Derry executes on both sides of ball for win over Mt. Pleasant

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, October 17, 2025 | 10:37 PM

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Ask Derry coaches and players what their team’s identity is, and you’ll get different answers.

Some say it’s hands in the dirt, ground-and-pound football. Others think the passing game might be underrated and consider the entire unit to be well-balanced.

Or maybe it’s just the physical brand of football and imposing line that makes this team go.

Whatever the case, the Trojans can all agree on one thing: They are playoff contenders.

Derry took a big step in the postseason race with a convincing, 33-13 victory over visiting Mt. Pleasant on Friday night.

It was a one-sided affair at Trojan Stadium.

In what might have been their most efficient effort of the season, the Trojans controlled the outcome from the time the fire whistles blew, and players busted through the tape, to the final whistle.

The running game was punishing, but the passing game popped to complement it. The defense stifled Vikings drives as Derry (5-4, 2-2) moved into a tie for third place with Mt. Pleasant (5-4, 2-2) in the Class 3A Interstate Conference with one week left.

“Our preparation for this week was phenomenal,” said Derry running back Max Doherty, who ran for 118 yards and a touchdown, topping 1,000 yards for the season. “The physicality of this team has grown each week since Week Zero. Everyone has stepped it up.”

Anthony Sacco threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns, both to Max Doperak, and the Trojans outgained Mt. Pleasant, 379-229, and didn’t punt until late in the fourth quarter.

“We had a great game plan on offense and defense, and our kids executed it,” Derry coach Mike Arone said. “(Running the ball) is what we like to do, but you have to have other options. I really like how we played up front.”

Mt. Pleasant had a golden opportunity but saw it fade early. A win would have clinched a playoff spot.

Now, the Vikings must win their final game at Elizabeth Forward to have a chance at the playoffs.

Derry needs to beat Yough next week to qualify.

Both could still be in contention for a wild-card spot.

“(Derry) played very good defense tonight,” Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas said. “That really helped them set the tone. They were physical and balanced. We didn’t help ourselves tonight.”

Derry took a 19-0 lead into the break with a strong first half.

The Trojans scored on their opening drive on a 35-yard touchdown run by Karsen Weiers, who took an end-around and found space to the outside.

The extra point was no good, but the Trojans’ defense forced a turnover on downs after the Vikings marched to the Derry 14 on 12 plays.

A 43-yard burst by Doherty and a 38-yard pass play from Sacco to Ricky Daniels set up another score on the first play of the second quarter.

Doherty rumbled in from the 9 to extend the lead to 12-0 after the two-point pass fell incomplete.

After a Vikings’ punt, Derry drove 52 yards, keeping the ball on the ground before Sacco delivered another strike, this one to Doperak for 21 yards and a 19-0 lead with 4:25 left to play in the first half.

“We were very balanced tonight,” Doherty said.

Mt. Pleasant caught a break early in the third when Sacco’s pass was tipped and landed in the arms of Kaden Hudec for an interception.

Three plays later, Stephen Predajna ran in from the 1, but the two-point pass failed and it was 19-6.

Mt. Pleasant then drove 62 yards in 12 plays, 11 of them runs, with Aiden Frank scoring from the 3 to make it 26-6.

Sacco and Doperak hooked up again midway through the fourth on a 55-yard pass play to extend the advantage to 33-6.

Doperak had two catches for 82 yards.

A key block by Anthony Frank sprung Doperak.

Weiers added a late interception for the Trojans.

Firmstone, who scored on a short rush with six seconds remaining, passed for 60 yards and ran for 41.

Richard Shawley had five receptions for 64 yards for the Vikings.

“I really liked the way we played tonight,” Arone said. “We can’t take what we did lightly. We have to keep it going. We need to clean up the penalties.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Derry Area, Mt. Pleasant