Articles 2012

South Xtra: TJ rates as favorite for Big Nine title

CLASS AAA

By Ken Wunderley / Tri-State Sports & News Service

Thomas Jefferson

The Jaguars have placed among the top four teams in Class AAA 13 of the past 14 years. During this stretch, the Jaguars won or shared 12 Big Eight Conference titles, and placed second the other two years. Coach Bill Cherpak's squad posted a 7-4 record last season after a 31-9 loss to Knoch in the WPIAL quarterfinals.

Two of the Jaguars top three skill players have graduated. Quarterback Dom Presto, who threw for 1,663 yards and 17 touchdowns, and Ryan Ruffing, who ran for 1,394 yards, must be replaced. Presto's favorite target, wide receiver Zach Schademan (5-11, 175, Sr.), is back after catching 49 passes for 807 yards.

"Joe Carroll (6-2, 185, Sr.) will replace Presto," Cherpak said. "He rotated into the lineup some last year. Every fourth possession or so I would have Joe in the game, so he does have varsity experience."

Byron Minous (6-0, 190, Jr.) steps into the tailback vacancy after rushing for 117 yards on 19 carries last year. Austin Kemp (5-11, 215, Soph.) is also expected to see time in the backfield. Kemp rushed for 159 yards on 22 carries as a freshman.

Other returning starters on offense are center Pat Hall (6-1, 235, Sr.), guard Austin Boyd (5-9, 230, Jr.) and receiver Jake Mascaro (6-3, 185, Sr.).

"We've got a good nucleus of returning starters and some younger kids who are ready to step into the starting lineup," Cherpak said. "We're very optimistic with the group of kids we have."

Kemp and Boyd are returning starters at linebacker, while Schademan returns at cornerback. Other defensive returnees for the Jaguars are Dalton Dietrich (6-0, 170, Jr., CB), Chase Winovich (6-4, 200, Jr., S), Matt Nagy (6-2, 240, Jr., DT) and Colton Booher (6-2, 200, Sr., OLB).

South Xtra: Competition the byword in Big Nine

August 23, 2012 12:08 am

By Ken Wunderley / Tri-State Sports & News Service

The Big Eight Conference is now the Big Nine.

The WPIAL realigned its teams during the offseason, and four of the 31 teams in Class AAA dropped in classification to AA. That left Class AAA with 27 teams.

Instead of having three conferences with seven teams and one conference with six teams, the WPIAL decided to switch to a three-conference alignment with nine teams in each.

"We lost three teams and picked up four," said Belle Vernon coach Aaron Krepps, summing up the changes. "The conference is just as competitive, if not more competitive, than it was. We did lose a strong program in Chartiers Valley but picked up another strong program in Ringgold."

Chartiers Valley was moved to the Parkway Conference, and South Park and McGuffey moved down to Class AA. That left five teams: Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Thomas Jefferson, Trinity and West Mifflin.

With that in mind, the WPIAL Football Steering Committee moved Albert Gallatin, Uniontown and Laurel Highlands from the now defunct Keystone Conference to the Big Eight.

The committee also moved Ringgold from the Greater Allegheny Conference, which forced a name change to the Big Nine Conference.

"I like the idea of having only one non-conference game," said West Mifflin coach Ray Braszo, referring to the fact that each team now has eight conference games. "Playing more conference games is a lot better."

The WPIAL also scheduled the non-conference games. Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak was disappointed that the Jaguars were matched with Hollidaysburg for their non-conference game.

"We got a bad draw with Hollidaysburg," Cherpak said. "We have them at home this year but have to travel to Hollidaysburg next year."

The previous alignment had every team playing two or three non-league games, including one the opening week of the season.

"Having a nine-team conference makes every game important," Elizabeth Forward coach Mike LeDonne. "We have to be ready to go week one against Trinity."

Ringgold is actually familiar with the Big Nine Conference. The Rams were members of the Big Eight during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

"The WPIAL did a nice job with its change to a three-conference aligment for both AAA and AAAA," Ringgold coach Matt Humbert said.

"The steering committee did a nice job of making the conferences balanced and competitive through and through."

Humbert is also pleased that the Rams will be doing less traveling.

"From a coaching standpoint, I like the fact that all of our games are relatively close," Humbert said. "We no longer have to make the two-hour drive to Hollidaysburg. Our longest trip is now 40 minutes to Albert Gallatin. It's a lot better for our fans. They are more likely to attend our away games."

The top five teams in each conference qualify for the WPIAL Class AAA tournament. A wildcard team will be chosen as the 16th team to fill out the bracket.

"It will be interesting to see how things work during the playoffs," Cherpak said. "I want to see how they are going to pick the wildcard team.

"It would be great if the wild card is from our conference, but my guess is that the Parkway Conference will get it. We'll just have to wait and see."

Thomas Jefferson has won or shared 12 conference titles in 14 years, so it's no surprise that the Jaguars are considered a team to beat in the new Big Nine Conference.

"When you look at TJ's history, it's hard to pick any other team as the conference favorite," Braszo said. "Ringgold and Belle Vernon are also teams to watch. We were hit hard by graduation losses, but I still feel we have the talent required to be a serious contender for the playoffs."

Thomas Jefferson and West Mifflin tied for the conference title last year. Ringgold placed second in the Keystone Conference.

"I'm not sure if there is a favorite in this conference," Humbert said.

Humbert will find out very quickly whether the Rams will be in the playoff picture, as they travel to Thomas Jefferson in week one.

WPIAL Class AAA preview: Big Nine

August 24, 2012 12:01 am

By Sam Werner / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Team to beat

Thomas Jefferson -- Last season, in what many considered a "down" year for the Jaguars, they still went 6-1 in conference play and shared the section title with West Mifflin. Bill Cherpak loses his starting quarterback and running back from last season, but senior receiver Zach Schademan caught 49 balls for 807 yards a year ago. Thomas Jefferson also has a deep stable of talented young running backs that should carry the load.

Contenders

West Mifflin -- The Titans were co-section champions with Thomas Jefferson last year, and beat the Jaguars in the season finale. They lose six starters on offense -- including star running back Shamar Greene -- and eight on defense. Seniors quarterback Derrick Fulmore and receiver Marcus Martin, both all-conference selections, return this year.

Ringgold -- Do-everything quarterback Quad Law is gone, but senior Chris Spahr will step in after serving in backup duty last year. Coach Matt Humbert has posted a 17-4 overall record during his first two full seasons with the Rams.

Trinity -- The Hillers barely missed the playoffs last season, but also handed West Mifflin its only section loss. Leading rushers Kyle Dugan and Pat Frey, who combined for 810 yards on the ground last season return for Trinity.

Belle Vernon -- The Leopards will face Franklin Regional, the team that eliminated them from the playoffs a season ago, in a Sept. 28 non-conference game.

The others

Laurel Highlands -- In coach Zach Just's first season, the Mustangs gained three wins from the previous year and showed some legitimate strides towards the end of the season. The defense, though, gave up 38.1 points per game.

Uniontown -- The Red Raiders' two leading rushers, Tristan Sandrosky and Xavier Ellis were both just sophomores last year, and should take a step forward in 2012.

Elizabeth Forward -- The Warriors' only section win last year came against McGuffey, which went 0-9. They'll have to improve an offense that scored just 14.5 points per game.

Albert Gallatin -- The last time the Colonials won a game was a 41-34 victory over Laurel Highlands in the final game of the 2010 season. Last year, they went 0-9 with an average margin of defeat of 37.3.

2012 Post-Gazette preseason football rankings

Class AAA

1. Franklin Regional, 11-1

2. Central Valley, 11-1

3. Montour, 12-3

4. Thomas Jefferson, 7-4

5. West Allegheny, 5-5

By Ray Fisher

Published: Wednesday, August 22, 2012, 10:56 a.m.

Updated: Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Thomas Jefferson has qualified for the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs for 17 consecutive seasons.

But for the first time in six years, the Jaguars entered the 2011 postseason as co-conference champions, sharing the title with rival West Mifflin. Also, for the first time since 1999, the Jaguars went into the playoffs with three regular-season losses - to Quad-A opponents Woodland Hills and Baldwin, and to the then-unheralded West Mifflin Titans. Prior to last year, the Jaguars had advanced to the WPIAL semifinals for 13 consecutive seasons, and had won four WPIAL and three state championships in recent years.

