AG, LH close out regular season Friday
Mitchell Kendra
Albert Gallatin’s Nate Bricker pulls in an 11-yard touchdown reception during the second quarter of Friday’s Big Nine Conference game against Uniontown at Colonials Stadium. The Red Raiders’ Kaine Frye defends.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Laurel Highlands quarterback Conner Basinger (9) sets up in the pocket behind the protection of running back Chad Petrush (45) and the offensive line during the second quarter of Friday’s Big Nine Conference game against Thomas Jefferson at Laurel Highlands.
Football games are not decided on paper.
If they were, Friday’s Albert Gallatin and Laurel Highlands Big Nine Conference game would be too close to call.
Both teams enter the regular-season finale at 2-5 in conference play. The Mustangs are 4-5 overall and the Colonials are 2-6 heading into the Herald-Standard Game of the Week. AG beat Uniontown (40-13) and West Mifflin (28-27), while LH also downed the Red Raiders (40-15) and Titans (25-21).
The kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Mustang Field. Senior Night will be held during the pregame festivities.
“It definitely looks like it is going to be a great football game and down to the wire,” Albert Gallatin coach Shawn Liotta said. “We are really excited to have the opportunity to play another Fayette County team in a rivalry game. We beat Uniontown last week, and are hoping to follow that up this week. Laurel Highlands got us last year, so we are looking to get some redemption for that. These are two evenly-matched teams on paper, but we have to execute.”
Laurel Highlands’ only victory last season was over Albert Gallatin in the season finale, but head coach Zack Just saw a desire to improve from his team in the offseason.
“We had a really good offseason and we really felt we could have a turnaround season,” Just said. “We had a tough season last year but the boys never quit. We are looking forward to the matchup with Albert Gallatin. They are much better than their record would indicate, and these are two good football teams.
“We anticipate a four-quarter match-up. Albert Gallatin does a great job in utilizing their skills guys, and that is a credit to Coach Liotta and his staff. He ran a state-championship offense at Clairton, and is in the right direction of turning it around at Albert Gallatin. Both teams will be well prepared. It is going to come down to execution and who is going to limit the mistakes.”
The Mustangs feature an option attack that causes problems for defenses with quarterback Conner Basinger running the show. Chad Petrush should get plenty of carries, as well as Jadakiss Collins. Ian Edenfield is a solid tight end and Jacob Dukman is a threat at wide receiver.
“LH gives you a lot of problems with their offense,” Liotta said. “They run the flex bone and a pistol in addition to the option. We have to stop them from running the ball. We have spent time on stopping the option, and you have to play assignment football when defending the option.
“They are well coached in running the option. They didn’t do it as much earlier in the season, but have gone back to it the last four or five games.”
Edenfield is an All-Conference linebacker, and has also contributed on special teams as well. He blocked a punt and scored a touchdown in the Laurel Highlands’ win over West Mifflin.
“Ian Edenfield is a really good football player and I have a lot of respect for him,” Liotta said. “They were down on numbers last year and he had to play on the line for them. He is a dynamic player on both sides of the ball, and he showed against West Mifflin that he can make an impact on special teams.
“We can’t afford to have mistakes on special teams because it can cost you. A perfect example for us is when we played Highlands. We gave up nine points on special teams and it was a 10-point game. We talked to the kids about five or six plays having a significant impact on the game, and you have to be ready to go on every play because those game-changing plays can come at any time.”
The Colonials like to run an up-tempo offense with sophomore quarterback Domonick Lewellen, but showed in last week’s win over Uniontown that they can run the ball with Javon Davis and Trevon Oliver. Nate Bricker is Albert Gallatin’s primary threat at wide receiver.
“It is a shame that the area didn’t get to see Nate Bricker play football for four years,” Just said. “He is a fantastic player and the best wide receiver in the conference. I remember watching Domonick (Lewellen) in eighth grade throw a 50-yard rope and I had to ask, ‘Who is that kid?’ He reminded me of Jimmy Pierce. They are very hard to defend, and have a great tailback and fullback.”
Liotta is proud of the improvement his team has made defensively this season.
“We have put a lot of time into fundamentals,” Liotta said. “We may be able to run a complex offense and everything, but it really comes down to who blocks and tackles the best. Nate Bricker has done a good job at safety.
“Torry Robinson is a young guy at defensive back. You don’t hear his name called a lot because they don’t throw his way. Trey Kirby is our leading tackler on the defensive line and Braeden Moody has done a great job at inside linebacker. It has really been a team effort with 11 hats on the football every play.”
Just has seen his team go from one victory to possibly five in a season, and attributes that to his players being more physical.
“I think our physicality was much improved,” Just said. “I think we’ve really battled this year. They came to practice everyday ready to work and improve.”