Accepting the McDevitt head coaching position in 1991 was a realization
of a lifelong ambition to coach football in MidPenn Division I. With this
position came a challenge of reestablishing a football program that had
gone from a championship contender in the mid-80s to a non-factor by 1990.
In rebuilding the program, I incorporated many of the philosophies that my father utilized in establishing winning traditions at John Harris and Cumberland Valley. I installed a rigorous off-season weight-training and conditioning program and hired a quality group of assistant coaches. We made significant improvements to the football locker room, purchased new weight equipment, and designed new game uniforms. These changes, among others, enabled us to quickly develop a newly acquired pride and positive outlook for McDevitt football.
In our first season, the 2-9 record did not reflect the dedication and desire of that group of fine young men. With many of those players returning for an exciting 8-3 campaign in 1992, the foundation was set for even bigger heights in 1993. A championship caliber team led by a tremendous group of seniors lost its title hopes on the final game of the regular season, dropping a 24-17 heartbreaker to Cumberland Valley and finishing 9-2. Despite missing several key players due to injuries, we went toe to toe with CV and dominated most of the game, only to falter in the waning minutes. It was the hardest loss we all had ever experienced, but we managed to use that loss as a motivation for future teams.
In 1994, while we were able to match our opponents at the skill positions,
we were unable to stand up to them physically. Our prowess at the skill
positions was not enough to overcome the physicall~ tough Cumberland Valley,
Chambersburg, and Cedar Cliff squads. The same scenario held true in the
district playoffs as Cocalico battered our offensive and defensive lines
in a 15-14 season ending defeat to finish 7-4.
The bright side of the '94 season was the display of our young team's desire to compete, as was evident in our 10-7 upset victory over Harrisburg. That victory gave our players the confidence that they could win big games and showed them the importance of our McDevitt football motto: Discipline, Attitude, and Teamwork.
Immediately after the '94 season, we challenged our players to become
bigger, faster, and stronger. Anxious to get a head start on next season,
we decided to begin our off-season weight training and conditioning program
after Thanksgiving break, rather than the customary January start. The
players responded to this challenge and, in the next eight months, their
work ethic became exceptional. They were willing to pay the price to be
successful. From that point on, the sky was the limit.
The highly anticipated 1995 season started with two-week summer camp in August. During camp, we had an abnormal amount of injuries, several of which kept key starters out of practice and scrimmage time. While the progress of the injured players was slowed, two big positives for our team resulted. First, it taught us to deal with adversity, even before we stepped on the game field. Second, it made us come together more as a team. Players with less experience were forced to step up and get the job done while gaining valuable varsity experience.
Our first team goal was to win Mid-Penn Division I, something that hadn't
been done by a McDevitt team in 10 years. Our next goal was to go undefeated
in doing it. The attempt to accomplish that goal became very challenging
almost immediately when in Week 2, Cumberland Valley came to McDevitt Field.
This game was extremely important not only because it would set the tone
for the Mid-Penn race, but also because CV was the only Mid-Penn Division
I team that we hadn't beaten (0-4). The fact that Coaches Bullock, Pierce,
Whitehead, and I all played on several championship teams at CV made the
rivalry that much more intense. This win, coupled with CV's close victory
over Harrisburg three weeks later, made us the front-runner in the title
race.
Our next major hurdle was in Week 7 when Harrisburg came to McDevitt Field. In our '93 season, when we were 6-0, Harrisburg beat us in our own backyard. This time however, our team would not be denied a 7-0 start. When our nearly game-long six point advantage became a Harrisburg lead of 7-6 with five minutes remaining, we knew we needed to drive 80 yards for a victory. As sophomores, most of our current seniors were in uniform when Pete Susi led our '93 team 80 yards at the end of the Chambersburg game to win 34-31 on Kevin DeSanto's 23-yard TD reception with four seconds remaining. Raki Nelson and Jordan Scott both made huge plays during that final drive. As they lined up on the 20-yard line, the other nine offensive players took Jordan and Raki's determined approach. We all KNEW that somehow, someway a McDevitt blue jersey was going to reach the end zone with football in hand.
On to our next major goal: a District 3-AA title. The competitive nature
of our team showed as we continued to play our best football in the big
games. Against Cocalico, we played a dominating style of football in all
facets of the game.
Our entire season was capped off in an incredibly exciting weekend in
Altoona, the site of our final goal: a PIAA State AA championship. It was
a great weekend. It was so much more than a football game, something we'll
all remember for the rest of our lives. We were the only one of the eight
teams to watch all four games. We wanted to go have a weekend of football
and a weekend of fun, and that's what we did. The whole trip was first
class. Our whole hotel was filled with McDevitt fans. It seemed like the
entire McDevitt community was there to support us.
One thing that was evident in the mind of every McDevitt player, coach,
support staff, and fan leading up to the final game vs. Burrell: McDevitt
was not going to be denied that golden trophy. Our confidence level was
a definite 10 out of 10. This was our chance to show the entire state what
McDevitt football was all about. We displayed our motto - Discipline, Attitude,
and Teamwork - right on our chests. Once we took the ball and scored on
our first two possessions, we knew we were going to be undefeated. All
of this hard work, not just for eight months, but for five years, culminated
in a 15-0 season. The 1995 football team accomplished something that everyone
involved with McDevitt football for the past 68 years can and should feel
a part of.
Everywhere I've been - John Harris football, Cumberland Valley football,
and McDevitt football - all three have had a tremendous impact on my life.
I've felt a great sense of unity and pride in being involved in all three
programs. I am hopeful that all those involved with McDevitt football over
the last five years will take this sense of unity and pride with them throughout
the rest of their lives.
-Coach Four Chapman
The feeling we had at the conclusion of the Cedar Cliff game in Week
10 was one of absolute ecstasy. Our first two team goals, our five-year-long
dream finally was a reality. Bishop McDevitt as the undefeated Mid-Penn
Division I champions!