Erik Manetta has done just about everything a high school hockey player can do in the PIHL.

A senior at Serra Catholic High School, Manetta has won a Class A scoring title, played in PIHL All-Star Games, appeared with the Eagles in games at Mellon Arena and been named to the Post-Gazette's Stellar 6 team.

But for all that's on Manetta's high school hockey resume, there is one glaring omission.

"I really would like to win the Penguins Cup before I graduate, and this is my last year," Manetta said. "So I guess I've got to do it this year."

Manetta, who led Class A in goals (40) and points (77) last season, is the unquestioned leader for Serra this season. As usual, the Eagles are on the short list of top contenders for the Class A Penguins Cup.

Manetta, the team's captain who lives in Liberty Borough (part of the South Allegheny School District), had a hand in 11 of the 18 goals the team scored during the first three games he played.

"It's really no surprise to anybody, but the team has kind of run through him for two or three years now," Eagles coach Brian Boehm said. "Last year he had a lot of problems dealing with double- and triple-teams. This year, that's been no problem for him.

"He's become the face of Serra hockey right now, and he's handling that role really well."

But Manetta is not carrying the leadership burden alone. Senior defenseman Dan Jezerski and junior winger Jarrett Ruchka serve as alternate captains.

Ruchka is an inspiration because he is back after missing much of last season due to a serious ankle injury. He was named to participate in last season's PIHL All-Star Game and was tied for the team lead in scoring this season through four games with 11 points.

"This group is a little more patient than I've had in the past," Boehm said. "A lot of times with Serra, we battle individualism. Guys are always worried about finishing the season on top of the scoring list. But I think what helps is having a guy like Erik. He's done it all, and he has nothing left to do but to win a Penguins Cup.

"He sets the example for the rest of the team's leaders, and they won't let anybody there who's not willing to work this year."

Serra is 3-2-0 after a 5-2 win against Freeport Monday. The Eagles had as many defeats (two) after four games this season as they had all of last, but they maintain that's no reason for concern.

"This is about where I thought we might be," Boehm said. "The league is a lot tougher this year than it has been. There's just a lot of schools that have had some young teams that have kind of come together.

"We're a little younger than we have been. We've got some freshmen and sophomores playing a lot of minutes who wouldn't normally do so on a lot of [our] other teams."

Some of the underclassmen who have made the most impact are freshman center Tyler Speis, sophomore winger Garner Kraemer, sophomore defenseman R.J. Kendi and freshmen defenseman Tyler Kresl.

Kendi has taken over as the team's No. 1 defenseman, Speis is centering the third line and Kraemer was second on the team in scoring through four games with 11 points (four goals, seven assists). Kresl also is averaging a point per game.

"Our freshmen and sophomores help us out a lot," Manetta said. "We rely on the younger classes to do a lot of the work. They're pretty good hockey players."

Other primary contributors for Serra this season include junior Jay Leppo, who centers the Eagles' second line, and the goaltending duo of junior Garrett Hudson and senior Brent Mansfield.

Serra doesn't want to use youth as an excuse, at least in as much as the Eagles aren't about to throw away this season merely due to the fact freshmen and sophomores are playing prominent roles.

After all, this is Manetta's senior season, his last chance to win a Penguins Cup, and he's not going to let the goals be set any lower.

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.