Kogut feeling comfortable

by dan burda (sports writer dan_b@newsitem.com)

Published: December 2, 2009

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Times-Shamrock File Photos ABOVE: Tri-Valley's head coach Mike Kogut talks with Bulldogs' quarterback Matt McGinley (13) during one of the team's two games against Williams Valley. Tri-Valley will take on Southern Columbia on Friday for the right to continue playing in the state playoffs. BELOW: Tri-Valley students dubbed "Black Swarm" watch their Bulldogs against St. Pius X last Saturday night. The faculty and students are a big part of the reason Kogut, a Mount Carmel native, feels right at home in Tri-Valley.

HEGINS - Even in the midst of a successful year last season, Tri-Valley head coach Mike Kogut was looking forward to this year.

And for good reason.

In just his second year as a head coach, Kogut's Bulldogs won the District 11 championship with wins over rival Williams Valley and Pius X, and already have a win in the state playoffs over St. Pius X last weekend.

On Friday, Kogut will face the toughest test of his head coaching career when Tri-Valley plays host to Southern Columbia at Schuylkill Haven's Rotary Field.

Kogut, though, is not altogether unfamiliar with Jim Roth's program. Kogut was on Mount Carmel's staff when the two teams played, and being a general football fan, the Mount Carmel native has always been keenly aware of the success that was little more than a roll out of bed away.

"I don't think it makes it any easier at all," Kogut said. "Southern is going to run its base stuff on offense and defense, but they're so good at what they do."

At this point in the season there aren't many surprises. Each team has a veritable library of game film on the other, so it comes down to how the two teams prepare and carry out those plans come game time.

"It comes down to execution at this point," Kogut said. "We both have the same record at the same spot in the playoffs, and we've both found a niche."

Niches are something Kogut knows something about. After being on the staffs at Mount Carmel and Bloomsburg University, Kogut found an opportunity to be a head coach at Tri-Valley and jumped at it.

Last season, his Bulldogs won the Class A Eastern Conference championship, and had every reason to think this year would be even more fruitful.

Kogut, who is also athletic director, was happy that his wasn't one of the many names bandied about when the Mount Carmel job was available last offseason.

"I am extremely happy at Tri-Valley," he said. "I'm surrounded by outstanding people. People who have been in the school and people with experience. Our kids are hard workers, intelligent, who do the right thing.

"You know, when you take a new job, you're not quite sure about the comfort level, but I knew after the first meeting with the kids that this was the place for me."

Part of feeling comfortable for Kogut was how the community accepted him. What's been impressive in Kogut's tenure has been the turnout and exuberance of the student body and his colleagues on the faculty.

"The community is very important here," he said. "They have pride in athletics and the community, and it's very similar to Mount Carmel but on a smaller scale. There's a great feeling in the school with the faculty and staff that has been a constant in terms of support."

Kogut knew he had the talent at the school to make the Bulldogs into a good football team once the players learned his offensive system, which is a highly productive mish-mash of schemes Kogut has been around.

"Our first year was a learning experience," he said. "There was a new system on offense and it wasn't until the second half of last season that we really got comfortable. We had 33 kids on the team and we played a lot because of injuries. We were 2-8 in 2007, but played a lot of sophomores, so we were looking forward to this year with some strong leadership."

The offense has gelled this season to put up numbers to the tune of 1,912 yards passing for quarterback Matt McGinley, and 1,422 yards for tailback Wyatt Straub, despite Straub missing the first three games.

"We're balanced in terms of offense," Kogut said. "We have a 1,900-yard quarterback, a 1,400-yard tailback and that makes it difficult for defenses to key on one person."

Straub is a prime example of the advantage Kogut thinks he has in Friday's game against Southern. He is fast and has lots of big-play ability.

"Of the advantages we have, I think we have better team speed at our skill positions," Kogut said. "They have good kids, but I think ours have a little more speed. The test will be up front. We have a veteran line that works hard, but their's is playing very well."

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