
VARSITY FOOTBALL STAFF
BO ORLANDO
Head Coach
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, Pa
College: Penn State University
Degree: Education
Profession: Teacher
Family: Wife-Carleen
Children-Gianna, Kali and Bo
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 25 (McDowell: 16)
2014-current: McDowell (Head Coach)
2005-2013: Cathedral Prep
2009-2013 (Offensive Coordinator/Qb’s/Rb’s)
2008 (Offensive Line/Linebackers)
2005-2007 (Running Backs/Linebackers)
1999-2004: McDowell
2004 (Running Backs/Linebackers)
2003 (Running Backs/Defensive Line)
2002 (Walnut Creek Head Coach)
1999-2001 (Running Backs/Linebackers)
PLAYING CAREER
Penn State
Football (Linebacker)
Baseball (Pitcher)
BIO
Coach Orlando enters his 8th season as the head coach at McDowell, leading the Trojan squads to Six District 10 titles. The Trojans have been ranked in the top 10 in the state several times and ranked as high as 4th in the state in 2019 and 2nd in the state in 2020. In 2020, the Trojans went undefeated in the regular season, beating the Ramblers twice and advanced to the State Semi Finals losing in the Western Finals to Central York. The Trojans have averaged over seven wins since 2014 and have been in the class 6A state playoffs six of the seven seasons.
Orlando was named the NWPFCA District 10 coach of the year in 2013, won a state championship in 2012, and led an offense that scored the most pts. in Pennsylvania history and most passing yards in a state championship game. He was selected to coach the Pennsylvania East West All-Star game in 2019 where they said the record for most points in Big 33 East/West All-Star game history. The last five quarterbacks under his direction have gone on to play at Michigan State, Penn State, Mercyhurst (2) and Edinboro University. In 2016 alone, 10 players from the McDowell Football team went on to play college football. The Trojans had 13 players nominated to play in the 2020 Lion’s Club Save an Eye Game.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Since 2014 the Trojans have produced 9 all-state, 14 All-Western Pa, and numerous All District and Region players
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2020: Chris Juchno Career - Attempts (671), Completions (390), TD's (47), Completion 59%
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2019: Mike Beneski breaks single seasons receptions record with 48 receptions in a career with 89 receiving yards in a career with 1,171 TD’s in a career with 13
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2019: Chris Juchno completion percentage in a season 63%
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2019 Justin McGregor yds/punt average 46yds (10 punts in 2019)
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2019 Lenny McLaughlin 50 extra pts in a season
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2019 Offense averaged 40pts/game - single season record
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2015-2016 Qb Levi Becker holds all McDowell single season and career passing records
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2014 Jake Tarasovitch – rushed and threw for 1,000 yards in senior season ( 4th in D10 history)
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Billy Fessler – 3,300 yards, 45 TD’s and 13-1 record. Led all of PA in points scored that season, PSU QB
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2012 AAA State Champ
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Damion Terry – 3,700 yards and 62 TDs in 15-0, State Champion senior season, Michigan State QB
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2009 – Two 1,000 yard rushers, and QB Shyquawn Pullium 1,000 yard rusher and passer
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2003 Kyle Mitchum, All-American and Ohio State guard
PERSONAL
Coach Orlando was a multi-sport athlete in high school, graduated from McDowell, and went on to play collegiate football and baseball at Penn State University. He was a linebacker and pitcher for the Nittany Lions. He began his coaching career in 1999 under the leadership of Jon Cacchione, who coached outside linebackers for the Trojans in 2019.
Coach Orlando and his wife Carleen have two daughters, Gianna and Kali, and a son Bo who make it to all the games at Gus Anderson Field.
AARON SLOCUM
Defensive Coordinator
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, Pa
College: Gannon University
Degree: Education
Profession: Teacher
Family: Wife-Chandra
Son-Micah
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 18 (McDowell: 11)
2012-current: McDowell (Assistant Coach)
2005-2011: Cathedral Prep
2009-2011: (Defensive Backs)
2005-2008: (Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs)
PLAYING CAREER
Geneva
Football (Defensive Back)
BIO
Coach Aaron Slocum (McDowell '98) is entering his 16th season coaching high school football and his 8th consecutive season coaching for the Trojans. As a player, Coach Slocum played for legendary McDowell Football Coach Ron Rudler and starred as both a Quarterback and a Defensive Back, Aaron rushed and threw for a 1,000 yards his senior year at McDowell, something only a few QB’s have done in District 10 history. In his junior and senior seasons, the Trojans were undefeated and lost in the western finals. Coach Slocum is currently a Special Education Teacher for MTSD.
