Westmoreland County high school football don’t-miss matchups for Week 8

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 | 6:06 PM

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Class 6A

Butler (0-8, 0-6) at Hempfield (1-7, 0-7)

7 p.m. Friday, Spartan Stadium, Hempfield Township

On the air: 1050 AM; TribHSSN.triblive.com

Last week: Central Catholic 45, Butler 10; North Allegheny 49, Hempfield 27

Coaches: Eric Christy, Butler; Rich Bowen, Hempfield

Top players: Kyler Calihan, Butler (Sr., 5-9, 165, RB/LB); Nate Roby, Hempfield (Jr., 5-6, 155, RB/DB)

Keep an eye on: Fintan Brose, Hempfield (Jr., 6-3, 280, OL/DL)

Momentum: Hempfield. The Spartans are trying to avoid a mirror image of last season: a win in the opener, then nine straight losses. They could finish the season on a two-game winning streak with Plum (2-6) next week.

Four downs: 1. Hempfield put up a fight against No. 2 North Allegheny, gaining 313 yards and limited penalties, but had three turnovers. 2. Butler has dropped 11 of its last 12 games. The Golden Tornado have just 300 yards passing for the season. 3. Roby ran for 123 yards against North Allegheny, including a 77-yard touchdown. 4. Hempfield’s defense has played well at times all season. Sean Knight had a 36-yard interception return for a score last week.

Norwin (3-5, 2-4) at No. 5 Mt. Lebanon (3-5, 3-3)

7:30 p.m. Friday, Mt. Lebanon Stadium, Mt. Lebanon

On the air: TribHSSN.TribLive.com

Last week: Canon-McMillan 34, Norwin 12; Pine-Richland 42, Mt, Lebanon 24

Coaches: Dave Brozeski, Norwin; Mike Melnyk, Mt. Lebanon

Top players: Jack Salopek, Norwin (Jr., 6-2, 175, QB); Seth Morgan, Mt. Lebanon (Sr., 6-2, 170, QB)

Keep an eye on: Everett Lefever, Mt. Lebanon (Sr., 5-10, 165, WR)

Momentum: Mt. Lebanon. The Blue Devils are on the cusp of a playoff berth and can clinch with a victory over the reeling Knights, who remain in the playoff chase despite a loss last week.

Four downs: 1. Norwin could not get into rhythm against Canon-McMillan. The Knights did not give away a turnover but could not move the ball through the air. 2. Morgan is one of the more underrated dual-threat quarterbacks in 6A. He has thrown for 1,520 yards and 10 TDs. He was 19 of 37 for 285 yards last week. 3. Zeke Houser ran for 76 yards and a touchdown for Norwin against Canon-McMillan. He added a spiraling, first-half punt to the 1 that set up a safety for the Knights’ defense. But Houser will miss this week’s game because he was ejected last week. 4. Norwin is 2-1 on the road this season.

Class 5A Big East

Albert Gallatin (0-8, 0-5) at Latrobe (2-6, 2-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Latrobe Memorial Stadium, Latrobe

On the air: 1480 AM; TribHSSN.triblive.com

Last week: Gateway 49, Albert Gallatin 0; Latrobe 28, Plum 6

Coaches: Drew Dindl, Albert Gallatin; Jason Marucco, Latrobe

Top players: Braeden Moody, Albert Gallatin (Sr., 6-0, 195, QB); Branden Crosby, Latrobe (Jr., 5-11, 150, QB)

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

Momentum: Latrobe. With two wins in their last four games, the Wildcats are primed for a strong finish to the season. The potential exists for the team’s first three-game winning streak since 2005.

Four downs: 1. Linebacker Tucker Knupp returned a fumble 23 yards for a game-changing score last week for Latrobe. 2. Crosby threw for 51-yard scoring strike to Reese Mueseler last week. 3. Albert Gallatin is riding a nine-game losing streak. The Colonials have managed just 32 points all season and have been shut out five times. 4. Latrobe senior lineman Trent Holler has been disruptive as a run-stopper and has hounded quarterbacks all season. He is an East Carolina recruit.

