H.S. football preview
Unbeaten Waynesburg, Jeannette to clash in Interstate showdown Depending on who’s doing the ranking, Jeannette’s No. 2. Or No. 4.
It seems Waynesburg Central, meanwhile, is a unanimous No. 3.
But do coaches Dave Sarra and Robert Murphy really care?
“We treat every week the same,” said Waynesburg’s Sarra. “We’re in a tough conference. Week in, week out, we know we’re going to be in for a battle.”
It should be quite a battle indeed, when the Raiders host the Jayhawks tonight in a game that could very well determine the Interstate Conference champion.
Waynesburg has rolled over five opponents, while Jeannette did receive a scare against Charleroi two weeks ago. The Jayhawks fell behind with 1:47 remaining, but scored just 56 seconds later to retake the lead.
“The thing about the polls is that none of it really matters until the end of the season,” Murphy said. “I’ll guess we’ll see who’s better after the game.”
The Raiders’ offense relies heavily upon quarterback Cory Walsh, who has rushed for 399 yards and six touchdowns, while throwing for another 389 yards and five scores.
“They have a real talented quarterback, who can run particularly well,” Murphy said. “He’s been a big playmaker in all of their games. But they’re certainly not a one-man team. They have a lot of balance and we know we’re in for a real challenge.”
Scott Cree has pulled in 11 of Walsh’s passes for 259 yards and five touchdowns, while Bryan Golden has rushed for 392 yards and seven scores. Marcus Imrich and Eric Conklin have added, five and two touchdowns, respectively.
“We’re always going to try to establish the run, but we can throw the football if we have to,” Sarra said.
Jeannette, meanwhile, is led by running back Derrick Hall and wide receiver C.J. Brown. Hall has rushed for 483 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with catching 10 passes for 96 yards.
Brown has done a little of everything, catching 12 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 165 yards and three touchdowns and also returning a punt for a score.
Derry at Laurel Highlands
Greensburg Salem at Belle Vernon
These four teams occupy space on opposite ends of the Keystone Conference playoff spectrum.
Greensburg Salem, fresh off a hard-fought 9-7 win over Uniontown a week ago, and Belle Vernon (4-1, 3-0) meet in what could decide the Keystone Conference championship. Both enter the game unbeaten in section play.
The Golden Lions (3-2, 2-0) failed to put points on the board three times inside Uniontown’s 10-yard line last week, and could be severely tested by a stout Leopards’ defense which gave up its first points in four games in a 13-7 win over Derry a week ago.
Keep this in mind: Should the game be close, both teams have reliable kickers.
Belle Vernon’s Jon Fowler has already booted field goals of 48 and 44 yards, while Greensburg Salem’s Adam Bonfanti kicked a 37-yard last week against Uniontown.
Laurel Highlands (2-3, 1-1) hosts the Trojans (1-4, 1-2) in a pivotal game, which may go a long way towards determining whether or not LH returns to the postseason.
The Mustangs have slowly but surely built momentum the past two weeks, with wins over Ambridge and Yough, but games to come against Greensburg Salem, Mount Pleasant and cross-town rival Uniontown make tonight’s battle with Derry that much more important.
While it should be a dogfight at between Uniontown, Belle Vernon and Greensburg Salem for the conference crown, the fourth and final playoff berth will probably go to Laurel Highlands or Derry.
Mount Pleasant at Uniontown
With “The Streak” a thing of the past, the Red Raiders must get back on track quickly, and who better to do it against than winless Mount Pleasant.
Uniontown had trouble moving the football in last week’s loss at Greensburg Salem, which snapped the Red Raiders’ 15-game regular-season winning streak. The loss leaves Uniontown in a rather precarious position: The Red Raiders must hope Greensburg Salem loses two of its final four games, while they win all three of theirs, including an Oct. 18 showdown at Belle Vernon.
Mount Pleasant’s 0-5 record may be a bit deceiving. In three non-conference losses, the Vikings have not looked very good, being outscored by a 119-21 margin. But in two Keystone Conference games, Mount Pleasant has taken Derry down to the wire (27-22) and held tough against Greensburg Salem (18-3).
Woodland Hills at Connellsville
Can things get any worse for the Falcons?
This week: It’s the PIAA’s No. 2-ranked Wolverines.
Last week: Pittsburgh Central Catholic – ranked seventh in the state – ripped Connellsville 46-0.
Next week: No. 6 Penn Hills.
Albert Gallatin at Canon-McMillan
Last week, Tropical Storm Isodore played a roll in forcing the postponement by one day of the Colonials’ game against Fox Chapel.
Albert Gallatin (1-4, 1-2) and Canon-McMillan (3-2, 2-0) will more than likely play tonight, but Hurricane Lili, the latest tropical storm, could also be a factor.
Of note: Big Macs sophomore quarterback Doug Rheam was only 1 of 2 for minus-seven yards in a win over McKeesport last week, but he rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Brownsville at Washington
Perhaps a must-win game for both teams. The defending WPIAL and PIAA Class AA champion Little Prexies (3-2, 1-1) were upset last week by Greensburg Central Catholic, when a double reverse on fourth-and-goal at the five lost 15 yards.
A win for the Falcons (2-3, 1-2) tonight could prove invaluable should a tie for the fourth-and-final playoff spot arise down the road.
Charleroi at Southmoreland
The Scotties (1-4, 0-3) haven’t fared well in Interstate Conference play, losing to Greensburg Central Catholic, Washington and Brownsville by a combined 121-27.
The Cougars (3-2. 0-2), meanwhile, nearly pulled off an upset of Jeannette two weeks ago, taking a 22-18 lead over the Jayhawks with 1:47 left after a 40-yard hook-and-lateral went for a touchdown.
Jeannette responded, however, to score just 56 seconds later and win the game.
Carmichaels at Jefferson-Morgan
It’s the annual Halushki Bowl, where Carmichaels holds a 46-18-2 advantage.
The Mikes (5-0, 3-0) were favored to win the Tri-County South and are well on their way to doing so. To have any chance in this game, Jefferson-Morgan (1-4, 1-2) must find a way to stop the Mikes’ running game, which produced three 100-yard rushers a week ago against Mapletown.
California at Mapletown
The Tri-County South. Carmichaels, Monessen and this year, West Greene, at the top. Then, it’s …
California, Mapletown, Jefferson-Morgan and Frazier are tied at 1-2.
It looks like maybe just one of these teams will grab a playoff spot, so tonight’s game in Mapletown packs a lot of importance.
Two players to keep an eye on: Mapletown wideout Gerod Buckhalter and California running back Ryan Robinson.
Geibel Catholic at Frazier
Ah, those nasty rumors. The Geibel brass staved off rumors earlier this week that the program would fold before season’s end. It looks like the Gators’ offense already has, seeing a decline in total points for the fifth straight week.
As for the Commodores: See California, Mapletown and Jefferson-Morgan.
Avella at Beth-Center
The Bulldogs (0-3, 2-3) began the season with two non-section victories, but once Black Hills Conference play started, it was a different story.
Turkeyfoot Valley at Weirton Madonna (W.Va.)
Do the Rams ever play in the state of Pennsylvania?