Oct 15, 2015 12 min read

Notice: Undefined offset: 0 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

Notice: Trying to get property 'term_id' of non-object in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/includes/single/strategically_placed_photos_article.php on line 412

A critical three-week stretch begins Friday night for Trinity (3-3, 3-3), which defeated Uniontown, 44-7, last week at Hiller Field. The Hillers travel to Yough and West Mifflin the next two weeks before a home game against Ringgold.

Winning two of three should guarantee Trinity a return to the playoffs. Anything less will have them in the running for a wild card spot, but luckily for the Hillers, the next two matchups are in their favor.

They face Yough this week and the Cougars are allowing 50.3 points per game, with much of the damage being done through the running game. That happens to be Trinity’s strength and I expect it to be one-sided in their favor.

In Week 8, the Hillers travel to West Mifflin, which has been surprisingly tough defensively by allowing just 13 points per game, but the Titans have not faced an offensive line like the Hillers’. If Trinity wins the battle up front and continues to be tough against the run, it should win.

When the Hillers have struggled, they haven’t been able to run the football or take care of it. In a loss against Laurel Highlands, Dajour Hull had 79 yards, but Trinity had five turnovers. It was held to just 46 rushing yards against Thomas Jefferson, but Hull or sophomore running back Joey Koroly, or even both, have been a big part of each win.

They combined for 301 yards and four touchdowns against Elizabeth Forward, and 188 yards with four touchdowns last week against Uniontown. The key has been defense and special teams. The two units didn’t contribute much last fall, allowing kickoff returns for touchdowns and allowing 32.6 points per game, but that number is down to 23 and will decrease after this week’s game against Yough.

Week 9 brings Ringgold, which I expect to be very motivated for the final three weeks after the loss to Belle Vernon. The Rams are also one of two teams in the conference (TJ is the other) that can match up with Trinity’s line.

That means these next two weeks are as big as it gets for Trinity. Take care of Yough and West Mifflin, and the Hillers are back in the postseason. Despite a passing game that’s still a work in progress, I expect Trinity to get it done.

West Mifflin is more difficult against the run than I expected, but if Trinity’s defense does well against the Titans’ option, the Hillers will control time of possession and wear them down; much like Ringgold did against WM last fall.

The Big Macs’ big win over Fox Chapel in Week 5 is now overshadowed a bit by a 42-point loss to Woodland Hills last Friday. Their only touchdown game on a 65-yard touchdown pass to Ahmad Morris-Walker, but turnovers were a problem and they couldn’t establish much of a running game.

The Panthers broke a three-game losing streak with a victory over Baldwin, but they are dealing with some injuries up front. Defending the run, which is usually a strength for USC, led to the slide. In its three losses, it allowed 406 yards to Bethel Park, 283 to North Allegheny and 122 with three touchdowns to Woodland Hills.

Even Baldwin quarterback Nick Altavilla ran for 133 yards and a touchdown last week.

Players to watch: Upper St. Clair’s Thomas Vissman has rushed for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns and Canon-McMillan senior tight end Jordan Smith, who began playing the position last season, has 378 yards on 22 catches with five touchdowns. C-M running back Bryan Milligan should also have some success.

Last season: Upper St. Clair 28-0

Prediction: Upper St. Clair wins

The Indians started seven sophomores last week against Penn Hills and were down 11 starters. Almost 20 kids missed practice Wednesday because of injury. They are struggling to generate much offense with only 43 rushing yards last week and 50 in a loss at New Castle. The silver lining: Peters Township’s young players are gaining plenty of experience and the Indians trailed by only one point in the second half against Mt. Lebanon.

Baldwin got two touchdown passes last week against Upper St. Clair, but the Highlanders rely heavily on an their offense. They are 0-5 when they don’t score at least 21 points.

Players to watch: With Peters Township running back TJ Kpan out for the season, it will rely more on the passing game, but luckily, the Indians have experience at wide receiver to help sophomore quarterback Jake Cortes. Senior Clayton Yeates is putting together a very nice season and accounted for both of the Indians’ touchdowns last week against Penn Hills. Altavilla compiled 350 total yards and three touchdowns last week.

Last season: Baldwin 24-17

Prediction: Baldwin pulls away in the second half

The Mustangs lost to West Mifflin this week, but this time, it was their offense that struggled with only 14 points. They actually led 10-7 in the second quarter, but were shutout in the second half. They allowed 404 total yards and quarterback Jimmy Pierce had just 130 passing yards.

The Rams did not have much of a passing game against the Leopards (60 yards) and lost time of possession. Senior running back Chacar Berry had another nice game with 94 yards and a touchdown, but penalties and turnovers are what could hold the Rams back from being a true title contender.

Players to watch: Pierce has completed 54 of 100 passes for 1,070 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also ran for five more. Ringgold running back Brenden Small can stretch defenses with his speed and is perfect complement to Berry. He’ll be key in this one.

Last season: Ringgold 66-27

Prediction: Ringgold wins

The Vikings are only averaging 13 points per game and allowed 62 points in a loss to Burrell last week, when they allowed 414 total yards.

The Lions were dominant against previously-unbeaten Steel Valley. Hunter Hayes was dominant on both sides of the ball, the offense showed it has too many weapons to stop and the offense line is as good as it gets.

That’s bad news for Sto-Rox.

Players to watch: Sto-Rox’s Bill Frauens has 221 rushing yards and 167 receiving with four touchdowns this season. Hayes has rushed for 659 yards and 10 touchdowns. No worries. He’ll still be one of the WPIAL’s leading rushers by the end of November. He only has 66 carries so far. That will change.

Last season: South Fayette 48-8

Prediction: The Lions extend their winning streak to 39 games

The Blue Devils defeated Southmoreland 30-10 last week and it was their third game with at least 30 points this season. The last time they had at least three? 2007, when they finished 7-3 overall. Burgettstown is averaging 23.5 points per game and is 3-1 against teams not named Mt. Pleasant and Washington.

McGuffey lost to Derry last week and just couldn’t do enough on offense. Plus, it allowed Derry’s Terry Balega to rush for 191 yards and two touchdowns.

Here’s a stat to remember: In Burgettstown’s three losses, it has allowed opposing teams to rush for 276, 465 and 286 yards with 11 touchdowns. Look for McGuffey to run early and often.

Players to watch: Burgettstown junior quarterback Brad McLaughlin will need to find success against McGuffey’s secondary, which is arguably the strength of the defense. McGuffey quarterback/defensive back Marcus Czulewicz has been the Highlanders’ MVP. He has 16 total touchdowns and has been a force on defense.

Last season: McGuffey 35-0

Prediction: McGuffey runs away in the second half

The Scotties have lost three straight and since leading McGuffey 10-7 at half in Week 4, they have been outscored 71-23. The Raiders went for the two-point conversion to beat Quaker Valley last week, but the run failed.

Regardless, it was an impressive showing. They trailed 21-0 and stormed back behind Jack Fudala and Zach Eisiminger, who combined for 221 yards and three touchdowns.

Waynesburg has struggled against the pass this season, but that’s something Southmoreland doesn’t do much of. The Raiders allowed just 90 rushing yards last week.

Players to watch: Southmoreland quarterback Jaden Datz ran for 181 yards and a touchdown last week against Burgettstown. When Fudala is successful running the ball, Waynesburg is a different team. He’s the key.

Last season: Waynesburg 26-21

Prediction: The more I researched this one, the more I think Waynesburg is going to win. Ignore my picks in Thursday’s edition. The Raiders win.

The Vikings bounced back with a 41-7 win over Brownsville last week and three different players had a rushing touchdown. The Cougars continue to struggle with low numbers because of injuries and have allowed 58 points per game the past three weeks.

Players to watch: Mt. Pleasant quarterback Johnny Yester threw two touchdown passes last week. Charleroi running back Brock Shannon is the key to the Cougars’ offense.

Last season: Mt. Pleasant 71-14

Prediction: Mt. Pleasant again

The Prexies are averaging 50.8 points per game and are allowing a Class AA-best 5.8 per game. They attempted only one pass last week against Charleroi. New Brighton defeated Freedom last Friday after losses to Aliquippa and Beaver.

In those two losses, the Lions allowed 300 rushing yards to Beaver and 193 to Aliquippa. Don’t let the latter number fool you. The Quips led 29-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Players to watch: Wash High’s Kurt Adkins and Jordan West have combined for 1,207 yards (12.9 ypc) and 20 touchdowns. New Brighton will test the Prexies’ secondary with quarterback Justyn Francona, who has passed for 919 yards and six touchdowns.

