Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Quarterbacks gaining ground

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, August 28, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Some Westmoreland quarterbacks did more damage with their legs than their arms in the opening week of the football season.

Consider: Four county teams had their quarterback lead them in rushing in Week Zero.

It could be an indicator that this year’s crop of signal callers has sneaky dual-threat depth.

“I think it is great that the county has a lot of dual-threat QBs,” Yough coach Ben Hoffer said. “It shows how important the position is in Westmoreland County.”

Hoffer’s first-year QB, junior Aidan Shaffer, led the Cougars with 132 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Brentwood. He averaged 10.2 yards on 13 carries.

“Shaffer played an amazing first game as QB,” Hoffer said. “He was in control the whole time, and his speed showed. He did a tremendous job commanding the huddle and reading the defense.

“I am blessed to be his head coach and can’t wait to see what this week brings.”

Joining Shaffer were Jeannette senior Kymon’e Brown, senior Tristyn Tavares of Norwin and freshman Levi Foust of Ligonier Valley, all QBs with wheels.

Brown ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 15 attempts, but Jeannette watched a 23-point lead fade in a 29-23 loss to Mt. Pleasant. He also threw for 214 yards and a score.

Tavares had a monster night at Penn-Trafford, combining for 336 yards of offense and nearly leading the Knights back from a 17-point deficit in the second half. He rushed for 203 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 133 yards and a score in a 34-31 loss.

Foust, who shared snaps with senior Bowie Schreyer, ran for 78 yards and a TD on seven carries in a 33-14 loss to Derry in the annual “Riot on the Ridge.”

Spartans jump

Hempfield started fast with a 28-23 win over North Hills. The win vaulted the Spartans to No. 3 in the TribLive Class 6A rankings.

They began the season at No. 5.

Jeannette, the only other Westmoreland team in the rankings, remained No. 5 in Class A.

Flipping the script

Week Zero was about revenge for the local schedule.

Of the 11 games featuring Westmoreland County teams, eight saw a different winner from last year.

Penn-Trafford avenged a rare loss to Norwin, while Connellsville (Latrobe), Albert Gallatin (Greensburg Salem), Mt. Pleasant (Jeannette), Derry (Ligonier Valley), Hempfield (North Hills), Plum (Franklin Regional) and Shady Side Academy (Greensburg Central Catholic) also earned payback in the opening week.

Big leg

Penn-Trafford has a punter to watch. Freshman Trey Miller has plenty of potential and put his strong leg on display in last week’s season opener against Norwin.

Miller had six punts and averaged 40.7 yards. He drilled a 65-yard kick to push the Knights farther downfield.

Eastern struggles

The Class A Eastern Conference has had better opening weekends. The conference was a combined 2-7 in Week Zero, with Frazier and Riverview earning wins.

Brentwood, Clairton, Greensburg Central Catholic, Jeannette and Leechburg all lost.

Springdale was idle.

Extra points

Valley has the county’s longest losing streak at 15 games. Norwin has the second longest at nine. … Derry broke a five-game skid with a win over Ligonier Valley. … Belle Vernon has the longest local streak of playoff appearances at 16. … PIAA 400-meter champion Jerry Davis of Greensburg Central Catholic showed his speed last week: He had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown against Shady Side Academy. … Tavares has a Division III offer to play at Allegheny.

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

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Jeannette, Ligonier Valley, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Yough