Westmoreland high school football notebook: Soccer recruit delivers in clutch for Jeannette

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, August 26, 2023 | 4:10 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Jeannette football coach Tommy Paulone and his staff were on the lookout for a kicker this offseason.

So they cast a line into a pond where desperate coaches hope to get a bite: the soccer team.

There they found senior Austin Emery, an accomplished soccer player who had not kicked before but showed a curiousity toward the idea.

Eventually, Paulone got him and his strong leg to commit.

“We recruited him all spring,” Paulone said.

In Jeannette’s season opener Friday night, Emery came through in the clutch with the go-ahead field goal in a 16-13 win at Burrell.

Emery’s 21-yard attempt was good with 43 seconds remaining as the Jayhawks opened with a victory.

Paulone thought the game might be close, so he told Emery to be ready.

No. 99 was ready.

“I told him Monday in the team meeting that he was going to make the game-winning field goal,” Paulone said. “I saw this playing out.”

Said Emery: “He’s been preaching it for days. In practice, it’s like a chip shot for me.”

Jeannette had botched an extra-point snap earlier after the tying touchdown run by senior quarterback Payton Molter with about six minutes remaining.

But Paulone was confident in trotting Emery out to have his chance at deciding the outcome and avenging a 31-10 loss to the Buccaneers from last season.

Freshman Jayce Powell made an interception in the closing seconds to seal the win.

Jeannette had relied on Mitchell Steele the last couple of seasons. He, too, was a soccer player, but the versatile Steele graduated and went on to play football at Bethany.

“I decided to play football because of some of the players,” Emery said. “I’m really good friends with them, and they are always asking me to come kick and I said, screw it, it’s my senior year, but I’m enjoying it so far.”

…

Low numbers

Injuries are something that Jeannette can ill afford. Paulone has nightmares about them.

Low roster numbers have plagued the team in recent seasons, and with the team down to 21 players — from 26 early in the summer — the Jayhawks are again thin.

Paulone said there have been some injuries, and some players left the team.

“We have the right 21,” he said. “Tonight is the result (of what we can do with what we have).”

…

Happy returns

At least three area players had pick-6 touchdowns on opening night.

Ja’Tawn Williams of Latrobe took an interception back 41 yards in Latrobe’s 56-14 win over Derry.

Gabe Kubasky had a 46-yard return off a pick for Southmoreland in a 34-6 win over McGuffey.

And Anthony Puskar returned an interception 32 yards for a score in Hempfield’s 45-6 win over Greensburg Salem.

…

Big debut

Senior Da’sjon Craggette said he is comfortable around his new teammates at Southmoreland.

The transfer from Greensburg Central Catholic looked comfortable in the backfield, too, in his first game with the Scotties, who woke up in the second half.

He ran for a career-high 217 yards on 14 carries and scored touchdowns on runs of 68 and 61 yards in a win over McGuffey.

Craggette attends Geibel, which has a football co-op with Southmoreland.

The Scotties (1-0) scored 34 unanswered points.

Craggette picked up a college offer from Division II Fairmont State.

JJ runs wild

Coach Roger Beitel said running back John Jablunovsky is the most talented athlete who has ever played at Ligonier Valley.

The senior speedster lived up to the attention Friday, rushing 21 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns in the Rams’ 28-14 win over Springdale. He ran for 783 yards last season.

Jablunovsky also has an interception.

Ligonier Valley and Jablonovsky host Southmoreland and Craggette next week.

Finding a connection

Greensburg Central Catholic had a throw-and-catch connection working in Friday’s 37-24 win over Mt. Pleasant.

Senior quarterback Tyree Turner completed 14 of 16 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, with sophomore Samir Crosby hauling in seven for 153 and a score.

Turner also ran for two scores, and Crosby threw for another, hooking up with Evan Stasko.

Crosby added two interceptions. He had eight of them last season.

Remembering Purdue

Franklin Regional is wearing helmet decals with the initials “J.P.” to remember late teammate Joe Purdue.

A moment of silence was held Friday night at Panthers Stadium for Purdue, who died in March from pediatric brain cancer at age 19.

A tribute video was tweeted out earlier in the day.

A year ago, Joe was on our sideline as a mentor and friend.

Two years ago, as a player, teammate, and brother.

This season, we honor Joe by wearing his initials on our helmets and by playing hard every snap.

Tonight, please join us at the game to celebrate Joe and his legacy. pic.twitter.com/Y4Uy7AGS4x

— Franklin Regional Football (@_FR_Football) August 25, 2023

Call to arms

While they don’t attend Westmoreland County schools, a pair of quarterbacks with local ties had big games Friday.

Payton Wehner of Central Catholic, who is from North Huntingdon, went 17 of 19 for 304 yards and five touchdowns in a 43-7 win over Woodland Hills.

Meanwhile, Shaler’s Keegan Smetanka connected on 20 of 23 passes for 181 yards and two scores in a 38-7 win at Butler. He is Saint Vincent football coach Aaron Smetanka’s cousin.

Two other local passers also threw for over 200 yards: Tristyn Tavares, of Norwin (12 of 27, 213 yards) and Johnny Lovre of Penn-Trafford (16 of 30, 202).

New one-two punch

Remember the name Rogan Katchur. At least that’s what Hempfield senior quarterback Keiran Lippmann thinks you should do.

The junior carried the ball five times Friday against Greensburg Salem, and three of them went for touchdowns on runs of 4, 14 and 29 yards.

“I feel Rogan is going to be a big name in the WPIAL this year,” Lippmann said. “Many people didn’t know about him before this year, but they will have when they see him.

“Lucas Moore is another player to watch. Just like we had last year with Gino Caesar and Eli Binakonsky, we have another two-headed monster.”

Moore carried the ball 13 times 89 yards and a score.

Staff writer Paul Schofield contributed.

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

Tags: Central Catholic, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Southmoreland