The 1978 Jaguars lost 25 starters from the previous season, returned only 15 seniors, and had 2 players with any significant varsity experience.  Head coach Bap Manzini was quick to assess they had an uphill battle to return the Jaguars to past years' success.  He went on to state the 78' team was a rebuilding year prior to the season starting.  

The team fought hard the entire season, and finished with a terrific 7-3 record, 7-2 in the tough Big Ten Conference.

The offense was led by Quarterback Dan Greer, running backs Dan Bonovich and Darnell Stone.  The split end was manned by Ray DiCarlo and Ron Mumbray.  The tough offensive line consisted of - Tackles - Mike Konopelski and Bob Harchar; Guards - Warren "Mel" Cooley and Tom Krahe , and anchored by Gary Yogan at center.  Paul Covelli was the TE who contributed equally to the running and passing game.

The offense established a TJ record with 29 points in the second quarter of the Steel valley game, and averaged almost 19 points per game.

The front five on defense were J.C. Lewis, Bob Garchak, Pedro Bowman, John Maple (2 yr starter), and Rick Joyce. LBs were Dave Davis and Tom Krahe. Secondary was John Giansante, Howie Cantees, Alan Towner (2 yr starter) and Joe Marcheleta.

Krahe was only two-way starter, after an early season ending leg-injury to Jeff Muehlbaur. Giansante also pulled "double duty", first as flanker when DiCarlo was out with hand injury and as a RB when Bap wanted to run his favorite offensive formation (the "T") and play ("46 Power").

All Big 10 Conf. honors were earned by Bonovich, Davis, Giansante, Greer, Krahe and Lewis.

The team started out 5-0, in conference play, and was improving each week. However, back-to-back shut to losses knocked the team from playoff contention. The first loss was on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon at EF.  EF was led by Pete Rostosky, a two-way tackle who would later start at LT for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The following week, the team ran up against the eventual Conference Champs, Belle Vernon.  BV's defense contained another future NFL linemen, Bill Contz, who spearheaded a defense that would yield only 15 points the entire season.

The team rebounded and finished the season with two more wins. The most rewarding, of the two, was a 35-7 "pasting" of arch rival Monesson. 

In what was supposed to be a "rebuilding year", the 1978 Jaguars proved they had the heart and talent to compete with anybody. They fell a few wins short, but the season was successful surprise, and could have been Bap Manzini's  greatest coaching job.

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Season:

TJ 13 vs  Bethel Park 20:   (Pictures, articles)

TJ 26 versus Charleroi 0: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 18 vs Ringgold 15: (Pictures, articles)

TJ 17 vs  West Mifflin North  12: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 2 vs Laural Highlands 0*

TJ 41 vs Steel Valley 0: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 0 vs EF 27:  (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 0 vs Belle Vernon 10: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 20 vs Brownsville 7: (Pictures, articles, video)

TJ 33 vs Monessen 6:  (Pictures, articles, video)

* Game Forfeited 

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Roster:

Seniors:

Dan Greer

Dan Bonovich

Barry Felicetty

Al Towner

Don Maple

Tom Krahe

Warren Cooley

Paul Covelli 

Roger Reed

Alan Turner

Dan MacCartan

Jeff Hupp

John Elias

Mike Konopelski

Fred Lane

Juniors:

Gary Yogan

Ed Potts

Mike Kline

Ray DiCarlo

Howie Canteese

Bob Harchar

Jim Breisinger

Rich Joyce

J.C.. Lewis

Dave Davies

Jeff Muehlbauer

Joe Marcheletta

John Giansante

Mark Litz

Ron Mumbray

Henry Cook

Dean Ricciardulli

Jeff Crane

Sophomores:

Darnell Stone

Pedro Bowman

Kevin Russell

Chuck Pukansky

Bob Garchek

Gary Natter

Billy Edmonds

Rich Deonavich

John Barrett

Bill Edmonds

Mike Potts

Pat Coll

Mike Dowling

Doug Guddenburr

Bill McCormick

Pete Yaksick

Scott Stefan

Jeff Frontera

Jeff Sterbenz

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Stats:Points scored per game: 18.6

Points allowed per game:  9.9

Rushing Yards (TD's):

Dan Bonovich

Darnell Stone:

John Giansante:

Receptions/yards (TD's):

Passing Yards/ Completions-Attempts (TD's):

Dan Greer:

Howie Canteese:

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School Record:

Longest interception return:  88-Howie Canteese

TD Passes Game:  3- Dan Greer (Steel Valley)

    Previous Record: 3 (tie)- Keith Potts (1972)