Greatest Games
1959
TJ 22 vs Snowden 14
Thomas Jefferson's first game in it's history ends with the first win in school history. Most Thomas Jefferson fans know Snowden by it's name today: South Park.
*** Need more information ***
1965
Bap's first TJ victory: whip the hated Warriors! On a steamy, hot, September afternoon at Elizabeth, the Jaguars persevered by a score of 27-14 over the Warriors. By the end of the day, the temperature had taken its toll, as many players were suffering from the heat, but it was T.J. that had more grit!
1971
Offensive juggernaut! Jimbo Cramer, Dan Crisp, Jeff Steltzer, John Harchar, and Scott Livingston led the way. Monessen jumped out to an early 16-6 lead after the first quarter on long runs by Bubby Holmes, but that would be it as the Jaguars exploded for 45 unanswered points in front of 8,500 fans at Jaguar Stadium.
In 1971 Thomas Jefferson and head coach Bap Manzini, after years of quality teams finally took the next step and secured their place at Pitt Stadium for the AA WPIAL Championship for the first time in school history. TJ in 1971 dismantled every opponent they faced, and Kiski area posed their first true test. In front of 12,000 fans on a cold November afternoon, Kiski jumped on TJ early with a touchdown and field goal that made the score 10-0 at the half, as the Jaguars were definitively showing signs of rust from the bye they had earned.
After a three week layoff from game competition, Thomas Jefferson would not score until late in the third quarter when Jeff Steltzer ran it in from the 6, and a Jim Cramer to John Harchar pass for the 2 point conversion made the score 10-8. Cramer would have another shot to take the lead moments later after his interception with a 32 yard field goal but the try was unsuccessful. The Jaguars would have their shots to tie, but turnovers and heavy pressure from the Kiski defense made the going tough. They would add a long run to seal the game, and hand TJ their first loss, leaving a former player to reflect, "Even though the outcome wasn't in our favor it broke the ice for all the other great TJ teams to follow."
1973
In 1973, the Jaguars began the season by posting an 8-6 victory over Ringgold, which was led by a quarterback named Joe Montana who would later move on to win four Superbowl's with the San Francisco 49er's. The defense Bap Manzini implemented to stop Montana was unorthodox, but aided the Jaguars in the victory. A touchdown late in the game by Ringold, and the 2 point conversion to tie caught, but just out of the end zone. TJ wins 8-6.
1977
The season came down to Monessen versus TJ for the Big 10 crown, and Jaguar Stadium was filled with 10,000 fans in a stadium that was designed for 7,000. There was not a parking spot available within three miles of the stadium. The game was one for the ages offensively as both teams combined for 79 points and 824 yards. The first half began with TJ matching scores with Monessen's passing tandem of Reggie Allen and Julius Dawkins, as Jim Giansante scored three times on 104 yards rushing in the first half with the score in Thomas Jefferson's favor at 21-20. In the second half Monessen settled in and secured a lead that forced the Jaguars from their comfort zone. In a game of unforgettable plays, the Greyhounds triumphed 44-35. The final score does not do justice, however, to what fans witnessed. Long touchdown passes from Allen to Dawkins were countered by electrifying runs by Giansante, who ended the night scoring five touchdowns.
1980
The stage was Pitt Stadium in Oakland. The teams were not only an undefeated and highest scoring team in the WPIAL in Aliquippa, but also a one loss Thomas Jefferson squad playing with an enormous amount of enthusiasm for their long time coach Bap Manzini who would retire following the game. The stake was simple: a place in Western PA football history. Bap Manzini before the game said bluntly of the David versus Goliath scenario that lay before him, "I don't know how the hell we are going to stand in against those oxes, it's like they are all 24 years old." The game began with TJ going right at their larger foes with heavy doses of Pedro Bowman and Darnell Stone, and confusing the Quip offense with different looks on almost every play. After 8:30 of the game the Jaguars led 12-0 behind scores by Stone with a one yard dash and Bowman, in addition to his 130 yards rushing in the half, added a 17 yard field goal. On the defensive side, defensive end John Barrett was all over the field making huge tackles for losses, and registered a safety to begin the second half. From there the Jaguar offensive line took over ending the day with over 269 yards rushing of which Bowman had 203 of those yards. Aliquippa would score later in the fourth quarter before quarterback Kevin Russell ended the scoring with his own 7 yard run. The game was never in doubt as the victory was a lopsided affair with TJ winning in all aspects of the game, thus sending the legendary coach to retirement in style with the school's first WPIAL Championship. Manzini was quoted as the final seconds wore down,"Beautiful..... Beautiful... Who would have believed this?".
