The community excited for the revealing of the totally renovated Jaguar Stadium, as it has gone relatively unchanged since the lights were installed in 1967.  The stadium received a new synthetic turf field, new field house with weight room and locker roms, and the Porta Johns were replaced with new restrooms.

Along with the new facilities the crowd witnessed another formidable Jaguar team led by head coach Bill Cherpak, a high octane running game, and stingy defense.   The regular season started out at Belle Vernon with a 43-0 win, and ended with a blowout of West Mifflin.  This was a recurring theme throughout 2002, as they steam rolled through the season ending at #1 in WPIAL and #2 in the state.

Offensively it was a a monumental effort by Jon Drager as he broke every rushing record conceivable and led the WPIAL in scoring behind a traditionally strong offensive line.  The offensive line was led by seniors Ken Stanko and Matt Rehak. The quarterback was junior Pete Winovich who shined when called upon, but the offense was a heavy dose of the run game, and they averaged an all-time school best 40.8 ppg.

Defensively they Jaguars were as dominate as they have ever been in the history of TJ football.  Led by physical middle linebacker Anton Plantz (6'-235), Defensive end-Ken Stanko, Wayne Garrett, and linebacker Ed Daley.  The 5.4 ppg allowed would be the 3rd best in school history, and the 6 shutouts would tie the school record set in 1971, 1979, and 2000.

They would finish the season undefeated and secure the Big Seven Conference championship. They would make it the semi-finals of the WPIAL playoffs and lose to a Paul Pusluszny led Hopewell team.  The team was in line with the great teams of TJ's past.  

Season:

TJ 43 vs. Belle Vernon 0: Video and articles

TJ 37 vs. Kittanning 0: Video and articles

TJ 31 vs. KO 3: Video and articles

TJ 56 vs. EF 14: Video and articles

TJ 48 vs. Peters 7: Video and articles

TJ  48 vs. Char Valley 0: Video and articles

TJ 22  vs. Waynesburg 14: Video and articles

TJ 49 vs.  McGuffey 0: Video and articles

TJ 42 vs.  West Mifflin 0: Video and articles

Playoffs:

TJ 70 vs.  Laurel Highlands  6: Video and articles

TJ 37 vs. KO 0: Video and articles

TJ 7 vs. Hopewell 21: Video and articles

**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com

Roster:

Seniors:

Jon Drager

Ed Daley

Tony Cappelli

Tom Donohue

Mike Rehak

Luke Billman

Anton Plantz

Ken Stanko

Mark Pazo

Wayne Garrett

Tony Ferrare

Matt Kenny

Juniors:

Pete Winovich

Tom McCafferty

Jim Donohue

Ryan Hicks

Matt Magdic

Anthony Hritz

Nick Matty

Matt McCall

Mark Yocco

Jon Guladzieck

Drew Barilla

Sean Trasp

Martin Heiber

Chad Stepanik

Jason Lloyd

Jon Tuladziek

Jon Brown

Aaron Archibald

Sophomores:

Brad Dawson

Evan Browne

Kurt Martin

Aaron Archibald

George Maculin

Jon Consoli

Adam Plantz

Kurtis Meyer

Josh Pauley

Derek Martin

Freshman:

Jason Kolodziej

**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com

Articles:

**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

Bob Ando- Assistant Coach

Keith Pancoast- Assistant Coach

Stats:

Points scored per game:  40.8

Points allowed per game:  5.4

Rushing Yards (TD's):

Jon Drager:  2,094 (36)

Pete Winovich:   (3)

Mike Pauly:  (2)

Ryan Hicks:  (3)

Matt Magdic:  475 (3)

Receptions/yards (TD's):

Tom McCafferty:  14/ 307 (7)

Matt Kenny: 9/ 377 (5)

Jon Drager:  17/ 290 (2)

Ed Daley:  (1)

Anthony Hritz: 1/17 (1)

Passing Yards/ Completions-Attempts (TD's):

Pete Winovich:  969/ 45-93   (14)

Jon Drager:  40/ 1-2 (1)

**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com

School Record:

Shutouts Season:  6

    Previous Record: 6-tie (1971, 1979, 2000)

Longest Field Goal:  40 Yards- Jon Brown

    Previous Record: 40-tie (Jason Scott 1995)

Points Scored Game: 70- Laurel Highlands

    Previous Record: 53 (1993 and 1995)

Rushing Yards Single Game:  346-Jon Drager (West Mifflin)

    Previous Record:  273 (Tom Jura-2000)

Rushing Yards Season:  2,094-Jon Drager

    Previous Record: 1,516 (Keith Miller-1992)

Rushing Touchdown Career:  56-Jon Drager

    Previous Record: 38 (Darnell Stone 1980)

Rushing Touchdowns Single Season:  36- Jon Drager

    Previous Record: 27 (Keith Miller 1992)

Rushing Yards per Game:  174.5- Jon Drager

    Previous Record:  135.2 (Jim Giansante-1977)

Total Touchdowns-Season:  41- Jon Drager

    Previous Record: 29 (Keith Miller 1992)

Total Touchdowns-Game:  6-Jon Drager

    Previous record: 6-Tie (Wayne Fisher 1965)