Recent history suggests Franklin Regional-Latrobe matchup will be a slugfest

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | 8:31 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

Even though Latrobe and Franklin Regional don’t have a deep history, they’ve played annually since 2016, and six of the past eight games have been barnburners.

Both coaches — Latrobe’s Ron Prady and Franklin Regional’s Lance Getsy — expect the same type of game Friday when they kick off the WPIAL Class 5A Big East Conference schedule at 7 p.m. in Murrysville.

In 2021, Franklin Regional rallied from a huge first-half deficit to win 41-40. In 2022, Latrobe won in double-overtime, 36-33, and last year, Franklin Regional used a controversial goal-line stand for a 28-21 win. Latrobe fans felt quarterback John Wetzel scored on the final play of the game, but the officials didn’t agree.

“I expect this game to come down to the fourth quarter,” Prady said. “Maybe the last possession of the game. That’s what our players expect, and I’m sure we’ll get Franklin Regional’s best.”

Latrobe is off to a 3-0 start and is coming off an impressive 42-28 win at Norwin. The Wildcats, led by running back Alex Tatsch and Wetzel, rushed for 451 yards against the Knights.

Tatsch ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns, and Wetzel added 156 yards and a score.

Franklin Regional has started the season 2-1 and is coming off a 42-7 loss at Upper St. Clair.

Getsy said he told his players to learn from Friday’s defeat.

“We watched the film. We diagnosed what we need to do,” Getsy said. “We submitted to their physicality, and that can’t be who we are. I’ve challenged my players. We need to get back to how we played in Week Zero at Plum.”

Getsy said he was impressed with Latrobe’s offensive line, which reminded him a lot of Penn-Trafford’s line when it won the state title.

“Latrobe looks really good,” Getsy said. “They come off the ball. They are physical kids and just are very aggressive. So, we got to match that and see what happens.”

Prady said he’s sure Franklin Regional wants to flush the Upper St. Clair game.

“The first three games are important, but you can throw them out the window now,” Prady said. “Conference play starts, and these are the ones that matter the most. I know Lance is going to have them prepared and try to get back on the winning track.”

Prady said he’s impressed with the Panthers’ offensive weapons: quarterback Chase Lemke, running backs Kyle Dupill and Jude Gentile and tight end Macallister Bresnahan.

Lemke has completed 23 of 51 passes for 369 yards and five touchdowns. Bresnahan has seven catches for 125 yards and a score, and Dupill has rushed for 403 yards and five touchdowns.

Latrobe counters with Tatsch, who has rushed for 495 yards and nine touchdowns. Wetzel has only completed 13 of 27 passes for 207 yards.

Prady said he knows his offense will need to mix in the passing game, but it hasn’t really needed to in the first three games.

“We’re eventually gong to have to throw the ball,” Prady said. “We feel confident John can do that. We just haven’t had a need to. John is a smart kid, and he makes good throws. We comfortable with John back there, 100%.”

Getsy sees this game as a battle in the trenches.

“We both want to run the football, so we’re going to see how that works out,” Getsy said. “You know, if we’re forcing them to throw the ball, then definitely we know that we got them out of their game plan. But they are capable of throwing.

“The quarterback is an athlete, and anytime he drops back, he can take off and run as well. It’s a battle with Latrobe.”

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: Franklin Regional, Latrobe