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(10-AAA) Ringgold at (4-AAA) Thomas Jefferson
7:30 p.m. Friday
The rundown: This could turn into a transitional season for Thomas Jefferson as it makes the switch from a run-oriented offense to a more open passing attack behind quarterback Joe Carroll and wide receiver Zach Schademan. Last season, the Jaguars failed to make the WPIAL semifinals for the first time in 13 years, but the injuries that limited the team could help this year as several younger players stepped into key roles. The Rams were a second-place finisher in the Keystone Conference in 2011 and won a playoff game for the first time since knocking off Greensburg Salem in the 1999 Class AAAA tournament.
The X-factor: Thomas Jefferson is still hoping to be a run-first team and will need junior Byron Minous to quickly fill the void of the 1,600 yards from scrimmage his predecessor Ryan Ruffing picked up in 2011.
Keys to victory: R: Know this isn’t the TJ of old. Though the Rams have not fared well against the Jaguars in the past — they lost a pair of 41-7 games in 2008 and 2009 when they were last in this conference — they are taking on a team coming off losses in two of its last three games. TJ: Play Jaguars football. Thomas Jefferson has the potential to dominate at the point of attack, but has to get in sync offensively with a new quarterback and a new running back.
Prediction: Thomas Jefferson, 21-12.
Class AAA roundup: 5 TD passes for Carroll in 1st TJ start
Class AAA roundup: 5 TD passes for Carroll in 1st TJ start
September 1, 2012 12:59 am
Quarterback Joe Carroll threw five touchdown passes in his first varsity start to lead Thomas Jefferson to a 41-14 win against visiting Ringgold in a Big Nine Conference opener.
Carroll completed 10 of 14 passes for 202 yards. He connected with Jake Mascaro on scoring strikes of 34, 25, and 12 yards. He also found Zach Schademan on scoring passes of 9 and 20 yards. Schademan had five catches for 112 yards.
Thomas Jefferson, ranked No. 4 in Class AAA, also scored on a 34-yard run by Brian Minous, who led the Jaguars with 87 yards on 18 rushing attempts.
Ringgold was led by Demetrius Louis, who rushed for 145 yards on 11 carries and scored on runs of 57 and 19 yards.
Thomas Jefferson rolls past Ringgold
By Ray Judy
Published: Friday, August 31, 2012, 11:32 p.m.
Updated: Sunday, September 2, 2012
After failing to reach the WPIAL semifinals for the first time in 13 years last season, Thomas Jefferson opened the 2012 campaign with something to prove. The Jaguars, ranked No. 4 in Class AAA by the Tribune-Review, jumped on No. 10 Ringgold early and rolled to a 41-6 victory. After losing two of their most productive offensive weapons to graduation, the Jaguars’ new guard stepped up in Week 1.
Senior Joe Carroll was impressive in his debut at quarterback, passing for 192 yards and five touchdowns. Carroll threw for four touchdowns in the first half.
“Joe’s still developing and learning some things, and I expect him to get better every game,” TJ coach Bill Cherpak said. “I feel comfortable with him running things. If you want him to put the ball on the spot, he’ll put it there.
Carroll capped TJ’S 12-play, 60-yard opening drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to senior Zach Schademan, who finished with five catches for 96 yards. Jack Mascaro caught three passes for 71 yards and three touchdowns.
Schademan and Mascaro were key players in 2011 and should be an integral part of the Jaguars’ offensive attack this season.
“The last couple of years, we’d say we those were down seasons around here,” Schademan said. “We’re trying to get it back up to the 2004 level. Our expectations are high — conference title, WPIALs and then states.”
Ringgold will go back to the drawing board after the lackluster start. Senior running back Demetrius Louis was the bright spot for Ringgold, rushing for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
Ringgold rotated quarterbacks throughout the game, switching between senior Chris Spahr and sophomore Niko Law. Neither was very effective, as they combined for 78 yards.
“We’re still trying to figure out which kid does the right things,” Ringgold coach Matt Humbert said.
Ringgold’s biggest problem was TJ’s powerful lines that dominated from the start.
“You never want to lose 41-14,” Humbert said. “It’s a little embarrassing. But there’s nothing you can pout about. There are eight more games to go. We’ve got to put this one out of our mind and move on to the next one.”
Ray Judy is a freelance writer.
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