CTK ’17 – 4-A Big Nine Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, August 21, 2017 | 3:50 PM

The Big Nine Conference not only produced the WPIAL champs in 4A last year, but also featured three semifinalists: Thomas Jefferson, West Mifflin and Ringgold. Everyone else is still looking up at TJ, though, as the Jaguars cruised to another district crown.

Belle Vernon Area also made the postseason in 2016, while Greensburg Salem and Trinity were left outside the playoffs. Meanwhile, Laurel Highlands, Uniontown and Albert Gallatin all finished with just one win.

This conference should be of particular interest to Pitt fans, as three players from it have already given their verbal to the Panthers. Here’s a quick glance at the 4A Big Nine Conference heading into the 2017 campaign.

ALBERT GALLATIN COLONIALS

The Colonials have struggled on the gridiron for many years, but last season, the team got back in the win column by edging Uniontown in its penultimate contest. That victory snapped a lengthy losing skid that had surpassed 30 games. The following week, Albert Gallatin nearly put together a winning streak, but ultimately fell 17-14 to Laurel Highlands. Nonetheless, those affairs could potentially serve as a springboard into a more successful 2017 season at AG.

Albert Gallatin lost its leading scorer, wideout Tavian Mozie, to graduation, but running back Trevon Oliver is back in the mix, and rising sophomore QB Domonick Lewellen will help guide the offense.

Shawn Liotta enters his second season at the helm of the Colonials, after being an integral part of the Clairton Bears’ success. With his experience coaching championship teams, Liotta could be the right man to lead AG to its first winning season in program history.

BELLE VERNON LEOPARDS

Known now for playing on gold turf, the Leopards would like to be known for their high level of play on that turf in 2017. Belle Vernon Area enters the year with high expectations, after qualifying for the postseason en route to a 7-3 mark a year ago and also returning one of the top offensive lineman in the state. Still, their two losses to West Mifflin and the blowout loss to Thomas Jefferson should serve as a reminder to the Leopards that they have some work to do in order to ascend to the top of the conference.

Belle Vernon will look to replace its top passer, top receiver and top two rushers from last year. Graduated signalcaller Mike Fine put up yards through the air and on the ground, but he was also prone to turnovers, with a dozen interceptions. Jared Hartman, entering his sophomore season, received limited reps at the position last year. With Tim Labuda having moved on, Logan Pfrogner likely will assume the role of No. 1 receiver for BVA, after he caught 16 passes last year. Nick Hall previously anchored the rushing game, but now Derek Cesovski will look to increase his production on the ground.

Although questions remain at the skill positions, the massive Blake Zubovic will provide answers on the offensive line. Big Z chose the University of Pittsburgh as his future home, picking the Panthers over dozens of other offers.

GREENSBURG-SALEM GOLDEN LIONS

Historically one of the WPIAL’s most successful programs, Greensburg Salem got back to its winning ways down the stretch of last campaign. To that point, the Golden Lions finished 5-5 by winning their final four games, but still missed the playoffs. Coach Dave Keefer will try to assure that his team begins the upcoming season much like it finished 2016.

Leading the way on offense will be Jack Hoyle, the dual-threat quarterback who combined to produce approximately 1,500 yards, including 14 rushing TDs last year. However, running back Teegan Hahn, who also scored double-digit touchdowns, is no longer part of the equation due to his graduation.

In their 10 contests, the Golden Lions scored almost the exact same number of points as they allowed. To get over the hump and qualify for the postseason, they will likely need to improve that differential.

LAUREL HIGHLANDS MUSTANGS

After a renaissance campaign in 2015, the Mustangs could never find their rhythm in 2016, winning just once, 17-14 against Albert Gallatin. In eight of their nine losses, the Mustangs surrendered 40 or more points, so cleaning up the defense will be the biggest priority for coach Zach Just.

Soon-to-be junior Conner Basinger could be in line to become the Laurel Highlands QB after the graduation of Will Karwatske, and he’ll certainly benefit from the return of the top five receivers from last year. Leading the way statistically last year among that unit was Jacob Dukman and Ian Edenfield. The running game won’t quite have the same amount of experience, but Malik Ramsey fared well in his limited reps as a freshman.

RINGGOLD RAMS

Ringgold was one of three teams that tied for second in the conference last year, and the Rams also won their first-round playoff game.

Now the Rams will look to add to that success, despite losing a prolific signalcaller in George Martin. Martin threw for more than 2,300 yards, and 22 scores through the air last season. The aerial attack may continue this year, though, because tight end Max Maciejewski is back after nearly reaching the 1,000-yard milestone last year. When the Rams aren’t passing, they should find success via the rushing game, as Brandon Small and Tyrese Youngblood combined for almost 1,200 yards last year and are both back.

Nick Milchovich’s defense allowed nearly 25 points per game last year, which was significantly more than the other three playoff qualifiers from the Big Nine Conference.

THOMAS JEFFERSON JAGUARS

It wasn’t a shock that Thomas Jefferson claimed another championship last season, but it was a bit of a surprise how easy the Jaguars made it look. TJ was barely challenged in any WPIAL game, regular season or playoffs. Their smallest margin of victory was 21, in the regular-season finale against West Mifflin, and they also won the 4A title against New Castle via the mercy rule.

Bill Cherpak’s team again should be favored to reach Heinz Field, despite the loss of some key contributors. Gone are QB Bobby Kelley, running back Quinton Hill, and receiver Zane Zandier, all of whom produced stellar offensive campaigns. Second-leading rusher Justin Vigna returns, though, after compiling 449 yards and seven scores.

Unquestionably, the hallmark of the Jags was the defense last year, as they posted an incredible seven shutouts. Although replicating that could be difficult, TJ should be suffocating on that side of the football again in 2017. Leading the way are a pair of future Pitt Panthers in defensive tackle Devin Danielson and defensive end Noah Palmer. Danielson, in particular, could be on a short list of the best players in the district. In addition to be named the conference’s defensive player of the year in 2016, he was also an all-conference offensive lineman.

TRINITY HILLERS

In 2016, Trinity was in a bit of purgatory – good enough to easily defeat the lesser teams in the conference, but not on par with the playoff squads. Improved offensive production against top foes will be key this season, as the Jon Miller led Hillers scored 15 points or less in each of their conference defeats last campaign.

Running back Joey Karoly was the catalyst on offense for Trinity, and he’s back after an all-conference season. Karoly accounted for 16 touchdowns and 1,264 yards on the ground. He will likely look to run behind his behemoth offensive lineman, Ben Phillis. Phillis, who measures at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, gave his pledge to Akron this summer.

UNIONTOWN RED RAIDERS

Much like Laurel Highlands and Albert Gallatin, Uniontown never was in contention for the postseason last year, as the Red Raiders dropped their first seven affairs. In those consecutive setbacks, the team averaged just 6 points per game. After Uniontown got in the win column against Laurel Highlands, the Red Raiders suffered deflating losses to Albert Gallatin and Greensburg Salem to close out their slate.

A new face will be on the sidelines for Uniontown, as Cedric Lloyd has taken over for John Fortugna as the head coach. Lloyd will be tasked with replacing running back Malaky Howard, the only player on the squad who scored more than once.

In order to begin a turnaround, the Raiders will likely need to forge a new identity, as they were outscored by more than 30 points on average in 2016, and had the lowest-scoring offense in the conference.

WEST MIFFLIN TITANS

Of the teams in the Big Nine Conference, the Titans appeared to be the squad best equipped to contend with TJ. However, West Mifflin came up short against the Jaguars, both in the regular season and in the semifinals last year. Aside from those defeats and a heartbreaking three-point loss to Ringgold, the Titans took care of business in 2016, winning nine games.

Howard Reid, who led the Titans with nearly 900 yards rushing and 16 scores last year, is back to lead the way on offense. After averaging a robust 12 yards per carry, Reid’s workload could increase significantly with the departure of Russell Tyree, who actually led the team in rushing attempts. New contributors will be needed in the passing game, though, as the Titans lost QB Gary Galiyas and top receivers Darnell Carey and Brody Bellante to graduation.

Coach Ray Braszo benefitted from a strong defensive effort last year, as the Titans allowed just more than 12 points per game. Back to lead the way on that side will be all-conference selection Gerald Brown.

MSA SPORTS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH in BIG NINE:

1. Thomas Jefferson Jaguars
2. West Mifflin Titans
3. Ringgold Rams
4. Belle Vernon Leopards
5. Greensburg Salem Golden Lions
6. Trinity Hillers
7. Albert Gallatin Colonials
8. Laurel Highlands Mustangs
9. Uniontown Red Raiders

Tags: Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Greensburg Salem, West Mifflin