Here is Part 4 of 4, the Western final PRs of 2018’s better teams; those making the playoffs and others having a year that made the ratings, crunching numbers for 147 teams. Northeastern, Southeastern and Mid State were already posted as reviews and previews. Used year ending points for/against, home/away, classification values, wins, etc. Pretty basic stuff to arrive at an estimate. Flawed for sure but if nothing else it’ll give some stats and grad/return info for 2018 and 2019. Added some thoughts and comments. As always, feel free to jump in or on.
1 Penn Hills 204.58, 5A, D7, 16-0
How about Coach Jon LeDonne coming over from Shaler’s top spot after assistant positions at Steel Valley and Gateway to turn Penn Hills around. It wasn’t the most popular move (departure or reception) but who’s complaining now going 8-4 and 16-0 in his first two seasons while bringing home a state title in the process. That’s quite a turnaround for a program that reeked of unrealized potential for years, going 37-43 from 2009 thru 2016. And it’s a program that historically had great success including a 4A state title in 1995 beating Lower Dauphin of the Mid Penn 35-14 to finish 15-0. All totaled, the Indians have six WPIAL titles although one was vacated. This year saw them go unscathed against a grueling slate of teams with a combined record of 101-73. The eight losing teams had a won-loss of 24-50. But the eight winners were an impressive 77-23. Tough teams too, beginning with a win at Ohio power Steubenville (10-2) 21-14. Steubenville is 110-24 the last ten years with finals appearances (won it 2017, 15-0) five of the last six years! Thereon, PH beat Mars (9-2) 35-15 who somehow lost to Woody in the 1st round 14-0. Then came North Hills (6-5) who misled the faithful starting out 4-0 but against 7-34 teams. They blew past the next six opponents including a surprising 34-7 rout of McKeesport (9-3) in the “Wpial” quarterfinal. McKeesport may have tipped their hand losing to rival Gateway 34-6 in the regular season closer. The Tigers had speed but not Gateway’s speed. Plus they couldn’t handle their swarming defense. Then things really got exciting for Penn Hills in the semifinal, beating upstart Peters Township (10-3, 2nd) 22-14, coming back from a 14-0 deficit to score 22 unanswered points. They also needed a comeback from a 10-0 deficit late in the 1st half to beat West Allegheny (10-3) 28-18 in the final. When the stars align! West A was coming off an upset of the defending champ Gateway (13-1) who just about everyone penciled in as the 5A WPIAL champ and more. In the semifinal, they got past two time defending champ Archbishop Wood (9-4) 20-13 despite four fumbles, two snaps sailing over the head of their punter and being forced to punt three times in the final seven minutes. Wood had two field goals, a touchdown and 178 total yards to Penn Hills’ 223. The Indians defense made all the difference. In the final against Manheim Central, Daequan Hardy set the place on fire with three picks, one, a 100 yard Pick-6, Td receptions of 27 and 74 yards and an 84 yards kick-off return to the house. Central out-yardaged them 445 to 331 but threw three red zone picks (four total picks) and were sacked three times with Penn Hills winning 36-31. 2019 shows a total rebuild with the loss of seven All-Conference 1st teamers, two 2nd teamers and 4 honorable mentions. The line was gutted (G, T, C, G, TE) including the loss of quarterback Hollis Mathis, running back Terry “Tank” Smith and three quality receivers; Hardy, Cephas, Martin.
Essentially, the entire offense is gone except WR/S Anthony Grimes (32/417, 5-9, 160, sr) and OG Claude Vangelus (6-0, 235, sr). The big loss is QB Hollis Mathis (Wm & Mary) who matured into a fine quarterback, completing 61% for 2800 yards with a 40/11 Td/Pick ratio, rushing for 468 yards. WR/DBs Daequin Hardy (37/817, 373ry, PSU), Dante Cephas (36/810, Kent St) and Richard Martin (20/288) are gone. RB Terry “Tank” Williams (5-9, 210, 1757, 23 Tds, St. Francis, PA) graduates as well.
The D returns DT James Tigner (5-10, 210, jr), the remnants of a very quick line that lost Steven Fielder (5-10, 210), Armand Gustave (6-1, 180) and two way lineman C/DT George Freeman, the only size on the line at 5-10, 280. DB Aakeem Snell (6-2, 185, sr) is the other returning starter. OLBs Jordy Boswell and Devyn Best are gone with ILB Andy Plowden. They started just four two way players (3 were WR/DB), with only Freeman going both ways. Despite their grad losses they’ll enter the season as the favorite in the less than stellar Northern Conference with Hampton, Fox Chapel, Kiski, Armstrong and Shaler, a combined 16 and 37. Comp will likely come from Mars (9-2) and North Hills (6-5) although both graduated their quarterbacks. Mars returns a serious core and they get the Indians at home. We’ll know much more after their opener Week Zero at Pine Richland.
2 North Allegheny 194.71, 6A, D7, 10-1
NA had their first undefeated regular season since 2012, going 10-0 before losing in the first round to Seneca Valley in a rare shocker. We’re talking about a program that hasn’t had a losing season since 2004, with a particularly strong run from 2009 through 2012, going 54-4, winning state titles in 2010 and 2012. The 2010 team (15-1) beat LaSalle (13-2) 21-0, while the 2012 team that was the best NA team ever put on the field went 16-0, routing Coatesville (13-3) 63-28 while rolling out 456 total yards of offense. No Wexford team before or since averaged 42ppg with a defense allowing 9. What set them apart during the 09-12 run was defense, where they had year ending average yields of 7, 8, 16 and 9ppg. But what set them even farther apart in 2012 was a passing attack led by Mack Leftwich who threw for 3331 yards at 66% with a Td/Pick ratio of 45/4. So, as much as Coach Art Walker is criticized for stodgy offenses he’ll refit as can with the right personnel. Leftwich was awesome (4 picks!), while rushing for 553 yards, going on to an injury filled career at UTEP. About Coach, he’s 105-21 at NA (2009) and 199-58 overall. This year’s team will need to rebuild much of the line, graduating OT Elijah Boyd (6-4, 270), C Parker Titsworth (6-1, 270), OG Jack Graham (6-1, 220), Quinn Rodak (6-3, 275), Laim Aiker Connelly (6-2, 285) and Connor Ditka. But they return starters OT Jacob Lugg (6-4, 280) and Ben Grafton (6-0, 250), as well as TEs Sam Sheridan (6-2, 210) and Amosis Porter (6-1, 200), and lineman Paolo Bochicchio (6-0, 260) and Austin Huebner (6-3, 240). Returning lineman Jacob Lugg is the brother of Notre Dame Sophomore lineman Josh Lugg (6-7, 315), who played on all 12 games last year. Qb Benjamin Petschke (5-11, 180, sr) returns after completing 34 of 91 for 37% and 664 yards, with running backs Percise Colon (5-5, 165, sr, 44/438….speed!) and Luke Colella (6-0, 180, sr, 25/166). About last year’s team, they had their moments, blistering Central Catholic 27-3, Pine Richland 27-7 and Lebo 34-3, while getting past a strong group from West Allegheny 26-20 and Seneca Valley 10-6. When they had it together they smoked quality teams, not just blowing past Pine Richland, but sacking quarterback Cole Spencer five times! That’s saying something against that line. But that’s where it ended as they entered the playoffs top seeded with a bye week, before getting crushed by 5th seeded Seneca Valley 31-14? Seneca Valley’s unheralded O-Line dominated, rushing for 231 yards! For a team that got blitzed in the WPIAL 1st round, you might not think they lost much in terms of quality players to graduation. They did, losing five All Conference 1st Teamers, two 2nd teamers and three Honorable Mentions.
3 Pine Richland 193.82, 6A, D7, 11-3
The Rams entered 2018 with mixed emotions. On one hand, they lost record setting once in a lifetime talent from a state championship team. While on the other hand, they returned a nucleus any team would be happy to have. And so began the season…………..losing a pile of running backs and wide outs to graduation, many of which set records, and graduating All-Everything quarterback Phil Jurkovec to Notre Dame. Jurkovec passed for 3969 yards at 73% with a 39/6 Td-Pick ratio making him integral to their winning the 6A state title, defeating St. Joseph’s Prep 41-21. He had outstanding receivers in Jason DeFrancisis who caught 72 passes for 1142 yards and Raymond Falcone who had 56 for 1039 yards. But it didn’t end there. Receiver Ben Jochem and running back Jordan Crawford snagged 34 for 534 yards and 32 for 539 yards respectively! On any other team they would be leading receivers. Jurko not only passed for 3969 yards, he rushed for 1211! Jordan Crawford was also a force rushing for 1289 yards. So they had great losses in the backfield and the receiver corps but returned the nucleus of an outstanding line featuring seniors OT Andrew Kristofic (6-6, 285, Notre Dame), C Michael Dorundo (Duquesne) and OG Michael Katic (6-4, 285, Indiana). Promising quarterback Cole Spencer was in the wings with another talent at running back in Luke Meckler. The D returned six starters including two fine linebackers, Anthony Cerminara and Tyler King (6-1, 220, Naval Academy) plus Kristofic, Katic and Dorundo to the D-Line. Excepting IMG where they lost 42-7, the opening schedule was far from challenging against Hempfield (3-7), Moon (2-8), Butler (0-10), Norwin (3-7), even Central Catholic (7-4) who was struggling with their weakest team since 2002’s 6-3 squad, Canon McMillan (4-6) and quirky Mt. Lebanon (6-6), winning these games by an average score of 45.7 to 10.9. After Mt. Lebanon they beat