2004
WPIAL and State AAA Champions!!
The 2004 Thomas Jefferson Jaguars under head coach Bill Cherpak did something that no other Jaguar team has done in the history of Thomas Jefferson football, win both the WPIAL and PIAA AAA State Championship.
The Jaguars began the season as the #3 ranked team in the WPIAL, and had a small but strong senior class and many underclassman received valuable playing time and many absolutely excelled. The team was dominate at times, but also competed in tight games that came down to the final minutes.
The offense went through quarterback Brad Dawson, the younger brother of 1998 standout Brian Dawson, and as he went the offense followed behind. The runningbacks had senior Josh Pauley, but were young with starters Nate Nix and Dan Geigerich. The receivers were led by seniors Adam Plantz and Evan Browne who also played on the state winning Thomas Jefferson soccer team. The offensive line was led by senior Jon Consoli and Derek Martin, and featured young stars in Troy Baxendell and Jason Kolodziej.
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
The Jaguars on defense were young with two juniors in Nate Nix and Jason Kolodziej in the middle who returned after sustaining a major knee injury the prior year. The secondary consisted of sophomore Dom Decicco, junior Kevin Franz, and seniors Brad Dawson. Dawson established a new school mark with 11 interceptions. The defensive line had fiery senior Derek Martin, Jon Consoli, and sophomores Chris Drager and Adam Zampatti.
The Jaguars finished the regular season at 7-2 and 5-0 in the Big 7 Conference, winning or sharing the conference title for the 5th straight year. Their amazing journey through the playoffs faced many tough fought contests that somehow the Jaguars pulled through. It would be the first WPIAL championship for head coach Bill Cherpak after many years of getting ever so close, but the team did not stop their. They played two amazingly close games in the quarter and semifinals of the PIAA state playoffs before absolutely bringing the hammer down on Manheim Central in state finals winning 56-20.
The Manheim Central Barons were the returning state champions, Thomas Jefferson needed every once of good fortune just to be included in the state championship game. The media gave the Jaguars little chance in the contest, but that is why the game is played on the field. The Jaguars manhandled the Barons from the outset leading 28-7 at half and never looked back. Brad Dawson was terrific with 243 yards of offense and an interception. The defense dominated with 6 interceptions. The team was welcomed back home to a raucous crowd and police escort. Thomas Jefferson was a champion again after waiting 24 years since their last championship in 1980.
Season:
TJ 28 vs Belle Vernon 0: Video and articles
TJ 14 vs Blackhawk 21: Video and articles
TJ 49 vs Ringgold 6: Video and articles
TJ 54 vs Cannon Mac 9: Video and articles
TJ 27 vs Peters 3: Video and articles
TJ 38 vs EF 0: Video and articles
TJ 21 vs Gateway 34: Video and articles
TJ 35 vs Char Valley 16: Video and articles
TJ 17 vs West Mifflin 7: Video and articles
Playoffs:
TJ 49 vs Mount Pleasant 14: Video and articles
TJ 23 vs Ambridge 3: Video and articles
TJ 21 vs. Blackhawk 17: Video and articles
TJ 20 vs. West Mifflin 0: Video and articles
TJ 20 vs Selinsgrove 14: Video and articles
TJ 21 vs. Strong Vincent 20: Video and articles
TJ 56 vs. Manheim Central 20: Video and articles
Roster:
Seniors:
Kurt Martin
Aaron Archibald
George Maculin
Adam Plantz
Kurtis Meyer
Josh Pauley
Juniors:
Heath Brickner
Kevin Franz
Josh Finnegan
Jared Lowe
Tom Russo
Shaun Johnston
Brad Bakalarski
Anthony Jaskulski
Ryan Browne
Matt Bissell
Brian Altman
Troy Baxendell
Jason Kolodziej
Nate Nix
George Meszaros
Sophomores:
Arminas MacIulis
Dominic Decicco
Rich Castagna
Cory Lotis
Dan Giegerich
Brent Kreider
Matt Deangelis
Chris Drager
Jonathan Licht
Goerge Nahay
Mike Battle
Ryan Baxendell
Matt Donlin
Ryan Kutscher
Shane Mudron
Adam Zampatti
Josh Magnotti
Rich Lattanzi
Andrew Lipnicky
Ben Werner
Doug Bittel
Eric Schwartzmiller
Michael Coll
James McKown
Keegan Heidkamp
Kevin Graham
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
Coaching Staff:
Bill Cherpak-Head Coach
Frank Brettshneider- Assistant Coach
George Wilson- Assistant Coach
John Yogan- Assistant Coach
John Mitruski-Assistant Coach
Keith Pancoast- Assistant Coach
Stats:
Points scored per game: 28.4
Points allowed per game: 13.8
Rushing Yards (TD's):
Dan Giegerich: 670 (14)
Brad Dawson: (8)
Nate Nix: 868 (7)
Josh Pauley: 590 (3)
Jared Lowe: (3)
Receptions/yards (TD's):
Adam Plantz: 45/733 (6)
Evan Browne: 28/ 806 (12)
Jake Mihalov: (1)
Kurtis Meyer: (1)
Dominic Decicco: (1)
Nate Nix: (1)
Passing Yards/ Completions-Attempts (TD's):
Brad Dawson-2,365/ 133-255 (22)
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
School Record:
Yards Passing Season: 2,365-Brad Dawson
Previous Record: 2,233-Pete Winovich 2003
Touchdown Passes Season: 22-Brad Dawson
Previous Record: 22-tie (Pete Winovich 2003)
Completions Season: 133-Brad Dawson
Previous Record: 114 (Pete Winovich 2003)
Interceptions Season: 11-Brad Dawson
Previous Record: 10 (Gary Gomolak 1974 and Matt Dorsey 1991)
Receiving Touchdowns Season: 12-Evan Browne
Previous Record: 11 (Tom McCafferty 2003, Mike Virgin 1999)
