Defenses pave way for victories by Jeannette, Ligonier Valley

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, November 19, 2017 | 5:42 PM

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To win high school football games at this time of the season, it's important for defenses to come up big.

It was the defense that propelled Ligonier Valley to its second consecutive PIAA District 6 Class 2A title and sent Jeannette to its third consecutive trip to the WPIAL Class A title game.

Both defenses came up with huge stops when their teams needed them this weekend.

Ligonier Valley (13-0) defeated Bishop McCort, 19-12, and will play Dunmore at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.

Jeannette (12-1) defeated Clairton, 18-7, for the first time and will play Imani Christian at noon Saturday at Robert Morris.

Bishop McCort was able to run the ball effectively between the 30s on Saturday at Mansion Park, reaching Ligonier Valley territory eight times.

The Crushers managed a 41-yard field goal to end the first half and got a meaningless touchdown with seven seconds left as the song “Rocky Top” was being cued for the public address system. Ligonier Valley plays “Rocky Top” when it wins.

The Rams defense frustrated the Crushers, who were hit with three unsportsmanlike penalties in the fourth quarter.

“I was proud how our defense performed,” senior linebacker/running back Aaron Sheeder said. “They had the ball the majority of the game and stayed strong and made them battle for every yard.”

Bishop McCort rushed for 224 yards, 108 yards shy of its average, but its inability to throw was its Achilles' heel.

The Crushers, who average three pass attempts per game, missed on their first seven attempts. They finished 2 of 11 for 16 yards, both completions coming after Ligonier Valley had built a 19-5 lead.

“Our defense played phenomenal,” Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel said. “I felt the defensive ends played really good and wreaked a lot of havoc.

“Cole Peters made a huge play that put them behind the sticks a few times, and he and Nathan Burns set the tone. They got some yards, but we didn't break.”

Jackson Daugherty scored all three touchdowns for Ligonier Valley, sealing the win with a 38-yard score with 1:36 left. Daugherty rushed for 102 yards.

Ligonier Valley won the game by running the ball — unusual for the Rams. They finished with 275 rushing yards.

They won a game when Aaron Tutino didn't catch a pass and Daugherty caught only two, one being a 15-yard touchdown reception.

Beitel said McCort was so concerned with Tutino that it opened up the running game.

The Rams also won despite McCort dominating time of possession in the first half. McCort ran 33 plays and held possession for 17:52 in the first half. Ligonier Valley ran 16 plays, but two possessions were stopped by turnovers.

“We didn't have the ball in the first half,” Beitel said. “That was disappointing. We played much better in the second half.”

Taming the Bears

One of the biggest tasks Jeannette coach Roy Hall and his staff had last week was convincing his players they could beat Clairton.

When Jeannette's defense didn't allow Clairton to break any big plays in the first half, didn't allow the Bears to cross midfield then scored a defensive touchdown on a 50-yard interception return, the Jayhawks started to realize it was possible.

“All we kept telling the players that it was a mind game,” Hall said. “We kept telling them you can do this. Even though the score was 40-6 in the first meeting, we still believed they could do it, and it showed.”

Even though Clairton scored on its first possession of the second half to take a 7-6 lead, Jeannette responded.

The Jayhawks drove deep into Clairton territory on their next possession, and though the result was a missed field goal, the defense stepped up again. Clairton didn't reach Jeannette territory again until the final play of the game.

The Bears seemed to be on the verge of putting together a drive when linebacker Justin Cramer, tackle Jalen Jones and end Anthony Johnson came up big.

Clairton couldn't handle Johnson, who harassed quarterback Brendan Parsons all game, or Jones. Those two dominated up front.

“We were bending defensively, but we didn't break,” Hall said. “We kept the heat on them. I don't think we ever sacked them as much as we did. We kept the pressure on them.”

When Jeannette lost the first time, Clairton struck quickly with two scores.

“They punched back this time, and we didn't respond,” Clairton coach Wayne Wade said.

Parade time

If people in the Ligonier Valley were curious about all the fire whistles blaring about midnight Saturday, it wasn't an emergency.

It was the greeting for the Ligonier Valley football team after winning the District 6 title.

The team received a fire-truck escort from Seward through New Florence and St. Clair Township some 15 miles to Ligonier. The emergency vehicles and the two buses carrying the team circled the square in downtown Ligonier to the joy of their fans before heading to Weller Field.

Hall forgets

Hall might have a big task this week.

After an emotional win against Clairton, the Jayhawks must prepare for Imani Christian, a team they defeated 54-36 in September.

It was also the game that ended with about five minutes left after four Imani players were ejected.

“With all the excitement, I almost forgot that we still have the championship game to play” Hall said.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib

Tags: Ligonier Valley