Latrobe, Norwin to meet in early season clash of unbeatens
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Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | 8:13 PM
Latrobe quarterback John Wetzel looks to throw on the first day of preseason practice.
Latrobe coach Ron Purdy keeps an eye on a preseason practice.
Latrobe’s John Wetzel watches a defensive drill during practice Sept. 3, 2024, at Latrobe.
Latrobe’s Alex Tatsch practices Sept. 3, 2024, at Latrobe.
Norwin’s Jake Sincak rambles into the end zone for a fourth-quarter touchdown against Penn-Trafford on Aug. 23, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Conner Urey (11) celebrates with Tristyn Tavares after beating Penn-Trafford on Aug. 23, 2024, at Norwin High School.
Norwin’s Michael Crnkovic (right) hits Penn-Trafford’s Dom Smith last month.
Two undefeated football teams trying to form an identity collide Friday in a nonconference battle at Norwin Knights Stadium.
Latrobe, which found success in Class 4A the past two seasons under coach Ron Prady, tries to continue its upward trend in Class 5A this season.
Norwin, only one of two undefeated teams in Class 6A, tries to build on its early season success.
These former Foothills Conference opponents will see who goes to 3-0 to begin the season.
Latrobe (2-0) began the season with wins against Connellsville (41-0) and Plum (32-18), whereas Norwin (2-0) has beaten Penn-Trafford (26-14) and Kiski Area (33-21).
Both teams feature dynamic offenses, but the game likely will be determined by who plays better defense.
“We’re 2-0, but things haven’t been perfect,” Prady said. “We probably committed way more penalties than we want to, way more turnovers than we want to.
“But some of that you expect early in the year, but we do that this week against Norwin, we’re in for a long night for sure.”
Senior quarterback John Wetzel, a Marshall recruit, has completed 12 of 22 passes for 172 yards and three interceptions. He has rushed for 169 yards.
Senior Alex Tatsch, a Penn State recruit, has rushed for 244 yards and four scores.
Prady stressed his offense needs to be efficient.
“The biggest goal this week is you want to come out of the game healthy because we start conference play next week,” Prady said. “We also just want to see improvements in those areas that we talked about: Play a good, clean football game. That’s what we’d like to do is reduce turnovers and penalties and play as well as we can.”
Latrobe opens Big East Conference action Sept. 13 at Franklin Regional.
Prady praised the job Norwin coach Mike Brown has done. He noticed a difference in the Knights’ body language.
“They’re obviously playing with a lot of confidence,” Prady said. “You see that in the way they play.
“They’re big up front, they’re strong and they come off the ball. They really have established the run in their first two games.”
Brown said his team took to heart the idea of getting stronger and more physical in the offseason.
“Right now we’re focused on Friday,” Brown said. “Latrobe is well-coached, and it’s going to be a challenge.
“Any time you got two Division I commitments, that worries you. As a team, they are very disciplined. We have to come out and match their physicality and try to control the offensive and defensive lines.”
Norwin, which was a passing team last season, is running the ball with a lot of success. A trio of backs — Jake Sincak, Jackson Huss and Giovanni Rothrauff — has performed well along with quarterback Tristyn Tavares, who has rushed for 105 yards and completed 27 of 50 passes for 315 yards.
“The backs are all doing a really good job,” Brown said. “But when you have an athletic quarterback like Tristyn, he’s able to extend plays and turn negative plays into positive ones.”
The Knights host Seneca Valley in their Class 6A opener next week.
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.
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