Seneca Valley (9-4) 21-7 then got rocked by North Allegheny (10-1) 27-7 in the season finale. But they recovered in the postseason, trouncing both Lebo 46-16 and Seneca Valley 34-7 again before destroying State College (12-2) 56-33. Wow, what a three game run before the semifinal where they lost to St. Joseph’s Prep (13-0) 37-0. Still, it was quite a year without Jurkovec and that special corps of receivers. They enter 2019 with many questions, replacing four of five lineman, three playing both ways. Defensively, they lose the entire D-Line, key line backing with Tyler King and Anthony Cerminara gone (27 tackles vs SJP in 2017!), a solid corner in Connor Hetzel and safety in Dylan Stenson. But they return almost all of their other skill in Qb Cole Spencer, running backs Luke Meckler (183/ 1492!), Caden Schweiger (56/328), Ryan Geyer (39/177) and John Burns (21/145). All in all, Spencer (5-11,185) had a strong sophomore season, passing for 1459 yards at 57% with a Td/Pick ratio of 15 to 6. He was a dual threat rushing for 880 yards on 205 carries. Pretty nice sophomore season! The D returns good numbers despite real losses on the defensive front. DE Miguel Jackson (6-1, 230, 59 tackles) and Trent Miller (6-1, 220, 33 stops) are back, along with FS Chance Boyd (5-11, 160, 70), S Luke Meckler (6-0, 165, 47), LBs Josh Rechenberg (5-10, 220, 35 tackles) and Luke Miller (6-2, 185, 23). They also return experienced players at CB, LB and DE. The BIG question is along the front (Three Conf-1st Teamers grad, One HM) on both sides of the ball and two special players at LB in Cerminara and King. But if the lines come together the Rams will be a load and favored to win the WPIAL.
4 Cathedral Prep 193.78, 4A, D10, 13-3
Talk about a machine. The Ramblers graduated record setting quarterback Joe Mischler, the all-time passer from District-10, a slew of D1 players from the 2017 team then went out and won their third straight state title last season. Third straight! And it wasn’t easy, losing the opener to Pittsburgh Central Catholic who snapped their 28 game winning streak 24-21 at the Wolvarena. Thereon they won 13 of 15, losing to St. Edward of Ohio (11-3) 35-3, who went on to win the Div-I (Big School) title, and Clarkson North (6-6), 51-40 of Ontario. St. Edward played their usual killer schedule including Mentor (11-2) twice, Cass Tech (10-2, Detroit), Elder (8-5), Moeller (6-5), St. Ignatius (8-3). Euclid (9-3), Olentangy Liberty (10-6) and the great Cincinnati public school program Colerain (14-1). Clarkson High was dueling St. Frances Academy of Baltimore, Cheshire Academy of Connecticut and historic Ohio power St. Ignatius, plus Cincinnati private school powers St. Xavier, Archbishop Moeller and Elder. Good luck finding another city with programs as consistently strong as Cincinnati’s schools, including Miami. Despite 2017’s grad losses, Cathedral averaged 42 points per game, the third consecutive year they averaged over 40ppg. They averaged 46ppg in the postseason! Formidable teams stood in their way but to no avail, including South Fayette (12-2) who they defeated 42-0, Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg (13-2) who fell 48-7 (!) and Imhotep Charter (11-3) who they own recently, losing 38-7. With their historic success dating back to the momentous title games with Central Bucks West in 1999 and 2000 and beyond (636-313, 95 years), and knowing how they replace personnel on a yearly basis, the chances of winning yet another state title in 2019 is outstanding. They’ve only lost seven games the last seven years, going 94-7 with four, repeat, four state titles during that stretch. So who’s worried about the graduation of quarterback Connor Schleicher who passed for 1312 yards at 52% while rushing for 922 yards? His Td/Pick ratio was 16/4. That combined with the graduation of running back Billy Lucas with his 2084 yards leaves big holes for sure. But they return quality backs in Luke Sittinger (72/670), Jaheim Howard (49/423) and four others with 516 yards on 74 carries. Sure-handed Jack Oedekoven (6-4, 185, sr) returns as their leading receiver with 37 catches for 769 yards. Plus they have solid experience under center in Colin Johnson who was the real passer last year completing 55 of 87 (63%, 13/1) for 899 yards while rushing for 303 yards on 40 carries. They likely had an interesting off season and spring last year with Joey Scarabino transferring in from Seneca knowing he was Seneca’s all-time leading passer. Big guy at 6-3, 235 (sounds like a McDowell Qb!), completing 61% for 2265 yards with an 18/7 Td/Pick ratio. He threw for 4871 yards at Seneca (2A, Erie) in three years, starting as a freshman. So….they must