The local squad is hoping to jump back on that fast track again in 2012. "That is never going to be different," Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak said. "We've got some work to do. We are inexperienced in terms of (returning) starters, but all of them have played before this year."

Eight members of last year's team earned all-conference laurels. Four are back in 2012.

Zach Schademan, a 5-foot-11 senior wide receiver/defensive back, was a first-team all-conference selection on both offense and defense. Schademan, who shattered a receiving record with 14 catches for 183 yards versus Knoch in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs, was the Jaguars' leading receiver in 2011 with 49 catches for 807 yards and eight touchdowns. He broke the team record for receptions in one game held by former assistant coach Tom McCafferty, who had 11 receptions for 162 yards against Chartiers Valley back in 2003. Schademan, the second-leading scorer (seven touchdowns) behind then-senior running back Ryan Ruffing on last year's squad, also grabbed three interceptions on defense a year ago.

Pat Hall, a 6-foot-, 230-pound senior, was a first-team all-conference pick for the Jaguars at the center position. He is a third-year varsity starter. Two TJ players were second-team all-conference picks - Matt Nagy, a 6-2, 235-pound junior lineman; and Austin Boyd, a 5-10, 220-pound junior linebacker.

Schademan will be complemented in the receiving corps by senior Jake Mascaro, the Jaguars' second-leading receiver last year with 15 receptions for 294 yards; and senior Colton Booher, who had seven catches for 78 yards. Mascaro became a legitimate receiving threat for the Jaguars in the second half of last season. "All three are back at wide receiver," said Cherpak, the winningest coach in Thomas Jefferson football history.

Last season, the Jaguars' offense emerged as a two-pronged attack, led by then-senior quarterback Dom Presto and Ruffing. Presto, a second-year starter, threw for 1,156 yards and 14 touchdowns, hitting on 65 of 134 tosses with only two interceptions. Ruffing, a third-year starter, ran for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns on 148 carries. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry, and 126 yards per game.

The quarterback job will be manned this year by strong-armed Joe Carroll, a 6-2, 180-pound senior. "He has a cannon for an arm," Cherpak said of Carroll. "He's a drop-back passer. We're expecting a lot from him." Carroll has a "big-picture" focus for the Jaguars this season. "We want to win the conference, the WPIAL and states," he said. "We have good skill players; I just want to lead the team."

Along with Carroll, new faces in the starting offensive backfield include Byron Minous, a 5-11, 180-pound junior running back, and Austin Kemp, a 5-11, 215-pound sophomore fullback. "I think we do have some size," Cherpak said. "I think we'll be balanced on offense, running and throwning the ball." Hall, at center, Nagy, at tackle, and Boyd, at guard, cement the offensive line, and will be joined in the trenches by junior Cole Costy (6-2, 260), at tackle, and junior Garrett Pahanish (5-10, 230), at guard. "I've been pleased with how the line is coming along," Cherpak said. "I expect it to be much improved from last year. "Hall is the only returning starter on the line. Boyd was hurt last year." Costy earned a starting berth during his freshman season, but did not play football last year. "We expect a lot out of him," Cherpak said.

Derek Toboz, a 6-foot, 195-pound senior, will man the tight end position and will be backed up by junior Luke Deanavich and sophomore Russell Siess. Other players looking to contribute offensively in 2012 include senior Shane Lotis and junior Dalton Dietrich, at wide receiver; plus sophomore prospects Jamison Opfar and Kyle Senich, out of the backfield.

Turning to the defense, Nagy, Costy, Seiss, a 6-2, 200-pound sophomore, and Jason Inks, a 6-4, 280-pound junior, will anchor the line. Booher, Minous, Kemp, Toboz and Boyd will rotate at the linebacking positions. Chase Winovich, a 6-4, 200-pound junior, Schademan and Dietrich are the starters in the secondary, and will be supported by Mascaro and Lotis. Winovich, from his safety post, was one of the leading tacklers in the team's secondary last season.

Thomas Jefferson lost 17 players to graduation from last year's squad, which shared the Big Eight Conference championship with rival West Mifflin, and ended up with a 7-4 overall record. The Jaguars' loss at West Mifflin in the regular-season finale snapped the team's 37-game conference winning streak. The Jaguars are competing in the Big Nine Conference in Class AAA this season, along with Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Elizabeth Forward, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, Trinity, Uniontown and West Mifflin. The local squad will open its season Aug. 31 at home against Ringgold, followed by an away game versus Elizabeth Forward on Sept. 7. Carroll believes Ringgold, West Mifflin, Trinty and Belle Vernon should present the biggest challenges for Thomas Jefferson in the conference. The team's only nonconference test this year will take place in Week 3 against Hollidaysburg at home.

