Trib HSSN football team of the week for Nov. 16, 2025

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, November 16, 2025 | 6:15 PM

Trib HSSN football team of the week – Laurel Spartans

Coach – Brian Cooper (12th season)

Result – Laurel 24, Fort Cherry 14

Record – 12-1 overall, 6-0 and Class A Big 7 Conference champions

#Earned – Like everyone else over the last four years, the Laurel defensive game plan heading into its Class A semifinal game against two-time defending champion Fort Cherry was to try and contain senior Matt Sieg. So when the Rangers’ quarterback broke loose on a 67-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the game, things did not look good for the upset-minded Spartans. But once the Laurel defense settled in after that initial drive, it only allowed a short Sieg touchdown shortly before halftime before shutting down Fort Cherry the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the offense scored two touchdowns in the first half, added another TD in the third quarter and a big fourth quarter field goal to oust the Rangers, 24-14. The stunning victory not only lifted the Spartans into the WPIAL championship game for the first time in 36 years, it also ended the Rangers’ hopes of a three-peat and snapped a 40-game winning streak against WPIAL opponents.

Statistical standouts – There are no superstars leading the way for the green and white, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Laurel has won 12 of its 13 games this season thanks to dominant line play on both offense and defense. The Spartans have been able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides throughout the season, especially on Friday. Leading the ground attack against Fort Cherry was senior halfback Jack Miles, who rushed for 103 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter on a 33-yard jaunt. Senior wide receiver/running back Kolton Carlson, who leads the team in rushing and receiving, scored twice for the Spartans, on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and on a 30-yard scoring pass from senior quarterback Luca Santini. For the season, Santini has thrown for over 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns. Sophomore kicker Tony Geiwitz booted a key 31-yard field goal in the final quarter to make it a two-score game. The Spartans’ defense did the rest.

Last year – The 2024 season was a see-saw campaign for the Laurel football team. The team started 0-4, including tough losses to Ellwood City by seven points in overtime, to Mohawk by five points and a two-point loss to Riverside. However, following a 25-point loss to Bishop Canevin, the Spartans won five consecutive contests that put them in a position to play for the Class A Big 7 Conference championship in Week 9 where the win streak ended with a 27-7 road loss to Neshannock. Laurel finished second in the Big 7 and was the No. 7 seed in the 2024 Class A playoffs where it got a chance to host No. 10 California. The season ended with a 22-6 loss to the Trojans.

Remember when – This will be the fourth trip to the WPIAL championship game for the Spartans. The first time was nearly 50 years ago in the 1977 Class 2A finals when Laurel fell to South Allegheny, 12-6. The most recent time the Spartans played in the district title game was 36 years ago when they lost 27-20 to Clairton in the 1989 Class A championship game at Three Rivers Stadium. The only time Laurel raised gold on the football field was 45 years ago when it stunned Clairton, 14-12. The head coach was George Miles, grandfather of senior running back Jack Miles and a current assistant coach. Freshman reserve quarterback Rich Kunselman took over due to injury and led Laurel to the championship over a Bears team that would finish as district runner-up in 1980, ’81 and ’82.

WPIAL Week 12 Honorable Mention

Central Catholic

Not even Mother Nature could slow down Central Catholic from repeating as Class 6A champion and claiming the Vikings’ 10th WPIAL football crown. A lightning delay in a mercy rule game late in the third quarter just delayed the inevitable. A lot of suspense was taken out of the game when Jayden Alexander returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a Central Catholic touchdown. The Vikings scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, two more in the second quarter and then invoked the mercy rule with a touchdown early in the third quarter as Central Catholic rolled past North Allegheny, 42-7.

Aliquippa

Aliquippa headed into Week 9 of the regular season needing a win over rival Ambridge and some help in the form of a Montour win over West Allegheny. An Indians victory over the Spartans may have opened the door for the Quips to finish in fourth place in the Class 4A Parkway Conference and not make the playoffs. With a Montour victory, Aliquippa finished third and received a wild card berth. There, the team’s golden touch took over with wins over Trinity, New Castle and McKeesport to win district crown No. 21.

Seton LaSalle

In a rematch of the Class 2A Century Conference championship game, Washington, hoping to turn the tables after a loss three weeks ago, led after each of the first two quarters. The Seton LaSalle defense forced some key turnovers and the Rebels outscored the Little Prexies in the final two quarters by 14 to hold on for a 27-19 win. Seton LaSalle running back Kymarr Freeman rushed for 128 yards and a score, and quarterback Kia Jones threw for 131 yards and a score as the Rebels returned to the 2A district finals.

Clairton

For the second week in a row, the Clairton defense looked human. It allowed 33 points in the quarterfinals against Jeannette after registering nine straight shutouts. The in the semis on Friday, Bishop Canevin scored 14 points in the first half and eight more in the final quarter, but it was not nearly enough as the Bears rolled, 42-22. Deon Lovelace-Pompey rushed for 134 yards and scored three touchdowns while running back mate Donte Wright ran for 89 yards and two scores.

2025 HSSN Teams of the Week

Week 11 – McKeesport Tigers

Week 10 – Frazier Commodores

Week 9 – Steel Valley Ironmen

Week 8 – Moon Tigers

Week 7 – North Allegheny Tigers

Week 6 – Apollo-Ridge Vikings

Week 5 – Albert Gallatin Colonials

Week 4 – Aliquippa Quips

Week 3 – Avella Eagles

Week 2 – Southmoreland Scotties

Week 1 – Mars Fightin’ Planets

Week Zero – Upper St. Clair Panthers

Tags: Laurel