have held both Connor Schleigher and Colin Johnson in high regard. Although not at quarterback, Scarabino’s contribution was significant, snagging 20 throws for 482 yards while being a force at MLB with 64 tackles. Shelby Wiley transferred in from McDowell getting time in the secondary along with Erie High transfers Darius and Ervin Williams who had 42 and 78 tackles respectively from the secondary. All of last year’s transfers graduated. About the lines, there’s a decent core but they do have holes to fill along both lines. Seniors Mitchell Sweeney (6-1, 275), Thomas Swanson (5-10, 220), James Janicki (5-11, 260) and Ray Ferritto (5-10, 275) will ease that concern on the O-Line. Bottom line offensively, they have an experienced Qb, a pile of experienced backs and their top receiver returning. Defensively, they graduate 472 tackles but return 512, with starters at NG in Kareem Carson (5-9, 220, 58 stops, sr), DE Michael Lupo (5-10, 230, 72 stops, sr), DE Dorian Crosby 6-1, 195, 28, sr), LBs Jaheim Howard (6-0, 190, 32, sr), super soph from last year Jaheim Williams (6-1, 220, 97, jr), Michael Oblich (6-0, 190, 33, sr), Qusaun McLaurin (5-11, 195, 22, sr) and Marrick Bauer (6-1, 170, 30, jr) making them LOADED at linebacker. Top tackler FS Luke Sittinger (5-11, 190, 95, sr) returns with CB Jaelen Carson (6-0, 165, 32, sr). Coach Michael Mischler has a 185-42 record in his 18 seasons at Cathedral going 52-24 from 1998 to 2004, and 123-18 from 2009 to the present. The interim of 2005 to 2008 saw Gateway’s current head coach Don Holl at the helm cranking out a 36-14 record. They get St. Ed’s again early but look for the Ramblers to make another strong run in States. From here, they look like the favorite and one of the top teams in the commonwealth once again.
5 Aliquippa 181.95, 3A, D7, 14-1
This probably looks a little high but except for a smaller roster, this was a 6A masquerading as a 3. As an example, here’s a peek at the recruiting scene. OG/DT Solvaugh Morehead (6-3, 305, recruited as DT) will play at Ball State, WR Will Gipson at Pitt, WR M. J. Devonshire at Kentucky, while 2018’s junior OT Michael Carmody (6-5, 290) has an offer from Penn State as does junior Linebacker Zuriah Fisher (6-3, 230) to name a few. Much of last year’s 3A title team (7th title game appearance, 3 gold, 4 silver), graduated after dominating everyone including decent stuff their last four games against always tough Beaver Falls (9-3) 42-14, Derry (11-2) in a 42-19 rout that won them their 17th WPIAL title, old rival Sharon (10-4) 41-7 and the Blue Devils of Middletown (13-2) 35-0. The win against Middletown who was making their third consecutive finals appearance (Mid Penn-Capital), was Aliquippa’s 7th shutout of the year, with ten teams held to a touchdown or less. The Quips can have highly talented offenses but are known over the years for their defense. This year’s was no different, allowing a paltry 6.9ppg….with an explosive offense in support at 46.9ppg. With an OL averaging 278 lbs and a DL at 305 that could move and not just plug the line, they were nearly unbeatable barring the weird 14-8 upset by Central Valley. Anyone who saw their game against Middletown saw three guys who could rush the passer well despite their size. The offense was diverse with running back Avante McKenzie rushing for 1642 yards and quarterback Eli Kosanovich (6-2, 200) throwing for 3189 yards to become their all-time leading passer. Nice numbers at 63% and 39/6 Td/Pick ratio. As per above, two of his three leading receivers move on to major schools with Will Gipson (6-3. 190) going to Pitt after catching 62 passes for 1657 yards and MJ Devonshire (6-0, 190) to the rejuvenated Kentucky program after catching 27 tosses for 571 yards. You just don’t see that at Aliquippa making them a very, very special group. While the O returns three (WR, OT, OT), the D returns four (DE, DT, NG, LB). That’s a great core for the defense returning DE Karl McBride (5-10, 190, jr), OT/DT Elijah Mike (6-1, 305, jr) and OT/NG Tarquinn Greene (6-2, 310, sr) knowing they are supporting by linebacker Zuriah Fisher (6-3, 220,sr) who is being recruited by essentially the entire country including PSU, Pitt, Syra, Minn et al. Solomon Chinia (6-0, 185, sr) also returns to the offense. Bottom line, it’s a serious rebuild/reload playing in the Beaver Valley Conference with Beaver Falls, Central Valley and Quaker Valley, especially renewing an old rivalry opening with Clairton Week Zero. But their won/loss of 235-20 the last 20 years that includes 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals, 11 straight double digit winning season (17 of last 20!) says they’ll do just fine this season.
1 Penn Hills 204.58, 5A, D7, 16-0
How about Coach Jon LeDonne coming over from Shaler’s top spot after assistant positions at Steel Valley and Gateway to turn Penn Hills around. It wasn’t the most popular move (departure or reception) but who’s complaining now going 8-4 and 16-0 in his first two seasons while bringing home a state title in the process. That’s quite a turnaround for a program that reeked of unrealized potential for years, going 37-43 from 2009 thru 2016. And it’s a program that historically had great success including a 4A state title in 1995 beating Lower Dauphin of the Mid Penn 35-14 to finish 15-0. All totaled, the Indians have six WPIAL titles although one was vacated. This year saw them go unscathed against a grueling slate of teams with a combined record of 101-73. The eight losing teams had a won-loss of 24-50. But the eight winners were an impressive 77-23. Tough teams too, beginning with a win at Ohio power Steubenville (10-2) 21-14. Steubenville is 110-24 the last ten years with finals appearances (won it 2017, 15-0) five of the last six years! Thereon, PH beat Mars (9-2) 35-15 who somehow lost to Woody in the 1st round 14-0. Then came North Hills (6-5) who misled the faithful starting out 4-0 but against 7-34 teams. They blew past the next six opponents including a surprising 34-7 rout of McKeesport (9-3) in the “Wpial” quarterfinal. McKeesport may have tipped their hand losing to rival Gateway 34-6 in the regular season closer. The Tigers had speed but not Gateway’s speed. Plus they couldn’t handle their swarming defense. Then things really got exciting for Penn Hills in the semifinal, beating upstart Peters Township (10-3, 2nd) 22-14, coming back from a 14-0 deficit to score 22 unanswered points. They also needed a comeback from a 10-0 deficit late in the 1st half to beat West Allegheny (10-3) 28-18 in the final. When the stars align! West A was coming off an upset of the defending champ Gateway (13-1) who just about everyone penciled in as the 5A WPIAL champ and more. In the semifinal, they got past two time defending champ Archbishop Wood (9-4) 20-13 despite four fumbles, two snaps sailing over the head of their punter and being forced to punt three times in the final seven minutes. Wood had two field goals, a touchdown and 178 total yards to Penn Hills’ 223. The Indians defense made all the difference. In the final against Manheim Central, Daequan Hardy set the place on fire with three picks, one, a 100 yard Pick-6, Td receptions of 27 and 74 yards and an 84 yards kick-off return to the house. Central out-yardaged them 445 to 331 but threw three red zone picks (four total picks) and were sacked three times with Penn Hills winning 36-31. 2019 shows a total rebuild with the loss of seven All-Conference 1st teamers, two 2nd teamers and 4 honorable mentions. The line was gutted (G, T, C, G, TE) including the loss of quarterback Hollis Mathis, running back Terry “Tank” Smith and three quality receivers; Hardy, Cephas, Martin.
Essentially, the entire offense is gone except WR/S Anthony Grimes (32/417, 5-9, 160, sr) and OG Claude Vangelus (6-0, 235, sr). The big loss is QB Hollis Mathis (Wm & Mary) who matured into a fine quarterback, completing 61% for 2800 yards with a 40/11 Td/Pick ratio, rushing for 468 yards. WR/DBs Daequin Hardy (37/817, 373ry, PSU), Dante Cephas (36/810, Kent St) and Richard Martin (20/288) are gone. RB Terry “Tank” Williams (5-9, 210, 1757, 23 Tds, St. Francis, PA) graduates as well.
The D returns DT James Tigner (5-10, 210, jr), the remnants of a very quick line that lost Steven Fielder (5-10, 210), Armand Gustave (6-1, 180) and two way lineman C/DT George Freeman, the only size on the line at 5-10, 280. DB Aakeem Snell (6-2, 185, sr) is the other returning starter. OLBs Jordy Boswell and Devyn Best are gone with ILB Andy Plowden. They started just four two way players (3 were WR/DB), with only Freeman going both ways. Despite their grad losses they’ll enter the season as the favorite in the less than stellar Northern Conference with Hampton, Fox Chapel, Kiski, Armstrong and Shaler, a combined 16 and 37. Comp will likely come from Mars (9-2) and North Hills (6-5) although both graduated their quarterbacks. Mars returns a serious core and they get the Indians at home. We’ll know much more after their opener Week Zero at Pine Richland.
