Westmoreland high school football notebook: Derry’s Pitzer unleashes inner child after win over Mt. Pleasant

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, October 18, 2025 | 6:21 PM

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It was youth night at Derry on Friday.

After a dominating 33-13 victory by the Trojans against Mt. Pleasant, pint-sized football players and cheerleaders huddled on the tamped-down grass to celebrate at Trojan Stadium.

Suddenly, someone cut in to join the fun. A large figure cast a shadow as he approached the group and loomed over the center of the huddle.

Who was it?

None other than 6-foot-6, 280-pound lineman Dylan Pitzer.

The hulking senior lit up as tikes jumped to high-five him and tiny pom-poms danced around his legs. It was a release of emotion and joy.

“This was a lot of fun,” Pitzer said. “I wanted revenge from last year. I love my guys here, and I respect Mt. Pleasant. I knew what we were capable of.”

The victory was huge because it kept the Trojans (5-4, 2-2) in the Class 3A playoff hunt, but it meant a little more to Pitzer, who transferred to Derry from Mt. Pleasant two years ago. Last year, Mt. Pleasant won 31-14.

The PA announcer ribbed the Mt. Pleasant side of the stadium late in the game, saying “Derry’s own Dylan Pitzer” made a tackle.

“He knew what this game was about,” Derry coach Mike Arone said. “I didn’t have to say anything to him or try to motivate him.

“He didn’t want to come off the field tonight.”

Pitzer helped the Trojans rush for 225 yards, 118 by Max Doherty, who went over 1,000 yards for the season.

“We play with passion,” Doherty said. “This game was Pitzer’s. For us, you want to back up your buddy.”

Pitzer is a standout wrestler who was ruled ineligible for that sport last fall. He said Friday he is unsure if he will wrestle this season.

“I want to play football in college,” he said. “I want to keep this going.”

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P-T clinches

Penn-Trafford became the first Westmoreland County team to clinch a WPIAL playoff spot Friday when it trampled visiting Armstrong, 42-7.

Nick Ponko continued to make noise for the Warriors (8-1, 4-1). He had a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown, then caught an 80-yard scoring throw from Nate Desmond, who threw for 178 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

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More playoff buzz

Norwin inched closer to its first playoff appearance since 2017 with a thrilling 24-21 win over Canon-McMillan as Tristan Josephic kicked a 29-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining.

Norwin needs to beat Mt. Lebanon next week to secure a spot. If Norwin loses and Canon-McMillan upsets Central Catholic, Norwin would be out.

Jeannette qualified for the postseason as it secured a Class A berth with its 50-8 win over Springdale on Friday and Riverview’s loss to Clairton on Saturday.

The Jayhawks also needed Brentwood to lose, which it did, 48-41 against Leechburg on Friday.

Southmoreland (8-1, 3-1) clinched a playoff spot in Class 2A despite a 42-0 loss to Elizabeth Forward. The Scotties were denied a bid at their first conference title since 1979.

The tide turned in the opposite direction for two other local teams.

The playoff chances of Greensburg Central Catholic (4-5, 2-4) took a big hit when the Centurions lost to Frazier, 35-33, in the Class A Eastern Conference.

Hempfield (4-5, 1-5) was eliminated from the Class 6A playoff race with a 28-6 loss to Mt. Lebanon.

Belle Vernon (3-5, 2-2) thumped Ringgold, 48-6, to remain in the chase for a wild-card spot in Class 4A.

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Tatsch plays

Andy Tatsch, Latrobe’s senior standout receiver and defensive back, saw his first action of the season in Friday’s 27-24 loss to Gateway.

Tatsch, a Lehigh commit who has been hampered since the preseason by a hip injury, had two receptions for 15 yards, 18 yards rushing and rushed for a 2-point conversion in his season debut. He added seven tackles on defense.

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Triple scoop

Woodland Hills star Scoop Smith did some serious damage against local schools this season in the 5A Big East.

Smith helped the Wolverines defeat Penn-Trafford, Latrobe and Franklin Regional.

When teams choose to kick to Smith, he makes them pay.

Against Penn-Trafford, he had kickoff return TDs of 60 and 80 yards in a 49-21 win.

When Woodland Hills downed Latrobe, 33-9, Smith had a 91-yard punt return TD, caught two TD passes and added a 65-yard rush for another score.

And on Friday, Smith caught an 89-yard TD pass in a 55-7 win over Franklin Regional.

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Extra points

Hempfield quarterback Dom Dertruf attempted more passes than any local quarterback Friday with 48. He completed 27 for 239 yards and one touchdown. … Brody Chismar topped 200 yards for the third time this year, throwing for 220 on 15-of-27 passing in a 41-7 win over Yough that broke a five-game losing streak. Max Topper had a career game for the Golden Lions with nine receptions for 139 yards. … Preston Rathway of Belle Vernon kicked field goals of 46 and 34 yards against Ringgold. … Jerry Davis accounted for 12 points in GCC’s 35-33 loss to Frazier. He caught a 35-yard TD pass and kicked two field goals (37 and 29 yards). … Jayce Powell of Jeannette had two TD catches and a 40-yard punt return for a score against Springdale.

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

Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Jeannette, Latrobe, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland