TRIB TOTAL MEDIA • 103
STO-ROX • THREE RIVERS
STO-ROX PLAYERS PRACTICE OVER THE SUMMER
NEW QB LEADS STO-ROX
INTO NEW CLASSIFICATION
In LaRoi Johnson’s first year as
head coach at Sto-Rox in 2018, the
Vikings improved from the previous
year to finish 6-4 but missed
out on the Class A playoffs.
The next step in the program’s
growth under Johnson last year
was more like a giant leap.
Sto-Rox ended up 11-2, won a
share of the Big Seven Conference
championship and after two
playoff wins, reached the WPIAL
championship game at Heinz Field
before falling to Clairton, 41-19.
“Last year was a great foundation
year for us,” Johnson said
as he prepares for year three at
Sto-Rox.
“Our kids all understand how
hard they must work to be successful.
It’s a grind we welcome now.”
The path to success has plenty
of potholes after the graduation
of several key players, including
the WPIAL’s leading passer in the
2019 season.
Gone is Eric Wilson, another
outstanding quarterback from Sto-
Rox who led the district with 3,288
yards passing and 30 touchdowns
a year ago.
“Replacing Eric Wilson will be
tough,” Johnson said. “His leadership
along with his ability makes
it difficult. His work ethic, though,
has rubbed off on our young quarterbacks.”
The Vikings return only five
starters on offense and three on
defense.
Among those returning starters
who will be counted on to lead the
way for the Vikings are a pair of
seniors in Diontae Givens, a 6-foot,
225-pound linebacker/tight end
and Duquesne recruit, along with
Andre Porter, a 6-foot, 240-pound
defensive tackle/guard.
Three sophomores who saw playing
time last year in their freshman
campaigns will also be asked to do
a little more this season.
They include running back/
wide receiver/cornerback and
last year’s leading rusher Zay Davis,
wide receiver/defensive back
Terry Booth and wide receiver/
cornerback Jaymont Green-Miller.
With so few experienced starters
back this season, the school colors
won’t be the only thing green for
Sto-Rox, but Johnson is optimistic
about what he has.
“We are excited about seeing our
young guys play,” he said.
The Vikings can also count on
senior center/defensive lineman
Alfred Troop and Saint Vincent
recruit Tyler Williams, junior
two-way linemen Anthony Potts
and Zyhaire Young and freshman
lineman Amare Harper.
It appears John Jenkins will try
to fill the void at quarterback left
by Wilson, although Johnson looks
at the 6-3, 160-pound sophomore
as more of a Sto-Rox ‘slash’ type
player who the team can use in
the same mold as New Orleans QB
Tayson Hill. He can throw, run or
catch the football.
“As a quarterback, Josh has an
outstanding arm with great touch
on his deep balls,” Johnson said.
“He is an outstanding athlete who
will play multiple positions. As a
wide receiver, he has soft hands
and is a big red zone threat.”
Sto-Rox is saying goodbye for
now to conference rivals Cornell,
OLSH and Rochester as the Vikings
make the climb from Class
A, returning to Class 2A for the
first time since 2015.
The Vikings will compete in the
six-team 2A Three Rivers Conference
along with Brentwood,
Carlynton, Seton LaSalle, South
Side and Western Beaver.
“We look forward to the new
challenge of 2A football,” Johnson
said. “We can’t wait.”
by DON REBEL
Coach: LaRoi Johnson
2019 record: 11-2, 6-1 in
Class A Big Seven Conference
All-time record: 295-242-9
SCHEDULE
Date Opponent Time
9.11 at Carlynton* 7
9.18 at Avonworth 7
9.25 Shady Side Academy 7
10.2 South Side* 7
10.9 at Seton LaSalle* 7
10.16 Western Beaver* 7
10.23 Brentwood* 7
*CONFERENCE GAME
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Eric Wilson*
211-367, 3,288 yards, 30 TDs
Receiving Amahd Pack*
59-971, 19 TDs
Rushing Zay Davis
99-716 yards, 13 TDs
*GRADUATED
FAST FACTS
• LaRoi Johnson is set to begin
his second year at Sto-Rox
after helping Imani Christian
become a force in Class A as
the Saints offensive coordinator.
• Adam DiMichele gave way
to Paul Jones, who then
moved on to make way for
Lenny Williams, who passed
the torch to Eric Wilson, who
completed his scholastic career
by throwing for 3,288 yards
last year. Those four Vikings
greats are all among the top
quarterbacks in WPIAL history.
• The Vikings finished the
2019 regular season with a 9-1
record, outscoring their opponents,
423-90.
• Sto-Rox won WPIAL football
championships in 1966 and
1987 while the combination of
Stowe and McKees Rocks won
three crowns from 1935-37. In
the last 10 years, the Vikings
have had several chances to
add to their championship
total; however, they lost in
the Class A finals in 2011,
2012, 2013 and in 2019. Three
of the four losses were to
Clairton.
LaROI JOHNSON