Scholastic Notebook – 09/06/2013

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, September 6, 2013 | 3:36 PM

Seneca Valley lost almost every offensive starter from a team that went 10-2 and averaged 37 points a game last season. But coach Don Holl didn’t have to look far and wide for something to jumpstart this year’s offense.

He simply had to look across the family dinner table.

Seneca Valley’s new quarterback is T.J. Holl, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior and the son of the coach. The son has definitely shined so far.

Seneca Valley is 2-0 after defeating Pine-Richland, 43-25, on Thursday night. T.J. Holl is one of the main reasons for the good start, throwing for 334 yards in two games. In the season opener against Butler (28-3 win), Holl completed 7 of 16 passes for 167 yards and also ran for 74 yards on 15 carries. Against Pine-Richland, he again threw for 167 yards, this time completing 10 of 13 passes.

T.J. Holl is a good athlete. He played receiver last year for Seneca Valley and also has been a varsity contributor in basketball.

In the past, fathers coaching their sons have said the experience has its ups and downs. It can be great, but it can also be difficult. Well, Don Holl has experience in the ordeal. When he came to Seneca Valley in 2009, his quarterback was an older son, Donny. In 2009, Donny Holl threw for over 1,000 yards as a junior. However, as a senior in 2010, Donny sustained a knee injury early in the season in a game against McKeesport and didn’t play the rest of the year.

Vickless Hurting

Brentwood plays Monessen in a big WPIAL Class A football game Friday night and one of the keys to the game is Justin Vickless’ knee.

Vickless is one of the best running backs in Class A, but has been bothered by an injured knee. It forced him to miss some of last week’s game and his status is not known for Friday night’s game.

“Shai” Stuff

Washington star running back Shai McKenzie has done some impressive things in his three years with the Little Prexies varsity. Friday night, he likely will set a school record and pass one of the greatest running backs in the history of Western Pennsylvania.

McKenzie has 4,440 yards rushing for his career. He needs only 41 to break the school record of 4,480, set by Washington’s Brian Davis from 1983-85.

Davis was a stud running back who averaged 9 yards a carry for his career. In 1984, Davis was named the national player of the year by Parade magazine.

Absolutely Perfect

Talk about a perfect start to the season. Literally.

Kiski Area quarterback Chad Kuhn started the season last Friday without a pass hitting the ground. He completed 14 of 14 for 165 yards. It is significant because of what Kuhn did last year. He was a backup QB, but still threw 32 passes. He completed only 12 for 114 yards.

Macky Shoots for Records

Central Valley’s Macky Fouse already had the reputation of being one of the best girl golfers in the WPIAL. She has only enhanced that reputation this season.

Fouse and Samantha Milosh already owned the school record for a nine-hole match with a 34. On Thursday, Fouse bettered the record when she shot a 3-under 33 at Shadow Lakes in Beaver County.

Fouse already has committed to Seton Hall University.

Top Cross-Country Runners Meet

The first big cross country invitational of the season is tomorrow when the Red, White & Blue Classic is held at Schenley Park. The boys race should be interesting with Kiski Area’s Brent Kennedy and the Martin twins (Ethan and Colin) meeting each other. Kennedy edged Ethan in last year’s Red, White & Blue meet.

Where Are They Now?

Former Upper St. Clair football star Dakota Conwell has given up football at the University of Arizona. Conwell showed plenty of promise as a freshman last year at Arizona, playing in 10 games and making six tackles against Arizona State. Conwell has had concussions in the past and then had another one in training camp this year. Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said doctors recommended that Conwell give up football. He will still keep his scholarship at Arizona.

Tags: Brentwood, Central Valley, Kiski School, Upper St. Clair, Washington