Westmoreland County football preview capsules for Week 4

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 | 7:00 PM

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Class 6A

Hempfield (1-3, 0-3) at Canon-McMillan (0-3, 0-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Canon-McMillan Stadium, Canonsburg

On the air: 1450 AM; TribHSSN.triblive.com

Last week: Central Catholic 28, Hempfield 13; North Allegheny 45, Canon-McMillan 21

Coaches: Rich Bowen, Hempfield; Mike Evans, Canon-McMillan

Top players: Blake Remaley, Hempfield (Jr., 6-2, 215, QB); Joshua O’Hare, Canon-McMillan (Sr., 6-0, 185, RB)

Keep an eye on: Zach Cieslo, Hempfield (Jr., 6-2, 195, WR)

Momentum: This could be a toss-up because both teams played close early with powerhouses last week, but Hempfield gets the nod despite three straight losses. The Spartans have improved on both sides of the ball in recent games and the offense has moved the ball. This could evolve into a shootout as both defenses have struggled.

Four downs: 1. Remaley threw for a season-high 250 yards and two touchdowns last week, but the Spartans absorbed 12 sacks and threw two picks. 2. Cieslo has come on of late. He caught two scoring passes against Norwin and had seven receptions for 126 yards against Central Catholic. 3. Canon-McMillan, which is allowing nearly 40 points a game, trailed North Allegheny, 17-14, at the half in its home opener. 4. O’Hare ran for 155 yards and two touchdowns against the vaunted Tigers.

Extra point: Hempfield has scored just 33 points in three conference games.

No. 1 Pine-Richland (3-1, 2-0) at Norwin (2-2, 1-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Norwin Knights Stadium, North Huntingdon

Last week: Pine-Richland 63, Butler 0; Chartiers Valley 28, Norwin 24

Coaches: Eric Kasperowicz, Pine-Richland; Dave Brozeski, Norwin

Top players: Ryan Geyer, Pine-Richland (Jr., 5-11, 2o5, RB); Gianni Rizzo, Norwin (Sr., 6-2, 215)

Keep an eye on: Shane Cafardi, Pine-Richland (Sr., 6-0, 170, WR/CB)

Momentum: Pine-Richland. The Rams have won 19 of their last 20 games. After a season-opening, 42-0 loss to star-laden IMG Academy (Fla.), they have outscored three opponents, 154-14.

Four downs: 1. Pine-Richland finished 16-0 last season and returned key lineman Michael Katic (6-3, 280) and Andrew Kristofic (6-6, 270) to keep the running game churning. 2. The Rams put up 35 points in the first quarter last week. Geyer ran for three scores. 3. Norwin was tripped up at home in nonconference play, allowing two fourth-quarter scores to Chartiers Valley, which ran for 268 yards behind a pair of 100-yard rushers. 4. Junior quarterback Jack Salopak threw for 245 yards for Norwin last week, including a 65-yard touchdown to Billy Kerston.

Extra point: Rizzo, a Youngstown State recruit, continues to be a dual-threat on offense, running the ball and catching passes.

Class 5A Big East

Albert Gallatin (0-4, 0-1) at Penn-Trafford (2-2, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Warrior Stadium, Harrison City

Last week: Armstrong 48, Albert Gallatin 0; Penn-Trafford 20, McKeesport 9

Coaches: Drew Dindl, Albert Gallatin; John Ruane, Penn-Trafford

Top players: Braeden Moody, Albert Gallatin (Sr., 6-0, 195, QB); Caleb Lisbon, Penn-Trafford (Jr., 6-0, 195, RB)

Keep an eye on: Gabe Dunlap, Penn-Trafford (Jr., 6-0, 165, QB)

Momentum: Penn-Trafford. A decided underdog last week, the Warriors knocked off No. 3 McKeesport as they forced the Tigers to throw the ball and put the clamps on the usually dangerous triple-option.

Four downs: 1. The Warriors defense was impressive last week as it forced two fumbles, one recovered by Josh Cheplick for a touchdown, and Nico Rosso added an interception. 2. Penn-Trafford has won seven in a row at home. 3. Albert Gallatin has scored the fewest points of any team in the two largest classifications (25). The Colonials have been shut out the last two weeks. 4. Dindl came on board as coach of the Colonials after two seasons as a coordinator at California High School.

Extra point: The Warriors will recognize their latest Hall of Fame class before kickoff.

Connellsville (2-2, 1-2) at Latrobe (0-4, 0-2)

7 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium, Latrobe

On the air: 97.3 FM, 1480 AM; TribHSSN.triblive.com

Last week: Connellsville 30, Plum 6; Gateway 53, Latrobe 19

Coaches: Marko Thomas, Connellsville; Jason Marucco, Latrobe

Top players: Josh Maher, Connellsville (Jr., 6-6, 190, QB); Branden Crosby (Jr., 5-11, 150, QB)

Keep an eye on: Zakharee Williams, Latrobe (Sr., 5-9, 170, SB)

Momentum: Connellsville. The Falcons bounced back after a blowout loss to Penn-Trafford to even their record.

Four downs: 1. Latrobe, in dire need of a win, has defeated Connellsville soundly the last two years, 49-7 and 63-6. 2. Maher, who literally stands tall in the pocket at 6-foot-6, completed 13 of 25 passes for 253 yards last week and found Jalen Rogers four times for 106 yards. 3. Center and defensive end Trent Holler has been disruptive all season for the Wildcats. The 6-3, 290-pound senior has several Division I offers, including Pitt and West Virginia. 4. Latrobe is averaging just 15.3 points.

Extra point: Jared Ozias is another key pass-catcher for the Falcons. He had six receptions for 88 yards last week.

Class 4A Big 8

No. 3 Belle Vernon (2-1, 2-1) at Indiana (1-3, 1-2)

7 p.m. Friday, North Fifth Street Stadium, Indiana

On the air: 1450 AM, 100.3 FM; TribHSSN@triblive.com

Last week: Belle Vernon 29, Laurel Highlands 7; Thomas Jefferson 49, Indiana 14

Coaches: Matt Humbert, Belle Vernon; Brandon Overdorff, Indiana

Top players: Kirk Popelas, Belle Vernon (Sr., 6-2, 260, G/DL); Luke Thomas, Indiana (Sr., 6-2, 185, QB/FS)

Keep an eye on: Mason Pascoe, Belle Vernon (Sr., 5-7, 170, RB)

Momentum: Belle Vernon. The Leopards rebounded from a tough loss to No. 1 Thomas Jefferson by rolling over Laurel Highlands.

Four downs: 1. The Leopards are averaging 46 points in their two victories. 2. Little Indians WR Malik Turner caught four passes for 143 yards, including an 89-yard touchdown catch against TJ. 3. Pascoe has rushed for 488 yards and five touchdowns. 4. Thomas, a four-year starter, is Indiana’s all-time leading passer. He has completed 10 of 21 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Extra point: Overdorff missed his team’s victory against Ringgold while recovering from ACL surgery but returned for the TJ game.

Laurel Highlands (2-2, 0-1) at Gbg. Salem (1-3, 1-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Offutt Field, Greensburg

On the air: 98.7 FM, 910 AM; TribHSSN@triblive.com

Last week: Belle Vernon 49, Laurel Highlands 7; South Fayette 51, South Fayette 28

Coaches: Jake Just, Laurel Highlands; Dave Keefer, Greensburg Salem

Top players: Conner Basinger, Laurel Highlands (Sr., 6-0, 180, QB); Dajauhn Hertzog, Greensburg Salem (Sr., 5-8, 160, WR/DB)

Keep an eye on: Trent Patrick, Greensburg Salem (Jr., 5-10, 220, QB)

Momentum: Greensburg Salem. Despite allowing 51 points, the Golden Lions showed some promise by finding the end zone four times.

Four downs: 1. The Mustangs surprised many by blanking Montour, 32-0, in Week 2. 2. Greensburg Salem wide receiver Tyler Williams has three touchdown catches this season. 3. Basinger has rushed for seven touchdowns, has three 100-yard rushing games and has thrown four touchdown passes. 4. Patrick has four touchdown runs and has thrown six TD passes.

Extra point: Will it be a Just reward? Greensburg Salem grad Jake Just and his brother Zach are coming home and hope to spoil homecoming at Offutt Field. Jake replaced Zach as coach after last season. Zach is an assistant on the LH staff. The winner has the inside track of making the WPIAL playoffs.

Class 3A Big East

Burrell (1-3, 1-2) at Yough (2-2, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Yough’s Cougar Mountain Stadium

Last week: Burrell 61, Uniontown 6; Yough 32, Deer Lakes 13

Coaches: Shawn Liotta, Burrell; Scott Wood, Yough

Top players: Logan Phillips, Burrell (Jr., 6-0, 190, QB/DB); Dustin Shoaf, Yough (Sr., 6-2, 210, RB/S)

Keep an eye on: Seth Fischbach, Burrell (Jr., 6-1, 190, WR/DB)

Momentum: Both teams hope to build on key section victories from last Friday.

Four downs: 1. Luke Kastelic had a career night running against Uniontown, as he finished with 304 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries. 2. With his 401 rushing yards against Deer Lakes, Shoaf became the first WPIAL running back this season to rush for 400 or more yards in a single game. 3. Burrell surpassed the 60-point mark in a game for the first time since tallying 62 in a 62-30 win over Sto-Rox in Week 6 of the 2015 campaign. 4. Yough is hoping to make the WPIAL playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Extra point: Yough is averaging 28.8 points while allowing 27.3.

Deer Lakes (1-2, 1-2) at Mt. Pleasant (1-3, 1-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Mt. Pleasant Stadium

Last week: Yough 32, Deer Lakes 13; Derry 48, Mt. Pleasant 7

Coaches: Tim Burk, Deer Lakes; Jason Fazekas, Mt. Pleasant

Top players: Colin Kadlick, Deer Lakes (Sr., 6-4, 230, TE/DE); Lucas Pieszak, Mt. Pleasant (Sr., 6-4, 190, QB/S)

Keep an eye on: Ethan Bender, Deer Lakes (Sr., 6-2, 185, WR/SS)

Momentum: Despite the loss to Yough, the Deer Lakes passing game continued its early-season success and hopes to be a factor again this week.

Four downs: 1. Kadlick and Jared Colton hauled in scores for the Lancers last Friday for a 13-0 lead in the first half before Yough rallied. 2. Pieszak, who threw for more than 1,000 yards last year, collected 111 yards and a touchdown against Derry. 3. Aris Hasley’s two TD throws against Yough gives the junior signal caller seven for the season to go along with 613 passing yards. 4. Mt. Pleasant is hoping for a return to the WPIAL playoffs after a one-year hiatus.

Extra point: This is the first meeting between the Lancers and Vikings.

Class 2A Interstate

Brownsville (0-4, 0-2) at Southmoreland (2-2, 1-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Russ Grimm Field at Southmoreland Stadium

Last week: Washington 55, Brownsville 0; Beth-Center 52, Southmoreland 26

Coaches: Scott Fichter, Brownsville; Dave Keefer, Southmoreland

Top players: Quintin Mapstone, Brownsville (Sr., 5-7, 230, G); Lane Vance, Southmoreland (Sr., 6-0, 290, OL/DL)

Keep an eye on: Ron Robinson, Southmoreland (Sr., 5-18, 170, RB/DB)

Momentum: Southmoreland. The Scotties played well against the Bulldogs in the first half but couldn’t keep up. That shouldn’t be a problem against the young Falcons.

Four downs: 1. The once-powerful Falcons haven’t found that winning touch since the late Lou DeSimone was coach in the 1990s. 2. Robinson has scored eight touchdowns for the Scotties. 3. Fichter was hired to replace William Maczko in mid-July. 4. Scotties QB Zack Cernuto has rushed for two touchdowns and thrown for 702 yards and six TD passes.

Extra point: This is a battle of first-year coaches — Fichter of Brownsville and Keefer of Southmoreland.

Class A Eastern

No. 2 Imani Christian (3-1, 1-1) at Gbg. C.C. (3-1, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Centurion Stadium, Greensburg

Last week: Imani Christian Academy 32, Valley 25; Greensburg Central Catholic 29, Leechburg 0

Coaches: Ronnell Heard, Imani Christian; Aaron Smetanka, Greensburg Central Catholic

Top players: Juaron Thompson, Imani Christian (Sr., 5-10, 175, RB); Brandon Brown, Greensburg CC (Jr., 5-10, 171, WR/DB)

Keep an eye on: Rahmon Hart Jr., Imani Christian (Sr., 6-2, 205, WR/DB)

Momentum: Imani Christian. The Saints bounced back after a tough loss to Jeannette to defeat Class 2A Valley in a nonconference game.

Four downs: 1. The Saints’ Tevauhn Alston has three returns for touchdowns (kickoff, punt and blocked punt). 2. GCC QB Max Pisula threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two scores against Leechburg. 3. Imani Christian has 21 players on its roster, 11 are listed as seniors and only 15 dressed last week against Valley. 4. Brown has caught four touchdown passes this season.

Extra point: GCC’s defense allowed two touchdowns in a 40-0 loss at Clairton. The Bears scored on four defensive returns.

Springdale (0-3, 0-1) at No. 1 Jeannette (4-0, 2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, McKee Stadium, Jeannette

On the air: 107.1 FM; TribHSSN.triblive.com

Last week: Bishop Canevin 34, Springdale 14; Jeannette 55, Avella 7

Coaches: Seth Napierkowski, Springdale; Roy Hall, Jeannette

Top players: Christian Vokes, Springdale (Jr., 5-8, 140, RB/DB); Marcus Barnes, Jeannette (Sr., 6-4, 185, WR/DB)

Keep an eye on: Zach Crutchman, Jeannette (Jr., 6-3, 230, TE/DE)

Momentum: Jeannette. The defending WPIAL and PIAA champs are rolling again and own a victory over Class A No. 2 Imani Christian from Week 2.

