In playoff quest, Latrobe faces huge obstacle in Penn-Trafford

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 6:25 PM

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Even with what happened to the Latrobe football team this season, losing star linebacker Alex Tatsch and other starters to injury, the Wildcats still have a chance to make the WPIAL playoffs for the third consecutive season with a victory Friday night.

But the Wildcats face a huge obstacle in Penn-Trafford, which has won 31 of the 35 previous meetings between the teams.

The last time Latrobe won a game in the series, Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane was an assistant coach at Gateway. Ruane came to Penn-Trafford in 2010 and has not lost to the Wildcats in 12 games. The Warriors also have won 24 of the past 25 meetings. Latrobe won the 2009 game 12-3.

“They’ve dominated over the years,” Latrobe coach Ron Prady said. “It’s going to be a challenge. What we’ve gone through and how we’ve responded speaks to the resilience and the heart of our players.

“To battle through what we’ve battled through the last four or five weeks, and to come out and play a good Gateway team and come out on top, we’re very pleased with our guys in the way they responded.”

In a must-win game, Latrobe rallied to defeat Gateway, 28-27. Senior quarterback John Wetzel had a career game. He threw four touchdown passes and completed 8 of 12 passes for 132 yards. He also rushed for 161 yards.

“John makes them go on both sides of the ball,” Ruane said. “We must control him and the line of scrimmage. We know what to expect.

“On the other hand, we want to keep the momentum going. We’re starting to jell on both sides of the ball, and we’re getting healthy.”

The Warriors (7-2, 4-1) have won five consecutive games. Ruane didn’t indicate who was coming back as the team is “getting healthy,” but sophomore running back Ben Grabowski carried one time against Armstrong last week. He’s been recovering from a lower-body injury. Senior running back Joe Jackson hasn’t played since Week 2 with a leg injury. Jackson is done for the season.

“We’ll have to be ready to get their best,” Ruane said. “Last week at Armstrong, we were able to play a lot of players. It’s a big deal for the backups to play on Friday night, and that will help our depth. We thought they played well.”

Senior quarterback Derek Carr was among those who got significant playing time.

Three linemen who have come on for the Warriors are senior Kellan Taylor, senior Brandon Long and junior Lucah Butler. The trio also contributes on defense: Taylor at tackle, Long at end and Butler at middle linebacker. Senior all-conference lineman Ethan Septak has switched from center to guard and has performed well.

“We gave them an opportunity, and they have exceeded our expectations,” Ruane said.

Senior running back Tasso Whipple has benefited from the excellent line play. He has rushed for 1,327 yards and 12 touchdowns.

But Prady has a strong group up front. They must step up for the Wildcats to have a shot.

“We’ll have our hands full,” Prady said. “I expect them to do what they do, and knowing those guys, they’ll show us some things that we haven’t seen yet. They’re going to try to find the best way to attack us, and we’re going to have some things they have not seen.

“Ultimately, it comes down to our guys versus their guys and who gets it done. I expect it to be a battle for four quarters and be a physical match. They like to play physical and run the ball.”

Prady said his team must be ready in all phases. Penn-Trafford’s special teams play was the big reason the Warriors defeated Franklin Regional.

“I know how much time they put out into special teams,” Prady said. “John’s going to throw some wrinkles, and we’re going to have to be ready for it. Since John came there, they’ve been a model of consistency, not only in Westmoreland County for the past 13 years, but up there with some of the best in the WPIAL.”

Latrobe would not be in this position if it wasn’t for the play of Wetzel against Gateway.

“John’s a kid that wants the ball in his hands, whether it be running the ball or throwing it,” Prady said. “He wants to be in control of the game, and he was able to do that at Gateway.

“He may need a similar performance on Friday. John is a fantastic competitor, and he hates to lose. He is probably the toughest kid I’ve ever been around. He takes a beating, and every week, he’s back out there playing hard.”

Prady said they treated last week’s game as a playoff game. They’ll do the same this week.

The series

Penn-Trafford leads, 31-4

2021: Penn-Trafford 42, Latrobe 0

2020: Penn-Trafford 48, Latrobe 13

2019: Penn-Trafford 39, Latrobe 7

2018: Penn-Trafford 27, Latrobe 7

2017: Penn-Trafford 27, Latrobe 10

2016: Penn-Trafford 48, Latrobe 17

2015: Penn-Trafford 63, Latrobe 8

2014: Penn-Trafford 48, Latrobe 0

2013: Penn-Trafford 28, Latrobe 8

2012: Penn-Trafford 34, Latrobe 7

2011: Penn-Trafford 38, Latrobe 9

2010: Penn-Trafford 31, Latrobe 10

2009: Latrobe 12, Penn-Trafford 3

2008: Penn-Trafford 38, Latrobe 10

2007: Penn-Trafford 29, Latrobe 7

2006: Penn-Trafford 35, Latrobe 7

2003: Penn-Trafford 32, Latrobe 14

2002: Penn-Trafford 30, Latrobe 10

2001: Penn-Trafford 14, Latrobe 10

2000: Penn-Trafford 41, Latrobe 10

1999: Penn-Trafford 28, Latrobe 7

1998: Penn-Trafford 42, Latrobe 0

1997: Penn-Trafford 48, Latrobe 12

1996: Penn-Trafford 31, Latrobe 8

1995: Penn-Trafford 42, Latrobe 20

1994: Latrobe 21, Penn-Trafford 17

1993: Penn-Trafford 48, Latrobe 14

1992: Penn-Trafford 10, Latrobe 7

1991: Penn-Trafford 49, Latrobe 13

1990: Penn-Trafford 27, Latrobe 12

1989: Penn-Trafford 34, Latrobe 16

1987: Latrobe 6, Penn-Trafford 0

1986: Penn-Trafford 20, Latrobe 6

1985: Penn-Trafford 37, Latrobe 10

1984: Latrobe 21, Penn-Trafford 12

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: Latrobe, Penn-Trafford