Class 4A Big 8

Greensburg Salem (3-5, 3-2) at No. 1 Thomas Jefferson (7-0, 5-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday at Jaguars Stadium, Pleasant Hills

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

Last week: Greensburg Salem 35, Ringgold 0; Thomas Jefferson 48, Laurel Highlands 0

Coaches: Dave Keefer, Greensburg Salem; Bill Cherpak, Thomas Jefferson

Top players: Trent Patrick, Greensburg Salem (Jr., 5-10, 220, QB); Shane Stump, Thomas Jefferson (Jr., 6-1, 200, QB)

Keep an eye on: Max Shaw, Thomas Jefferson (Sr., 6-0 190, RB)

Momentum: Thomas Jefferson. The Jaguars try to stay perfect heading into their regular-season finale battle for first place at West Mifflin.

Four downs: 1. Greensburg Salem had five different players score touchdowns in the win against Ringgold. 2. Thomas Jefferson has allowed 48 points all season. 3. Greensburg Salem needs one win in its next two games to clinch its first playoff berth since 2009. 4. Thomas Jefferson has scored 45 points or more in every game except a 36-14 win at Belle Vernon.

Class 3A Big East

Deer Lakes (3-4, 3-3) at No. 2 Derry (7-1, 5-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Trojan Stadium, Derry

Last week: Keystone Oaks 50, Deer Lakes 0; Derry 63, Yough 20

Coaches: Tim Burk, Deer Lakes; Tim Sweeney, Derry

Top players: Aris Hasley, Deer Lakes (Jr., 5-10, 175, QB); Justin Flack, Derry (Sr., 5-8, 160, RB)

Keep an eye on: Dom DeLuca, Derry (Sr., 6-5, 225, RB/LB)

Momentum: Derry. The Trojans powered their way to another ground-and-pound victory and are a win away from clinching a playoff berth for the third straight season.

Four downs: 1. Flack scored eight touchdowns last week — six via rush, a kickoff return and a pick-6. He had a five-TD game against Mt. Pleasant. 2. Deer Lakes is hanging around teams just about every week under first-year coach Burk, a former assistant who took over for former NFL lineman Steve Sciullo. The Lancers stayed close with No. 4 Elizabeth Forward in their opener and only lost to Freeport by a 14-10 score. 3. DeLuca is not only a tremendous defensive presence for the Trojans, but he also is a dangerous ball-carrier and downfield blocker. Onreey Stewart is another weapon. He ran for 124 yards last week. 4. Deer Lakes has been up and down against Westmoreland teams. Hasley threw for 259 yards and three scores against Mt. Pleasant. But the Lancers’ defense allowed Yough’s Dustin Shoaf to run for 401 yards.

Mt. Pleasant (1-7, 1-5) at Freeport (4-3, 4-3)

7 p.m. Friday at Freeport Area Athletic Field, Sarver

Last week: Elizabeth Forward 55, Mt. Pleasant 13; Freeport 48, Burrell 3

Coaches: Jason Fazekas, Mt. Pleasant; John Gaillot, Freeport

Top players: Austin Romanchak, Freeport (Sr., 5-9, 160, QB/DB); Lucas Pieszak, Mt. Pleasant (Sr., 6-5, 190, QB/DB)

Keep an eye on: Isiah Bauman, Freeport (Jr., 6-0, 170, WR/DB)

Momentum: Freeport has won four straight after an 0-3 start to put it firmly in fourth place in the Big East playoff race.

Four downs: 1. The math is pretty simple for Freeport. The Yellowjackets beat Mt. Pleasant and they are in the WPIAL playoffs. 2. Mt. Pleasant was eliminated with last week’s loss to Elizabeth Forward. 3. Freeport’s defense has surrendered 13 combined points the past three weeks. Conor Selinger (50), Bauman (46), Patrick Keeley (43) and Ricky Hunter (42) lead the team in tackles through seven games. 4. Pieszak is the heart of the Vikings offense with 955 yards passing, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Yough (3-5, 3-3) at No. 3 North Catholic (7-1, 5-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Mars Athletic Complex, Mars

Last week: Derry 63, Yough 20; North Catholic 70, Uniontown 0

Coaches: Scott Wood, Yough; Pat O’Shea, North Catholic

Top players: Dustin Shoaf, Yough (Sr., 6-2, 215, RB); Zack Rocco, North Catholic (Jr., 6-3, 230, QB)

Keep an eye on: Cameron Branch, North Catholic (Sr., 5-8, 190, RB)

Momentum: North Catholic. After a 27-0 loss to Derry, the Trojans have won three straight by a combined score of 146-7.