2 North Allegheny 194.71, 6A, D7, 10-1
NA had their first undefeated regular season since 2012, going 10-0 before losing in the first round to Seneca Valley in a rare shocker. We’re talking about a program that hasn’t had a losing season since 2004, with a particularly strong run from 2009 through 2012, going 54-4, winning state titles in 2010 and 2012. The 2010 team (15-1) beat LaSalle (13-2) 21-0, while the 2012 team that was the best NA team ever put on the field went 16-0, routing Coatesville (13-3) 63-28 while rolling out 456 total yards of offense. No Wexford team before or since averaged 42ppg with a defense allowing 9. What set them apart during the 09-12 run was defense, where they had year ending average yields of 7, 8, 16 and 9ppg. But what set them even farther apart in 2012 was a passing attack led by Mack Leftwich who threw for 3331 yards at 66% with a Td/Pick ratio of 45/4. So, as much as Coach Art Walker is criticized for stodgy offenses he’ll refit as can with the right personnel. Leftwich was awesome (4 picks!), while rushing for 553 yards, going on to an injury filled career at UTEP. About Coach, he’s 105-21 at NA (2009) and 199-58 overall. This year’s team will need to rebuild much of the line, graduating OT Elijah Boyd (6-4, 270), C Parker Titsworth (6-1, 270), OG Jack Graham (6-1, 220), Quinn Rodak (6-3, 275), Laim Aiker Connelly (6-2, 285) and Connor Ditka. But they return starters OT Jacob Lugg (6-4, 280) and Ben Grafton (6-0, 250), as well as TEs Sam Sheridan (6-2, 210) and Amosis Porter (6-1, 200), and lineman Paolo Bochicchio (6-0, 260) and Austin Huebner (6-3, 240). Returning lineman Jacob Lugg is the brother of Notre Dame Sophomore lineman Josh Lugg (6-7, 315), who played on all 12 games last year. Qb Benjamin Petschke (5-11, 180, sr) returns after completing 34 of 91 for 37% and 664 yards, with running backs Percise Colon (5-5, 165, sr, 44/438….speed!) and Luke Colella (6-0, 180, sr, 25/166). About last year’s team, they had their moments, blistering Central Catholic 27-3, Pine Richland 27-7 and Lebo 34-3, while getting past a strong group from West Allegheny 26-20 and Seneca Valley 10-6. When they had it together they smoked quality teams, not just blowing past Pine Richland, but sacking quarterback Cole Spencer five times! That’s saying something against that line. But that’s where it ended as they entered the playoffs top seeded with a bye week, before getting crushed by 5th seeded Seneca Valley 31-14? Seneca Valley’s unheralded O-Line dominated, rushing for 231 yards! For a team that got blitzed in the WPIAL 1st round, you might not think they lost much in terms of quality players to graduation. They did, losing five All Conference 1st Teamers, two 2nd teamers and three Honorable Mentions.
3 Pine Richland 193.82, 6A, D7, 11-3
The Rams entered 2018 with mixed emotions. On one hand, they lost record setting once in a lifetime talent from a state championship team. While on the other hand, they returned a nucleus any team would be happy to have. And so began the season…………..losing a pile of running backs and wide outs to graduation, many of which set records, and graduating All-Everything quarterback Phil Jurkovec to Notre Dame. Jurkovec passed for 3969 yards at 73% with a 39/6 Td-Pick ratio making him integral to their winning the 6A state title, defeating St. Joseph’s Prep 41-21. He had outstanding receivers in Jason DeFrancisis who caught 72 passes for 1142 yards and Raymond Falcone who had 56 for 1039 yards. But it didn’t end there. Receiver Ben Jochem and running back Jordan Crawford snagged 34 for 534 yards and 32 for 539 yards respectively! On any other team they would be leading receivers. Jurko not only passed for 3969 yards, he rushed for 1211! Jordan Crawford was also a force rushing for 1289 yards. So they had great losses in the backfield and the receiver corps but returned the nucleus of an outstanding line featuring seniors OT Andrew Kristofic (6-6, 285, Notre Dame), C Michael Dorundo (Duquesne) and OG Michael Katic (6-4, 285, Indiana). Promising quarterback Cole Spencer was in the wings with another talent at running back in Luke Meckler. The D returned six starters including two fine linebackers, Anthony Cerminara and Tyler King (6-1, 220, Naval Academy) plus Kristofic, Katic and Dorundo to the D-Line. Excepting IMG where they lost 42-7, the opening schedule was far from challenging against Hempfield (3-7), Moon (2-8), Butler (0-10), Norwin (3-7), even Central Catholic (7-4) who was struggling with their weakest team since 2002’s 6-3 squad, Canon McMillan (4-6) and quirky Mt. Lebanon (6-6), winning these games by an average score of 45.7 to 10.9. After Mt. Lebanon they