Westmoreland County high school football players to watch for 2025 Week 1

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 | 6:48 PM

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Player of the week

Tavian Taylor

Monessen, Sr., RB

Taylor had a strong season opener against Charleroi in the Battle for the Bridge, which Monessen won 44-0. He carried the ball six times for 111 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also intercepted a pass and returned it 34 yards. He played wide receiver last year and had 10 catches for 252 yards and three scores. He and the Greyhounds will head to West Greene for a nonconference game Friday.

Players to watch

Cam Jenko

Belle Vernon, Jr., DE

Last year as a sophomore, Jenko recorded 62 tackles in eight games. In the scrimmage against West Allegheny earlier this month, he had five tackles and two quarterback sacks. He also plays tight end. The Leopards will open their season Friday with a nonconference test at home against Aliquippa.

Jayce Powell

Jeannette, Jr., WR/DB

Powell had four catches for 131 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 29-23 loss to Mt. Pleasant. He also intercepted a pass. As a sophomore, he caught a team-high 57 passes for 1,023 yards and 10 touchdowns. This Friday, he and the Jayhawks will play a nonconference game at Apollo-Ridge.

Noah Stough

Derry, Jr., WR/DB

Stough had three catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns in a Week Zero victory against Ligonier Valley. Stough will also be used to run the ball on offense. He got playing time as a sophomore because of injuries to key starters. The Trojans will be on the road at Freeport for a nonconference game Friday.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Jeannette, Monessen