Step back about 15 months for a moment.

The Bethel Park football program was respected around the WPIAL, a Class AAAA team that could be counted on to consistently post a winning record and qualify for the playoffs.

It unquestionably was thought of in positive terms, as any program would be that went 32-21 over the previous five seasons with a better-than-.500 record in conference play during each campaign and three WPIAL quarterfinal berths in that time span.

But not many would have classified the Black Hawks as being in the "elite" category of WPIAL Class AAAA programs.

It speaks volumes about what they've done since the start of the 2008 season that they probably are now.

Twenty-five wins against only three losses later -- not to mention a WPIAL championship and PIAA runner-up performance -- Bethel Park came only an overtime field goal away from playing in Heinz Field for the second consecutive season.

"I played a little as a freshman and started my sophomore year," said senior lineman Adam Lazenga. "We were a decent team then, but the last couple years were truly amazing. No one expected a lot out of Bethel Park, but hopefully the success we've had the last two years, we got a tradition started here that can be kept going for years to come."

The Black Hawks lost, 38-35, in overtime to Woodland Hills last Friday at West Mifflin to complete their season 10-2 (with both defeats coming to the Wolverines, who are unbeaten against WPIAL competition this year).

On the heels of a 15-1 campaign in which it won the first WPIAL football title in school history, the loss five days ago left for a somber postgame locker room.

"These guys won a lot of football games and have meant a lot to me personally and to the community," coach Jeff Metheny said. "It was emotional, and it was a tough time in there.

"But we're so proud of them. They worked extremely hard and did what we asked. They prepared well and worked diligently in the offseason to become better football players."

While Metheny and the Black Hawks earned plenty of recognition and acclaim for their run last season, what they accomplished this year, in some ways, is just as remarkable.

Winning one championship with one group of players is a significant achievement. Sustaining that level of excellence once a large part of the core of that team leaves (19 seniors graduated, including players who occupied 15 of the 22 starting spots on offense and defense) proves it wasn't a fluke.

"Winning the conference [title] and going undefeated in the conference two consecutive years, that's something that's significant," said Metheny, last season's PG coach of the year. "And we were one play away from doing the same thing we did last year, this year. These kids showed what they're capable of."

Metheny pointed to the way that the team came back from an early 21-7 deficit and from down, 35-21, with less than 8 minutes to play as emblematic of his team the past two seasons.

Among this season's senior class that played its final game Friday were Lazenga, quarterback Matt Bliss, fullbacks Luke Olsen and Jared Pratt, receiver Alex Baroffio and most of what was a very effective offensive line.

Bliss stepped up to replace Erik Olson (now at California University of Pennsylvania), and exceeded expectations. He completed 61 percent of his passes (89 for 145) for 1,302 yards, 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions.

"He's one of the best quarterbacks around," Metheny said. "And he's a great kid; he's done a super job for us."

Of course, once there are two successive senior classes who accomplish so much, the credit also must begin to be handed to the coaches. Bethel Park's players seem to be willing to do so.

"I think they're one of the best, if not the best, coaching staff in the WPIAL," Lazenga said. "They put in countless hours after school; sometimes they're there after practice until 1 in the morning, then all day Saturday and all day Sunday.

"It's unbelievable the time they put in for us ... and we know they put it in the right places and we're always aware of what will work against a certain team."

The Black Hawks proved that 2008 wasn't a one-year wonder by following it up with a second consecutive strong season. Running off three in a row would entrench the team even more among the WPIAL elite.

Although the 2010 Black Hawks will have several starters to replace, among the returnees are 1,300-yard rusher Bre Ford and Nick Kwiatkoski, who had more than 700 yards of total offense and nine touchdowns.

"Ford and Kwiatkoski coming back is a good place to start," Metheny said. "We'll have inexperienced linemen, just like we did this year, and a less experienced quarterback.

"We've got a lot of work to do, for sure, but we have some players back. We'll be able to be bigger next year than we have in a while. Our guys will coach them up. They'll be OK."

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.