beat Seneca Valley (9-4) 21-7 then got rocked by North Allegheny (10-1) 27-7 in the season finale. But they recovered in the postseason, trouncing both Lebo 46-16 and Seneca Valley 34-7 again before destroying State College (12-2) 56-33. Wow, what a three game run before the semifinal where they lost to St. Joseph’s Prep (13-0) 37-0. Still, it was quite a year without Jurkovec and that special corps of receivers. They enter 2019 with many questions, replacing four of five lineman, three playing both ways. Defensively, they lose the entire D-Line, key line backing with Tyler King and Anthony Cerminara gone (27 tackles vs SJP in 2017!), a solid corner in Connor Hetzel and safety in Dylan Stenson. But they return almost all of their other skill in Qb Cole Spencer, running backs Luke Meckler (183/ 1492!), Caden Schweiger (56/328), Ryan Geyer (39/177) and John Burns (21/145). All in all, Spencer (5-11,185) had a strong sophomore season, passing for 1459 yards at 57% with a Td/Pick ratio of 15 to 6. He was a dual threat rushing for 880 yards on 205 carries. Pretty nice sophomore season! The D returns good numbers despite real losses on the defensive front. DE Miguel Jackson (6-1, 230, 59 tackles) and Trent Miller (6-1, 220, 33 stops) are back, along with FS Chance Boyd (5-11, 160, 70), S Luke Meckler (6-0, 165, 47), LBs Josh Rechenberg (5-10, 220, 35 tackles) and Luke Miller (6-2, 185, 23). They also return experienced players at CB, LB and DE. The BIG question is along the front (Three Conf-1st Teamers grad, One HM) on both sides of the ball and two special players at LB in Cerminara and King. But if the lines come together the Rams will be a load and favored to win the WPIAL.
4 Cathedral Prep 193.78, 4A, D10, 13-3
Talk about a machine. The Ramblers graduated record setting quarterback Joe Mischler, the all-time passer from District-10, a slew of D1 players from the 2017 team then went out and won their third straight state title last season. Third straight! And it wasn’t easy, losing the opener to Pittsburgh Central Catholic who snapped their 28 game winning streak 24-21 at the Wolvarena. Thereon they won 13 of 15, losing to St. Edward of Ohio (11-3) 35-3, who went on to win the Div-I (Big School) title, and Clarkson North (6-6), 51-40 of Ontario. St. Edward played their usual killer schedule including Mentor (11-2) twice, Cass Tech (10-2, Detroit), Elder (8-5), Moeller (6-5), St. Ignatius (8-3). Euclid (9-3), Olentangy Liberty (10-6) and the great Cincinnati public school program Colerain (14-1). Clarkson High was dueling St. Frances Academy of Baltimore, Cheshire Academy of Connecticut and historic Ohio power St. Ignatius, plus Cincinnati private school powers St. Xavier, Archbishop Moeller and Elder. Good luck finding another city with programs as consistently strong as Cincinnati’s schools, including Miami. Despite 2017’s grad losses, Cathedral averaged 42 points per game, the third consecutive year they averaged over 40ppg. They averaged 46ppg in the postseason! Formidable teams stood in their way but to no avail, including South Fayette (12-2) who they defeated 42-0, Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg (13-2) who fell 48-7 (!) and Imhotep Charter (11-3) who they own recently, losing 38-7. With their historic success dating back to the momentous title games with Central Bucks West in 1999 and 2000 and beyond (636-313, 95 years), and knowing how they replace personnel on a yearly basis, the chances of winning yet another state title in 2019 is outstanding. They’ve only lost seven games the last seven years, going 94-7 with four, repeat, four state titles during that stretch. So who’s worried about the graduation of quarterback Connor Schleicher who passed for 1312 yards at 52% while rushing for 922 yards? His Td/Pick ratio was 16/4. That combined with the graduation of running back Billy Lucas with his 2084 yards leaves big holes for sure. But they return quality backs in Luke Sittinger (72/670), Jaheim Howard (49/423) and four others with 516 yards on 74 carries. Sure-handed Jack Oedekoven (6-4, 185, sr) returns as their leading receiver with 37 catches for 769 yards. Plus they have solid experience under center in Colin Johnson who was the real passer last year completing 55 of 87 (63%, 13/1) for 899 yards while rushing for 303 yards on 40 carries. They likely had an interesting off season and spring last year with Joey Scarabino transferring in from Seneca knowing he was Seneca’s all-time leading passer. Big guy at 6-3, 235 (sounds like a McDowell Qb!), completing 61% for 2265 yards with an 18/7 Td/Pick ratio. He threw for 4871 yards at Seneca (2A, Erie) in three years, starting as a freshman. So….they