1982
Thomas Jefferson was coming off two straight playoff appearances and held a 3-1-1 record when they faced a highly ranked and undefeated Ambridge team that had realistic aspirations of winning a WPIAL championship. The Jaguars pounced on their opposition early rolling up 222 yards of offense in the first half! The scoring was started with a 19 yard run by Bill Stoffel, a 24 yard pass play from Bill Dosey to Mike Krupitzer, and then Stoffel again on a 5 yard run. Before Ambridge could catch their breath, TJ was ahead 21-0 at half. In the second half the offense found the going rather rough as they could only amass 24 yards of offense, and it was the Jaguar defense who stepped up the plate. Ambridge continued to drive deep into Jaguar territory only to be turned back by the tough defensive play of Stoffel and company. With 6 minutes left in the game TJ held Ambridge at the one yard line on four successive plays in what was one of the great goal line stands in Thomas Jefferson's history. Ambridge would add a late touchdown, but too little too late. The Jaguars won 21-7, behind 93 yards rushing from Stoffell, 82 yards rushing by Ed Hannon, and of course the remarkable second half defensive efforts.
1984
Thomas Jefferson finished the previous season at 0-9-1, and under first year head coach George Wilson faced the daunting task of opening the 1984 season versus Mount Pleasant who happened to be the defending AAA WPIAL Champions. The Jaguars opened the game's scoring with touchdowns from Frank Tiboni on a one yard plunge, and a 24 yard pass from Mark Brubaker to Dave Holzworth.The score at halftime was 12-0 TJ, and thoughts of the unthinkable were unfolding. Mount Pleasant bounced back in the 3rd quarter with a 48 yard punt return for a touchdown cutting the margin to 12-7. However, that would be as close as Mount Pleasant would get and the Jaguar defense not only secured a safety in the 4th quarter, but the win to boot. Dave Holzworth finished the game with 119 yards rushing on 26 carries while returning 1,000 yard starting quarterback Mark Brubaker was 9 of 12 for 103 yards. The defense held Mount Pleasant to 68 total yards of offense.
1991
Thomas Jefferson had not won the conference since 1981, and did not have a winning season since then as well. And, playing the #1 ranked team in the WPIAL (a "drop down" from AAAA) with two Division I players did not bode well to begin the season. The Jaguars took total control behind defensive interceptions, a big return by Keith Miller, Mark Eckley knocking a runningback's helmet clean off, and a steady running/passing attack to shock the Pittsburgh area by not only shutting out, but absolutely stomping the #1 ranked team in the WPIAL, thus propelling them to a perfect 10-0 season.
Brownsville (4-0) were the local media's pick to win the Big Seven Conference and ranked #1 in the WPIAL, while TJ was an afterthought that surprised everyone with their 4 victories in convincing fashion to start the year and broke into the rankings at #5. Thomas Jefferson jumped out to an early 13-0 lead behind two impressive drives. The first was an 11 play 83 yard drive that took almost 6 minutes and was capped by a Brandon Adams 2 yard run. The second drive was set up by the first of two interceptions by Matt Dorsey which amassed 50 yards on 7 plays which set up Adams sneaking into the end zone off tackle from the one. Brownsville began flexing their muscles in the second quarter and countered on a screen play that covered 68 yards, and an 8 yard run after a TJ fumble. The score at the half was 14-13 Brownsville. The second half began with a 73 yard touchdown run by Brownsville on the first play from scrimmage. The game's momentum was then definitively on Brownsville's side as TJ struggled to move the football. With under 8 minutes remaining and the score 21-13, Mark Eckley and Mattt McClelland sacked Brownsville's quarterback for a safety. The winning score came less than two minutes later when Adams hit Steve Mitchell with a 33 yard pass for the winning score. The Jaguar defense would then hold on with two McClelland interceptions to seal the game. Head Coach Jack Garrity would remark that "This was the greatest game he ever participated in!".
