Oct 19, 2017 2 min read

Name: Geno Pellegrini

School: Charleroi

Sport: Football

Class: Junior

Pellegrini’s week: Pellegrini completed 15 of 23 passes for 369 yards and five touchdowns in a 37-14 victory over previously undefeated Burgettstown Friday.

The five-touchdown performance against the stingy Burgettstown defense, which hadn’t surrendered that amount combined through its first six games, gave the Cougars their most wins in a season since 1998.

Pellegrini connected with wide receiver Dakota Romantino seven times – three for touchdowns – for 248 yards, breaking a school record for career receiving yards.

“Our coaches put in a great game plan,” Pellegrini said. “We knew everything (Burgettstown) was doing. I tell my receivers every week that I’m going to throw to who is open. Dakota was doing his job and getting open.”

Charleroi will have a tough test this week when it hosts another Insterstate Conference opponent Beth-Center (4-1, 7-1) at 7 p.m. for at least third place in the conference.

If Washington defeats Burgettstown in another 7 p.m. kickoff Friday night, the Cougars will move into second place and could possibly earn a home playoff game, which would also be a first since 1998.

“We are finally putting Charleroi on the map,” Pellegrini said. “There has been a negative outlook on Charleroi football for so many years because it’s been horrible. Personally, I knew we were going to have a breakout year.”

Breaking records: Pellegrini isn’t only leading the charge to be a place Charleroi hasn’t been for a long time, but he’s also breaking individual records at the school. Pellegrini has thrown for 1,792 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, both Charleroi single-season records. Pellegrini also set the career record in each category, throwing for 3,571 yards and 31 passing touchdowns.

“I have kids coming up to me asking for my autograph like I’m some NFL player,” Pellegrini joked. “We as a team are breaking records left and right. The community is now recognizing Charleroi football.”

The first goal for the Cougars was to make the WPIAL playoffs.

Now, after achieving that with six consecutive victories, it’s about doing some damage now that they are there.

“We know that we are already in the playoffs,” Pellegrini said about snapping a drought that goes back to 2004.

“We don’t have the size but have the speed. We are ready for it.”

Compiled by Luke Campbell