Sep 26, 2008 6 min read

Tonight, the Mikes make the short trip to Jefferson-Morgan for another important Tri-County South match-up, and may have the services of senior quarterback Joby Lapkowicz, who has been sidelined since June after suffering an ankle injury in the state baseball playoffs. “He may play,” said Carmichaels coach Mike Bosnic. “Depending on how he’s feeling and how he’s progressed through the week.”

Elsewhere tonight, Mapletown hosts California and Waynesburg Central visits unbeaten Greensburg Central Catholic. On Saturday, Geibel Catholic plays host to winless West Greene.

The Messenger will also take a look at Friday’s key Tri-County South contest between Beth-Center and Monessen.

Lapkowicz’s return may be another shot in the arm for the Mikes, who have rebounded from poor starts the previous two seasons to make the WPIAL playoffs.

Carmichaels began this season with losses to Fort Cherry, Chartiers-Houston and Beth-Center, which combined for an 11-1 record through four games.

Fort Cherry and Chartiers-Houston remain unbeaten, and both are ranked in the top 5 in the WPIAL in Class A by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and MSA Sports Network.

“The last couple seasons we’ve really drawn tough opponents early in the year,” Bosnic said. “Hopefully, it will make us a better team in the long run.”

Last week, senior Billy Hyatt scored twice, once on a rushing touchdown, and once on an interception return, as Carmichaels shut out Mapletown. Josh Greene and Michael Mays added rushing touchdowns.

Lapkowicz began practicing with the team a week ago, and has progressed with each passing day. The left-hander is a threat to run or pass, and should give the Mikes (1-3, 1-1) an added dimension at quarterback.

“It should definitely give us a boost,” Bosnic said. “It will be good just to see him out there on the field. He’s such a hard-working kid.”

Jonathan Krall has started Carmichaels’ first four games, and while his inexperience has been evident at times, the sophomore has made a definite progression and gained valuable playing time.

“He’s definitely coming around,” Bosnic said. “The more maturity and more experience he gets, the better he’ll be.”

Jefferson-Morgan, meanwhile, saw its three-game winning streak come to an abrupt, crashing halt last week. Beth-Center outplayed the Rockets in every phase in a 48-0 trouncing.

The Rockets started out with wins over Leechburg, Avella and Geibel Catholic, which have combined to win just one game in 12 tries so far.

Jefferson-Morgan (3-1, 1-1) has had the upper hand against Carmichaels recently, winning three straight games by an average score of 34-6.

“Carmichaels and Jefferson-Morgan is always a big game; it’s always a rivalry,” Bosnic said. “Jefferson-Morgan always has a tough, hard-nosed team and they’re always well-coached.”

CALIFORNIA AT MAPLETOWN

The Maples (0-4, 0-2) continue to struggle, and will look for their first win this season against a Trojans squad which has won two straight.

Mapletown has been the victim of slow starts and inconsistent play. After losing non-section openers to Bentworth and Frazier, the Maples have failed to dent the scoreboard in two Tri-County South games against Monessen and Carmichaels.

California opened its season with losses to Frazier and Serra Catholic, but rebounded with victories over West Greene and Geibel.

In a 28-14 win over the much-improved Gators last week, California’s Jordan Michaux ran for 153 yards on 15 carries, including a 21-yard scoring run.

The Trojans jumped out to a 28-0 first-half lead before allowing Geibel to get back into the game.

California has won the past two games with Mapletown.

WEST GREENE AT GEIBEL CATHOLIC

This game pits two teams against each other that have combined to win just once, but the Pioneers and Gators are teams heading in the opposite direction.

West Greene (0-4, 0-2) has been outscored 186-21, but three of its losses have come to Fort Cherry, Chartiers-Houston and Monessen.

The Pioneers have been plagued by small numbers, youth and inexperience, while the Gators have made the most of one of Class A’s smallest rosters.

After opening its season with an easy win over Avella, Geibel has started slowly in losses to Bentworth, Jefferson-Morgan and California.

Last week against California, Gators quarterback Mick Betler connected with Nolan Zavora for two touchdowns, the first going for 68 yards and the second coming from six yards out.

Dating back to 1999, Geibel has won just seven games, and the Gators are 1-8 against West Greene. The Pioneers have won the last three meetings between the teams.

WAYNESBURG CENTRAL AT GREENSBURG CENTRAL CATHOLIC

After opening their season with a win over rival Washington, the Raiders have lost three straight and come into tonight’s match-up 1-3. But for a few plays, Waynesburg could just as easily be 3-1.

The Raiders came out on the short end of a 9-6 decision to South Allegheny in Week 2, before suffering a 22-18 setback at Mount Pleasant a week later.

Last week, defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Jeannette blanked Waynesburg, 49-0, and nothing gets anything easier this week in a game against the Centurions.

Greensburg C.C. features a two-headed monster in running back David Miller and quarterback Trent Hurley. Against Mt. Pleasant last week, Miller rushed for 100 yards and scored four touchdowns on 15 carries.

Hurley, meanwhile, completed 6 of 9 passes for 182 yards, including a 41-yard scoring strike to Nate Antone.

MONESSEN AT BETH-CENTER

Who is the top dog in the Tri-County South?

Tonight’s match-up between the Bulldogs and Greyhounds should go a long way in deciding just that.

Beth-Center let a 21-0 lead slip away in its season opener before eventually losing to Carlynton, but since has rolled past three opponents, including Carmichaels and Jefferson-Morgan.

In their past three games, the Bulldogs have allowed just two touchdowns.

Last week, senior Brant LaBrasca came out of nowhere to catch three touchdown passes from quarterback Dom Moore as B-C rolled past Jefferson-Morgan at Parker Field.

The Bulldogs also ran for 279 yards, as sophomore Jeff Tarley finished with 110 on 17 carries. Tarley added a pair of short touchdown runs.

Monessen, meanwhile, posted its second consecutive shutout after blanking West Greene. The Greyhounds’ season got off to a rocky start after losing 10-0 to Rochester and 44-0 to Clairton.

Monessen trailed 38-0 after one quarter against the Bears, but righted its ship a week later with a convincing win over Mapletown.