Thomas Jefferson football chasing 3rd straight WPIAL title

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 25, 2017 | 11:00 PM

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There's no question about the direction the Thomas Jefferson football team is headed in 2017.

The Jaguars are two-time defending WPIAL champions, defeating Central Valley, 20-7, and New Castle, 42-0, in the past two championship games.

With 16 returning lettermen from last year's 12-1 squad, the Jaguars are determined to make it three WPIAL titles in a row.

Returning lettermen include seniors Justin Vigna (RB/DB), Sean Bell (RB/LB), Jared Collington (RB/LB), Jimmy McCoy (RB/DB), Garret Fairman (WR/DB), Nick Urbanowicz (WR/DB), Alex Ruffing (WR/DB), Noah Palmer (TE/DE), Devin Danielson (OL/DL) and Logan Burnsworth (OL/DL); juniors Max Shaw (RB/LB), Sean Barrett (WR/LB) and Dom Serapiglia (OL/DL); sophomores Shane Stump (QB/DB), Dan Deabner (WR/DB) and Logan Danielson (OL/DL).

“A lot of these kids played varsity last year. I feel pretty comfortable where we are right now,” coach Bill Cherpak said. “The strength of our team are the lines. Our offensive and defensive lines have a lot of size and experience. Our defensive line should dominate.”

Most of the Jaguars' experience is on the line; only a handful of players were full-time starters a year ago.

Seniors Devin Danielson (6-3, 295), a fourth-year starter, and Palmer (6-4, 225), both Pitt recruits, were two-way linemen in 2016, and are joined by two other returning starters in Serapiglia (6-1, 280), a junior center (and third-year starter), and Burnsworth (6-3, 215), a senior tackle.

Danielson (OT/DT) was named defensive player of the year in the conference last season, while Palmer (TE/DE) made his mark in TJ football lore in the WPIAL championship game. With 57 seconds left in the second quarter, Palmer intercepted a short pass to the left side and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown to give the Jaguars a 14-0 halftime lead and help propel TJ to its seventh WPIAL title in school history.

Others in the mix on the Jaguars' offensive line include sophomores Logan Danielson (6-1, 230), Mac Duda (6-3, 250) and Mike Huber (6-1, 265). James Martinis (6-2, 185), another sophomore, will back up Palmer at tight end.

“Our No. 1 priority is to run the ball. We always want to run the ball,” said Cherpak, the winningest coach in TJ football history with a 236-42 career record.

Cherpak, 50, was inducted in May into the Robert “Tick” Cloherty/Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Thomas Jefferson, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by the Tribune-Review, amassed more than 5,000 yards in total offense last season, including 3,149 yards on the ground.

Quinton Hill rushed for 1,940 yards and 28 touchdowns on 255 carries as a senior running back/linebacker a year ago, and established new career records at TJ for yards (4,432) and carries (576).

Hill, a Howard recruit, also finished with 63 touchdowns at the varsity level, which set new career records for touchdowns and total touchdowns (rushing/receiving). And he broke the team record for scoring with 385 career points.

The Jaguars are counting on Vigna and Stump to be impact players at running back and quarterback, respectively.

Vigna accounted for 449 yards and nine scores on 51 carries in a backup role last year, averaging 8.8 yards per attempt.

“Justin's fearless as a runner,” Cherpak said. “He's going full speed when he hits the line. He's fast, and he has a great attitude. He waited his turn (at running back).”

Vigna, Bell and Shaw are the team's leading RB candidates, while Stump, who saw varsity playing time as a freshman last year, inherits the QB position.

“Shane can whip the ball. He has a great arm,” Cherpak said. “He's probably the strongest arm we've ever had, and you've got to remember that he's only sophomore. I don't want to put pressure on him, but Shane's going to be the key. He's a real good athlete; we want him to focus on quarterback.”

The Jaguars' receiving corps is deep, led by Fairman, Urbanowicz, Collington and Deabner.

“We have the same expectations that our team has had in past years,” Fairman said, “but this year our goal is definitely to move past the first round of the state playoffs. My personal goal is to get more known college-wise.”

Turning to the TJ defense, linemen Devin Danielson, Palmer, Burnsworth, Serapiglia and Huber will be supported by a new linebacking crew in junior Jack Mich, Bell, Martinis and Shaw.

Fairman, at safety, will be flanked by Deabner, Collington and Urbanowich at cornerback.

“Our strength is our D-line and O-line,” Fairman said. “They get no recognition and they are the best part of our team.”

Another player being counted on is junior A.J. Meshanko, a first-year placekicker/punter. Meshanko also is an accomplished soccer player. He was an all-WPIAL and all-section selection last season.

“Our kicking game is going to be a strength for us,” Cherpak said. “A.J. has a live leg. His kickoffs go high and deep.”

Cherpak has guided Thomas Jefferson into the WPIAL playoffs for 22 consecutive years, tied with Class AA Aliquippa for the longest active playoff streak.

The Jaguars, who allowed only seven points in three WPIAL playoff games last season, have won 23 of their past 25 games.

TJ outscored the opposition 592-89 a year ago, averaging 45.5 ppg offensively and 6.8 ppg defensively and posting seven shutouts.

The Jaguars are members of the Class 4A Big Nine Conference, along with West Mifflin, Ringgold, Belle Vernon, Greensburg Salem, Trinity, Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown.

TJ has won 82 of its past 85 conference games dating back to 2005, and 104 of 108 conference games since 2001.

The Jaguars reeled off 58 consecutive wins at TJ Stadium from Oct. 8, 2004 to Oct. 31, 2014, and have won 67 of their past 68 games at home, including nine in a row.

TJ opens the season Sept. 1 at home against Uniontown.

The Jaguars socked Uniontown, 56-0, last season, and has defeated the Red Raiders eight consecutive times dating back to 2008.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

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