Greensburg Salem chasing playoff berth after near-misses in ’16, ’17

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, August 18, 2018 | 7:12 PM

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It’s been seven years since the Greensburg Salem football team qualified for the WPIAL playoffs.

The Golden Lions were close the past two seasons, but midseason losses derailed the team’s chances in 2016, and an injury to starting quarterback Jacob Hoyle, now at Seton Hill, limited them during the 2017 campaign.

But that injury might benefit the 2018 squad. That allowed sophomore Trent Patrick to get valuable playing time late in the season.

And sixth-year coach Dave Keefer is ready to give Patrick the keys to the offense despite a hand injury this summer.

Patrick missed a couple seven-on-seven tournaments this summer, but Keefer feels confident his new signal-caller will be ready when the Golden Lions open the season Aug. 24 against Hempfield.

“Anytime you get a player some reps on the varsity level, there is no substitute for that experience,” Keefer said. “You can do all the seven-on-seven and all you want to do at practice, but what it comes down to is game experience is the biggest benefit in helping a young man improve.”

The Golden Lions (4-6, 4-4) were in the playoff hunt for the first time since 2011, when Hoyle went down with a season-ending knee injury. Patrick finished the season, and the Golden Lions went 2-2 down the stretch.

“Trent got to play against some quality opponents,” Keefer said. “It’s definitely a springboard for him.”

While Patrick didn’t put up great statistics, he did throw two touchdown passes and rushed for four more. He completed 25 of 55 passes for 317 yards.

“Getting in those games will help me immensely,” Patrick said. “I’m hoping it helps me become a better leader.”

Sophomore Aaren Putt led the Golden Lions with five touchdowns. He was second on the team in rushing with 411 yards. Hoyle led the team with 510 yards. He threw for 565 yards by completing 44 of 106 passes.

Senior wide receivers Tyler Williams and Dajauhn Hertzog will be two of Patrick’s main targets.

Williams had 13 catches for 207 yards, and Hertzog 13 for 156 yards. He also rushed for 173 yards and finished with four total touchdowns.

“We don’t have any kids who jump off the board, but we have a lot of kids who are sound and who understand what we’re doing offensively,” Keefer said. “We’ve made some adjustments to the offense because Jacob is different than Trent.

“I feel we have some kids who are able to catch the football. Tyler’s had a good summer, and Dajauhn can do a lot of things. I’m comfortable with Aaren and Kenny (Shea) in the backfield.”

But like any team, what makes a team is the strength of the offensive and defensive lines.

Senior Zach Houston, who missed his junior season with a knee injury, is back at left tackle, along with Colin Pasko at left guard. Jack Merola-Lapsen is being moved from right guard to center.

“If you look at the games we lost, it came down to the play of the offensive and defensive lines,” Keefer said. “I take that personally. We need to be better, and we have some kids who are ready to step up.”

Greensburg Salem competes in the tough WPIAL Class 4A Big 8 Conference with Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon, Ringgold, West Mifflin, Trinity, Laurel Highlands and Indiana.

“In our conference, you have to be able to run the ball and stop the run,” Keefer said. “Thomas Jefferson, Belle Vernon, West Mifflin and even us want to run the ball. I felt we did a fairly adequate job stopping the run last year. I felt we gave up a few big plays, which was the difference in a few games.”

But having experience at the quarterback spot is the biggest plus for the Golden Lions.

Schedule

Coach: Dave Keefer

2017 record: 4-6, 4-4

All-time record: 690-376-39

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, Hempfield, 7 p.m.

8.31, Trinity*, 7 p.m.

9.7, Mars, 7 p.m.

9.14, at South Fayette, 7 p.m.

9.21, Laurel Highlands*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Belle Vernon*, 7 p.m.

10.5, at West Mifflin*, 7:30 p.m.

10.12, Ringgold*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at Thomas Jefferson*, 7:30 p.m.

10.26, at Indiana*, 7 p.m.

*Class 4A Big 8 Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Jacob Hoyle*

44-106, 565 yards, 5 TDs

Rushing: Hoyle*

82-510 yards, 5 TDs

Receiving: Joe Williams*

18-271 yards

*Graduated

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Greensburg Salem