Player profile, Brandon Robertson

Name: Brandon Robertson
School: Trinity
Class: Senior
Sport: Football
Measurables: Robertson is 6-2, 220 and runs a 4.43 40-yard dash, which is the fastest time for an Ed Dalton-coached player at Trinity.
Offense: Fullback
Defense: Linebacker
Special teams: Long snapper
What coach is saying: "He's an unbelievable natural talent. He just has ti show it on the field," Dalton said. "He reminds me a lot of Brandon Weaver. He has that kind of talent. He's fast and strong, kind of a genetic freak."
What teammates are saying: "From my perspective, he could be ready but he has to slow down what he's doing," classmate John Laschinsky said. "He's trying to do too many things. Once he's thinking everything through, he's going to be awesome."
The skinny: Robertson primarily serves a Kyle McWreath's backup on offense and defense last year, so he saw most of his on-field time on special teams.
Extremely athletic, Robertso won the Nike Combine held in March at the Steelers' training facilities on Pittsburgh's South Side. Following that performance, Robertson's profile with college coaches skyrocketed.
"I've talked to Pitt, WVU and a couple other ones," Robertson said. "I'm having to train hard so I can get bigger and quicker because I hope to play at that level."
Robertson must show he can on the field, and he'll get a chance this year. Dalton has pegged Robertson at fullback in Trinity's new offense and will give him an opportunity at linebacker.
"These first few games are absolutely big for me," Robertson said. "I have to step my game up; take all the hits and do all the running."
Speed and strength are two of Robertson's obvious gifts.
"We had to try to put together something for our talent level on offense. Hopefully, Brandon will do what we think he can." Dalton said. "If he gets in space, he's going to score. I know that much."

Camp Kovak pulls into Hiller Field

During the early years of Ed Dalton's head coaching tenure at Trinity, the Hillers ran the football. They ran the football a lot. Then, they ran the football some more.

Once quarterbacks like Cody Endres and Brad Martin entered the program, Trinity went to a more pro-style offense. Sometimes, the Hillers actually passed - on first down.

In an era of spread offenses and prolific statistics, Trinity decided to tinker its offensive approach for the 2011 season. Rather than study offenses being implemented at Pitt and West Virginia, Dalton and staff studied the ways of Georgia Tech, Army, Navy, McKeesport and Serra Catholic.

The Hillers are working on the triple option.

"With our depth at running back, we thought it gave us the best chance," Dalton said.

It's not a complicated offense, but it is one of precision. For the Hillers, it's been a work in progress but they believe it's their best chance to improve as a program.

Trinity is an annual playoff team, and figures to contend again in the Class AAA Big Seven Conference. Yet, the Hillers haven't advanced past the first round since 2007 - the senior seasons of Andrew Sweat and Michael Yancich.

"This offense is a separator," Dalton said. "It's turned programs that just hung around into ones that played state championships, and it's made the Georgia Techs and Navys competitive against better talent."

Top players: Patrick Frey (Soph., RB), Xavier Severns (Jr., OL/DL)

Frey put together a strong freshman season and will be relied upon heavily in Trinity's new triple-option offense.

At 6-2, 275, Severns is Trinity's next blue-chip prospect. The Hillers coaching staff became believers in Severns' work habits during the offseason and plan on using the powerful lineman on both sides of the football full-time. Severns may also be the Hillers' kicker.

Watch out for: Brandon Robertson (Sr., FB/LB)

Robertson served as Trinity's long snapper last year - a job he'll continue to hold - and a back-up defensive player. With the gradation of Kyle McWreath, Robertson's role will increase. There's no doubt he has the athleticism as Robertson was the top performer among 800-plus players at a Nike Combine in Pittsburgh in March.

Key position: Quarterback

John Laschinsky and Jason Vankirk are competing for the starter's role. Laschinsky is the more mobile of the two; Vankirk the more accurate passer.

Follow me on Twitter @TheMikeKovak

Trinity football players go on strike

The ongoing fued between coaches, players and supporters of Trinity football against certain members of the Trinity Area School Board took a unique turn Monday morning when players staged a strike.

Before the start of football camp, players organized and sat on the playing surface at Hiller Field for 30 minutes. The strike started at 9 a.m. in protest to deep cuts in the athletic budget.

Players organized the protest without the knowledge of Trinity head coach Ed Dalton.

"It came about because two of our top assistants are gone. Chad Daloia got fired, and his brother (Ryan) ended up quitting because he didn't want to do it after his brother got fired," senior Brandon Robertson said. "We're trying to get them back, so we're putting on a little strike before practice. We're just trying to get our coaches back."

Trinity competes in Class AAA, and it annually fields a large roster for football. The Hillers have four coaches on the staff for the upcoming season, and are in the process of implementing a new offense - the triple option.

"We only have three of four coaches so it's pretty hectic," Robertson added.

Will the move work or create more contention?

"A strike was really the only thing we could come to," senior John Laschinsky said. "It symbolizes how our team is coming together, to fight for our family. We're not just a football team. We're a family, and our coach is a big part of that family. That's what we're trying to get across."

Follow Mike Kovak on Twitter @TheMikeKovak

Trinity's Robertson, Ringgold's Louis shine at combine

Trinity junior Brandon Robertson was the big winner at Sunday's Nike Combine in Pittsburgh, an event with more than 800 athletes from the Northeast at the UPMC Sports Complex.
Robertson, a defensive end/outside linebacker who also plays fullback, had the top SPARQ rating with a score of 103.29. SPARQ is an acronym that stands for Speed Power Agility Reaction and Quickness. It consists of a series of sport-specific athletic tests such as jumps, sprints, shuttle runs, throws and bench press.
Dalton referred to Robertson as an "athletic marvel" and a "real sleeper" in this year's recruiting class. Sunday's performance will certainly raise Robertson's profile, as he became the second Trinity player to post a top SPARQ rating at a Nike Combine. The first was Mike Yancich in 2007. He is at Penn State.
Ringgold sophomore Demetrius Louis ran the fastest 40-yard dash, a time of 4.51. His 38-inch vertical leap ranked second at the combine, just two-tenths of an inch behind Malik Blakeman of Penn Hills.
Louis finished eighth overall.
Beth-Center's Sal Faieta finished 13th. Ringgold's Quad Law and Alfon Cook, and Trinity's Pat Frey and Corey Hunsberger were among the top 100. Frey was ranked second in the Class of 2014.

For complete results, check out http://rise.espn.go.com/football/articles/2011/03/27-Pittsburgh-combine-unofficial-results.aspx