JOHN FERRARO
Linebacker Coach
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, Pa
Profession: Retired-Corrections Officer 2
Family: Wife-Nina
Sons-Jordan, Christian, Dominic
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 18 (McDowell: 9)
2014-current: McDowell (assistant)
2005-2013: Strong Vincent
2005 (freshman Defensive Coordinator )
2006 (freshman head coach, Offensive Coordinator)
2007-2013 (Varsity, Running Backs/Linebackers)
2014: McDowell
2014 (Assistant Defensive line )
2015 (Defensive line)
2016 (Defensive line, Punt team Coordinator)
2017 (Defensive line, Punt team Coordinator) 2018- (Linebackers, Punt team Coordinator)
BIO
Coach Ferraro began his High school coaching career at Strong Vincent HS. During his time with the Colonels the program experienced great success, playing in three Western finals and multiple District 10 titles. Coach Ferraro has coached in numerous all star games, most recently the 2015 North / South game acting as Defensive coordinator. Since arriving at McDowell HS. Coach Ferraro has coached the defensive line and punt team coordinator . In 2018 coach Ferraro assumed the duties of Linebackers coach and continues to coordinate the punt team. Coach Ferraro contributes experience, leadership and tireless work ethic to this staff of accomplished coaches. Note: Coach Ferraro was also a PIAA Football referee from 1999-2004.
MATT GLASS
Safeties
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, Pa
Profession: Marketing & Sales JET 24 & FOX 66
Family: Daughter-Anna
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 15 (McDowell: 4)
2020-current: McDowell (OLB Coach)
2017: Harbor Creek (Defensive Coordinator & Quarterback/Linebackers)
2011-2015 Seneca (Defensive Coordinator & Quarterback/Linebackers)
2001-2005 Iroquois (Defensive Coordinator & Quarterback/Linebackers)
BIO
Matt Glass started his coaching career at his Alma Mater, Iroquois High School, under his father, long-time coach Phil Glass. During his five years of coaching at Iroquois as the defensive coordinator, the Braves made the single A playoffs 2 out of the 5 years. In 2011, Coach Glass joined fellow McDowell coach Dave Frank at Seneca High school as the defensive coordinator. In 2014, the Bobcats qualified for the District 10 playoffs for the 2nd time in school history. In 2017, Coach Glass joined fellow McDowell coach Ned Bailey at Harbor Creek as the Huskies defensive coordinator. In 2017, the Huskies qualified for the District 10 playoffs and the Huskie defense ranked 2nd in District 10 AAA in points allowed.
Coach Glass attended Iroquois High School from 1996-2000. Glass was a three sport athlete at Iroquois (football, basketball & baseball). He received 10 varsity letters, and by graduation he held many defensive school records on the football field. Glass was a 1st team unanimous All County Linebacker his junior and senior year. On the baseball diamond, Glass was in the top 10 in multiple school records, including career home runs, career doubles and career batting average. Glass was unanimous 1st team All County Outfielder for the Braves his Junior and Senior year. In 2015, Coach Glass was inducted into the Wesleyville, Iroquois & Lawrence Park Athletic Hall of Fame.
DAVE FRANK
Running Back Coach
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, Pa
College: Gannon University
Degree: Education
Profession: Teacher
Family: Wife-Katie
Children-Evelyn, Charlie
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 23 (McDowell: 6th)
2018-current: McDowell (Running Backs)
2011-2017: Seneca High School (Head Coach)
2008-2010: Fort Leboeuf High School (Offensive Line/ Defensive Line)
2007: Seneca High School (Offensive/Defensive Asst)
2005-2006: Hickory High School, NC (Defensive Line Coach)
2001-2004: Iroquois High School (Offensive/ Defensive Asst)
BIO
Coach Frank starts his 4th season at McDowell after spending seven years as the Head Coach and Offensive coordinator at Seneca High School.
He engineered the most potent offense in Seneca High school history averaging 39.0 points per game in 2017.
The 2017 season also marked the first region football championship in school history.
Dave Frank concluded his stint at Seneca as the 2nd winningest coach in Seneca History (Randy Gunther).
Coach Frank was the head coach of the victorious 2017 NWPFCA North Team as well as the head coach of the winning county squad in the 76th Annual Save An Eye Game.