Four downs: 1. North Catholic can clinch a playoff spot with a win. The Trojans are tied with Derry and Elizabeth Forward for first in the conference. 2. Shoaf ran for 289 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries last week against Derry. He has a WPIAL-best 1,728 yards for the season. 3. Joey Prentice ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns last week for the Trojans, who scored 56 points in the first half. Rocco threw for 112 yards and two touchdowns and also added a rushing TD. 4. The top four teams in the conference make the playoffs so Yough remains in the race but likely needs a win against one of the top-tier teams to get in.

Class 2A Interstate

Southmoreland (4-4, 2-4) at No. 5 Washington (7-1, 4-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Washington Stadium, Washington

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

Last week: Southmoreland 72, Shenango 28; Washington 70, Beth-Center 36

Coaches: Dave Keefer, Southmoreland; Mike Bosnic, Washington

Top players: Ryan Mauro, Southmoreland (Sr., 6-1, 254, OL); Zack Swartz, Washington (Jr., 6-3, 195, QB)

Keep an eye on: Dan Walker, Washington (Sr., 6-3, 210, DB)

Momentum: Washington. The Prexies have won six consecutive games after losing to Charleroi in the second game of the season.

Four downs: 1. Southmoreland scored a school-record 72 points in a nonconference victory against Shenango last week. 2. Washington scored 40 points in the fourth quarter and rallied to defeat Beth-Center, 70-36. 3. The least amount of points Southmoreland has scored in a game this season was 17 against Frazier. 4. After allowing 64 points in a loss to Charleroi, Washington has posted four shutouts and allowed a total of 61 points.

Nonconference

Cornell (4-3) at Greensburg Central Catholic (5-3)

7 p.m. Friday at Centurion Stadium, Hempfield Twp.

Last week: Laurel 35, Cornell 34; Jeannette 40, Greensburg C.C. 14

Coaches: Ed Dawson, Cornell; Aaron Smetanka, Greensburg C.C.

Top players: Zaire Harrison, Cornell (Jr., 5-11, 180, QB); Max Pisula, Greensburg Central Catholic (Jr., 6-2, 212, QB)

Keep an eye on: Bryce Kurpiel, Greensburg Central Catholic (Sr., 6-1, 180, WR)

Momentum: Greensburg Central Catholic. The Centurions look to finish with consecutive victories and get to the seven-win mark for the first time since 2015.

Four downs: 1. Harrison has completed 77 of 138 passes for 1,614 yards and 18 touchdowns. 2. GCC QB Max Pisula has completed 68 of 131 passes for 1,062 yards and 15 touchdowns. 3. RB Luke Piccolo has scored 10 touchdowns and rushed for 345 yards and has 12 receptions for 349 yards for Cornell. 4. GCC WR Brandon Brown has 25 catches for 416 yards and six touchdowns.

Hampton (2-6) at Penn-Trafford (6-2)

7:30 p.m. Friday, Warrior Stadium, Harrison City

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

Last week: West Allegheny 24, Hampton 14; Penn-Trafford 42, Trinity 6

Coaches: Jacque DeMatteo, Hampton; John Ruane, Penn-Trafford

Top players: Brandon Sickles, Hampton (Sr., 5-11, 180, WR); Caleb Lisbon, Penn-Trafford (Jr., 6-0, 195, RB)

Keep an eye on: Niko Rosso, Penn-Trafford (Sr., 6-1, 210, Sr., LB)

Momentum: Penn-Trafford. The Warriors have clinched a playoff berth and are clicking on all cylinders as they build to a conference finale next week at home against Franklin Regional.

Four downs: 1. Penn-Trafford continued to plow through its schedule with its sixth straight win. The Warriors are averaging 43.5 points during their surge. 2. Hampton’s only win came in Week 5, 34-31 against Kiski Area. 3. Rosso has been one of the top defensive players in 5A. He has 56 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. 4. Lisbon is a breakaway rusher who leads the Warriors with 702 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is 10th on the Warriors’ all-time rushing list.

