Nov 26, 2014 4 min read

South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi listed the names of all 11 seniors who graduated from the Lions’ state championship team from last season. From Justin Watson to Ben Berkovitz, South Fayette lost several impact players who helped the program claim its first state title and first WPIAL title since 2010.

Prior to a preseason practice, Rossi recited more than a dozen names of kids who would fill the void. He wasn’t exaggerating.

During South Fayette’s 31-22 victory over Aliquippa in the WPIAL Class AA championship Friday night, 12 players contributed with a tackle, rushing attempt or pass reception who did not do so in last year’s title game victory at Heinz Field.

Rossi’s estimation was on the money. The group of players making an impact against the Quips included junior wide receiver Nick Ponikvar, who caught an 87-yard touchdown pass, sophomore Andrew Gedrys, who started at left tackle for Anthony Davidsion, and senior defensive back Brett Beltz, who intercepted a pass in the first quarter.

The next test for the Lions (13-0) is Karns City (11-1), the District 9 champion, Friday night at Clarion University in the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. If South Fayette is going to extend its winning streak to 30 games and defeat the Gremlins for the second consecutive season in the quarterfinals, it will need big plays from those players.

The Lions defeated the Gremlins, 56-21, at Clairon last season.

“It was nice to see those kids make plays,” Rossi said. “You know what you are going to get from guys like Brett (Brumbaugh), (Ryan) Schmider, Logan (Sharp) and Hunter (Hayes). Those are your top dogs, but you win football games like that with those middle guys.”

Repeating as Century Conference and WPIAL champions hasn’t come without a few bumps, bruises and breaks. South Fayette played without senior Roman Denson, senior JJ Walker, junior Zach Radinick and Davidson at different times this season because of various injuries.

When Denson was out, senior Jack Relihan stepped in. When Walker missed two games, it was sophomore Dom Malosh and Gedrys played when Radinick and Davidson have missed time.

Brumbaugh, who needs 304 yards to break the PIAA’s career passing yardage mark of 10,948, is not surprised to see the new faces fill in. He’s seen the same guys work tirelessly during practice and preseason camp.

“Not only the young guys, but a couple seniors that this is their first time starting and they are playing lights out ball right now,” Brumbaugh said. “It’s always great to see. It’s exciting to see guys work hard and develop throughout the year.”

It’s safe to label Karns City head coach Ed Conto as impressed. Entering last year’s match up with the Lions, he heard of the passing game and the receivers, but it was the skill of the linemen and amount of quality skill players that stood out.

Like Rossi, Conto is quietly building a strong program in PIAA Class AA. The Gremlins reached the state quarterfinals for three consecutive seasons with underclassmen receiving playing time in the run-heavy offense.

Injuries occur, but it’s how the second-string players perform that matters and according to Conto, it starts with coaching.

“(South Fayette) is very, very well coached,” Conto said. “They are very well-disciplined. You see some of the same teams in the state playoffs every year now like Aliquippa, South Fayette, us, Hickory and a few others. That’s a sign of a great program with great coaching. Their staff does a great job. They have those kids ready to play.”

Ponikvar is one of those players who were ready when called upon. He only caught three passes in the first two games this season. It was not injuries that led to his impact increasing, but it was simply a waiting game. He now leads the team in receptions and caught 12 touchdowns.

It was the 5-11 receiver who played on special teams throughout the playoffs last year who caught the touchdown pass early in the second half against the Quips that gave the Lions a two-touchdown lead and swung momentum in their favor.

“It’s really fun since we’ve all grown up playing football together,” Ponikvar said. “Here we are trying to repeat for a state title. It’s crazy looking back on it because it’s hard to believe that five years ago we’d even be talking about repeating a state championship with this group of guys.”