The Jaguars have won 40 games in a row at TJ Stadium dating back to the 2004 season, which includes eight opening-round victories in the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.

By Ray Fisher

Published: Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 12:12 p.m.

Are you ready for some ... high school football?

WPXI-TV kicked off its 2012 high school football coverage last week with its annual Skylights Media Day event at Heinz Field.

Two of the four local teams - Baldwin and Thomas Jefferson - attended.

Baldwin was represented at the event by senior wide receivers Nick Barca and D'Andre Andrews, senior running back Dorian Brown, junior quarterback Luke Smorey, junior running back Jay Morrison, and junior Billy Howley, a versatile multi-purpose athlete.

"The team is working very hard during the summer," said Jim Wehner, Baldwin's head coach. "We need to work hard to finish the summer, and get ready for camp. And we need to stay healthy."

Thomas Jefferson was represented by the senior wide receiving trio of Colton Booher, Jake Mascaro and Zach Schademan, and senior quarterback Joe Carroll.

"As of right now, the summer is going very well," said Bill Cherpak, Thomas Jefferson's head coach. "We have 70-80 kids at the workouts and they are working very hard. I like our leadership and team chemistry. It could be a very exciting year for us."

Approximately 70 area high school football programs were in attendance.

Players, coaches and cheerleaders were interviewed and photographed by WPXI-TV, MSA Sports Network and Trib Total Media.

The event also included tours of Heinz Field, food and refreshments, an inflatable QB Blitz game and text contests.

Players and cheerleaders won amusement park and concert tickets.

The first day of practice for the high school football season is Aug. 13. Ope

WPIAL playoff football forecast

By Mike White / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

CLASS AAA

Top seeds: Thomas Jefferson (9-0) first, Mars (8-1) second, Central Valley (7-2) third and West Allegheny (8-1) fourth.

The winner will be: Montour. This is a hard one to pick because there are five or six teams that might have a legitimate chance at winning it all. It's hard not pick Thomas Jefferson, but Montour is as good as anyone. Montour's lack of a standout running back could be an issue at some point in the postseason. The Spartans' leading rusher is Devin Wilson, who also doubles as a receiver.

On the rise: Mars. Maybe the 21-0 loss to Knoch should be considered a hiccup. Otherwise, the Planets were terrific. But is Mars' passing game good enough if someone shuts down the run like Knoch did against the Planets?

The scoop: Although Thomas Jefferson quarterback Joe Carroll threw 33 touchdown passes in nine regular-season games, coach Bill Cherpak said the ticket to Heinz Field is earned by running the football successfully in the playoffs. How true. ... Don't discount West Mifflin. Remember, the Titans were undefeated until the loss to Thomas Jefferson in the regular-season finale. Running back Jim Wheeler could carry West Mifflin far. ... At least one team from the Parkway Conference has made the title game the past six seasons. ... Besides Mars, look for some other Greater Allegheny Conference team to make some noise. ... Very interesting first-round matchup is Blackhawk at Mars. The Blackhawk offense is potent with QB Chandler Kincade and RB Cole Chiappialle. But can the Cougars defense stop anyone? ... Likely second-round matchup is West Allegheny vs. Montour. West Allegheny won the first meeting, 5-3.

South Xtra: Fabulous 22 Football All-Stars

Joe Carroll

Thomas Jefferson

QB, 6-2, 180, Sr.

Few quarterbacks have run Bill Cherpak's fast-paced offensive system much better than Carroll did, as this first-year starter threw for 2,407 yards (fifth among area quarterbacks) and 38 touchdowns (second) in directing one of the most explosive offenses in the WPIAL.

Zach Schademan

Thomas Jefferson

WR, 5-11, 170, Sr.

Another critical component in Thomas Jefferson's offense, Schademan had a career season, catching 48 passes for 1,005 yards (almost 21 yards per reception) and 22 touchdowns as the Jaguars made it to the Class AAA semifinals.