Something’s got to give in Big East clash between Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 7:42 PM

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On paper, the Franklin Regional and Penn-Trafford football teams are similar.

Both have outstanding running backs, the top runners in Westmoreland County. Both are getting solid quarterback play and feature strong defenses.

The teams collide at 7 p.m. Friday at Warrior Stadium in Harrison City with a lot on the line in the WPIAL Class 5A Big East Conference.

Franklin Regional (6-1, 3-0) has won four consecutive games and sits tied with Woodland Hills (5-2, 3-0) atop the conference standings. Penn-Trafford (5-2, 2-1) has won three consecutive games after falling to Woodland Hills in Week 3 and is trying to keep up with the Wolverines.

Senior Kyle Dupill leads the Panthers’ ground attack. He has rushed for a county-high 1,272 yards and 12 scores. On the other side is senior Tasso Whipple, who leads the Warriors running game with 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.

Both coaches know how important it is to contain the star running backs.

“Kyle is impressive,” Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane said. “He has a low center of gravity and is tough to bring down.”

Franklin Regional coach Lance Getsy noted that two-thirds of Dupill’s yardage comes after first contact.

“Kyle has great vision and great lean when he runs the ball,” Getsy said. “He’s difficult to tackle.”

As for Whipple, Getsy said he’ll run over would-be tacklers if given the chance.

“He’s a hard-nosed runner,” said Getsy, who played football at Slippery Rock with Whipple’s dad, Scott. “We have to gang-tackle him to slow him down.

“Penn-Trafford is more than Tasso. Derek (Carr) is a good runner, and quarterback (Jonny Lovre) throws a good ball. They have other weapons.”

Lovre has completed 75 of 126 passes for 944 yards and eight touchdowns. Jack Weishaar is the leading receiver with 26 catches for 345 yards and six touchdowns.

During the three-game winning streak, the Warriors are averaging 33 points and allowing 10.

“They are sound at what they do,” Getsy said. “They play strong defense and make you work for yardage.”

Franklin Regional senior quarterback Chase Lemke has completed 53 of 103 passes for 962 yards and 13 touchdowns. His lead receiver is MacAllister Bresnahan with 16 catches for 360 yards and four touchdowns.

During their four-game winning streak, the Panthers are averaging 31.25 points and allowing 19.5. In their past two games, wins against Kiski Area and Fox Chapel, the Panthers have rallied.

“They are a senior-laden team, and their experience is showing,” Ruane said. “They do not seem to panic in tough situations.

“We are improving, and we’re starting to jell along the offensive and defensive lines. Defensively, we are forcing teams to put together long drives. As for Tasso, he’s coming up big. He’s been physical, and he wants the ball.”

Getsy said the experience his team has shown this season is because they been in a lot of tough situations over the past few seasons and know how to handle things.

“We’ve been in a lot of tight games,” Getsy said. “We have been in overtime games, close games, and we’ve won some and lost some. We have to be ready for a 48-minute battle.

“One thing I like about them is that they never quit. We were down 40-13 to Latrobe two years ago just before halftime and rallied to win.”

The series

Penn-Trafford leads, 15-8

2023: Penn-Trafford, 27-14

2022: PT, 28-21 (OT)

2021: PT, 49-7

2020: PT, 56-7

2019: PT, 21-0

2018: PT, 30-14

2017: PT, 20-13

2016: FR, 21-16

2003: PT, 34-0

2002: FR, 7-0

2001: PT, 35-0

2000: PT, 35-14

1995: PT, 17-7

1994: FR, 35-23

1991: PT, 54-13

1979: FR, 18-13

1978: FR, 29-20

1977: FR, 41-28

1976: FR, 7-6

1975: FR, 7-6

1974; PT, 8-0

1973: PT, 14-6

1972: PT, 37-14

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Penn-Trafford