Pottstown’s restoration project begins under new head coach Levert Hughes
It’s a fresh start – under some familiar faces – at Pottstown High this year.
Levert Hughes, who’s spent some 20 years in and around the Pottstown athletic community, is atop the Trojans’ program, supplanting Jeff Delaney who stepped away after three seasons.
Hughes, a former Chicago area star in high school, played his college ball at Cheyney University and spent some time in the semi-pro ranks before deciding to give education – and coaching – a try.
“The game is my life, it’s my passion,” said Hughes.
But returning to the Midwest wasn’t in the cards. Hughes decided to stay in the general area from his days at Cheyney, and eventually found his way into the Pottstown School District, teaching and coaching at secondary levels.
After a one-year tenure at West Catholic, he’s back and ready to start climbing hurdles. Taking over a program of players eagers for a fresh start allows Hughes the freedom to make his own tweaks to a program where he’s no stranger.
“The biggest thing we need to overcome is getting these kids out, establishing trust,” said Hughes. “And the biggest thing I can bring is familiarity.”
Hughes has been active in the Police Athletic League youth football ranks and served as middle school coach before the pandemic. Chronologically, that means several of his middle school players are just about to enter the primes of their high school playing careers.
“The senior class has played for me since seventh grade,” he shared. “Some of them also have older brothers who played for me. I know their parents, their families.”
Offensively, Madison Morton and Todd Wallace, coaches from Pottstown’s last undefeated PAC championship from 2002, will run the show, while Hughes will serve as his own defensive coordinator with the aid of Terrence Shawell, a top player on that 2002 championship squad.
Other familiar faces, including Justin Gibbs and Jimai Springfield, who starred at neighboring Pottsgrove, help to round out the new staff.
The offense will lean heavily on Rashean Bostic and Chris Thomas, returning starters with speed to burn from the backfield or out wide. Hughes named senior Chris Chhern as an anchor of his offensive line unit to start the season.
On the defensive side, Bostic will anchor the secondary, with Devon Green and Nasir Booker leading the linebackers. With a week of practice still remaining before the Trojans host Lower Merion to start the 2022 season, a number of starting roles remain up for grabs as Hughes attempts to re-establish a culture of accountability and generate excitement around the program.
“My realistic goal is competition, which will allow us to hopefully squeak out some wins,” said Hughes.
“We’ve been lacking support for a while. With support for the kids comes the crowds at our games, which encourages the kids to compete. Win or lose, they want their friends, their families to see them. That encourages the players to be at their best. We don’t have to get down on them after mistakes, they know what they did, they’re accountable. That all starts with support.”
