2009
Jaguars Undefeated, Win the Big Seven Conference
The Jaguars again dominated conference play under head coach Bill Cherpak, and log a perfect 9-0 season. The team would lose a tight contest to West Allegheny in the semi-finals of the WPIAL playoffs. The team was lead offensively by the passing tandem of Sam Johnston and second-generation Jaguar Jim Giansante, as the coaching staff implemented a more pass oriented approach. The defense was stingy as ever, as this has become a staple of George Wilson defenses.
The regular season was filled with a systematic dismantling of the Jaguars opponents by often large point differentials. The only team that was able to put a scare into the Jaguars were the long time rivals the Belle Vernon Leopards in game 8.
Offensively the team averaged an amazing 40.4 points per game, just missing the all time mark set in 2002 of 40.8 ppg. Johnston who took over the reigns as signal caller in a pre-season battle with Matt Veseleny, and never looked back throwing for over 2,000 yards. Including a school record 99 yard pass play to Steve Licht. The receiving core was one of the better groups, if not the best group, in school history led by Jim Giansante, Ed Hasis, and TE Anthony Greives. Giansante established himself as the all-time leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns taking over Tom Mcafferty's (2003) records. The running game was led by sophomore Ryan Ruffing, Kevin Edmondson, Dylan Breisinger, and "Mr. T.J" T.J. Matrascia. Of course a strong offensive line was the catalyst, and were led by seniors Dan Pastore, Shane McNally, Chris Heim, and Dan Biddle.
Defensively, they were led by junior middle linebacker Bruno Natter, defensive backs Hasis and Licht, and seniors Shane Mcnally, .... They recorded 5 shutouts and held another 3 opponents under 10 points. The 8.5 ppg allowed is one of the better showings of a defensive unit in school history.
The playoffs began with a convincing win over Laurel Highlands, and would be the 16th time TJ has beaten them with zero losses. The next game they faced a tough Franklin Regional team..... The team would fall in the semi-finals to West Allegheny 28-21, ending a remarkable season.
The 2009 team would cap an amazing decade by head coach Bill Cherpak and his assistants. The Thomas Jefferson Jaguras were tabbed as the WPIAL football team of the decade by MaxPreps.com in the years from 2000 to 2009, compiling a remarkable 122-15 overall record with three PIAA, four WPIAL and nine conference titles in Class AAA. The span of dominance at the school will join the likes of:
Aliquippa who played in eight “AAA” WPIAL title games during the 1980s, winning five titles in a six-year period from 1984-’89.
Rochester, a class “A” school, won five WPIAL titles from 1998-2004, including three PIAA titles over Southern Columbia.
Blackhawk won four WPIAL titles from 1991 to 1996, and posted a 92-12-2 record from 1991-’98.
West Allegheny won four WPIAL titles in five years from 1997-2001, and played in three straight “AAA” state title games.
Upper St. Clair played in eight WPIAL “AAAA” finals from 1988-’97, winning four titles and the 1989 PIAA title.
Mt. Lebanon also won four WPIAL titles from 1980-’84 under WPIAL coaching legend Art Walker Sr.
The run cemented that Thomas Jefferson will be remembered in Western Pennsylvania high school football as one of the greatest programs in the area's storied history.
Season:
TJ 13 vs. Woodson 0: Video and articles
TJ 34 vs. Uniontown 19: Video and articles
TJ 34 vs. Trinity 7: Video and articles
TJ 41 vs. Ringgold 7: Video and articles
TJ 55 vs. Laurel Highlands 0: Video and articles
TJ 49 vs. EF 0: Video and articles
TJ 20 vs. Char Valley 0: Video and articles
TJ 26 vs. Belle Vernon 20: Video and articles
TJ 42 vs. West Mifflin 0: Video and articles
Playoffs:
TJ 51 vs. Laurel Highlands 7: Video and articles
TJ 27 vs. Franklin Regional 14 : Video and articles
TJ 21 vs. West Allegheny 28: Video and articles
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
Roster:
Seniors:
Matt Veseleny
Sean Ryan
Anthony Greives
Kevin Edmondson
Brandon Sandor
Dan Biddle
Dylan Baxendell
Keeton Lattanzi
Chad Mason
Jon LaFrankie
Shane McNally
Josh Militzer
Kevin Miller
Blaine Helmick
Chris Heim
Dan Pastore
Wes Fant
Steve Licht
Juniors:
Tom Greives
Mike Terpin
Alex Danscak
Joe Andreola
Alex Davin
Dustin Vissari
Chris Thearle
Sean Walters
Zach Byrne
Matt Zaken
Nick Greer
Steve Graham
Dylan Breisinger
Mike Wainauskis
T.J. Matrascia
Ryan Crouse
Jacob Bronder
Sophomores:
Bruno Natter
Isaac Ielase
Nick Franczak
Roy Grant
Tony Piccioni
Rylan Greer
Carson Hines
John Bonacchi
Michael Mack
Alex Reber
Jared Meuhlbauer
Anthony Pack
Nick Smithyman
Devon Inks
Dom Presto
Ryan Ruffing
Jorge Eber
Tyler Toboz
Nick Raimondi
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
Video:
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
**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
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
Stats:
Points scored per game: 40.4
Points allowed per game: 8.5
Total Yards per game: 310.8
Rushing Yards/ Carries (TD's):
Ryan Ruffing: 557/ 95 (12)
Kevin Edmondson: 458/ 80 (4)
Dylan Breisinger: 322/ 39 (5)
T.J. Matrascia: 221/ 51 (5)
Receptions/yards (TD's):
Jim Giansante: 53/1,234 (14)
Passing Yards/ Completions-Attempts (TD's):
Sam Johnston: 2036/ 90-163 (22)
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
School Record:
Receiving Yards Career: 2,028-Jim Giansante
Previous record: 1,611 ( Tom McCafferty- 2003)
Receiving Touchdowns Season: 14-Jim Giansante
Previous record: 13 (Dan Virgin/Brock Decicco-2008)
Receiving Touchdowns Career: 20-Jim Giansante
Previous record: 18 (Tom McCafferty 2003)
Touchdown Receptions- Game: 3-Jim Giansante
Previous record: 3 (tie) Tom Alexander (1993), Tom McCafferty (2003), Mike Virgin (1999), Heath Seimon (1992)
Recieving Yards Per Game- 102.8-Jim Giansante
Previous record: 101 (Tom McCafferty 2003)
Longest Passing TD: 99- Sam Johnston to Steve Licht
Previous record:
