Sep 2, 2016 4 min read

McDONALD – The WPIAL has a new look to the 2016 season with six classifications.

Despite that major change, some things remain the same.

Like the South Fayette Lions winning at home.

The Lions had a tough test on their hands with the visiting Mars Planets, who won the Greater Allegheny Conference last season, advancing to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals.

Despite a slow start, the Lions extended their home winning streak to 25 consecutive games with a 35-14 Northwest Nine Conference victory.

South Fayette overcame one of the sloppiest starts the Lions have seen in quite some time, turning the ball over three times in the first quarter.

Quarterback Drew Saxton threw two interceptions in his first four pass attempts, both to Mars’ Isaiah Johnson. Johnson returned the second 86 yards for a touchdown to give the Planets a 7-0 lead.

Mars also recovered a fumble from SF’s Johnny Beck in the first quarter, but could not take advantage.

“Bottom line is we force three turnovers in the first quarter and don’t take advantage,” Mars head coach Scott Heinauer said. “They force turnovers and turn them into points. Difference in the game.”

Seeing his offense struggle, South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi unleashed his defense and it turned the game around in a hurry.

After forcing a Mars punt, Saxton found his groove in the second quarter and the Lions found the end zone.

The junior quarterback completed 7 of 8 pass attempts for 78 yards on a scoring drive that ended with a 14-yard scoring strike to Camron Garland to tie the game at 7-7.

“I just had to forget about the slow start,” said Saxton who completed 14 of 23 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. “I needed to stay loose, smile a little bit and have some fun. I know what I need to do: Take command of the offense and lead it like a quarterback should.”

The SF defense then forced turnovers on three consecutive possessions.

Ray Eldridge strip sacked Mars quarterback Noah Wright, returning the fumble to the Planets 9-yard line. The sack was one of two for Eldridge.

Two plays later Saxton threw to Noah Plack for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Lions their first lead, 14-7, midway through the second quarter.

“These kids have been there,” Rossi said. “They know to face the adversity and we did that and turned things around. The defense stepped up and did a very good job. Anytime you get turnovers it helps changes the game. Our offense gets a lot of notoriety but these kids take pride in playing defense.”

On the Planets’ next drive, Geavonie Love intercepted Wright, returning it all the way down to the Planets’ 5-yard line.

Love also made an impact running the football, rushing for 96 yards on 10 carries.

One play later, Saxton threw a 5-yard TD pass to Dan Trimbur, who committed to Cornell earlie in the week, to make it 21-7.

“It was a nice way for Dan to cap off a big week,” Rossi said.

The South Fayette defense thwarted the Planets’ final drive of the half as well when Luke Meindl intercepted Wright.

The defense continued to dominate in the second half when Plack got the Lions fourth turnover by intercepting Wright.

Wright completed just 2 of 11 passes for 37 yards, which both completions coming on the opening possession. The Lions also bottled up Johnson, limiting him to 69 yards on 23 carries.

“It was big being able to shut down their ground game,” said Rossi. “Isaiah is a tremendous talent.”

Saxton threw his fourth touchdown pass when he connected with Trimbur again in the third quarter, this time on a 14-yard score.

“We weren’t worried about Drew at all,” Rossi said. “He was 18 for 22 last week. Experience was big. Last year he may have been cringing after the interceptions, but this year he just shakes it off. He’s our man. He wasn’t worried. He does a great job.”