Nov 9, 2015 5 min read

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Deer Lakes entered the Class AA playoffs with a reputation of having one of the biggest, most physical offensive lines in the WPIAL.

It was a label the Lancers earned after imposing their will against opponents using a methodical rushing attack. Even with statistics telling a narrative of an impressive regular season, nothing could prepare them for what happened at Wash High Stadium Friday night.

It was a new opponent for the unbeaten Prexies (10-0), but the same result. The linemen helped a fast, physical defense continued its run of dominance.

“Some teams are big and slow. Some teams are fast but they’re not big. Washington is big, fast and nasty,” Deer Lakes head coach Steve Sciullo told the Observer-Reporter.

No kidding. It’s a bit of a cliché, but it all starts up front. How do you block senior nose guard Khalid Blount (6-1, 303) and senior defensive end Nate Swart (6-5, 230) at the same time? Add in guys like Ross Goldstone (6-2, 330), Andrew Mercer (6-2, 280) and Thomas Cherry (6-0 275), and any team is going to have its hands full.

Those guys open up holes for a fast group of linebackers who are vastly improved from a year ago, preventing any running back from finding room to run. Wash High’s defense is the most improved unit of any team I’ve seen the past two years.

The line was incredible last year, but Wash High struggled with tackling at the second and third levels. That’s not the case this year. A quarterfinal match up against Freeport (9-1) will present an entirely different challenge.

The Prexies have not faced a quarterback like Ryan Wiegold this season. If the defensive line can’t get consistent pressure, Wash High could have some serious trouble. I’ll get into that more later in the week, but this is a big test. Looking ahead to Aliquippa or Seton-La Salle isn’t an option.

McGuffey found out about the Yellowjackets’ passing attack the hard way. Now, we’lll see how Wash High’s secondary, which struggled at times in the second half against the Highlanders’ no-huddle attack two weeks ago, stacks up.

Those predicting an early exit for Ringgold (9-1) were quieted a bit after Friday night’s win. The Rams were dominant against Ambridge, holding the Bridgers to less than 200 yards of offense, 75 of which came on a drive against Ringgold’s second-team defense.

Everyone hypes up the Rams’ offense, but when senior running back Chacar Berry was dealing with an ankle injury during the season, it was their defense that helped them clinch second place in the Big Ten Conference.

The group is tremendous at tackling in the open field and Ringgold’s defensive backs continue to surprise everyone. It will face another tough test this week against fourth-seeded Mars, which uses a form of the wing-T and has a big line.

The victory over Ambridge gives Ringgold the momentum and confidence it needed after people in the community began to doubt it had what it takes to win a title. The Rams may be the most athletic team remaining in Class AAA, but will it translate to a trip to Heinz Field?

The pieces are certainly in place, but the road isn’t easy. Replicating Friday night’s performance would be a good formula to follow.

Forty-two wins in a row. Let that sink in. High school football teams face so many obstacles during a three-year period. There are graduations, injuries, coaching staff changes, difficult schedules and simply the challenge of having a bulls-eye on your back every night you step onto the field.

I will admit that after the 2013 season, when players like Justin Watson, Conner Beck, Zach Walker, Grant Fetchet and Ben Berkovitz graduated, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Lions last fall. The same goes for this year without Brett Brumbaugh.

Maybe that’s why people who haven’t seen South Fayette play this season predicted that Aliquippa would and should be the top seed in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs. Regardless, the top-seeded Lions (10-0) went out and physically dominated Burgettstown during a 63-6 victory.

That only reinforced me theory that you cannot pick against South Fayette and a return to Heinz Field is looking like a foregone conclusion.

1. Beth-Center running back Tony Welsh surpassed 5,000 career rushing yards and had the Bulldogs competing against Avonworth in a game where everyone thought B-C didn’t stand a chance. It may have been the final game Welsh will every play in because he could choose to wrestle in college instead, but what a way to finish. Even in a loss, he stood above the rest.

2. South Fayette quarterback Drew Saxton picked up some much-needed momentum with a three-touchdown performance against Burgettstown. He is going to give defenses first with his accuracy on short and intermediate throws.

3. Wash High running backs Kurt Adkins and Jordan West. Pretty much a fixture on this list and for good reason. Watch the highlights.

Others receiving votes: Ringgold running backs Chacar Berry and Brenden Small.