5 things to watch in high school football’s Week 1
There was a lot learned in high school football’s opening weekend and only half the area teams were in action.
Tonight, every local team will take the field trying for either a similar performance to last week, to improve its opening act or to start the 2017 regular season on a high note.
There are a few matchups that could determine who takes the first step toward winning a conference title.
Here is what to watch this weekend:
1. Game of the Century?
Charleroi at Washington. If Charleroi head coach Donnie Militzer is looking for motivation for the Cougars, he might not want to bring up the last five years when these two teams have met.
Or should he?
A special kind of hatred can be generated if Militzer’s pregame speech to his team is how it has lost each of those five games. If that’s the tactic, Militzer might want to also mention that the Prexies scored at least 60 points in three of those games against Charleroi.
If playing an important conference game in Week One doesn’t get the Cougars’ blood boiling, then Charleroi doesn’t deserve all the hype it has been given.
Washington has averaged 58.4 points per game against Charleroi over the last five meetings to the Cougars’ 10.6 points.
2. Battle in the TCS
If you want to find defensive game plans that are completely opposite of one another, Fort Cherry at California is the matchup eyes should be on.
It’s pretty simple for the Trojans – do whatever it takes to stop – or at least slow down – Fort Cherry quarterback Ryhan Culberson.
With the loss of Devon Brown and Nick Rogers to graduation, Culberson will need to do even more than the 35 touchdowns he accounted for last season.
The Rangers can’t narrow the scheme to stopping one player for California, which is comfortable giving the ball to running backs Jonathan Wood and Cochise Ryan, along with fullback Jelani Stafford.
3. The second-game hurdle
The two local teams in Class 6A – Peters Township and Canon-McMillan – have an opportunity to do something that might seem ordinary but just isn’t achieved often by these two schools located five minutes apart.
The Indians and Big Macs have a chance tonight to start the season 2-0. It would be the first time for PT since 2012. C-M hasn’t been 2-0 since 2003.
The task for PT should be easier as Seneca Valley has lost its top passer, rusher and receiver from last year’s unexpectedly deep playoff run, which ended with a 42-7 loss to Central Catholic in the WPIAL championship at Heinz Field.
Canon-McMillan will need a better offensive performance than its seven net rushing yards last week if it is to defeat high-scoring Hempfield.
4. Fight in the Northwest Nine
Not many teams were more impressive last week than South Fayette.
Meanwhile, Mars, the Lions’ opponent tonight in the conference opener, squeaked out a 27-14 win against Hampton, a team that was winless a year ago. The Planets managed only 16 yards of offense through the first 20 minutes of the game and trailed 7-0.
Mars is always competitive. The question is to what extent will it be tonight?
South Fayette made easy work of an experienced Central Valley team, allowing only 38 total yards in the first half and sacking the Warriors’ quarterback nine times in three quarters.
Mars first-year quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski will have his work cut out for him against a young and hungry Lions defense.
5. For openers
Though 11 teams played their first meaningful games last weekend, eight will be starting from scratch tonight.
Out of those eight, six will be playing against teams that played in Week Zero.
Will there be an advantage?
We’ll just have to wait and see.
Staff writer Luke Campbell can be reached at lcampbell@observer-reporter.com.