must have held both Connor Schleigher and Colin Johnson in high regard. Although not at quarterback, Scarabino’s contribution was significant, snagging 20 throws for 482 yards while being a force at MLB with 64 tackles. Shelby Wiley transferred in from McDowell getting time in the secondary along with Erie High transfers Darius and Ervin Williams who had 42 and 78 tackles respectively from the secondary. All of last year’s transfers graduated. About the lines, there’s a decent core but they do have holes to fill along both lines. Seniors Mitchell Sweeney (6-1, 275), Thomas Swanson (5-10, 220), James Janicki (5-11, 260) and Ray Ferritto (5-10, 275) will ease that concern on the O-Line. Bottom line offensively, they have an experienced Qb, a pile of experienced backs and their top receiver returning. Defensively, they graduate 472 tackles but return 512, with starters at NG in Kareem Carson (5-9, 220, 58 stops, sr), DE Michael Lupo (5-10, 230, 72 stops, sr), DE Dorian Crosby 6-1, 195, 28, sr), LBs Jaheim Howard (6-0, 190, 32, sr), super soph from last year Jaheim Williams (6-1, 220, 97, jr), Michael Oblich (6-0, 190, 33, sr), Qusaun McLaurin (5-11, 195, 22, sr) and Marrick Bauer (6-1, 170, 30, jr) making them LOADED at linebacker. Top tackler FS Luke Sittinger (5-11, 190, 95, sr) returns with CB Jaelen Carson (6-0, 165, 32, sr). Coach Michael Mischler has a 185-42 record in his 18 seasons at Cathedral going 52-24 from 1998 to 2004, and 123-18 from 2009 to the present. The interim of 2005 to 2008 saw Gateway’s current head coach Don Holl at the helm cranking out a 36-14 record. They get St. Ed’s again early but look for the Ramblers to make another strong run in States. From here, they look like the favorite and one of the top teams in the commonwealth once again.
5 Aliquippa 181.95, 3A, D7, 14-1
This probably looks a little high but except for a smaller roster, this was a 6A masquerading as a 3. As an example, here’s a peek at the recruiting scene. OG/DT Solvaugh Morehead (6-3, 305, recruited as DT) will play at Ball State, WR Will Gipson at Pitt, WR M. J. Devonshire at Kentucky, while 2018’s junior OT Michael Carmody (6-5, 290) has an offer from Penn State as does junior Linebacker Zuriah Fisher (6-3, 230) to name a few. Much of last year’s 3A title team (7th title game appearance, 3 gold, 4 silver), graduated after dominating everyone including decent stuff their last four games against always tough Beaver Falls (9-3) 42-14, Derry (11-2) in a 42-19 rout that won them their 17th WPIAL title, old rival Sharon (10-4) 41-7 and the Blue Devils of Middletown (13-2) 35-0. The win against Middletown who was making their third consecutive finals appearance (Mid Penn-Capital), was Aliquippa’s 7th shutout of the year, with ten teams held to a touchdown or less. The Quips can have highly talented offenses but are known over the years for their defense. This year’s was no different, allowing a paltry 6.9ppg….with an explosive offense in support at 46.9ppg. With an OL averaging 278 lbs and a DL at 305 that could move and not just plug the line, they were nearly unbeatable barring the weird 14-8 upset by Central Valley. Anyone who saw their game against Middletown saw three guys who could rush the passer well despite their size. The offense was diverse with running back Avante McKenzie rushing for 1642 yards and quarterback Eli Kosanovich (6-2, 200) throwing for 3189 yards to become their all-time leading passer. Nice numbers at 63% and 39/6 Td/Pick ratio. As per above, two of his three leading receivers move on to major schools with Will Gipson (6-3. 190) going to Pitt after catching 62 passes for 1657 yards and MJ Devonshire (6-0, 190) to the rejuvenated Kentucky program after catching 27 tosses for 571 yards. You just don’t see that at Aliquippa making them a very, very special group. While the O returns three (WR, OT, OT), the D returns four (DE, DT, NG, LB). That’s a great core for the defense returning DE Karl McBride (5-10, 190, jr), OT/DT Elijah Mike (6-1, 305, jr) and OT/NG Tarquinn Greene (6-2, 310, sr) knowing they are supporting by linebacker Zuriah Fisher (6-3, 220,sr) who is being recruited by essentially the entire country including PSU, Pitt, Syra, Minn et al. Solomon Chinia (6-0, 185, sr) also returns to the offense. Bottom line, it’s a serious rebuild/reload playing in the Beaver Valley Conference with Beaver Falls, Central Valley and Quaker Valley, especially renewing an old rivalry opening with Clairton Week Zero. But their won/loss of 235-20 the last 20 years that includes 2 gold medals and 3 silver medals, 11 straight double digit winning season (17 of last 20!) says they’ll do just fine this season.
