Running wild
After Jefferson-Morgan’s 47-19 victory over Geibel Catholic, all attention now turns to the Rocket’s Tri-County South showdown at Beth-Center on Friday. The Rockets will be heading into the game undefeated and with a running game that has put 1,000 yards in the books, but coach Jan Haiden won’t take anything for granted.
“We have had some success running the ball,” said Haiden. “I think it comes from being balanced, as well, and having a good line.”
“But we can’t take anything for granted against Beth-Center,” said Haiden. “We need to play mistake-free ball. They have a great program with a winning tradition, so it’ll be tough against them.”
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (2-1) rebounded from their first home loss in four years with a 28-6 rout of Carmichaels.
Mikes coach John Menhart said the difference in the game was penalties and turnovers, the same things that have plagued the team over the season.
“After we settled down I think we played well,” said Menhart. “I think for a time we actually outgained them in yardage. But we had 11 penalties and five turnovers and no matter who you are, no matter who you play, when that happens you will never win. Those things will add up real quick against you.”
This week, the Mikes will face Mapletown as both teams look to avoid an 0-4 start.
“Mapletown is a good team,” said Menhart. “They can air the ball out and really have played hard against all the teams they have faced this season.”
The Maples suffered a 40-12 loss to Monessen last week.
“We played well in the game and had a chance to take the lead at the goal line, but we turned the ball over,” Mapletown coach George Messich said. “After that, a couple quick touchdowns knocked us out.”
Messich said he was excited for Friday’s game against Carmichaels and said it reminded him of other great local rivalries.
“Both teams know each other well,” said Messich. “The players know each other because of the close location of the schools and so this makes for some really exciting football. It’s almost like West Virginia and Pitt on a high school level.”
West Greene will also be looking to avoid a 0-4 start after losing to California last week, 43-0. The Pioneers will take on Monessen this week and as assistant coach Jay Jones said each week is still a learning process for the young team.
“We have a lot of young guys out there for us,” said Jones. “We had 30 guys come out to play for us, which was more than last year, but we still only have four seniors and so we lack experience on the field.”
Jones said a brutal early schedule hasn’t helped, as the Pioneers faced Fort Cherry and Chartiers-Houston.
“Right now our guys are just trying to learn each week what we need to fix,” said Jones. “We’ll get there, but it’ll take some time.”
Coach Joe Kuhns and his Waynesburg Central squad have dealt with injuries and other personnel issues this season and the schedule hasn’t provided much reprieve.
The Raiders (1-2) lost to Interstate Conference opponent Mount Pleasant, 36-13, last week and now must travel to fourth-ranked Jeannette, which is coming off a 63-6 romp over South Allegheny.
“I think we played three good quarters last Friday,” said Kuhns. “The second quarter kind of slipped away from us, I think. We were dealing with a lot of injuries and had to make a lot of substitutions, so not everyone on the field for us knew the plays as well.”
Kuhns said the attitude in practice has been good as the Raiders prepare for Friday’s game against the Jayhawks.
“Everything is going good,” said Kuhns. “We already discussed in practice about just enjoying every snap and just being patient. I told the guys the wins will come. If we play as hard as we have done, I think we can pick up five wins this season. And that’s the type of start we need.”