Close friends to match wits when Pine-Richland, Woodland Hills meet in critical Class 5A clash

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, October 20, 2023 | 12:18 AM

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First-year Woodland Hills coach Brian Tarrant says he probably wouldn’t have his job without help from friend Jon LeDonne.

The two worked together for almost a decade, first at Shaler and later at Penn Hills. LeDonne was head coach both places and Tarrant was his defensive coordinator. Now, LeDonne is in his second year as Pine-Richland’s coach, and Tarrant has his own team.

The two still communicate frequently, either talking or through text messages.

“Whether he plays Central or I’m playing North Hills, we always share our ideas,” Tarrant said. “We’re used to talking prior to every game. It’s funny talking to him now and trying to keep some things secret. He knows I’m doing it and I know he’s doing it.”

Secrecy is required because their teams will square off at 7 p.m. Friday.

No. 3 Pine-Richland (5-3, 2-1) visits the Wolvarena to face No. 4 Woodland Hills (6-2, 3-0) in a game that’s vitally important in the Northeast Conference standings. But as a secondary storyline, it also reunites two coaches who celebrated a state title together five years ago.

Woodland Hills offensive coordinator Cam Saddler also was previously part of LeDonne’s coaching staff.

“I’m happy for those guys to have the success they’ve had so far,” LeDonne said. “Myself and Coach B talked a little bit earlier in the week, just wishing each other luck with preparation. No matter what happens on the field Friday, we’re brothers, for sure.”

They won a state title together with Penn Hills in 2018, and LeDonne won another last season, his first at Pine-Richland. About half of the coaches on LeDonne’s current staff at Pine are also former Penn Hills assistants.

“We run the same defense. We run the same special teams,” Tarrant said. “They still run a bit of Cam Saddler’s offense, and we still run Cam Saddler’s offense. It’s going to be very similar teams out there.

“I’m not going to out-think Jon and he’s not going to out-think me. Our kids are going to have to play mistake-free football.”

LeDonne said he and Tarrant exchanged text messages a couple of times this week, and predicted they’d probably talk again before Friday’s game. What’s clear, though, is that each wants to win badly.

For Pine-Richland, the Rams have seemingly hit their stride after a slow start, which is reminiscent of how they won a state title a year ago. They’ve won two games in a row and four of their past five, including an eye-opening win over Central Catholic two weeks ago.

For Woodland Hills, a win Friday would put the Wolverines into a de facto conference championship game in Week 9 against Penn Hills (3-0). Tarrant is trying to build Woodland Hills back into a perennial WPIAL contender, as it once was.

There is an excitement in the community for a current five-game winning streak, Tarrant said, so he expected a lively crowd at the Wolvarena.

“We’ve got alums coming back,” he said. “Miles Sanders. Coach (George) Novak. It’s going to be an excellent atmosphere. We’re just trying to bring back championship football, and one win will get us into a championship game.”

Woodland Hills has the WPIAL’s leading receiver in sophomore Scoop Smith, who has 843 yards and 14 touchdowns on 43 catches. He’s formed a dynamic duo with sophomore quarterback Cameron Walter, who’s a 1,500-yard passer.

The Wolverines are explosive, but Tarrant said the team’s strength is its big offensive line.

There’s no question that also is one of Pine-Richland’s strengths. The Rams lines are anchored by 6-foot-4, 285-pound senior Ryan Cory, a Wisconsin recruit.

Pine-Richland has a few different offensive looks, including a wildcat attack with senior running back Ethan Pillar behind center. They also have a traditional passer in senior Kanan Huffman and use freshman Aaron Strader, a dual-threat quarterback.

If the Rams win this week, they’d still have a chance at winning a conference title. But more importantly, they’d shore up their playoff hopes in a classification where only first- and second-place teams are guaranteed spots.

The same goes for Woodland Hills, which finishes its schedule with its two toughest conference games.

Tarrant was hired in January as just the third head coach in Woodland Hills history.

LeDonne said he was happy to see his friend get his first chance to be a head coach. Tarrant was happy to put a branch on LeDonne’s coaching tree.

“He was so excited that now I have a coaching tree,” LeDonne said, laughing. “A lot of my guys don’t have those aspirations to go off and be a head coach, but he’s one we always talked about. We said, ‘We’re going to set you up. Do things the right way, so you’re ready for that next step when you get that opportunity.’”

Tarrant said flatly that he probably wouldn’t have his job without LeDonne’s help. But might their phones this week be a little more quiet as game day approaches?

“We usually talk all the way up until Friday,” Tarrant said. “I don’t think I’ll hear from him this Friday, but I wouldn’t be surprised, I’ll tell you that. He called me yesterday just to tell me, ‘Hey bro, I love you, I’m proud of what you’re doing.’”

Regardless of the outcome, they said the friendship won’t change.

“We’re both very fierce competitors,” LeDonne said. “But at the end of the game, we’ll say our piece and probably go out and have some drinks together.”

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Pine-Richland, Woodland Hills