CTK 2013 – WPIAL Triple-A Big Nine Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, August 16, 2013 | 9:10 PM

The Big Nine Conference the past two years has been about the Big Two – Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin. Don’t look for things to change this year.

It seems just about everyone thinks Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin will be the top teams in the conference again this season, with Thomas Jefferson holding the upper hand. Thomas Jefferson beat West Mifflin in the regular-season finale last year. Two years ago, they tied for the conference title.

Thomas Jefferson has won the conference title outright nine times since 2002 and looks strong again.
Elizabeth Forward made some waves last year, finishing third in the conference race. The Warriors are a team to watch again and could make some noise.

Here is a look at the Big Nine Conference:

ALBERT GALLATIN COLONIALS

The Colonials have made the WPIAL playoffs only once (2005) in the past 30 seasons. Otherwise, this team has been pretty much a doormat.

Although the playoffs aren’t likely again this year, there is reason for a little optimism this year at Albert Gallatin. Why? Well, because seven starters return on offense and eight on defense. True, the Colonials have been winless the past two seasons, but experience can be a big factor in improvement.

The running game could be solid with the return of Branden Dice and Collin Smith in the backfield. Richie Obler is back at quarterback, but Tristen Keifer also plays the position.

Among other returnees are sophomore running back-linebacker Mat Rush, lineman Chris Hlatky and lineman Brendan Carey.
While Albert Gallatin needs to improve on both sides of the ball, the Colonials were especially insufficient on offense. They scored only 58 points in nine games, the lowest total in Class AAA.

BELLE VERNON LEOPARDS:

The Leopards don’t have a big-name superstar like Dorian Johnson last year. He’s an offensive lineman now at Pitt. But with the return of some other key players, Belle Vernon looks like it will have a good shot at a playoff spot. Belle Vernon made the playoffs last year before losing a tough 17-16 first-round game to Central Valley. The Leopards have made the playoffs four consecutive years.

The running game could be excellent, especially with the return of junior Anthony Levis, who rushed for 1,136 yards last year as a sophomore. Austin Bell is back after running for 178 yards on 20 attempts last season as a freshman.

Travis Snyder might be ready to become one of the top QBs in the conference. As a sophomore last season, he showed potential, completing 45 of 86 for 703 yards.

Austin Fields is one of the best linemen in the conference. He made first-team all-conference last year at offensive guard. Jake Sweitzer was honorable mention all-conference at tight end.

ELIZABETH FORWARD WARRIORS:

The Warriors were a surprise team last year, making the playoffs for the first time since 2005 and losing by only 21-19 to Thomas Jefferson during the regular season.

Things are looking bright for Elizabeth Forward once again, and the main reason is JaQuan Davidson (6-4, 180). He transferred from McKeesport before last season and had a terrific junior year. He is not the greatest thrower (24 of 72 for 523 yards), but he is an excellent athlete. He rushed for a team-high 1,024 yards on 151 carries. He also plays defensive back and has some Division I college scholarship offers as an “athlete.” Pitt and West Virginia are two of the schools that offered him.

Overall, coach Mike LeDonne has six starters returning on offense and seven on defense. Rex Pearse gained the most yards of any running back last year, but has graduated. However, Ryan Wardropper and Jake Myers might be ready to lead the running game. Wardropper gained 248 yards on 43 attempts last season and Myers 192 on 52.

Also back is receiver Matt Bernadowski. Big things are also expected of fullback-defensive lineman Brandon Janicki.
Other returning starters are lineman Adam Smith, defensive lineman Pat Maher, lineman Mike Ocilka, lineman Mike Brown, lineman Devon McDonough, receiver-defensive back Jaylen French and receiver-defensive back Bill Miles.

LAUREL HIGHLANDS MUSTANGS:

Zack Just begins his fourth season as the Mustangs’ coach, hoping to possibly sneak into one of the five playoff spots after finishing 1-9 last season. Laurel Highlands made the playoffs in 2011.

Five starters return on offense and four on defense. Returning on the lines are Will Beresh, Dante Lizza and Branden Crayton. The linebacker corps will be led by returning starters Brett Kusnlar and James Isler.

Jimmy Pierce is only a 5-8, 160-pound sophomore, but showed some promise in some time at quarterback last year as a freshman. He completed 28 of 68 for 278 yards.

