Expect offensive fireworks when Greensburg Central Catholic, Monessen collide in Class A 1st round

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | 7:15 PM

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Friday’s WPIAL Class A playoff game between Monessen and Greensburg Central Catholic could turn out to be the most electrifying in the first round.

It could feature two of the top players in Westmoreland County and the WPIAL. It also could be a high-scoring affair.

Fans will be on the edge of their seats watching these two perform at Greensburg Central Catholic Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Monessen junior TyVaughn Kershaw and Greensburg Central Catholic junior Samir Crosby have lit up the scoreboard this season. Monessen averages 31.7 points per game and GCC averages 30.5 points per game.

Kershaw has accounted for 29 touchdowns. He’s rushed for 1,359 yards and 17 scores, has 12 catches for 247 yards and four TDs and has thrown for two touchdowns while completing 8 of 14 passes for 177 yards from the wildcat formation. He also has six returns for scores: three kickoffs, a punt, a fumble and an interception.

But he’s questionable with an undisclosed injury, according to Monessen coach Wade Brown.

Crosby has rushed for 927 yards and scored 17 touchdowns and has completed 66 of 113 passes for 1,171 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Crosby has a lot of help. Junior wide receiver Landon Honick has 29 catches for 584 yards and eight touchdowns and senior tight end Jackson McMullen has nine catches for 159 yards and six scores.

Because of PIAA transfer rules, junior wide receiver/kicker Jerry Davis, senior linebacker Tucker Lloyd, the team’s leading tackler, and junior linebacker John Michael-Landa will not be participating.

“We’ve known all season that they will not be eligible, so we prepared for that,” Greensburg Central Catholic coach John Thompson said. “So we have capable backups. It’s just another challenge.”

Greensburg Central Catholic is riding a five-game winning streak. Huge wins include 44-27 against Jeannette and 20-16 last week at Leechburg.

“Samir is our leader, but we’ve had a lot of other players step up and grow,” Thompson said. “Landon and Jackson have made plays in the passing game. Tackle Jonah Schneider and guard James Botti have improved.

“Jonah has never played football, and we found him in the hall and some of the players talked him into playing. He’s made great strides. They have taken to coaching. I’m not surprised because we pride ourselves in developing players.”

Thompson said he was watching film on Monessen, and he was impressed.

“You can see the athletes they have,” Thompson said. “I don’t know names. But No. 0 (Kershaw) and No. 8 (Rodney Johnson) stand out. Everyone is good this time of the year. I’m sure we’ll have our hands full.”

Greensburg Central Catholic is getting a Monessen team coming off losses to Bishop Canevin (56-26) and Cornell (41-6). Brown said both teams were athletic and physical.

“We got beat up some in those games,” Brown said. “Both teams are very good. Our conference (Black Hills) was very good. There were no pushover games.

“Greensburg Central Catholic is a very talented team,” Brown added. “When you pop in a film, Crosby jumps out. He can hurt running and throwing.”

If Kershaw cannot play, Brown will turn to Johnson, Tavian Taylor or senior Tim Kershaw, TyVaughn’s brother, to pick up the slack. Sophomore quarterback Dennis Hawkins is another player who has produced for the Greyhounds, who began the season with four consecutive victories and wins in seven of their first eight games.

Hawkins has completed 56 of 106 passes for 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s caught one pass for 27 yards and a score.

Johnson has 14 catches for 233 yads and three scores. He’s also rushed for a score.

These teams have only met five times over the years and GCC has won all of the meetings.

When they met in 1982 and 1983 in nonconference action, GCC won 30-0 and 10-3. They played in the 1998 playoffs with the Centurions winning, 38-8. And they tangled in 2014 and 2015 in nonconference games with GCC winning 15-12 and 21-0.

The last time Monessen won a playoff game was 2013 when it defeated West Shamokin, 37-14. The Greyhounds have dropped six consecutive playoff games, and they are 19-34-1 in playoff games.

They were WPIAL champions in 1930 and 1961. They lost to Farrell in the finals in 1995.

Greensburg Central Catholic ended a seven-year drought in the playoffs in 2023 when it defeated West Greene, 41-22. The Centurions are 20-24 all-time in the playoffs and were 2009 Class 2A champions. They lost in back-to-back seasons (2005 and 2006) in the finals.

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: Greensburg C.C., Monessen