Rivalry game looms large for No. 4 Derry, Mt. Pleasant

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 | 6:18 PM

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In the 1980s, the Mt. Pleasant and Derry football teams provided some historic games in the Keystone Conference.

Sellout crowds and massive 50/50 raffles were normal, and many times, the games had heart-thumping endings.

That rivalry was rekindled over the past three years, and Friday’s contest at Mt. Pleasant looms large for both teams in the Class 3A Big East Conference, with each off to a 1-0 start.

Derry (3-0, 1-0) is No. 4 in the latest Tribune-Review rankings, and Mt. Pleasant (1-2, 1-0) needed a strong defensive effort in the second half to rally and defeat Yough, 22-16. Even though Yough star running back Dustin Shoaf rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns, the Vikings didn’t allow a second-half score.

It was an effort that pleased Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas after his team dropped two close games to open the season. The Vikings, with a little luck, could have been unbeaten.

“It was a huge win for us,” Fazekas said. “The defense was able to contain a great running back, and what made it even better was we had five starters out with injuries. We had a lot of players step up.”

Pete Billey, nursing a sore left ankle, rushed for 127 yards and scored the winning touchdown in the third quarter for the Vikings.

But if the Vikings are to defeat Derry, senior quarterback Lucas Pieszak must have a big game. Pieszak completed 11 of 22 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown against Yough.

“Lucas has to be good, and we need him to play his best to be in games and do well,” Fazekas said. “He has to execute the plan.”

Derry coach Tim Sweeney said his defense will be tested by Pieszak’s talents.

“Our defense has rallied a little bit the last few weeks, and we have some bigger games coming up,” Sweeney said. “Mt. Pleasant has a nice pocket passer who throws a fantastic football. We’re going to be challenged on the ground and through the air.”

The Trojans earned a solid 27-6 nonconference win against South Park last week. The Eagles’ only score came on a kickoff return.

Derry grounded out the win behind the one-two running punch of Onreey Stewart, who rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown, and Justin Flack, who gained 133 yards and scored on runs of 18 and 48 yards.

Stewart injured his left shoulder during the game, and his availability is uncertain. But Derry welcomed the return of senior Colton Nemcheck in an overtime win against Freeport, and junior tailback Justin Huss could be returning soon.

Nemcheck and Huss, the Trojans leading scorers in 2017, were injured in the summer.

“Everyone in the conference has injuries, so we’re not belly aching about what we have” Sweeney said. “All the coaches know it’s a little more patchwork at this level. We’re sewing patches every week.”

Sweeney has been pleased with the defense. Senior linebacker Dom DeLuca has been solid as expected, and senior linebacker Bastien Anderson played his best game of his career against South Park, Sweeney said.

“Mt. Pleasant and Yough kids are cut from the same mold: They’re tough kids,” Sweeney said. “We have a good rivalry with Mt. Pleasant, and I’m sure they don’t fear us. We’ll have to go there and play a good game.

“We’re pleased with some of our football play, but there are other areas that need improvement.”

One area is kickoff coverage as Derry has allowed touchdown returns the past two games.

Fazekas said his team must match Derry’s physical play.

“I don’t think anything changes week to week,” Fazekas said. “Derry is a good football team, and we’ll have to be ready for them. We’re going to have our hands full.

“Their line looks good, and their running backs run hard. We have to tackle well, and we have to play our responsibilities. We have to match how physical they’re going to be.”

Fazekas said beating Yough was huge for the program and momentum. He said center Alex Killinger, linebacker Jake Fazekas and wide receiver Jake Johnson have stepped up in games.

“We needed that win desperately,” Fazekas said. “We hadn’t played a game through the end. It was good for us to get a win.”

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Derry Area, Mt. Pleasant