Frazier hosts Beth-Center in TCS biggie
Expect a good game played by two outstanding teams when Beth-Center travels to Frazier for a key Tri-County South Conference game.
Just don’t expect it to turn into a grudge match.
It was about a year ago that Frazier went to Fredericktown and handed the Bulldogs their only conference loss, but that really is not what motivates Beth-Center for tonight’s key Class A game.
“I really don’t think the loss to Frazier last year is what motivates us,” said Beth-Center coach Ed Woods. “Our kids are motivated because, in their eyes, this is going to be a very good football game. They know that, to win, we have to cut down on mistakes and penalties and to play a complete game.”
Likewise, Frazier isn’t exactly beating its chest over last year’s win. It was, after all, about a year ago.
“We had good line play and good linebacker play,” Frazier coach Mike Steeber recalled. “But they hurt us on some big plays. We just had more of them than they did.”
Enough about last year, though. Tonight, the 6-0 Bulldogs visit the 5-1 Commodores with playoff positioning and at least a share of the conference championship at stake.
“Winning it (outright) would be great, but unlikely,” Steeber said. “But we’ll see. There’s still three weeks to go. All we can do is take care of our part.”
Strangely, these teams have gotten to this point by taking different paths. Frazier rides the strong arm of quarterback Charlie Manack, who has thrown for 992 yards with 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Beth-Center relies on the ground game and has four quality backs, led by sophomore Tony Welsh and his 772 rushing yards on only 53 carries and 12 touchdowns.
“Their running game is always good,” Steeber said of the Bulldog backfield that also includes Matt Riggle, Jason Stay and Nico Brown. “We have to be ready to run to the football. Their backs just run hard and it takes more than one defender to stop them. We need everybody to run to the ball.
“Plus, their quarterback (Gino Faieta) is a senior who is experienced and can beat you throwing the ball,” Steeber said. “But they run for almost 250 yards a game and don’t have to throw very often.”
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs must be ready for Manack and the Frazier passing game.
“It’s not necessarily tougher, just different,” Woods said when asked about preparing for a passing team. “We don’t see many passing offenses, but we work our defensive backs tough every week, regardless of who we are playing. If we only prepared for the pass this week, we’d be in trouble.
“Frazier is solid. Their quarterback reads defenses very well and throws the ball very well. We will be tested. I expect it to be a really good game.”
On that point, Steeber and Woods are in agreement.
“It’s going to be a good game,” Steeber said. “It will take a good four quarters of solid football to win it.”
Elsewhere in the TCS, Avella visits Carmichaels, Mapletown hosts West Greene and Jefferson-Morgan entertains Vincentian in an exhibition game. Geibel Catholic hosts Bentworth Saturday at 1 p.m. In the Class A Black Hills Conference, California travels to Chartiers-Houston.
In the Class AA Interstate Conference, Brownsville plays Southmoreland at Cal U’s Adamson Stadium and Yough visits Waynesburg Central.
In the Class AAA Big Nine Conference, Laurel Highlands visits Albert Gallatin, Uniontown is at Trinity and Belle Vernon travels to Thomas Jefferson.
In the Class AAAA Foothills Conference, Connellsville is home to McKeesport.