Four downs: 1. Jeannette is averaging 38.3 points and surrendering just 7.8; 2. Vokes rushed for 125 yards and both Springdale touchdowns last Friday; 3. Four Jeannette running backs had at least 50 yards rushing last week against Avella, including Isaiah Winters, whose only two carries went for touchdowns of 53 and 4 yards; 4. Springdale drew Imani Christian, the No. 2 team in Class A, in Week 1 and also faced Class A No. 5 Monessen in a nonconference game in Week 2. Clairton, ranked No. 3, looms in Week 8.

Extra point: Jeannette and Springdale have met 10 times, with the Jayhawks winning all 10, including last year’s matchup 42-14.

Class A Tri-County South

No. 5 Monessen (3-0, 2-0) at West Greene (3-1, 3-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Kennedy Field, West Greene

On the air: TribHSSN@triblive.com

Last week: Monessen 55, Jefferson-Morgan 0; West Greene 47, Mapletown 0

Coaches: Mike Blainefield, Monessen; Rodney Huffman, West Greene

Top players: Vaughn Taylor, Monessen (Sr., 5-10, 190, RB/LB); Ben Jackson, West Greene (Jr., 6-0, 190, RB/LB)

Keep an eye on: Devin Whitlock, Monessen (Fr., 5-7, 145, WR/DB)

Momentum: West Greene. After opening the season with a loss at unbeaten Cameron, W.Va., the Pioneers have allowed six points in wins against Bentworth, Chartiers-Houston and Mapletown.

Four downs: 1. The Pioneers turned the ball over five times in a 22-14 loss at Cameron. 2. Monessen opened some eyes when it defeated California, 30-20, on the road. 3. Jackson has rushed for 874 yards, an average of 218.6 per game, and scored 14 touchdowns this season. 4. Eight Monessen players have scored touchdowns this season. Whitlock has scored five touchdowns to lead the team.

Extra point: The winner of this game has the inside track of winning the Tri-County South.

Nonconference

Shaler (2-2) at Franklin Regional (3-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Franklin Regiona HS Stadium, Murrysville

Last week: Bethel Park 42, Shaler 7; Franklin Regional 28, West Mifflin 6

Coaches: Jim Ryan, Shaler; Greg Botta, Franklin Regional

Top players: Darin Mizgorski, Shaler (Jr., 6-2, 205, QB); Nick Leopold, Franklin Regional (Sr., 5-9, 160, WR/DB)

Keep an eye on: Adam Rudzinski, Franklin Regional (Sr., 6-1, 190, QB)

Momentum: Franklin Regional. The Panthers are off to their first 3-0 start since 2011 after a sound victory against Class 4A West Mifflin.

Four downs: 1. Franklin Regional has once again been one of the top defensive teams in the WPIAL, allowing just 27 points, the fewest in Class 6A, 5A and 4A. 2. Leopold caught a 52-yard score and tallied six catches for 131 yards last week. 3. Mizgorski threw for 150 yards in the loss to Bethel Park. 4. Shaler has been up and down all season as it posted wins over New Castle (34-21) and Hampton (29-28) but lost to Kiski Area (31-14).

Extra point: Franklin Regional has been more of a passing team so far, but the running game has potential with Zac Gordon and Colton Johns carrying the ball.

District 6 Heritage

Ligonier Valley (4-0, 4-0) at West Shamokin (3-1, 3-1)

7 p.m. Friday, West Shamokin Stadium

Last week: Ligonier Valley won by forfeit against Saltsburg; West Shamokin 32, Blairsville 12

Coaches: Roger Beitel, Ligonier Valley; Jon McCullough, West Shamokin

Top players: John Caldwell, Ligonier Valley (Sr., 5-9, 150, QB/DB); Tyler Lightcap, West Shamokin (Sr., 5-11, 160, QB/DB)

Keep an eye on: Sam Sheeder, Ligonier Valley (Jr., 5-9, 190, RB/LB)

Momentum: Ligonier Valley. The Rams got an unplanned week off after Saltsburg forfeited. The Rams had time to heal from their first three games.

Four downs: 1. Ligonier Valley WR Aaron Tutino, who left the United game with a leg injury in Week 2, was supposed to return for the Saltsburg game. 2. West Shamokin senior running back Brendan Mondi has rushed for 341 yards and seven touchdowns. 3. Ligonier Valley running back Kyrie Miller has rushed for 305 yards and four touchdowns. 4. Lightcap has completed 30 of 53 passes for 402 yards and two touchdowns.

Extra point: Ligonier Valley tied the Heritage Conference record for consecutive wins — 23 — with the forfeit. The Rams look to set the record against West Shamokin, a team they defeated twice last season.