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Maples, Raiders end playoff droughts

By Adam Brewer, For The Greene County Messenger 6 min read
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Anthony J. Sparks

Waynesburg Central’s Travis Wilkinson (2) returns an interception in the first quarter during Friday’s contest against Derry at Waynesburg Central High School. The interception set up the Raiders’ first touchdown.

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Waynesburg Central's Matt Snyder (30) attempts to bring down Derry's Josh Flack during their game Friday at Waynesburg Central High School.

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Mapletown freshman Dylan Rush celebrates after picking up a first down against California on Oct. 17. The Maples won 41-16. Mapletown was seeded 12th in the WPIAL playoffs and will play at fifth-seeded Avonworth on Friday. (Photo by Anthony J. Sparks)

So what were you doing in 2003 and 2005?

Yours truly was a wide-eyed college kid that thought a hard day consisted of waking up at 10 a.m. and going to three classes.

I was probably thinking that Ramen Noodles was the greatest invention in the history of mankind. I was probably still trying to figure out what happened on the latest episode of Lost. And I was probably thinking this whole Facebook and Twitter thing was just going to be a fad.

Also, Waynesburg Central (2003) and Mapletown (2005) were in the playoffs.

Fast-forward to 2014, Ramen Noodles are just not that appetizing anymore, I still don’t understand what happened on Lost and I depend so much of my life on Facebook and Twitter (by the way you can always follow me on twitter at @amb7445).

Also (and more importantly), the Raiders and Maples are back in the postseason and will start their Road to Heinz Field tonight in first round action.

Waynesburg received the No. 16 seed in Class AA and will travel to top-seeded South Fayette (9-0).

Mapletown garnered the No. 12 seed in Class A and will venture to fifth-seeded Avonworth (8-1).

Both games are set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. and both will be broadcast on greenesports.net.

The following is the season recap and playoff previews for both the Raiders and the Maples.

Waynesburg Central

Record: 6-3 overall, 5-3 in Interstate Conference (fourth place)

Big Wins in 2014: Burgettstown (33-6 in Week 1), Southmoreland (26-21 in Week 7), Derry Area (28-19 in Week 9).

Offensive Catalyst: Senior tailback Hunter Cenname has been the workhorse for the Raiders ever since his fellow senior running back John Glen Davis went down with an injury in Week 5 versus Charleroi.

Cenname has answered the bell with 1,471 yards on 166 carries for an 8.9 yards per rush and 20 touchdowns. He is the fourth leading rusher in the WPIAL and first in Class AA.

Unsung Hero(s): Senior quarterback Colby Collins and senior wide receivers Dom Sarra and Travis Wilkinson will have to step up and present somewhat of a steady passing game to keep the pressure off of Cenname. Collins has passed for over 600 yards with six touchdowns and is an elusive runner with his feet.

Collins’ main targets on the season is Sarra (316 receiving yards/6 TD’s) and Wilkinson, who can also be a threat running the ball on reverses and misdirection plays.

Hidden Stat: In a matter of two weeks during the season, Waynesburg lost two games by a mere nine points. If they were to come out on top on either of those games (28-20 loss to Washington/28-27 loss to Mount Pleasant), they might have been able to avoid the top-seed and even host a playoff game.

Playoff History: Since 1998, the Raiders have made the playoffs six times with its deepest run winning a Class AA title against Washington in 1999.

The year after their title, they dropped a championship game to Aliquippa. The Raiders also dropped first round games to North Catholic (2001) and Shenango (2002).

Opponent: South Fayette is the defending WPIAL champion and are on a 23-game winning streak with its last loss coming against Washington in the semifinals in 2012.

The Lions are led by star quarterback Bret Brumbaugh, who holds the WPIAL records for career passing yards and touchdowns. In 2013, Brumbaugh has surpassed over 2,000 yards through the air with 26 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

As an offense, South Fayette has amassed over 3,800 yards (second best in all of the WPIAL).

Other playmakers for the Lions are tailback Hunter Hayes (935 yards/19 TD’s) and wide receivers Logan Sharp (611 yards/10 TD’s) and Nick Ponikvar (576 yards/six TD’s).

South Fayette also mounts a stingy defense, only allowing 11.4 points per game (second in Class AA to Aliquippa).

Mapletown

Record: 7-2 overall, 6-2 in Tri-County South (third place)

Big Wins in 2014: Carmichaels (30-2 in Week 2), Avella (28-0 in Week 5), Jefferson-Morgan (21-7 in Week 6), Monessen (24-6 in Week 9). Five-game winning streak heading into the playoffs as well.

Offensive Catalysts: Freshmen running back Dylan Rush and senior tailback Adam Hein has been running all over defenses in the TCS and will look to do the same in the postseason. Rush and Hein has been the Maples one-two punch and an electric running duo that can pound the ball in the trenches and break loose for long gains on the outside.

Rush has amassed 934 yards on the ground with a total of 16 touchdowns, while Hein is right behind him with 722 yards, an 8.2 yards per rush average and 14 total touchdowns.

Unsung Hero(s): The offensive line is always unsung heroes for any successful running team, and Mapletown hosts a plethora of sound linemen in the trenches. Both backs are talented, but it’s the offensive line that is the ones that open those holes and makes it easier for the backs.

The Maples are anchored on the line by senior right tackle Zach Brown (6-1, 280), sophomore right guard Jake Visokey (6-2, 205), junior center Chase Johnston (6-1, 255), junior left guard Harley Gee (6-0, 255) and junior left tackle Brandon McClead (6-3, 290).

Hidden Stat: Even though Mapletown’s running attack gets all of the headlines, it’s the play of their defense that has won several of its games.

The Maples are stout up front with experience and size, which opens up rush lanes for its linebackers. The secondary is also experienced and has stood tall in pass coverage this season.

Heading into tonight’s playoff game, Mapletown only gives up 13.9 points per game, seventh best in all of Class A.

Playoff History: This will be only the fourth time since 1997 that the Maples are playoff-bound. The last three ended with first round exits. In 2005, Mapletown dropped a 35-34 heartbreaker to Bentworth at home.

In 2001, the Maples fell to Riverview 21-7 and in 1997 they suffered a 34-6 defeat to Rochester.

Opponent: The Antelopes have qualified for the postseason in eight of the last 10 seasons, including seven straight trips. Since 2005, Avonworth is 5-2 in the first round of the playoffs.

Avonworth finished second in the Black Hills Conference and their lone loss in 2014 is against conference champion Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic (28-0 L in Week 7).

Coming into the game, the Antelopes average 30.8 points per game and are led by dynamic playmaker Jamal Hughley. Hughley is the team’s leading rusher with 534 yards and the leading receiver with 382 yards. Hughly has also scored 20 touchdowns this season.

Other notable ball-carriers for Avonworth are Brandon Wasko (319 yards/four TD’s), Kevin Sampson (307 yards/four TD’s) and Josh Drwal (305 yards/five TD’s).

Defensively, the Antelopes are only giving up 12.9 points per game.

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