Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Colleges taking note of Penn-Trafford running back Tasso Whipple

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Penn-Trafford senior Tasso Whipple is beginning to experience the college recruiting process.

Some in his circle might say it’s about time.

Whipple, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound running back and outside linebacker raked in two college offers this week, from a Division I and II program.

His first D-I offer came in from Robert Morris, and Clarion of the PSAC followed suit.

Whipple, a first-team All-Big East Conference running back, is the third-leading rusher in Penn-Trafford history.

He rushed for 1,716 yards and 14 touchdowns and also caught 17 passes for 262 yards.

Whipple was the Warriors’ second-leading tackler with 73 stops to go with three sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, including one he returned for a TD.

Offer for Kerns

Franklin Regional senior Austin Kerns, a two-time all-conference linebacker who spent much of this season on the sideline with an injury, received a Division I offer to play at St. Francis (Pa.).

Kerns (6-0, 205), who also has an offer from Division II Central State, played in eight games before sustaining ligament damage in his ankle.

He had 51 tackles, 11 for loss, and five sacks.

All-Big 5/6

Hempfield junior defensive tackle Brock Heisler was named to the Big 5/6 Conference Class 6A First Team.

In Class 5A, Penn-Trafford had five players on the All-Big East Conference offensive first team: senior tackles Ethan Septak and Kellan Taylor, senior tight end Dom Smith, Whipple and senior athlete Derek Carr.

Franklin Regional had three selections in junior center Troy Slezak, senior running back Kyle Dupill and senior kicker Joey Bayne.

On defense, first-team picks from the area included senior defensive end Macallister Bresnahan and senior defensive tackle Andrew Devola of Franklin Regional, junior linebacker Jamison Yurt and junior defensive back Tyler Boss of Penn-Trafford and senior defensive back John Wetzel and senior athlete Alex Tatsch of Latrobe.

Seven up

The local organization 724 Elite will begin play this year in Connellsville.

The skill-development program will run from December to March with practice sessions and tournament play at 1100 Breakneck Road.

Tryouts will be Nov. 23 and Dec. 7 — 10U and 12U from 2-3:30 p.m. and 14U, 15U, 18U from 3:30-5.

For more information, email 724elite@gmail.com.

Smith heading west

Southmoreland freshman quarterback Anthony Smith will make a game-day visit Saturday to UNLV.

The Runnin’ Rebels are showing interest in the 2,000-yard passer who is seeking his first college offer.

Greensburg Salem alum Brennan Marion is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UNLV, which hosts San Diego State this weekend.

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, Latrobe, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland