis said the offensive line is determined to make sure everyone has space to operate.
"We have to keep blocking as well as we did last year," Davis said. "We want to make sure none of our players are getting touched in the backfield."
Morris said he wanted to hold off talking about the secondary until the season starts. Disere Green-Lindsay will be a key piece at linebacker.
Penn Hills fought off a 0-3 start last season to finish 7-5. The Indians held off a feisty effort from Moon in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs before bowing out in the quarterfinals to Upper St. Clair.
Morris expects this group to contend for the postseason as well.
"Our expectations are the same," Morris said. "Our expectations are high. We want to win the conference and WPIAL championships. We tell our team all the time, if your goals aren't set high, maybe this isn't for you. We don't have expectations to be mediocre."
* Two former Penn Hills standouts, Julian Dugger and Raion Strader, hit the transfer portal last season. Dugger went from Pitt to Washington State, while Strader left Miami (Ohio) to head to Auburn.
* Penn Hills last finished tied for first in the Northeast Conference -- with Pine-Richland -- in 2023.
* The Indians will play a Saturday game for the second consecutive season. Penn Hills will be Shaler's homecoming opponent on Sept. 27.