Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Junior running back fuels Norwin offense

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

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Through three games, Norwin’s offense has been much more than dynamic senior quarterback Tristyn Tavares.

Junior Giovanni Rothrauff has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game, taking the pressure off Tavares and allowing the third-year starter to be more balanced.

Rothrauff rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown last week at Latrobe to help the Knights (2-1) to an impressive 35-0 victory.

Norwin is ranked No. 4 in Class 6A by TribLive.

“All the credit goes to the offensive line,’ Rothrauff said. “I could not do it without them. They are making the perfect blocks.”

The line of left tackle Will Bossart, left guard Sebastian Summerville, center Patrick Schmook, right guard Hunter Luchkiw and right tackle Lucas Altier have opened running lanes for the ground attack and protected Tavares in the passing game.

Rothrauff has rushed for 359 yards and three touchdowns.

Tavares has thrown for 382 yards and four touchdowns and has six total scores. He also has 304 yards rushing.

“The guys up front, they are doing a heck of a job for us, whether it is a run or pass,” Norwin coach Mike Brown said. “When you give a player like Tristyn that much time, good things happen, especially with our receivers.”

After the Latrobe win, Tavares said: “That was the best pass protection I have ever had in my life.”

Big man challenge

A matchup to watch in Friday’s battle of unbeaten big-school teams in McCandless will be on the lines as Hempfield and Brock Heisler go against Lincoln Hoke and North Allegheny.

It remains to be seen if the bulky bruisers will go head-to-head — they both play defensive tackle — but fans could be in for a battle in the trenches.

Heisler (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) is a Harvard commit, and Hoke (6-2, 270) is headed to Pitt.

Getting by just fine

Penn-Trafford has an unblemished record through three weeks, but the Warriors also have three key injuries.

A trio of missing starters — Jamison Hurt (RB/LB), Ben Grabowski (RB/DB) and Marlo Robinson (OL/DL) — have been replaced by committee and to rousing success.

Yurt and Robinson have yet to play a snap, but Grabowski ran for 188 yards in the opener against Norwin before he was shelved because of injury.

“A lot of other guys have stepped up,” Warriors coach John Ruane said. “We have high-character guys.”

The Warriors scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes last week to rally past Moon, 25-24.

The win vaulted the Warriors over the Tigers for fifth in the TribLive rankings.

On point

Hempfield quarterback Dom Detruf has led the Spartans to a 3-0 start with a calm presence in the pocket, senior leadership and an accurate arm.

Detruf has completed 38 of 52 passes (73%) and leads the county with 622 passing yards. He has eight touchdowns and three interceptions.

3-point contest

A number of local kickers are lining up for field goals and showing accuracy. Coaches are putting more faith in their special teamers, even from 40-plus yards.

Last week, six county kickers made field goals. Belle Vernon’s Preston Rathway delivered on a school-record 49-yard attempt at Central Valley.

Others to convert field goals included Andrew Finney of Kiski Area (25 yards), Max Doperak of Derry (38), Jude Hicinbothem of Valley (36), Alex Swatchick of Greensburg Salem (30) and McAlister Steele of Jeannette (26).

Steele also attempted a 40-yard kick.

Tristan Josephic of Norwin and Sawyer Leuthold of Hempfield also have connected on field goals. Leuthold was good from 40 yards against Franklin Regional.

Penny for your thoughts

Mt. Pleasant will host the fifth annual Mt. Pleasant Penny Court contest with proceeds benefiting the Mike Reese Memorial Fund.

In four years, the event has raised $9,800 for the American Cancer Society.

Here is how it works: Coaches of all Vikings sports teams select one team member who will have a collection can at the school. The male and female athlete — at the high school and junior high levels — with the most money collected by Oct. 1 will be crowned Penny King and Queen.

Junior high cheerleaders also will be collecting donations at all home football games. Donations also can be made online via PayPal.

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

Tags: Belle Vernon, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford