Hempfield-Norwin rivalry takes on added importance with both in playoff contention

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 5:38 PM

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One of the longest-standing rivalries in Westmoreland County will be on display Friday at Norwin Stadium.

For the 68th time, neighbors Hempfield and Norwin will square off, and for the first time in a long time the game has significant meaning in the chase for the WPIAL playoffs.

Both teams are battling for one of the top four spots in the Class 6A standings.

While No. 1-ranked Central Catholic (5-1, 3-0) and No. 2 North Allegheny (5-1, 2-1) are expected to hold on to the top two spots, No. 3 Norwin (4-2, 1-1) and No. 4 Hempfield (4-2, 1-2) are battling for third.

Both teams played well the first six weeks of the season. The Knights have a conference win over Seneca Valley, and the Spartans took down Canon-McMillan. Hempfield leads the all-time series 38-25-4. This rivalry matchup could go a long way toward a playoff position.

And like in the 2024 game — a 34-28 Hempfield win — Norwin star quarterback Tristyn Tavares has a lower leg injury. He was injured early in the Knights’ nonconference win last week at North Hills.

Last year, he did not start the Hempfield game but came in to give the Knights a spark.

“We are preparing like he is going to play,” Hempfield coach Nick Keefer said. “He is a tough kid, and I am sure he is working hard to be on the field.”

Tavares has completed 40 of 70 passes for 597 yards and nine touchdowns. He has rushed for 513 yards and eight touchdowns.

Norwin coach Mike Brown, who previously coached Hempfield, said his team is better prepared this year to play without him.

The Knights inserted Josh Lenart in at quarterback last week, and Brown turned to his offensive line to open holes for junior running back Giovanni Rothrauff, who carried the ball 41 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Rothrauff has rushed for 798 yards and six touchdowns this season.

“It is crazy; Giovanni said he would have carried the ball more,” Brown said. “We had seven starters missing last year’s game. We are in a lot better position this year.

“It is crazy that we are in a similar position as we were last year. But this group is ready for a challenge from a well-coached Hempfield team.”

Hempfield, which started 3-0, got back on track last week and ended its two-game losing streak by defeating Canon-McMillan, 38-27.

The Spartans fell to North Allegheny and Central Catholic on consecutive weeks.

Senior quarterback Dom Detruf had a career game against Canon-McMillan, completing 26 of 34 passes for 346 yards and four touchdowns, three to Lucas Simmons. Detruf has completed 88 of 120 passes for 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

“I was proud how our team responded after two tough losses,” Keefer said. “We had a great week of practice, and we deserved the win.

“I was happy for Dom. He had a great summer preparing for this season, and he had the game we have been waiting for from him.”

Detruf started for Hempfield when Brown coached him as a freshman.

“We knew he was good,” Brown said. “He played when Jake (Phillips) got hurt. We know what he is like.

“They are like us; they have a lot of weapons. They have different wide receivers showing up. We must stay focused.”

Some of the Spartans’ weapons include running back Aidan Stinebiser, wide receiver Jack Kopas, Simmons and defensive back Henry Mutschler.

Tackle Brock Heisler has been a disruptive force along the line of scrimmage.

“Norwin could easily be 6-0,” Keefer said. “They had a chance to win the Penn-Trafford game, and they had North Allegheny on the ropes.

“We are going to have our hands full. They have some big, strong players on the line.”

Some of the other Norwin offensive weapons include tight end Jake Knight, wide receiver Potter Brozeski and wide receiver Zack Pawling.

Both coaches said their teams are playing for their teammates, and it has been fun to watch.

“They do not care about their statistics. They care about winning,” Keefer said. “Everybody has bought in.”

Brown added: “It is nice to see two Westmoreland County teams playing meaningful games.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield, Norwin