Grove City football coach Andrew DiDonato has a definite template from which he likes to construct his offenses: efficient running game, strong-armed quarterback and big, physical receivers. Run effectively, and that forces the defense to move more men into the box, thus putting those imposing receivers in one-on-one matchups on the outside.

Cody Gustafson has been one of those receivers for four-plus seasons. Now a fifth-year senior, Gustafson (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) had two seasons of 1,200-plus yards before the pandemic-shortened 2020 schedule.

Playing opposite him for three seasons was Cameron Drake (6-2, 185), who amassed more than 1,800 yards in that time.

Now, it’s Knoch grad Scott Fraser’s turn to complement Gustafson. The 6-4, 195-pound sophomore made his first start at receiver in the Wolverines’ season-opening 39-14 win against Juniata and had five receptions for 114 yards.

In Saturday’s win over Bethany, Fraser added another reception as Grove City (2-0, 1-0 PAC) relied on its running game (296 yards) to defeat the Bison, 48-15.

Fraser appeared in three of Grove City’s four games in the truncated 2020 season. His on-field development, like so many freshmen last season, was stunted by the challenges brought on by covid. On the flipside, the time he normally would have been on the field was spent in extensive study of the offense and his role in it.

His preparedness was evident to DiDonato right away.

“Scott had an unbelievable camp,” DiDonato said. “We felt he had one of the best preseason camps on our roster.”

Said Fraser: “Last year was difficult. This year has been more constant. I’m just ready to work every day.”

Fraser caught all five of his passes in the second half against Juniata. With the defense focused on Gustafson, DiDonato thought it was time to get Fraser involved in the passing game.

“Cody just demands so much attention … and with what Cody brings on the other side, it means a lot of opportunities,” DiDonato said. “And we really saw that in the second half. We felt Scott was winning on the other side.”

Four of Fraser’s catches came on GCC’s first drive of the second half, a drive that resulted in a touchdown and a 26-0 lead for the Wolverines.

His final catch came in the fourth quarter — a 44-yarder that, with the help of a facemask penalty, set up Clayton Parrish’s 13-yard touchdown run on the next play.

“Route running was probably the biggest thing I really didn’t understand when I came in,” Fraser said. “I really didn’t even focus on the importance of route running until last season. It was all new. I feel like I’m getting the hang of it now.”

Fraser said he developed a rapport with senior quarterback Josh Ehst relatively quickly. Watching Gustafson also was instructive. That helped Fraser further hone his skills as a route runner and understand what Ehst would expect.

“I just like to see how (Gustafson) attacks his defenders, how he changes directions, changes speeds,” Fraser said. “All the mechanics of the route. A lot of it is timing, and it just feels a lot more natural for me now.”

DiDonato has high hopes for this year’s Wolverines. He said his current offense is similar to those from 2018 and ’19, which averaged better than 30 points and 400 yards per game.

Fraser figures to be a big part of that offense. He fits DiDonato’s mold, and if his starting debut was any indication, he and Gustafson will be a 1-2 punch Presidents’ Athletic Conference defense might find difficult to handle.

“I think every day we’re getting better and better,” Fraser said.

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