Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Southmoreland freshman hits ground running

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, September 26, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Anthony Smith’s progression has been fast, his development swift, as the freshman quarterback leads the Southmoreland football team in his first season.

Smith, who had the look of a can’t-miss prospect over the summer and in camp, has not disappointed through five weeks.

He is leading Westmoreland County in passing yards and touchdowns and has the Scotties (4-1) in good position entering Class 3A Interstate Conference play.

“We are doing well as a team and firing on all cylinders,” Smith said. “Our defense is making the stops, and our offense is taking advantage of it. It all starts up front, and our guys are dominating the line of scrimmage, and we have playmakers all over the field. I am excited to see what happens in conference play.”

Smith has completed 51 of 96 passes for 980 yards and 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has two rushing touchdowns.

“We are very happy with his progress,” Southmoreland coach Tim Bukowski said. “He plays like an upperclassman and is on pace to break our school records. I also like the way he approaches each game with his film work and pointing things out to me that he sees. He is the leader of our offense, and the players believe in him, which is huge with him being a freshman.”

Smith (6-1, 190), who does not play defense — a luxury for a 3A team with depth — has delivered the ball to five receivers, but two have been the primary threats.

Senior Elliot Premus has pulled in 23 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns, and freshman Jackson Mickens, who also has taken to the varsity game, has 14 catches for 156 yards and three TDs.

Junior Makel Darnell has nine catches for 141 yards and three scores.

Smith said the speed of the game has been his biggest adjustment.

“But as you play each game, you get more comfortable,” he said.

What’s in a name?

Clairton is set to name its renovated home field “Tyler Boyd Stadium,” after one of its all-time great players, the former Pitt standout turned NFL wide receiver.

Several Westmoreland County stadiums have names attached to them. Here is a brief history of each:

• Offutt Field (Greensburg Salem): Formerly called Athletic Park, Offutt Field opened in the 1890s before it was named after school director James H. Offutt in the late 1920s.

The historic stadium has been home to high school, college and pro football and minor league baseball games. It is said a creek used to run through a corner of the field.

• Russ Grimm Field (Southmoreland): In 2006, Southmoreland dedicated its stadium to Grimm, the former standout for the Scotties who later played at Pitt and in the NFL.

Grimm played quarterback and linebacker in high school before moving to center in college, going from 205 pounds to 270. He was an original member of the Washington Redskins’ “Hogs” offensive line and played for Washington for 11 seasons.

• Richard J. Dilts Stadium (Kiski Area): Opened in 2018, the venue honors the late coach who won 214 games with the Cavaliers, along with 14 conference titles.

• James Weir Stadium (Belle Vernon): “The Beach,” as it has become known because of its sand-colored turf, was named after James Weir in 1982. Weir was a teacher, coach and athletic director in the district who later made $50 a game playing semi-pro football.

• Weller Field (Ligonier Valley): Dedicated in 1963, the home of the Rams is named after Stewart E. Weller, one of the field’s founders. The land was bought in 1940 by Byers-Tosh American Legion Post 267 and donated to the school district.

The field was dedicated at halftime of a game between Ligonier and Laurel Valley, schools that later merged to form Ligonier Valley.

• William A. Shomo Field at McKee Stadium (Jeannette): Historic McKee Stadium has been home to many great teams and athletes, but the playing surface was named in honor of victorious U.S. Army Air Forces fighter pilot William Arthur Shomo, who fought in World War II.

The Jeannette native received the Medal of Honor for his eight victories during a single mission during the conflict.

The field was dedicated in 2010.

Close calls

Mt. Pleasant is getting used to tight games.

The Vikings (2-3), who open Interstate Conference play this week at Yough (2-3), played their second overtime game in five weeks last Friday, falling to Laurel Highlands, 21-20.

In the season opener, Jeannette scored two late touchdowns and made an extra point to clip the Vikings, 28-27. The next week, Mt. Pleasant rallied to edge past Greensburg Central Catholic in overtime, 36-35.

GCC game Friday

There was some confusion this week about the time, day and site for the Riverview-Greensburg Central Catholic game.

A schedule released in the preseason had the game at noon this Saturday at Riverview.

But the game will in fact be at 7 p.m. Friday at Centurion Stadium in Carbon.

In a rush

Four Westmoreland County players are in the thick of the WPIAL rushing race. They are fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh among the current leaders.

Kyle Dupill of Franklin Regional leads the county with 784 yards, followed by Penn-Trafford’s Tasso Whipple (749), TyVaughn Kershaw of Monessen (737) and Alex Tatsch of Latrobe (724).

Dupill also leads in carries with 127. Tatsch has the fewest of those four with 59.

Sinclair a captain

Former Franklin Regional standout Owen Sinclair has been named a team captain at The Kiski School, a post-grad program in Saltsburg. Sinclair plays linebacker and defensive end.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Jeannette, Kiski Area, Ligonier Valley, Norwin, Southmoreland