Oct 3, 2013 4 min read

For Avella High School’s football team, it’s 2012 all over again.

Or maybe it just seems like it this week.

The Eagles are again hovering at the top of the WPIAL Class A Tri-County South Conference standings with an important game against Frazier, just like last year.

The Eagles (4-0, 5-0) travel to Frazier (4-1, 4-1) tonight for a 7 p.m. kickoff in a game that has crucial playoff implications, just like last year.

What Avella wants this year is a different ending, not only to this game but the rest of the season.

“Yeah, it is a lot like last season,” said Ryan Cecchini, Avella’s head coach. “This team is a lot more mature, and they know what to expect. Last year was such a whirl wind. We were in the paper almost every day, and we needed to handle it better.”

The Eagles were beaten by Frazier, 20-13, last season, sparking a three-game losing streak that dissolved Avella’s playoff hopes. The Eagles lost to Frazier, Carmichaels and Beth-Center and finished fifth in a conference that qualifies four teams for the playoffs.

“After that first loss, we didn’t know how to handle it,” said Cecchini. “I told the kids (this week) that you don’t get many (second) chances in life. We get to repeat it. We get the chance to right the wrong.”

Avella could earn a home game in the playoffs if it can beat Frazier and Carmichaels in the next two weeks. Beth-Center and Bentworth round out the remaining conference schedule, just like last year.

“This is very similar to last year,” said Frazier head coach Mike Steeber. “The kids they have from last year have gotten better. They have a good team, and that shows up on the film.”

This game promises to be entertaining as both teams like to throw the football. Santino Paris has thrown for 586 yards and eight touchdowns. The running game has been affective against some of the second-tiered teams in the conference. Nick Kusich has a team-best 315 yards, despite missing last week’s 59-6 rout of Geibel. Jake Temple, who began the season as a lineman, is averaging 12 yards a carry when used in the backfield.

“They have a nice mix of running backs,” said Steeber. “They have balance.”

Most of Frazier’s team returns from last season, including quarterback Charles Manack, who has passed for 851 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nick Smallich and Alvin Ross carry the running game, combining for 664 yards and nine touchdowns.

“Not much has changed with Frazier,” said Cecchini. “Frazier likes to throw the ball more than us. Our secondary will get a test.”

That secondary includes Paris and Walt Kopko at the safeties and Zach Thompson and Brian Gordon at the corners.

“Manack does a good job throwing the football,” Steeber said. “He has a number of players he can go to on offense.”

Avella is one of the smallest schools in the state and has struggled to simply maintain the program. With a dearth of players expected next year, the program might be forced into a co-op agreement for next season.

That’s why this year is so important. That’s why this game is so important.

“These will be two similar teams facing each other,” said Cecchini. “Not much has changed.”

Jefferson-Morgan at Beth-Center

Jefferson-Morgan desperately needs a win in this game (7 p.m. kickoff) or could suffer its fourth loss in the Tri-County South Conference. Beth-Center is unbeaten in five games and holds first place. Gino Faieta has passed for seven touchdowns and has not been intercepted. Anthony Welsh is on the way to a 1,000-yard rushing season and leads the Bulldogs with eight touchdowns. Logan Bowman has rushed for 246 yards and scored six touchdowns for the Rockets. Quarterback Rece Henneman has thrown for 510 yards and four touchdowns.

South Fayette at Quaker Valley

Quaker Valley gets a chance to stop the high-powered offense of South Fayette this week when the two teams meet for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Both teams are 5-0. Brett Brumbaugh has completed 60 of 92 passes for 986 yards and 12 touchdowns in limited play because of lopsided wins. Running back Grant Fetchet (56 rushes for 577) and wide receiver Justin Watson (20 rec for 469 yards) could finish with 1,000 yards in their respective categories. Quarterback Dane Johnson leads Quaker Valley in rushing (663 yards) and passing, 432 yards on 29 completions of just 39 attempts