Seton LaSalle to lean on defense in key Week 9 contest

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, October 23, 2018 | 10:00 PM

Max Schipani and Shane Thrift propelled Seton LaSalle to a record-tying defensive performance in the Rebels’ 33-0 conference win Oct. 19 at home against Serra Catholic at Dormont Stadium.

The Rebels picked off five passes — which tied a team record for one game — against the visitors; led by Schipani, a junior safety, with three, and Thrift, a sophomore cornerback, with two.

Schipani, at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, recorded all three of his interceptions in the game’s first half.

“I think it’s one of my best games on defense I’ve ever played,” Schipani said, “but I want to still get better.”

The Rebels, who also racked up five sacks, held Serra Catholic to 123 yards in total offense, including just 23 on the ground.

“It was a good team effort,” Seton LaSalle coach Rob Carter said. “(Inside linebacker) Jamar Shegog had a huge goal-line tackle on fourth down to keep the shutout.”

Shegog, a 6-1, 210-pound senior, made the big fourth-down hit late in the second quarter.

“Serra Catholic went hurry because time was running out in the half,” Shegog said. “Khalil Smith was lined up at quarterback, so in my mind I knew he was getting the ball. I filled my gap delivering the first blow, then the rest of the defense followed.”

Seton LaSalle senior outside linebacker Zach Wheeler registered three of his team’s sacks in the game, while junior tackle Will Radan and senior nose tackle Mike Kutschke tacked on one apiece.

The Rebels’ remaining starters on defense consisted of senior Jesse Byerly, at tackle; sophomore Luke Banbury, at inside linebacker; senior Mike Visnich and junior James Yanders at outside liknebacker; and junior Dom Popa and senior Nate Vari, at cornerback.

Schipani mans a strong safety position for Seton, but also has played free safety, cornerback and in the box as a hybrid linebacker.

He holds an early scholarship offer from Albany, a Division I program, and has been receiving interest Bucknell, Harvard, Massachusettes and, locally, Robert Morris.

“As a team, we wanted this game real bad,” Schipani said. “We had to want it; it was a do-or-die type of situation. I know what we are capable of as a program, and we knew we could get this win and do it as a team.”

Seton LaSalle improved to 3-3 in the Class 2A Three Rivers Conference, and 4-5 overall.

The Rebels, tied for third place with Serra Catholic (5-4, 3-3) and South Allegheny (4-5, 3-3), visit Carlynton (2-7, 1-5) at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 with a WPIAL playoff berth at stake.

Against Serra Catholic, Shegog averaged 9.4 yards per carry, rushing for 113 yards and two scores on 12 attempts.

Shegog, who has received recruiting interest from the likes of Delaware, Brown, Cornell, Holy Cross, James Madison, St. Francis and Fordham, had bursts of 42 yards and 41 yards versus the Eagles.

“This was a playoff game for us,” Shegog said. “We needed the win. This was the first time we played at our best for all four quarters. We played physical and brought the energy.

“We are looking to make the playoffs and trying to make a run for a title.”

Junior quarterback Joey Ranft threw for 106 yards against the Eagles, hitting on 4 of 8 passes with one touchdown and one interception.

Alex Shaughnessy, a junior wideout, reeled in a 67-yard touchdown strike from Ranft. Vari (2-15), Ault (1-29), Popa (1-11) and freshman running back Gabe Finale (1-2) also caught passes.

Schipani hopes the convincing victory — his team’s second shutout of the year (along with a 34-2 win over Fort Cherry) — leads to an upward trajectory and long playoff run for the Rebels.

“We are just going to keep working and keep our eyes on that prize,” Schipani said. “I think we can shock a lot of people.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.