playoff pressures
With 16 teams in each classification, the first round of the WPIAL football playoffs is often littered with blowouts, a point proven by the fact that only three of last weekend’s 32 games were decided by single digits.
Yet by the quarterfinals, things dramatically change. Games are much closer. Maybe even a must-see matchup or two.
Some teams, fresh off a playoff win, blow a gasket along the highway to Heinz, an abrupt exit from the postseason only a few days after a victory they thought had salvaged the season.
“You have to come out and perform,” South Fayette quarterback Brett Brumbaugh said. “Only the best teams will come out of this.”
Locally, those are No. 3 seed Washington, No. 2 South Fayette and No. 5 Monessen, each trying to survive the trickiest week of the playoffs, the time when the non-elite teams are eliminated.
And all three are carrying baggage.
South Fayette, which will play No. 10 Beaver Falls at Moon, lost to Seton-La Salle last year behind three interceptions from Brumbaugh; Wash High, which was crushed, 36-6, by defending WPIAL champion Aliquippa, will play No. 6 Seton-La Salle at Canon-McMillan; and Monessen, which will play No. 13 Neshannock, lost to Springdale in the first round last year.
“The kids are definitely excited for the opportunity to take the next step here,” Wash High coach Mike Bosnic said. “It’s definitely something we’ve discussed with them and that they’re well aware of.”
While there’s no question Shai McKenzie (143 carries, 2,162 yards, 36 TD) has been the biggest reason for Wash High’s success, the Prexies’ defense is starting to turn a few heads as well.
Linebacker Jaylin Kelly leads the unit with 95 tackles, seven tackles and five forced fumbles.
Rhamir Thomas is second with 84 tackles. Mijerean Witcher and Josh Wise have three interceptions apiece, and DaRon Whitaker has seven sacks.
Wash High (10-0) has allowed a single-game high of 15 points and five times has limited its opponent to a touchdown or less.
“We’re playing a style of football where our guys are aggressive, and they’re flying to the ball,” said Bosnic, whose team lost to Seton-La Salle in 2010 and ’11 as members of the Class AA Century Conference. “We just have a lot of guys doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Seton-La Salle features Brett Brumbaugh’s older brother, Luke, who has thrown for 1,581 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading the Rebels (9-1) to five straight wins after a Week 5 loss to South Fayette.
Lou Rotunda has been Brumbaugh’s favorite target, catching 40 passes for 796 yards and eight touchdowns, and the Rebels’ defense has also been outstanding, eight times allowing a touchdown or less with four shutouts.
“They’re tough to prepare for because they’re balanced,” Bosnic said. “And they’re really good on defense.”
South Fayette has eliminated Beaver Falls each of the past two seasons, and the Lions (10-0) could make it three in a row if they’re able to contain Damian Rawl and Robert Bell, who’ve combined for 1,749 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns.
Beaver Falls knocked off Class AAA No. 3 seed Central Valley in Week 9 and last week rushed for 450 yards during a 28-14 win over Freeport.
“We have to stop the run – fill our gaps, tackle and get them off the field,” South Fayette coach Joe Rossi said.
Brumbaugh, who for the first time this season is not the WPIAL’s leading passer – falling 120 yards behind Mt. Lebanon’s Tyler Roth – will be looking for redemption after last year’s playoff struggles.
Brumbaugh (2,253 passing yards, 33 TD) threw seven picks during wins over Beaver Falls and a loss to Seton-La Salle last season.
“When I came in last year, I just thought, ‘I’m just going to try and do the best I can,'” Brumbaugh said. “Then this year – and obviously I tried to win last year – it’s like I have to get the win because we’re expected to do great things. That’s the expectation from ourselves and the coaches, that we don’t want to lose this year.”
For Monessen, perhaps the Greyhounds are happy that Springdale’s season is over.
Monessen has had its season ended by the Dynamos each of the past three years but face a tough test in Neshannock, which is in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
To reach the quarterfinals, the Greyhounds (9-1) must beat a team that has scored 35 or more points in every week except one: a 28-21 loss to Rochester, the No. 3 seed, in Week 6.
Monessen quarterback Chavas Rawlins has had a great year, passing for 1,253 yards, rushing for 546 more and scoring 28 touchdowns – 12 passing, 12 rushing and four on defense or special teams.