Notable performances for Trojan Running Backs under Coach Frank's tenure include Dom Ferraro's 5 rushing TDs against Erie High in 2018 and Elijah Lopez with a 238 yard effort against Cathedral Prep in 2019.
JUSTIN HALL
Offensive Line Coach
PERSONAL
Hometown: Edinboro, Pa
Degree: Computer Science
Profession: Web Application Development – Millcreek School District
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 10 (McDowell: 10)
2014-current: McDowell (Assistant Offensive Line Coach)
BIO
As a former player of the game, Coach Hall was an offensive lineman of the General McLane Lancers AAA State Championship team of 2006. With the taste of a Hershey Championship, he is eager to get back to the Chocolate Empire with the McDowell Trojans. Coach Hall brings extensive knowledge and firsthand experiences on and off the field to the Trojan offensive linemen.
CHRIS SPOONER
Defensive Line Coach
PERSONAL
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
College: BS, Edinboro
MS, Mercyhurst
Degree: Education
Profession: Teacher / Coach
Family: Wife-Amy
Children-Ellie and Ben
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 19 (McDowell: 6)
2020-current: McDowell (Co-DC, Defensive Line, KOK)
2017 McDowell (RB’s, KOK)
2015-16 Strong Vincent (Head Coach)
2012-14 Strong Vincent (Defensive Coordinator)
2009-11 McDowell (Varsity D-Line, JV O-line/D-line)
2005-08 Strong Vincent (Varsity D-Line, Recruiting)
PLAYING CAREER
Walsh University –
Football - Defensive End, 2-Year Captain, All Conference, 2 x Executioners Club
BIO
Coach Spooner is in his 4th year back at McDowell after being the Head Coach at Strong Vincent HS in the programs final two years. Coach Spooner has coached for many years in the Erie area and has coached on many strong playoff teams both in the WPIAL and D-10. Coach Spooner has helped lead teams as far as the Quad A Western Finals multiple times and has coached at the highest level of PA football for many years. He has vast experience as an all-around coach but is most notable for his defense and recruiting. From a recruiting stand point Coach Spooner has helped close to 100 student athletes from all local programs get into college. He has helped student athletes get athletic scholarships and grants at all levels (D3, D2, JUCO), including multiple Division 1 Athletes at RB, OL, DL, WR, DB. Notable athlete coached James Conner, under Coach Spooner’s tutelage James became McDowell’s All-Time single season sack leader (12) in only 5 games.
SHAWN CARLSON
Assistant Defensive Line Coach
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, PA
High School: Strong Vincent
College: Yale
COACHING CAREER
McDowell - (6th year)
Strong Vincent 2 years
BIO
Shawn Carlson has coached at all levels. Started coaching and 1998 in the city youth league. Has continued to coach now for over 20 yrs at freshman, JV, and Varsity levels. Shawn is the proud father of McDowell graduate Jared Carlson.
NATE DAVISON
Assistant Receivers Coach
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, PA
High School: McDowell
College: Gannon University
Degree: Special Education
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: 4 (McDowell: 4)
PLAYING CAREER
McDowell High School 2015-2018
Gannon University 2019-2020
BIO
2017 All District Wide Receiver
2017 All Western PA Wide Receiver
2017 All Region Wide Receiver
2017 6A All State Wide Receiver
2017 Single season reception record
2017 Single game receptions, yards, and touchdowns record holder
2017 Second all time career receptions
2017 Second all time career yards
Alex Greenawalt
Tackles and Tight Ends
PERSONAL
Hometown: Erie, PA
High School: Cathedral Prep
College: Colgate University
COACHING CAREER
Years Coaching: First Year
PLAYING CAREER
Cathedral Prep 2010-2014
Colgate University 2014-2018
BIO
A 2014 graduate of Cathedral Prep and 2018 graduate of Colgate University, Coach Greenawalt will begin his first season as a Varsity Football coach at McDowell. Coach Greenawalt comes to McDowell following successful playing stints at both the high school and collegiate ranks. Upon leaving Prep, Coach Greenawalt ranked 2nd in school history for all-time receptions and receiving touchdowns. He also ranked 3rd in school history for all-time receiving yards and was a part of the 2012 State Championship team. Coach Greenawalt was a 4-year starter at Colgate University (D1-FCS) where he started 41 consecutive games at WR before an injury cut his senior season short. He finished his collegiate career with 103 receptions, 1379 yards, and 9 touchdowns as a member of two Patriot League Championship winning teams during his four year