Nov 15, 2018 4 min read

It’s easy for a football team to be thrilled about playing in a WPIAL semifinal playoff game.

What’s better is having players pumped up about practicing for such a big battle.

That’s what Charleroi coach Lance Getsy believes makes his team special as it prepares for tonight’s Class AA clash with South Side Beaver at Canon-McMillan High School. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The fourth-seeded Cougars (10-1) are coming off a 42-13 victory over fifth-seeded Mohawk in the quarterfinals.

“Each of these wins is helping them get more excited about the preparation for the next week,” Getsy said. “It’s nice to see that it’s not jut the game but they’re enthusiastic about coming to practice and putting in the work. They know their job’s not done and they have a lot of work to do this week.

“And, of course, they’re excited about the opportunity to play in the semifinals and that opportunity to play in the final week.”

Charleroi rallied from a 13-7 halftime deficit with 35 unanswered points in the second half to pull away from Mohawk. The Cougars’ domination over the final two quarters included a shutout by the defense, four touchdowns by running back Hunter Perry and a 5-for-7 passing performance by quarterback Geno Pellegrini for 139 yards with one scoring pass (to Perry) to go along with one TD run.

Perry, usually an H-back, was filling if for the injured Brayden Mihalcin at running back.

“I believe Brayden will be back this week,” Getsy said. “He should be ready to go. He’s been practicing, so unless there’s a hiccup during the week we expect for him to be part of the Friday night game plan.”

Perry, a dangerous dual threat, has been effective no matter what position he’s played as his 20 touchdowns on the season shows. He has rushed for 550 yards and pulled in 20 passes for another 521 yards, putting him over 1,000 yards in total offense.

Pellegrini has accounted for 42 touchdowns for the Cougars. He has completed 111 of 178 passes for 2,087 yards and 30 TDs with just five interceptions, and has rushed for 745 yards and 12 scores.

Pellegrini’s favorite target is Dakota Romantino, who has 47 receptions for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns while also being a dangerous return threat on special teams.

Legend Davis makes sure secondaries can’t just focus on Romantino with 31 catches for 582 yards and eight touchdowns. He made the most of his lone reception last week with an acrobatic catch for a 31-yard gain that set up a touchdown.

South Side Beaver, which upset top-seeded Shady Side Academy, 32-16, in the quarterfinals, presents a strong challenge.

Coach Luke Travelpiece’s Rams (9-3) finished second in the Three Rivers Conference behind Burgettstown and are led by running back Jake Botkin, who shredded SSA for 182 rushing yards to put his total for 2018 at 1,447.

Quarterback Trenton Seik was efficient in last week’s win, going 5-for-8 passing for 90 yards while also running for a pair of touchdowns.

Seik has connected on 51 of 86 throws for 594 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions this year. His main target is Jake McDougal with 36 receptions for 544 yards.

“They really like to ball control,” Getsy said of SSB. “Their quarterback does a good job of throwing the ball as well. They like to keep the ball on the ground and surprise you with some passes every once in awhile with play action and just keep the ball out of the other team’s hands.

“That’s really what I think their goal is and they do a great job at it. Their very disciplined.”

Charleroi, which tied Washington for the Interstate Conference title, averages 48.5 points per game while allowing 18.2. South Side Beaver scores at a 31.3 clip per game while giving up 22.3.

“They have aggressive safeties that like to come downhill to stop the run,” Getsy said in assessing the Rams’ defense. “I think they’re a team that’s disciplined in reading their keys and understanding their responsibilities.”

The two have one common opponent in McGuffey which both played at home. South Side Beaver defeated the Highlanders in the first round of the playoffs, 36-27, while the Cougars won, 46-33, in week seven.

Charleroi defeated Riverside, 35-21, in the first round.

Tonight’s winner will face either Steel Valley or Freedom, who play in the other semifinal at Montour High School, in the championship game at noon Saturday, Nov. 24, at Robert Morris University’s Joe Walton Stadium.