Articles 2002

Big Seven: Thomas Jefferson has its sights set on the biggest prizes

Wednesday, August 28, 2002

By Mike White, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Thomas Jefferson has tied for the Big Seven Conference championship the past two seasons. This could be the year the Jaguars get selfish and keep the title to themselves.

Thomas Jefferson has a number of key players back from last year's team and the Jaguars enter the season as the Post-Gazette's No. 2 team in WPIAL Class AAA. West Allegheny tied Thomas Jefferson for the conference title the past two years, but West Allegheny has been moved to the Parkway Conference.

"We expect to compete for the conference title and go well into the playoffs," Thomas Jefferson Coach Bill Cherpak said.

Thomas Jefferson figures to have a well-balanced offense with senior running back Jon Drager (6-feet, 188 pounds) and junior quarterback Pete Winovich (6-3, 222). Drager led the team in rushing last season with 529 yards on 121 carries. Winovich became the starter after the first few games and finished 75 of 140 for 1,224 yards.

Other returning starters are senior fullback-linebacker Anton Plantz (6-0, 231), senior guard-defensive tackle Tony Cappelli (5-9, 220), senior tackle-defensive end Ken Stanko (6-3, 268), senior defensive tackle Mark Pazo (6-2, 263) and senior tight end-linebacker Ed Daley (6-0, 204).