By Brian Knavish

Published: Wednesday, August 22, 2012, 10:44 a.m.
Updated: Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Seton-La Salle has a reputation for running a potent offense that racks up a ton of yards thanks to a quarterback zinging the ball to receivers all over the field.

From Bruce Gradkowski and Bill Stull, to Joe DelSardo and Carmen Connolly, Seton-La Salle has produced its share of major-college quarterbacks and receivers.

This season, the pieces are in place for the Rebels to run that type of system, but with a twist as a tight end - 6-foot-5, 240-pound Pitt recruit Scott Orndoff - looks to be the go-to target.

"We have a big tight end, and that's something we have to utilize on offense," said Greg Perry, Seton-La Salle's eighth-year head coach. "We have to get the ball into his hands ... he can get in space and create problems."

Specifically, Orndoff, who caught 20 passes as a wideout for the Rebels last year, will create matchup problems for opposing defenses at his new position.

"Obviously, everybody knows the tight end can be the quarterback's best friend when he's in trouble," Perry said.

The player who arrived as a quarterback but grew into a pass-catching tight end has been one of most heavily recruited Seton-La Salle players in a long time.

Orndoff received scholarship offers from Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State, Virginia and Wisconsin prior to commiting to Pitt.

"I don't know if we've had the caliber we'll have with this kid. Anyone who uses a tight end in their offense is going to be interested because of his size, speed and strength,"Perry said.

"He was always a quarterback, so he's learning a new type of football, not only a new position. Now, every play he's getting hit. The future is going to be brighter for him because he's just learning how to play this part of football."

Perry is hoping that the amount of interest Orndoff attracts will will benefit senior quarterback Luke Brumbaugh, a Division I football prospect who passed for 1,484 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

"His arm is probably better than anybody I've had,"Perry said. "The ball comes out of his hand unbelievably.

"Every one of Scott's catches on his highlight tape is from Luke. Coaches are going to be wondering who is getting the ball to him. It could be good for everyone involved."

Overall, Seton-La Salle has six returning starters on each side of the ball from a team that went 11-1 overall and advanced to the WPIAL Class AA semifinal round last season.

While Steel Valley and South Fayette stand in the way, Perry believes a second consecutive Century Conference title is possible.

"Our first goal is to try to make the playoffs," Perry said. "We'll take care of our own business and see what happens after that."

Tribune-Review News Service contributed to this story.

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