Nov 19, 2014 4 min read

With snow falling on Heinz Field during the WPIAL Class AA title game last November, South Fayette did not stray from the formula that helped the Lions reach their first championship game since 2010.

It did not matter the wind was gusting, Aliquippa’s defense blitzed repeatedly or the Quips had a future Division I starter patrolling the secondary – Dravon Henry, who is now the starting free safety at West Virginia.

South Fayette quarterback Brett Brumbaugh kept passing to his two sure-handed wide receivers – seniors Justin Watson and Conner Beck. Although Aliquippa prepared for that strategy, there was no stopping the Lions’ passing game.

Watson and Beck combined for 11 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Watson’s 68-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter drew South Fayette to within one point and Beck’s 19-yard game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter earned the program its fourth WPIAL title.

Although the players catching his passes are different, Brumbaugh is still picking apart opposing defenses at an eye-popping rate. He’s passed for 2,927 yards and 35 touchdowns this season, while becoming one of the most decorated passers in PIAA history.

As South Fayette (12-0), which holds a 28-game winnning streak, attempts to claim its second consecutive WPIAL championship, it’s once again Aliquippa (12-0) who is standing in the way. The rematch is set for 5 p.m. Friday at Heinz Field.

While Quips head coach Mike Zmijanac is aware the Lions no longer have Watson and Beck, he doesn’t expect Brumbaugh to skip a beat in the teams’ third matchup at Heinz Field in five years.

South Fayette won the last meeting Aliquippa, 19-6, to advance to the PIAA playoffs.

“They are the defending state champions,” Zmijanac said. “They haven’t lost in a long, long time. All you can do is hope you slow them down and get off the field on third down.”

The Quips did that in last year’s WPIAL title game by limiting the Lions to just three of 10 third-down conversions, but Brumbaugh passed for 315 yards and South Fayette’s defense forced two fourth-quarter interceptions.

Henry is gone, but replacing him in the secondary is senior Stephon McGinnis, who transferred from Ambridge midseason. While the Quips’ top cornerback was matched up with Watson last year, McGinnis and his teammates won’t be able to key on one or two receivers.

Junior Nick Ponikvar leads the Lions with 45 catches for 874 yards and nine touchdowns. Senior tight end Logan Sharp (6-3, 220), who has scholarship offers from Dartmouth, Penn and Lafayette, has a team-high 12 touchdown catches with 42 receptions and 755 yards. He started last season at tight end, but his role was limited with Watson and Beck.

“We are getting to the point in the program where just because a good player leaves, it doesn’t mean we are going to fall off,” Brumbaugh said. “We have kids who are ready to step up. It’s not like they weren’t good enough to play last year. Sometimes you are behind guys like Justin or Conner who have experience and are great players.”

One player who was overlooked because of injury is senior Roman Denson. He was Brumbaugh’s top target in the passing game in the first half of the season before suffering a hand injury with nine touchdown catches. Senior Ryan Schmider and sophomore Dan Trimbur have also contributed.

Sharp attributes the success of the receiving core to Brumbaugh. The two have been friends since third grade and Sharp said he is no longer surprised when the Duquesne commit makes a defense pay with a big throw.

“It’s great knowing there’s a quarterback who no matter what puts it on the money every single throw,” Sharp said. “You don’t have to work for every ball coming to you. It’s going to be right in your bread basket. You run the route and you know he’ll do the rest.”

Junior running back Hunter Hayes is also having a breakout season after spelling Grant Fetchet and J.J. Walker during the playoffs last season. He has rushed for 1,280 yards and 24 touchdowns, while continuing to grow as a lockdown defensive back.

With Aliquippa making its seventh consecutive trip to the WPIAL title game and gunning to take down the Lions after last year’s 34-28 loss, Rossi said he is encouraging his players to enjoy the moment and be ready for what lies ahead.

“They’re excited about getting another crack at Heinz Field,” South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi said. “It’s the pinnacle of Western Pa. football and to have that opportunity to play infront of the entire town, a TV audience and let alone it being Aliquippa. We’ve had some good games with them.”