Plum (2-6) at Class 4A No. 3 Belle Vernon (6-1)

7 p.m. Friday at James Weir Stadium, Rostraver

Last week: Latrobe 28, Plum 6; Belle Vernon 28, Plum 12

Coaches: Matt Morgan, Plum; Matt Humbert, Belle Vernon

Top players: Hunter Linhart, Plum (Sr., 6-1, 190, QB); Mason Pascoe, Belle Vernon (Sr., 5-7, 170, RB/DB)

Keep an eye on: Nolan Labuda, Belle Vernon (Jr., 5-7, 160, QB/DB)

Momentum: Belle Vernon is riding a five-game winning streak since a loss to Thomas Jefferson in Week 2. Pascoe leads the team with 1,315 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.

Four downs: 1. Belle Vernon will be without standout junior quarterback Jared Hartman for the rest of the season after he suffered a knee injury last Friday against West Mifflin. Labuda is Hartman’s replacement. 2. Plum was eliminated from playoff contention with last week’s loss to Latrobe. 3. Leopards junior kicker/punter Cameron Guess has an offer from Toledo. 4. Plum’s Linhart has 887 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions through eight games.

No. 5 Rochester (7-1, 5-1) at Monessen (6-1, 5-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium, Monessen

Last week: Rochester 45, Northgate 24; Monessen 42, Mapletown 0

Coaches: Gene Matsook, Rochester; Mike Blainefield, Monessen

Top players: Noah Whiteleather, Rochester (Sr., 6-0, 180, RB); Vaughn Taylor, Monessen (Sr., 5-10, 190, RB/LB)

Keep an eye on: Darius Goosby, Rochester (Sr., 6-0,170, WR/DB)

Momentum: Rochester. The Rams have won four in a row since losing to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 37-8, on Sept. 14 at home.

Four downs: 1. Whiteleather has rushed for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns for Rochester. 2. Taylor leads Monessen with 60 points and nine touchdowns. 3. Goosby has scored 12 touchdowns and rushed for 501 yards for Rochester. 4. Monessen needs a win in Week 9 against Avella to stay atop the conference.

District 6 Heritage

Ligonier Valley (8-0, 8-0) at Blairsville (1-7, 1-7)

7 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium, Blairsville

On the air: 106.3 FM; TribHSSN.triblive.com

Last week: Blairsville 49, Northern Cambria 6; Homer-Center 41, Blairsville 6

Coaches: Roger Beitel, Ligonier Valley; Rick Artley, Blairsville

Top players: Christian Jablonski, Ligonier Valley (Jr., 6-5, 240, T/DT); Devin Burkhart, Blairsville (Sr., 6-2, 175, QB)

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

Momentum: Ligonier Valley. The Rams clinched their third consecutive Heritage Conference title by defeating Northern Cambria.

Four downs: 1. Aaron Tutino caught two touchdown passes and now owns the state record for career TD receptions (56). 2. The Bobcats have dropped five consecutive games after defeating rival Saltsburg on Sept. 7. 3. Ligonier Valley QB John Caldwell has completed 91 of 127 passes for 1,585 yards and 27 touchdowns. 4. Burkhart has completed 79 of 175 passes for 1,152 yards and 12 touchdowns for Blairsville.

Class A Eastern

No. 1 Jeannette (8-0, 4-0) at Riverview (2-5, 1-4)

Noon Saturday at Riverside Park, Oakmont

Last week: Jeannette 40, Greensburg Central Catholic 14; Riverview 18, Springdale 0

Coaches: Roy Hall, Jeannette; Todd Massack, Riverview

Top players: Seth Howard, Jeannette (Sr., 6-1, 165, QB); Devon Binz, Riverview (Sr., 5-9, 160, RB/DB)

Keep an eye on: Jaden Crosby, Jeannette (Jr., 5-11, 192, RB/DB)

Momentum: Jeannette, the defending WPIAL and PIAA Class A champion, has won 14 straight after a loss to Clairton in last year’s regular-season finale.

Four downs: 1. Jeannette is averaging 40.4 points, second only to OLSH (43.0) in Class A. The Jayhawks topped OLSH, the Big Seven Conference leader, 28-13, two weeks ago. 2. The Riverview defense stood tall last week, forcing five Springdale turnovers. Nick Palmiere returned an interception for a touchdown. 3. Howard threw for 264 yards and a touchdown last week against GCC, putting him at 1,159 passing yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. 4.

Jeannette will be without senior receiver and defensive back and Division I prospect Marcus Barnes, who was ejected last week.