Jeannette defense zeroes in on Ligonier Valley

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 11:15 PM

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For all the highlight throws, catches and big numbers it put up in the passing game, Jeannette would just as soon take the big zero it earned in its home opener and hang it on the wall.

The zero was on the opponent’s side of the scoreboard in a 31-0 nonconference victory over Ligonier Valley on Friday night at McKee Stadium.

“This was a more physical effort on the defensive end,” Jayhawks quarterback Kymon’e Brown said. “A shutout is important for us because it shows an effort thing. When we have struggled, it’s because of things we’ve done to hurt ourselves.”

Brown completed 11 of 15 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns, two to Jayce Powell, including a SportsCenter-caliber highlight for the game’s opening score, as 2A No. 5 Jeannette moved to 2-1.

Nick Mendoza added two third-quarter touchdowns, one on a rush and the other on a reception, in the Jayhawks’ second straight 30-plus-point output.

“You win games on defense. You always finish on ‘D,’ ” Jeannette coach Tommy Paulone said. “That’s a former QB saying that. Finally, the finishing was there. Four quarters of football.”

Jeannette let Mt. Pleasant and Apollo-Ridge come back in the first two games, but Ligonier Valley (0-3) could not follow suit as Jeannette held its ground and kept the Rams out of the end zone.

“The first two games were rough,” said Jeannette lineman and defensive end Wyatt Shaffer, who had three sacks. “We gave up 29 against Mt. Pleasant and 22 against Apollo-Ridge. We needed to have a game like this.”

Jeannette outgained the 2A Rams 380-190, preventing points despite the visitors driving to the Jayhawks’ 22- and 19-yard lines with lengthy drives.

“The first half was two plays,” Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel said of Jeannette. “I thought our defense played well … to hold them to a field goal. We have to be perfect, and when we’re not, good teams like that are going to exploit you with their great athletes.”

Jeannette took a 17-0 lead into halftime, thanks to a passing game that was clicking early.

Brown hit Powell for two first-half touchdowns, and McAlister Steele added a 26-yard field goal as the Jayhawks went into the break ahead but unsatisfied.

“We didn’t play any music at halftime,” Brown said. “We came in all hyped against Mt. Pleasant because it was 23-8. We were locked in tonight. We knew we had more work to do.”

After their opening drive ended with a field goal, the Jayhawks went to their pass-catching sensation to rev up the offense. On first down from his own 15, Brown tossed right to Powell along the sideline. The wideout made a one-handed grab, stayed in bounds, then zig-zagged his way down field for a 75-yard scoring play that had fans shaking their heads.

“If I put the ball in his vicinity, he is going to catch it,” Brown said. “That should be the No. 1 clip on his film.”

With Jeannette up 10-0 early in the second quarter, Brown connected with Noah Sunder for a 45-yard gain to the red zone. Three plays later, Brown led Powell with a spiral to the far left of the end zone for a 17-0 lead.

Powell caught five passes for 122 yards.

A holding penalty hindered the Rams after they drove to the Jeannette 12 late in the half. Levi Foust was intercepted by Trevor Tillman.

Ligonier Valley went to a hurry-up offense early but ultimately could not match the quickness of the Jayhawks.

“We self-imploded,” Beitel said. “That is our worst enemy. Jeannette had faster athletes at all 11 positions.”

Mendoza opened the scoring in the second half with a 10-yard rushing touchdown. A 22-yard reception by Dhestin Sanders helped aid the score.

Sanders led Jeannette’s rushing attack, a dull blade on this night, with 76 yards on five carries.

Brown passed to Mendoza over the middle for a 27-yard touchdown to make it 31-0 late in the third.

Mendoza plowed through two defenders to reach the end zone.

“Mendoza benches 300 pounds,” Brown said. “We expect him to run people over.”

Foust led the Rams’ rushing attack with 45 yards on 12 carries. The Rams’ longest play from scrimmage was a 25-yard reception by Greyson Daugherty.

Jeannette receiver and defensive end Xavier Odorisio-Farrow left the game early with an apparent knee injury and did not return.

Jeannette had the No. 18 painted on the near sideline in honor of late graduate T.J. Detruf, a former Jayhawks quarterback who died in July.

There also was a tailgate party in a nearby neighborhood to raise money for the Detruf family and to fund scholarships.

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

Tags: Jeannette, Ligonier Valley