Powerful Penn-Trafford ground game, stout Peters Township defense on 5A collision course

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 | 6:08 PM

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Self-inflicted wounds. That’s what Penn-Trafford coach John Raune said has cost his team in its last four meetings against Peters Township.

Not beating yourself is one of the things Ruane is preaching to his team as it prepares for a WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinal-round game Friday at No. 3 Peters Township, the returning district champions.

The sixth-seeded Warriors (9-2) enter this key battle riding an eight-game winning streak. That streak included an impressive win against South Fayette, 49-28, in the opening round of the playoffs.

Penn-Trafford, which has steadily improved through the season, unleashed a solid running attack. The Warriors rushed for 312 yards with senior Tasso Whipple leading the way with 148 yards and a touchdown.

He had help. Senior quarterback Derek Carr rushed for 78 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore Ben Grabowski had 82 yards. Grabowski missed nine games while recovering from surgery.

Ruane said the improvement of the offensive line and tight ends/H-backs were a big reason for the success on the ground.

Whipple, who has rushed for 1,638 yards and 15 touchdowns, has benefitted from the play of the line. Carr has rushed for 537 yards as well.

That group includes center Bryce Ruby, right guard Lucah Butler, left guard Ethan Septak, right tackle Brandon Long, left tackle Kellan Taylor and tight ends Dom Smith, Michael Botti and Jacob Briggs.

“They’re doing a great job,” Ruane said. “They’ve really have shown steady improvement.”

Peters Township coach P.J. Flack said he noticed how well the Penn-Trafford offensive line and tight ends have played.

“They like to run the ball, and we pride ourselves in stopping the run,” Flack said. “We’ll be ready for what they do.”

It also helps Peters Township that senior nose tackle Franco Muscatello is back after missing four games, including the loss to Upper St. Clair.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound monster in the middle also plays left tackle on offense.

“Franco means a lot to our defense and is a dominant player,” Plack said, “but we gave up a pick-six and a 75-yard touchdown pass in that game, and it’s tough to recover from that.”

Junior quarterback Nolan DiLucia, who led Peters Township to the PIAA championship game where it lost to Imhotep Charter, returns and leads the Indians’ attack.

DiLucia has completed 138 of 210 passes for 2,109 yards and 19 touchdowns. His top target is Nick McCullough, who has 40 catches for 844 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Nick Courie is the top runner with 517 yards and 13 scores.

“Nolan is our leader,” Flack said. “He’s an incredible young man and a great quarterback. He makes great adjustments on the field and makes us look smart. He hates to lose.”

Ruane said Peters Township has more than Muscatello up front and DiLucia on offense.

“Their two outside linebackers do a good job setting the edge, and they do a good job spreading the field on offense,” he said. “They force you to cover the field.”

But Ruane said getting Grabowski back allows him to open the playbook.

“Ben is a game changer,” Ruane said. “Peters Township does a great in all phases of the game. We’ll have our hands full.”

Plack expects that game to be close.

“It should be a great game,” Plack said. “All the games in Class 5A are like that.”

The series

Peters Township leads series, 4-2, including 2-0 in the WPIAL playoffs

2021: Peters Township, 27-14

2020: Peters Township, 24-21

2019: *Peters Township, 28-10

2018: *Peters Township, 38-35

2011: Penn-Trafford, 42-12

2010: Penn-Trafford, 31-28

* Playoff game

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: Penn-Trafford, Peters Township