Heralded as "The Battle of the Unbeatens", McGuffey (8-0) was ranked #3 going into the matchup, and TJ (8-0) was ranked #1, with the Big Seven Conference up for grabs. The stands at Jaguar Stadium were packed with over 9,000 people, as the overflow were allowed to stand along the field entrance driveway and behind both end zones. The game began with grueling defensive efforts by both teams and the only scores were a fumble recovery by McGuffey after a 61 yard drive, and Scott Lawry's unbelievable 69 yard punt return after a 66 yard TD run by Jason Barr was nullified due to a holding penalty. The score at the half was 7-7. The second half began with Dave Kiray pouncing on a fumble, followed by Coach Garrity gambling on a 4th and 11 from McGuffey's 33. Quarterback Brandon Adams then hit Steve Mitchell over the middle for a 14 yard gain, leading to a 18 yard TD run by Brett Stoffell, who ended the day with 118 yards rushing. McGuffey would bounce right back with an 11 play 77 yard drive tying the score at 14-14 as the game headed into the 4th quarter. The Jaguars would embark on a drive that created a precedent for years to come. Starting at the TJ 30 yard line the Jaguars were faced with a 4th down and inches at the 39, and Garrity gambled again with a pass. This time it was tight end Brian Greaser who hauled in the pass for a 14 yard gain. Garrity would take his chances on 4th down FIVE times this game, with the Jaguars making 4 of them. Two running plays and an offsides call left the Jaguars at 3rd and 15, and again it was Adams to Mitchell who hauled in an unbelievable catch for a 30 yard gain at the sideline to advance the ball to the McGuffey 22 yard line. The crowd was deafening as the Jaguars marched toward the goal line. The winning score would come on a 3rd and goal play from the 7 when Adams again found Mitchell over the middle "with a bullet" for the score. McGuffey would then proceed to bounce back on a 15 yard TD pass, and the score was 21-20 TJ. McGuffey would go for the win with a fake extra point try, but Matt Dorsey got a hand in the passer's face causing the ball to sail high, and incomplete. The ensuing onside kick bounced around for what seemed like hours, but TJ recovered the ball as pandemonium broke loose with the raucous crowd rushing the field. The final score was 21-20, and as Adams proclaimed to a local reporter during the post game celebration: "TJ Football is finally back!"
1992
The stage was set in this 1992 showdown for the right to advance to the WPIAL championship game at Three Rivers Stadium. The Blackhawk Cougars were loaded with numerous Division I players, and a recent history of dominance at the AAA level, including 3 straight trips to the WPIAL AAA championship game, a #1 ranking, and an undefeated record. Thomas Jefferson was the new kid on the block , winning their first playoff game in 12 years, and having only one setback with a loss to South Park (who had been realigned to TJ's schedule in '92) during the season. The local media gave little hope for a Jaguar win, and one prognosticator picked TJ to lose by 21. Blackhawk jumped out big on the seemingly, allegedly outgunned Jaguars to lead 21-0 at half, apparently proving the prognosticators right. The second half began with a spark when Heath Seimon hauled in a 50 yard pass from Brandon Adams, but Blackhawk struck back with a TD of their own. At the end of the third quarter the score was 28-7 Blackhawk, and things looked very bleak for TJ. What happened in the final 10 minutes of the game is nothing short of unbelievable, and was quite possibly miraculous. The defense began to make huge plays behind Dan Rimmel, Matt McClelland, Kirk Cappezutto, Heath Seimon, Kevin Moon, and Brett Adams by causing turnovers, and three and outs. The first punt of the 4th quarter was a bad one, giving the Jaguars great field position at the 48 yard line. The Jagaurs would score on a 24 yard pass play to Seimon from Brandon Adams making the score 28-14. Another three and out later by the defense, and the Jaguars were in business after a fine punt return from Keith Miller, who would later score on a 3 yard run with 6 minutes to go. This brought the score to 28-21. After one run and two incompletions by Blackhawk, TJ had the ball back at the Blackhawk 30 yard line, and again it was Adams to Seimon! Ala Coach Garrity, he went for the win with a two point conversion and Miller sailed past the pylon for the conversion. The 8,000 in attendance were stunned, but Blackhawk led a drive of their own after a kick return to midfield. They completed a 4th and 9 for a first, and on a 2nd fateful 4th down (and 13) Blackhawk threw up a desperation pass that connected with 1:30 left for the final go ahead points. Local TV reporter Alby Oxenreiter commented that this was the greatest high school game he has ever witnessed. Longtime Assistant Coach George Wilson recounts that this loss still hurts today, but what a memorable game!
1998
In a pivotal Keystone Conference game that ended up being the longest game in Thomas Jefferson's history, it took four overtimes to decide the outcome. At the end of regulation the two teams played to a 14-14 tie that included a Mount Pleasant fumble at their own five yard line which led to the tying score. The Jaguars nearly won due to a missed field goal that bounced off the crossbar as time ended. After trading scores with Mount Pleasant through the first overtime which included a terrific goal line stand by the defense, TJ forced a field goal by the Vikings. The second overtime saw touchdowns forboth teams. The third overtime included a blown call, which annulled an apparent touchdown pass from Brian Dawson to Mike Mitruski. The ruling on the field was he went out of bounds at the one. Allegedly, film proved otherwise. It mattered not, thanks to the offensive line, and Brian Dawson punching it in from one yard out on fourth down. The Jaguars scored a touchdown in the fourth overtime but instead of electing for the tie Coach Cherpak decided and the players agreed to go for the win with a two point conversion. Ryan Kenny proceeded to power his way into the end zone for the conversion and the important Jaguar win.
TJ whips Valley 30-14 in first round of the playoffs after losing to them during the regular season 21-7, where the previous game saw 12 quarterback sacks by the opposition. The second time around it was all Jaguars. Led by Brian Dawson's 251 yards passing, Ryan Monohan's 4 touchdowns, and a stingy defense that allowed only 11 yards rushing and 125 total yards, the Jaguars rolled over Valley by jumping up on them in the first half 14-0. The game remained close when Valley scored in the fourth quarter making the score 20-14 TJ, but that would be as close as they'd get as the Jaguars scored the final 10 points .
2000
This game was an early season match up of two AAA heavy weights that should have been saved for a later season contest, but due to realignment they found themselves in the same conference. The atmosphere at Jaguar Stadium on a cool late September Friday night had the feeling of "something big is going to happen". West Allegheny, led by Tyler Palko, had not lost a regular season game in two and a half years and were ranked #2 in the WPIAL. The Jaguars lost their opener to Belle Vernon and were ranked #5. The game opened with Palko faking a punt and running it in for the score from 69 yards out. The Jaguars responded with three scores: a Ben Shaulis 1 yard keeper, a Tony Ferrare 29 yard field goal, and an Andy Cain 15 yard scoring reception thus making the score 15-7. With TJ ahead until late in the third quarter, West Allegheny scored on an 18 yard pass, and a 2 point conversion knotted the score at 15-15. In the fourth quarter the Jaguars were driving behind big runs and possession saving passes, then Joe Kelso punched it in behind Tyler Reed for the go ahead score with only minutes remaining. Palko led the opponents to the Jaguar 27 yard line with 30 seconds remaining, but on a 4th and 6, Reed sacked Palko ending the game.
2001
Thomas Jefferson was trailing 13-9 and driving with less then a minute left in the game. With only 7 seconds left and on the 13 yard line, the Jaguars scored with no time left to secure the win over a major rival and clinch the Keystone Conference championship along with the #2 seed in the playoffs. *** Need more information ***
Coming into the game the powerful Indians of West Allegheny were ranked #1 in the WPIAL, were the defending state champions led by All State quarterback Tyler Palko, and Thomas Jefferson was not ranked. The game did not begin well when starting quarterback Matt Flaus broke his hand, as the offense struggled to move the ball. John Drager intercepted a Tyler Palko pass on TJ's own goal line and ran the length of the field (93 yards) in the last minute to win the game. The defense scored both touchdowns in the game, as Brandon Dusch also returned a fumble 23 yards. The game was sealed late on a diving interception by Nick Cherish as West Allegheny was mounting a comeback of their own.
2003
At North Hills High School on a perfect fall evening, the Thomas Jefferson Jaguars took on the Moon Tigers. Leading the Moon Tigers into the stadium that day was A.Q. Shipley, a Penn State Alumni and now Indianapolis Colt. Shipley was one of the most highly regarded Offensive/Defensive tackles in the WPIAL that year, but the Jaguars took to the game with a solid plan that they thought would get them to the title game. Assistant, and former head coach, Jack Garrity spoke to the team before that game, with something a little different than a usual pre-game "pep talk". TJ took to the field and were up by 9-6 late in the 2nd quarter when the crowd fell silent. The Jaguars starting offensive guard and inside linebacker, Jason Kolodziej stayed down after the play. He was taken off the field and immediately to a nearby hospital with a torn meniscus. TJ went into the locker room at the half up by only a few. In the locker room hung the #54 jersey that each player touched before returning to the field. Kolodziej's jersey was brought out to the sidelines at the start of the second half. TJ had a great charge from their offense in the second half, and Winovich connected with McCafferty on a score to put the game out of reach for the Tigers. This moment yielded the famous picture printed the next day in the Post-Gazette. McCafferty down on one knee, Heinz Ketchup bottle in hand. He aimed, squeezed, and there went a stream of outdated ketchup into the senior's mouth. Why was it "outdated"? Maybe that's something only the priveleged should know...
2004
With the score 17-14 Blackhawk in the 4th quarter, and the opponent advancing to Thomas Jefferson's 26 with just over four minutes to play, the Cougars were on the cusp of a back-breaking touchdown. Kolodziej caused a Cougars fumble by disrupting a quarterback/running back exchange in the backfield, and the drive was over, leaving the Jaguars with the ball and little options at 49.9 seconds left. Then, the seam was there. The opening in the middle of the field was wide as wide could be, and Thomas Jefferson sophomore receiver Dominic DeCicco found it. He found himself alone in that seam with a football coming at him and the hopes of 55 other Jaguar players and a throng of supporters who had packed the stands resting on his ability to pull in the pass. "It was just all streaks, that's all the pattern was" Thomas Jefferson senior quarterback Brad Dawson said. "I looked off the safety and there he was, wide open." What began as a fourth-and-13 play with under a minute left and Thomas Jefferson trailing by three points, ended up with players mobbing DeCicco as he cruised into the end zone after pulling in the 40-yard touchdown. On the strength of DeCicco's late-game heroics, Thomas Jefferson erased a 10-point deficit after three quarters and slipped past Blackhawk to the WPIAL finals.
The Manheim Central Barons were the returning state champions, and 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 the 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 a police escort.
2005
Headline: The Jaguars vs. The Gators in a non-confernece battle. Gateway scores immediately to make it 7-0 Gators. Thomas Jefferson gets a field goal in the first half and Gateway leads 7-3. Then starting Quarterback Kevin Franz was put out of the game because of an injury to his throwing hand. Enter Dom DeCicco under center. On his first drive, he breaks his arm on a long scramble play and now he's out for quite some time. Cherp now looks to his third string and eventual undefeated state champion quarterback Zach DeCicco. On Zach's first play of the game he threw an interception, but the defense supported their QB, and stood strong. Late in the 4th quarter, the Jaguars must drive the length of the field without their starting quarterback and wide receiver. Gateway knew it, TJ knew it, the entire stadium knew it: the Jags would have to run the ball to win. Zach DeCicco led Dan Giegerich and the Jaguar Offensive line down the field resulting in a touchdown with very little time remaining on the clock. The defense stood strong the entire game holding the Gators to their first, and only score at 2:01 into the game. Thomas Jefferson wins 10-7 as the entire squad chants "triple A!!!!"
2010
The Big Seven Conference championship was at stake in front of a televised audience, and the game did not disappoint. Ryan Crouse connected with Tom Grieves on touchdown passes of 33 and 15 yards to account for both Jaguar touchdowns. The Jaguars won by a blocked extra point. *** Need more information ***
2011
Thomas Jefferson drew first blood after forcing a Greensburg Salem three and out when quarterback Dom Presto found his outstanding wide receiver Zach Schadaman for a 29 yard TD pass. The Thomas Jefferson extra point was blocked and TJ had an early 6-0 lead. Greensburg Salem however came right back to take claim of their first lead of the evening. The big play on the drive was a 33 yard run by quarterback Josh Falotovich compounded by a personal foul penalty against Thomas Jefferson that netted Greensburg Salem 48 yards on the play. Falotovich found his tight end Waylon Fink three plays later from 10 yards out. Lukas Mangery added the extra point and Greensburg Salem led 7-6 with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter. Only 39 seconds later Greensburg Salem struck again and once again it was Fink scoring, this time off of a tipped pass that he intercepted and returned 15 yards for a TD. Mangery added the point after and Greensburg Salem had Thomas Jefferson reeling with an early 14-6 lead. Thomas Jefferson answered right back in what appeared to be a heavyweight slugfest with a long, sustained 10 play drive capped off by running back Ryan Ruffing’s 3 yard TD run. Thomas Jefferson executed the 2 point conversion when Ruffing ran it in with the help of a Greensburg Salem face mask penalty on the previous 2 point conversion which had failed to tie the game at 14-14 with 11:13 remaining in the first half. Thomas Jefferson took a 21-14 lead as Ruffing scored his second TD of the evening, a 29 yard jaunt. Shelpman added the TJ extra point with 3:38 remaining in the first half. Greensburg Salem was quick to answer and was aided by a TJ personal foul penalty that nullified an interception of quarterback Falotovich’s pass. Falotovich took advantage of the second chance and found wide receiver Will Maschmeyer from 6 yards out with only 56 seconds remaining in the first half. Mangery added the point after in what was a back and forth, exciting first half that ended deadlocked at 21-21. Greensburg Salem started out the 3rd quarter with their second big defensive play of the night when Denzell Jackson blocked a Thomas Jefferson punt and Michael Kizzie fell on it in the end zone for a touchdown. Mangery’s extra point put Greensburg Salem up 28-21 only a minute and 25 seconds into the second half. The Greensburg Salem lead would hold up until the first minute of the 4th quarter when Presto found wide receiver Zach Schademan for his second TD of the evening from 39 yards out. The Shelpman point after once again tied up the see-saw affair at 28-28 with 11:18 remaining in the game. The game turned into a defensive battle for the remainder of the 4th quarter as TJ held Greensburg Salem and turned them over on downs at the TJ 29 yard line. Ruffing broke free on a 20 yard run but fumbled the football and Greensburg Salem’s Maschmeyer recovered with 8 minutes remaining in the game. But, Thomas Jefferson’s defense once again came up big turning Greensburg Salem over on downs once again, this time at the TJ 26 yard line with 5:55 remaining. Thomas Jefferson would then go on a long drive that consumed the remainder of the time left in the game and ultimately set up what would be a game winning field goal attempt from 31 yards out with 3.5 seconds remaining. Golden Lions head coach Casey Cavanaugh opted to call timeout in an effort to ice TJ kicker Shelpman. It seemed to be effective as Shelpman missed the kick - which may have been partially blocked by Greensburg Salem's Tyler Shook - and the game went into overtime. Greensburg Salem got the first possession of the extra frame. On their first play from scrimmage, quarterback Falotovich was sacked and injured which required him to sit out at least one play. Michael Nowicki replaced him at quarterback and after a false start penalty pushed Greensburg Salem to 18-yard line, a run by Nowicki picked up two yards to the TJ 16. Falotovich returned to the game and completed an 11 yard pass to Maschmeyer to the TJ 5 yard line. But Thomas Jefferson held when Falotovich’s 4th down pass fell incomplete. Thomas Jefferson then took their possession from the 10 yard line and after two runs by Ruffing of 2 and 7 yards, quarterback Dom Presto called his own number and snuck it in from the 1 yard line to win a thrilling overtime affair 34-28. Thomas Jefferson dominated the game from an offensive standpoint as their quarterback Presto completed 13-26 passes for 222 yards and 2 TDs along with 1 interception, as well as the game winning rushing TD in overtime. Schademan had 7 receptions for 161 yards and 2 TDs and running back Ruffing carried 34 times for 211 yards and 2 TDs.