Last season: Wash High 56-21. New Brighton got the first touchdown before Jonathan Spina accounted for three total touchdowns.

Prediction: Same result. New Brighton has promise, but is too inconsistent. The Lions can hang in at first, but Wash High will run away with the win.

The Spartans have lost four consecutive games while allowing an average of 34 points. The Bucs, who sit in fourth place in the Black Hills Conference, defeated OLSH 40-14 last week and scored 40 unanswered points.

Players to watch: Brentwood running back Patrick Carr ran for 68 yards and two touchdowns this week. C-H quarterback TJ Johnston threw two touchdowns last week.

Last season: Brentwood 28-9

Prediction: Chartiers-Houston wins

The Rangers have lost back-to-back games against Avonworth and North Catholic with only 13 total points. They need to be more consistent on both sides of the football, but the defense’s performance in the second half against Avonworth was encouraging.

Union beat Riverside 27-18 and is struggling a bit without quarterback Joe Gun. It is averaging just 19.8 points per game and lost handedly against its tougher opponents.

Players to watch: Fort Cherry quarterback Devon Brown has thrown five touchdowns and has run for three more. He is one of the area’s leading passers with 826 yards. Union ‘s Jordan Best accounted for three touchdowns last week (two receiving and one rushing).

Last season: Fort Cherry 42-18

Prediction: Fort Cherry wins again. This is a big one for the Rangers, who have Northgate and Chartiers-Houston left on the schedule.

The Jayhawks lost to Clairton last week, but they led 19-18 at halftime and had 486 total yards of offense. The problem: they allowed 608 yards and four touchdown passes.

Monessen had a letdown against Springdale with Demond Jordan having the team’s only touchdowns. The Greyhounds are sitting in fourth place, but their next two games are against Jeannette and Clairton. A return to the playoffs may be unrealistic.

Players to watch: Jeannette running back Kareem Hall had 129 yards and a touchdown last week. He has 522 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Monessen senior quarterback/wide receiver LaValle Rush is the difference maker for the Greyhounds. They need to find ways to get him in space.

Last season: Jeannette 52-22

Prediction: Jeannette wins big.

The Bulldogs had a tremendous showing on defense against Frazier, but could not do much on offense and made too many mistakes. The Eagles, meanwhile, earned their first win of the season over Wilkinsburg.

Remember this: Avella has struggled against opposing running backs all season – allowing two eight-touchdown games.

Players to watch: Beth-Center running back Tony Welsh. I know, I know; he’s the pick every week, but he’ll put up big numbers against the Eagles. Avella quarterback Dalton Simonelli had two touchdown passes last week and how do you beat B-C’s defense? Through the air.

Last season: Beth-Center 70-7

Prediction: Beth-Center again

The Commodores are allowing a WPIAL-best 1.7 points per game (10 points all season) and the Mikes have struggled at times on offense.

Players to watch: Frazier quarterback Hunter Patterson will get the chance to warm up for the playoffs. The Commodores will test the Mikes’ pass defense early. Carmichaels quarterback David Morgan threw for a touchdown and ran for another last week.

Last season: Frazier 26-0

Prediction: Frazier wins, but it doesn’t get the shutout. That’s usually not a bold statement, but it is here.

The Maples lost 15-14 last week against Jefferson-Morgan and could be out of the playoff picture. It’s a shame that circumstances and injury cost them a season that many thought could be special. Regardless, it’s impressive what the group has accomplished.

That doesn’t mean the season is over. Mapletown does have a tough matchup against the Bearcats, who have arguably the top offense in the conference; led by quarterback Josh Hughes and running back Ethan Tush.

Players to watch: Mapletown running back Dylan Rush will continue to carry the load for the Maples. After last week, look for the Maples to try to stop Tush, but Hughes should have success through the air.

Last season: Mapletown 40-21

Prediction: Bentworth wins by a similar score

It looks like the Pioneers are improving. They shutout the Mikes in the first half last week and seem to be having a bit more success on offense.

The Trojans trailed by only a touchdown at halftime against Bentworth, but they allowed 28 fourth-quarter points and could not stop Tush.

Players to watch: California running back Jonathan Wood had 125 yards and two touchdowns last week against Bentworth. Owen Main continues to be West Greene’s top offensive threat.

Last season: California 20-0

Prediction: California wins