Montour hopes to keep Thomas Jefferson from 3rd straight WPIAL title

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 | 4:18 PM

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Thomas Jefferson is back in a familiar place — Heinz Field.

The Jaguars (10-1) hope the result is similar this time, too, when they take on Montour (9-2) at 8 p.m. Saturday for the WPIAL Class 4A football championship.

Thomas Jefferson, in a title game for the ninth time since 2003, is looking for a third-straight WPIAL crown.

“We only have three or four starters back from last year’s team, but a lot of them played in that game,” said Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak, who could become the third coach to win seven WPIAL titles. “We’ve been there the last two years and the kids understand everything and how the routine is a little different.”

The Jaguars hope the routine of blanking opponents stays the same. Thomas Jefferson has six shutouts on the year, including both WPIAL playoff games, so far.

“The defense has been good all year. We’ve just really stepped it up in the playoffs,” Cherpak said. “The kids take pride in playing defense, and we always stress the defensive side of the ball. If a team can’t score, it can’t win.”

Meanwhile, the Spartans carry momentum into this matchup. They rallied from a 28-7 deficit to beat New Castle, 35-31, two weeks ago. They overcame a 27-14 halftime deficit to topple top-seeded South Fayette, 35-27, last week. It’s their first trip to Heinz Field since 2011.

“Our kids have shown a lot of heart and desire to get it done. They have responded all year, and it’s been working out. Falling behind is not a good recipe, especially against a team like Thomas Jefferson. Hopefully, we can rectify that and play a complete game,” Montour coach Lou Cerro said. “Our kids are excited to play. Hopefully, we have a good week of practice and can go from there.”

Thomas Jefferson plans to rely on its running game. Senior running back Justin Vigna carried the ball 44 times for 200 yards and two scores last week. He has 1,701 yards on the year and a veteran offensive to pave the way.

“When you’re in the playoffs in Western Pennsylvania, you have to be able to run the ball. It just so happened Friday night we really controlled the line. We were trying to open it up a bit, but the running game kept succeeding,” Cherpak said. “Usually, our back doesn’t carry the ball 44 times. But, he was running well and the line was opening up holes, so there was no reason to change. We want to run the ball, there’s no doubt.”

Containing the Jaguars’ running game is a priority for the Spartans.

“Last week, they had two drives of more than eight minutes. We have to try to get them off the field,” Cerro said. “The last four weeks, they have made a commitment to running the football and you can see that on the scoresheet and on the scoreboard. They are running at will. We have to counteract that to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Montour can run the ball, too, but doesn’t have one main rusher. Brayden Jones has 668 yards and quarterback Kavon Morman is right behind at 663 yards. Morman has passed for 1,641 yards, too.

“Our offense is really clicking at the right time. Kavon is the catalyst to this whole thing; he makes all the proper decisions. He’s had a monster playoffs, so far. We’ll do as well as Kavon does,” Cerro said. “We have to make sure this Saturday night that we take advantage of our opportunities on offense. If they keep the ball for six or eight minutes at a time, it’s not going to be good for us.”

Cherpak knows Montour’s offense can produce a lot of points and in a hurry, based off the past two weeks.

“I think the big thing is, you can never relax. If you get a lead on them, they are confident to come back and never give in. You have to play the entire 48 minutes. You can’t take it easy at any point and think you have it made,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a stretch to say they are the most talented team we’ve played. They have talented players at the skill position and good linemen. It’ll be a good matchup.”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.