WPIAL Class 2A championship preview: After long wait, Seton LaSalle, South Park return to title game

By: Don Rebel
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 3:57 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

There are a lot of familiar teams playing in the WPIAL football championships this fall.

Title games in Class 6A and 5A involved the same two finalists from a year ago.

In three of the other championship contests, one of the teams returned to the title game from last fall while their opponents have reached the finals within the last four years.

If you are looking for something fresh this weekend on the North Shore, there is the Class 2A championship game.

It has been two decades since top-seeded Seton LaSalle (11-0) and No. 2 South Park (11-1) played for district football gold.

The Rebels last reached the WPIAL finals in 2004 when they outslugged Aliquippa in the 2A title game 42-35 for the program’s second title in three years and the fifth championship in school history.

The Eagles last played for a championship a year later in 2005 when they defeated Greensburg Central Catholic in the 2A finals 24-20 for the school’s second football crown.

“Any time you are able to represent the community in a championship game, it’s special,” South Park second-year coach Brian Abbey said. “We are blessed at South Park to have successful programs throughout our athletics. When our athletic programs are successful, it provides a great buzz around the community. It brings people together. As a player and assistant coach on our previous championship teams, I’ve been blessed to experience the excitement a football championship brings to the community. Our current group is thrilled to have the opportunity to represent South Park at Acrisure Stadium.”

In his first year at South Park in 2023, Abbey and the Eagles finished 7-5 overall and enjoyed a first round win over Knoch before falling to East Allegheny in the 3A quarterfinals.

Dropping in class this season, South Park won the 2A Allegheny Conference title outright and have won 10 straight games after falling to Deer Lakes, 35-22, in Week 1.

“We knew going into this season that we had the pieces in place for a special season,” Abbey said. “Having three seniors who are four-year starters and returning eight players on each side of the ball has provided the opportunity for a strong veteran presence in our group.

“At the end of last season, our returning players got right to work and were determined to grow this offseason. Outside of their offseason preparation, they’ve done a great job of reflecting and actively seeking out areas of growth on a daily basis. I feel that has been the difference in our success this season.”

The Eagles play a physical brand of football; the poster child for their style is senior running back Eric Doerue.

Doerue has rushed for 1,592 yards on 228 carries with 23 touchdowns. In playoff victories over Mohawk and Ellwood City, he ran for 326 yards and scored four touchdowns.

“Eric is a proven leader for our group,” Abbey said. “Eric has been our go-to guy for three years now. We go as he goes. When the stakes of the game get higher, his level of play increases. Eric is certainly a special talent, but he is also a special young man. He takes on the responsibility of being the heavy lifter in our offense, while taking on a full load defensively. His desire to win is strong, and it’s contagious. It’s certainly paid dividends for our team’s success.”

In the semifinal win over the Wolverines, two other Eagles stood out for their play on each side of the ball.

Sophomore running back Colsen Heynes rushed for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns while senior lineman Troy Cunningham set a school record with six sacks of Ellwood City quarterback Chris Smiley.

“We’ve been talking about the fact that as the stakes get higher, along with it come the importance of getting contributions by all participants, regardless of their snap count,” Abbey said. “We were fortunate Friday to get major contributions from both Troy and Colsen.”

South Park will need major contributions from several players to knock off undefeated Seton LaSalle.

The turnaround for the Rebels program has been noteworthy. In Tim Storino’s first year as Seton LaSalle head coach in 2022, the team finished 0-10 and was outscored 470-114.

However, a year after finishing 5-5 and just missing the postseason in Class 3A last season, the Rebels, like the Eagles, have found great success in dropping to Class 2A.

“We are very happy obviously,” Storino said about the turnaround. “We knew it was going to take some time, but it’s happened a lot sooner than we expected. We have coaches who are excellent husbands and fathers and we have a great principal and AD who are extremely supportive and want to see us win both on and off the field.”

Seton LaSalle is 11-0 and has rarely been challenged, winning by an average score of 42-10. Their closest game was a 21-14 victory over Bishop Canevin in Week 1.

Senior quarterback Michael Pastirik has led the offense, connecting on 118 of 170 passes for 1,948 yards and 31 touchdowns this fall.

“He’s been extremely consistent,” Storino said of his quarterback. “We know every week what we are going to get with him. He understands the offense and controls the game. If he plays well, we will win.”

Pastirik’s top target has been sensational sophomore Khalil Taylor, who has 51 receptions for 932 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has Division I offers from Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia and Nebraska, among others.

On the ground, the Rebels have been paced by senior running back Logan King, who has rushed for 1,188 yards and 19 touchdowns.

In the semifinal victory over Steel Valley, King rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns while Taylor had seven receptions for 77 yards and caught a short touchdown pass from King.

“Logan and Khalil have been stepping it up all season,” Storino said. “It’s the expectation. We designed our offense to be a balanced 50-50 run and pass, but at the end of the day, its high school football and there’s only one football and we like it in one of these two boys’ hands.”

A key to victory for the Rebels over the Ironmen was limiting the Barksdale brothers to minimal success. Senior Donald and junior Da’Ron combined for 205 yards rushing, but only two touchdowns.

“It’s the same game plan as last week against Steel Valley,” Storino said. “Last week we planned to shut down Donald Barksdale, and we kept him out of the end zone. We want to get explosive plays and get up early, play to our strength, be disciplined, and flip the field in special teams.”

Abbey feels the Eagles need to not allow big plays by the Rebels explosive offense, force them to matriculate the ball down the field and avoid self-inflicted mistakes.

“It will certainly be a challenge as they are a well-coached team with a ton of talent,” Abbey said. “They have been the top team in 2A most of the season for a reason. Our players are focused in their preparation. They have embraced each challenge that they have faced and I am confident they are up for this one as well.”

Listen to the game for free on the TribLive High School Sports Network.

Tags: Seton La Salle, South Park