Upset-minded Jeannette to face toughest task yet in top-seeded Fort Cherry

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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If Jeannette can turn back Fort Cherry early like it has its past several opponents, the Jayhawks could have a shot at dethroning the top-seeded and defending WPIAL football champion Rangers.

The halftime score could reveal whether the Jayhawks have a puncher’s chance, if the Class A kick seekers’ season can roll on.

No. 13 seed Jeannette (9-3), which has ended the seasons of the Nos. 3 and 5 seeds in Neshannock and Greensburg Central Catholic to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2020, has only allowed a total of 21 points in its last four first halves — 7-0-7-7.

Slowing down the Rangers’ run-heavy machine of an offense for four quarters, however, is easier said than done.

“It’s going to be a good one,” Jeannette senior lineman and defensive end Nick Stuchell said. “We want this. We want to go to Acrisure. We’re playing with a lot of confidence.”

The teams will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday in the WPIAL semis at Canon-McMillan’s Big Mac Stadium in Canonsburg.

The winner advances to play either No. 3 Bishop Canevin (9-2) or No. 2 Clairton (12-0) for the title at 11 a.m. Nov. 23 at Acrisure Stadium.

“We have to come out and get stops and slow them down,” Jeannette coach Tommy Paulone said. “They are loaded with talent all over the place.”

Fort Cherry (12-0) averages 40.9 points and put up 49 in the first half against 16th seed Brentwood in the first round (56-14).

The Rangers cooled down some last week, scoring 14 in the first two quarters in a 27-20 win over No. 9 Cornell.

It is rare for opponents to limit their powerful attack.

“They are big and physical up front,” Paulone said. “They will go empty (set) to move another lineman or two in, maybe a tight end, and then run it down your throat with (Matt) Sieg. He will run you over and keep going.”

Sieg, a 6-foot, 180-pound junior who has committed to play defensive back at Penn State, has rushed and passed for over 1,000 yards in three straight years, the first in the WPIAL to do it.

This season, he has rushed for 1,495 yards and 23 touchdowns and has 1,022 yards through the air with 19 TDs.

The Rangers have not lost since last year’s PIAA championship game against Steelton-Highspire, 42-8.

“They are assignment-oriented on the line and they run their offense well,” Paulone said. “There are a number of playmakers along with Sieg.”

Sophomore running back Ryan Huey has 651 yards rushing and eight TDs, while sophomore wideout Eli Salvini (458 yards, four TDs) is another ball carrier.

Senior Shane Cornali leads the Rangers with 29 receptions for 562 yards and 10 TDs, but also watch senior Braydon Cook, who has 25 catches for 315 yards.

Sophomore linebacker Tyler Wolfe is the top tackler with 81 stops, while junior safety Blake Sweder has 67 and senior defensive end Nate Heirndt 65.

Sweder also has four interceptions and Sieg has three picks.

Fort Cherry trusts it line and likes to go for it on fourth down. The proof is in the fact it has not attempted a field goal all season.

Jeannette, showing no signs of slowing down in this unexpected playoff run, is powered by junior quarterback Kymon’e Brown, who has 1,554 yards passing and 20 touchdowns and 1,252 yards rushing and 12 scores.

He and Sieg should make for a fun matchup of dual-threat QBs. Sieg is strong and determined, Brown shifty and elusive.

“Jeannette is solid, and we faced many of the same players in our PIAA quarterfinal in hoops last (season),” Sieg said. “They are athletic and really solid in all phases. Their QB is really talented.

“It’s going to be a battle. Whoever makes the least mistakes and tackles well will likely win.”

Jeannette got junior running back Nick Mendoza going last week as he ran for 87 yards and a score, a complement to Brown.

Sophomore wideout Jayce Powell leads the Jayhawks’ receiving corps with 50 catches for 893 yards and nine touchdowns.

“Jeannette has some great athletes on both sides of the ball,” Fort Cherry coach Tanner Garry said. “We have to tackle well.”

Junior tight end Noah Sunder is next with 17 grabs, but 10 have gone for TDs.

Stuchell and junior linebacker Eli Jones often front the Jayhawks’ defense.

Garry agreed that experience plays a large role in the postseason, but it won’t be his team’s crutch.

“It can play into it at times, but at the end of the day, we’re still playing the same game we’ve been playing all year,” he said.

Sieg doesn’t know Paulone personally, but he knows of a connection to him.

“Their head coach coached under one of my dad’s best friends at Chartiers Valley, Dan Knause (who is now at Trinity),” Sieg said. Paulone was an assistant for four years at Chartiers Valley before coming home to lead his alma mater.

“I am proud of what we’ve done, but I have never been on Cloud 9,” Sieg said. “We’re focused on winning the next game.”

Last year’s WPIAL title was the first for Fort Cherry. Jeannette has 10 district championships.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Fort Cherry, Jeannette