Westmoreland County boys soccer notebook: To opponents’ dismay, Franklin Regional defender favors soccer

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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He stands 6-foot-2 and is an imposing shape on the back line at Franklin Regional.

Thomas Bridges looks more linebacker than backliner, but the junior defender is committed to futbol, not football.

“Coaches have tried to get me to play (football) at school,” Bridges said. “They’ve been trying for a while. I have never played. I have been playng soccer since I was little.”

Bridges presents matchup problems because of his size and fleet-footedness, which was evident in last week’s 3-2 win over Penn-Trafford in the Section 4-3A opener.

Not only did Bridges disrupt the Warriors’ attack, but he also scored a goal.

He also was strong defensively and scored another goal in a 3-0 win over Latrobe, a team the Panthers hadn’t beaten in four straight tries.

Bridges, who moved from Penn Hills in sixth grade, also plays basketball at Franklin Regional for coach Jesse Reed.

“Thomas was all-section honorable mention last year as a sophomore,” Panthers soccer coach Nick White said. “He is a beast of a defender but also very skilled. He’s strong in the air and great in organizing our back line.”

Getting their kicks

A number of county soccer players are doubling as football kickers.

At Norwin, Tristan Josephic made a 35-yard field goal and four extra points in a season-opening loss at Penn-Trafford.

At Southmoreland, Liam Smith is also doing double duty. He made four extra points in his season debut.

Some others playing both sports include Sawyer Leuthold (Hempfield), Dominic Mascara and Luka Aguilera (Franklin Regional), Aidan McDonough (Yough) and McAlister Steele (Jeannette).

Leuthold made a 40-yard field goal last week in a 31-14 win at Franklin Regional.

Style points

First-year Jeannette coach Luke Brummett, a former Jayhawks goalkeeper, was toying with the idea of implementing a new system and had a couple in mind.

First, there is gegenpressing, a tactic aimed at pressuring opponents immediately after a change of possession.

“It’s a high-intensity style of play that requires not only fitness but heart and dedication to pull off,” Brummett said. “And I believe that this group has what it takes to pull off.”

The second option is a focus on a counterattack, an immediate transition to offense off a turnover.

“This is where we use our opponents’ mistakes to our advantage,” Brummett said. “We play a very balanced style of play until we can intercept a loose ball and then it’s quick passes that lead to a shot on net when the forwards, hopefully, have the numbers advantage.”

Brummett might experiment until he fully knows his new team.

“Either way, I truly believe this group has what it takes to play whichever style I implement at camp this year,” he said.

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

Tags: Franklin Regional, Hempfield, Jeannette, Norwin, Yough