Dontay Jacobs also returns at RB-DB, Daren Beres at RB-DB and Corey Dascenzo at tight end. Dascenzo also plays quarterback.

RINGGOLD RAMS:

The Rams begin their second year in the Big Nine after previously playing in the Keystone Conference. After making the playoffs two consecutive years from the Keystone, Ringgold moved to the Big Nine last year and wasn’t quite as successful. They were 4-6, but did make the playoffs.

With the return of its quarterback and some other players, there is reason to believe Ringgold could have a little more success in its second Big Nine season.

Nico Law returns at quarterback. He is the younger brother of Quad Law, who was a star QB at Ringgold a few years ago. Nico showed potential last year as a sophomore, rushing for 453 yards on 67 carries and also completing 37 of 75 passes for 588 yards. Arthur Long also returns at fullback.

One of the top returnees on defense is linebacker Matt Kirby, an honorable mention all-conference selection last year.

THOMAS JEFFERSON JAGUARS:

The Jaguars graduated a tremendous pass-catch combination in QB Joe Carroll and WR Zach Schademan. But what is the saying? Tradition never graduates.

This Thomas Jefferson team figures to be strong again and will challenge not only for the conference title, but also for a WPIAL title.
Thomas Jefferson has one of the best linebackers in Western Pennsylvania in Chase Winovich. A 6-4, 220-pound senior, Winovich was recruited by a number of major colleges before making a commitment to Michigan this spring. Winovich is the younger brother of former Thomas Jefferson QB-LB Pete Winovich.

And like his older brother, Chase will play QB this season.

Thomas Jefferson has some good linemen returning, most notably Mat Nagy and Cole Costy. They will be trying to open holes for Jake Farrell, who is expected to have a big season after rushing for 829 yards on 137 attempts last year. Zach Talley also returns at receiver-defensive back.

TRINITY HILLERS:

The Hillers were hit hard by graduation. Then came another hit this past winter. Patrick Frey, who rushed for close to 1,000 yards last season, transferred to McGuffey.

So Trinity heads into 2013 with an inexperienced team that will try to be competitive and earn a playoff spot for the second year in a row under coach Ryan Coyle. The Hillers were 5-3 in conference last year and 5-5 overall. Their season had a rhythm to it – win-loss, win-loss, win-loss, win-loss, win-loss. Seriously, every win was followed by a loss.

This year, the offense will move to the beat of junior quarterback Forrest Cullings. Robert West looks like he might lead the running game. Brandon McGavitt is a receiver to watch. The lines were hit hard by graduation, but Steve Iams returns.

UNIONTOWN RED RAIDERS:

If having a group of experienced skill-position players means anything, then things are looking better for Uniontown after a 2-7 season in 2012.

Coach John Fortugna has some players returning who showed some promise last season. The leader is quarterback Xavier Ellis, who had a little more than 1,000 yards offense last season. He completed 59 of 116 for 670 yards and also rushed for 469 on 105 attempts.
As far as the running backs go, Doug Lewis returns after rushing for 300 yards on 79 attempts last year. Tristan Sandrosky added 253 yards on 76 attempts in 2012. And Lyric Ellis returns at receiver for his junior year. The offense must get better as a whole, after scoring only 115 points in nine games last season.

The main question for this team might be on the lines. If the lines develop, Uniontown might be challenging for one of the last playoff spots. Remember, five teams from each conference advance.

WEST MIFFLIN TITANS:

West Mifflin has only three starters returning on offense and five on defense from last year’s team that lost to West Allegheny in the WPIAL Class AAA title game. But West Mifflin is still expected to be one of the top teams in the conference.

The main reason for optimism is Jimmy Wheeler, a 5-8, 165-pound senior who is one of the best running backs in the WPIAL. Wheeler, in his first season as a starter, rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season. He was a member of the preseason MSA Sports Elite 11 team.

Talented quarterback Derrick Fulmore graduated and Karlyn Garner takes over that spot. John Green is a good blocker and returns at fullback. Slotback DiAngelo Mitchell rushed for 307 yards last season.

Other returning starters are linebacker Jeff Foreman, lineman Shawn Devey, guard-defensive end Tyler Bornak and tight end-linebacker Colton Weber,

MSA SPORTS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH IN THE BIG NINE CONFERENCE:

7.      Uniontown Red Raiders

8.      Laurel Highlands Mustangs

9.      Albert Gallatin Colonials

Tags: Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, West Mifflin