Penn Hills makes waves in coach Jon LeDonne’s 1st season

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 16, 2017 | 11:00 PM

Heading into the first season under coach Jon LeDonne, many didn't know what to expect out of the Penn Hills football team. However, when the season ended, the Indians made sure people didn't forget to mention them as one of the top teams in Class 6A.

The Indians (8-4, 3-3 Northern 7) made their deepest playoff run since 2008 by reaching the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals. Penn Hills' season ended with a 17-8 loss to Central Catholic at Fox Chapel on Nov. 10.

The loss to the Vikings was the Indians' second loss in three weeks, including a 21-0 defeat in the season finale at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 27.

“We won some games, and we got to the semis for the first time in a while. But we aren't happy with how it ended. We weren't productive as much as we would have liked the last couple of weeks,” LeDonne said.

“We left a lot on the table, and we hope to improve on that with some of the younger guys playing.”

The Indians reached the semifinals after defeating Bethel Park, 30-28, in the quarterfinals Nov. 3.

“I loved how the sidelines and the fans were so excited for the game. You can see that reflected on the field. Everyone was playing their heads off,” junior quarterback Hollis Mathis said.

“It was amazing. It was new to a lot of us. We were a young team, and the playoff atmosphere was new to us. That is the type of football we can play.”

The Indians were led by Mathis, a Big 56 second-team all-conference selection, this season. Mathis finished the season with 2,435 yards passing with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions while adding 328 yards on the ground.

Junior wide receivers Daequan Hardy and Dante Cephas were the main targets for Mathis while senior wide receiver Julian Major was battling injuries most of the season.

Hardy, a first-team all-conference selection at defensive back, led all receivers with 783 yards and eight touchdowns, and first-team all-conference selection Cephas finished with 767 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns.

Major, a Michigan State recruit, had only 151 yards receiving this season and received an honorable mention selection.

Penn Hills had a three-headed rushing attack that included junior Tank Smith and seniors Tim Smith and Jaquay Sears.

Tank Smith, a first-team all-conference selection, led the Indians with 678 yards and seven touchdowns, and Tim Smith, an honorable mention selection, added 499 yards on the ground. Sears, an honorable mention selection, finished his senior season with 236 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

The Indians defense was led by senior linebacker Darrell Mason, who was a first-team all-conference selection. Mason has received offers from Robert Morris, IUP, West Virginia State and Seton Hill.

“Everyone was doubting us and telling us we weren't going to be that good because the incoming coaches won three games in two seasons. We were just putting all the haters aside, and we just wanted to shock the world. That was our motto the whole season: that we were going to shock the world,” Mason said.

The Indians' other players selected to the all-conference team included senior lineman DeShawn Butler (second-team), senior lineman Christian Weis (honorable mention), senior lineman Damion Brady (honorable mention), junior linebacker Jordy Boswell (honorable mention) and senior defensive back Keivonn Pasch'l (honorable mention).

“It goes to show you we weren't a one-man show. Offensively, we were spreading the ball around. Defensively, we had a couple different guys making plays for us. When you get multiple players recognized, it's attributed to the team aspect of the game. When you see a kid getting accolades, it goes back to the coaches that are coaching them,” LeDonne said.

After the loss to Central Catholic, Mathis and the rest of the returning Indians immediately turned their attention to preparing for next season.

“I know that I have made it back into the gym to get my second year started already. I know a lot of the kids in my grade and the sophomores are getting into the gym. We have been talking about getting ready for next season at 12 o'clock after losing to Central,” Mathis said.

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills