Scholastic Notebook – 09/30/2011

By: Bruce Markey
Friday, September 30, 2011 | 3:36 PM

Big things were expected of Sto-Rox this season and the Vikings have lived up to expectations so far. Especially the big part.

A close examination of Sto-Rox’s statistics shows the Vikings have more big plays than Broadway and those big plays are one of the main reasons coach Ron Butschle’s team has an undefeated 4-0 record.

Here are some of the big-play numbers this season:

*Sto-Rox has 15 rushing touchdowns this season and the average length of those scores is 35.7 yards. The Vikings have seven scoring runs of more than 50 yards.

*Sto-Rox has nine touchdown plays on passes and the average length of those plays is 27.2 yards.

*The Vikings have two TDs on kickoff returns of more than 80 yards.

*Add all those scoring plays together and the Vikings are averaging 36.3 yards on touchdown plays. Wow.

And it’s not just one player making the big plays. It’s a number of players. Running back Josh Beverly and quarterback Lenny Williams have made the most big plays. Williams has four rushing touchdowns and the average length of those is 53.8 yards. He also has the nine TD passes averaging 27.2 yards.

Beverly has 10 rushing touchdowns and the average length of those is 31.6 yards and he has four TDs of 50 yards or more. Beverly’s yards-per-carry average is a gaudy 14.3. He has 717 yards on 50 carries.

The big plays were evident last week against Rochester, a perennial Class A power that is usually strong defensively. Sto-Rox had three scoring plays of 50 yards or more against Rochester.

Don’t forget this team has three Division I college players. Receiver-defensive back Marzett Geter has committed to Pitt, receiver-defensive back Dontez Ford to Syracuse, and receiver-linebacker Deaysean Rippy has a number of scholarship offers from major colleges.

Bisnowaty to Pitt

Pitt had an impressive win against South Florida Thursday night, and the Panthers got some good news on the recruiting front earlier in the day.

Fox Chapel senior Adam Bisnowaty, ranked among the top 25 offensive linemen in the country by some scouting services, made a verbal commitment to Pitt. Although he had a number of other scholarship offers, Bisnowaty had narrowed his choices to Pitt and Florida.

Bisnowaty is 6 feet 5, 275 pounds and is a very versatile lineman. Although he plays offensive guard for Fox Chapel, he can play other positions. He also has played tackle.

“Right now, he’s just pulling and killing people,” said Fox Chapel coach Eric Ravotti. “We need him at guard, but he could play any position on the offensive line. Even center, no question. He’s athletic. He’s not just a big kid.”

Bisnowaty is the fifth player from the WPIAL to commit to Pitt. The others are Clairton receiver Trenton Coles, Upper St. Clair linebacker Dakota Conwell, Sto-Rox receiver-defensive back Marzett Geter and Penn Hills receiver Corey Jones. Also, offensive lineman Tyrique Jarrett of Allderdice in the City League has committed to Pitt.

One-Two Punches

Two of the top five goal scorers in WPIAL Class AA girls soccer are on one team.

Greensburg Central Catholic’s Frannie Crouse is the WPIAL’s top scorer. Teammate Malea Fabean is No. 5. The bad news for opponents is that these two will be around for a while. They are both only sophomores.

On the boys side, Neshannock has two of the top 15 scorers – Ethan McCarthy and Juan Banales. Both are seniors.

The Perfect People

As the calendar turns to October, there are only three unbeaten and untied teams in WPIAL boys soccer, and only one in girls’ soccer.

Greensburg Central Catholic is the only perfect team on the girls side. The unbeaten and untied teams in boys are Blackhawk, Ringgold and Neshannock.

Bungo

It would be safe to say that Sewickley Academy’s Caitlin Bungo is one of the best athletes in WPIAL girls sports this fall.

Bungo has always run track at Sewickley Academy and been known as one of the better distance runners in that sport. But this fall, she also decided to try cross country, and she won the Class AA race at the Slippery Rock Invitational recently. That is impressive. But that is not all Bungo is doing this fall. She also is a starter on the Sewickley Academy girls soccer team that is in first place in its section.

Where Are They Now?

*Taylor Schram was one of the top soccer players in the WPIAL two years ago at Canon-McMillan. Now she is having an impact on the Penn State womens team. Schram, a sophomore, scored the tying goal as Penn State beat Ohio State, 3-1, Thursday night. Penn State is ranked No. 24 in the country and Schram is second on the team in goals with six.

*Valley graduate Toney Clemons is a receiver at the University of Colorado and caught four passes for 31 yards in a loss to Ohio State last Saturday. Clemons, who started his career at Michigan before transferring to Colorado, has eight catches on the season for 105 yards.

Tags: Blackhawk, Canon-McMillan, Fox Chapel, Greensburg C.C., Valley