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Thomas Jefferson blanks Chartiers Valley
Thomas Jefferson 33, Chartiers Valley
By Mike White / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
First, the most unusual part of the Chartiers Valley-Thomas Jefferson football game last night: On one play, Chartiers Valley intercepted a pass, fumbled the return, and a Thomas Jefferson player accidentally kicked it toward a teammate, who picked it up and ran for a touchdown.
Now, the usual thing: Thomas Jefferson won -- again.
Thomas Jefferson, the Post-Gazette's No. 1-ranked Class AAA team in the WPIAL and the PIAA, flexed its muscles and another opponent went tumbling down Route 51. Thomas Jefferson (6-1 overall, 4-0 Big Seven Conference) had no trouble defeating a Chartiers Valley team that had won five games in a row.
Thomas Jefferson used a tremendous defensive effort and a strong performance from quarterback Tyler Wehner in a 33-0 win.
It was Thomas Jefferson's 32nd win in a row against WPIAL teams and pretty much sewed up another conference title. Barring a total collapse in the final two games, the Jaguars will have won or tied for a conference crown nine times in the past 11 years.
In Chartiers Valley's defense, the Colts were shorthanded as starting quarterback Santino Coury, who had been outstanding running the team's new spread offense, did not play because of an injured knee. He is out for the season.
The Colts hoped their defense could keep them in the game. A year ago, Chartiers Valley lost to Thomas Jefferson, 3-0.
"It's going to take a really good team to beat them," said Chartiers Valley coach Chris Saluga. "They don't make too many mistakes. It's going to take a physical team with speed and size to beat them. I'm not sure who can do it."
The only team that has done it in the past two seasons is Glenville, an Ohio powerhouse which defeated Thomas Jefferson in the season opener. Last night, Thomas Jefferson limited Chartiers Valley to 80 total yards and five first downs. Chartiers Valley had 55 yards rushing and managed one first down in the second half.
"Looking at [Thomas Jefferson], we thought maybe they weren't as physically intimidating as they were in the past," Saluga said. "When they had Lucas Nix last year, that was like playing against 12 guys. But they outsized us and outhit us. They're just a good program, a good team and they made us pay for every little error."
Thomas Jefferson wasn't exactly at full-strength, either, as five starters were out with injuries. But the Jaguars didn't seem to miss a beat. Wehner, a senior, completed 9 of 18 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 58 yards on eight carries.
"If Tyler throws the ball well and, mentally, he makes good calls, it has to be tough to stop us, I would think," said Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak.
Running back Brian Baldrige led the ground game with 76 yards on 14 attempts.
Thomas Jefferson punted only once and scored on its first possession as Baldrige found the end zone from 6 yards out.
The key and unusual play came on Thomas Jefferson's next possession. Wehner ran twice for a total of 44 yards to put the ball at the 24. On second and 15, Wehner's pass was intercepted by Zach Mulvihill, who took off on a return. But he fumbled the ball. DeCicco went after it, accidentally kicked it toward the sideline, where Hasis picked it up and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown.
"I don't think I've ever seen one [play] like that," Cherpak said, with a smile.
Thomas Jefferson scored two more times in the first half. A 23-yard punt return by Jim Giansante gave Thomas Jefferson the ball at the Chartiers Valley 22, and Baldrige scored on a 4-yard run four plays later.
On its final possession of the first half, Thomas Jefferson started at its 37 and moved 63 yards in 10 plays for a score. Wehner hit Zach Battis with a 13-yard scoring pass with 31.3 seconds left in the half to make it 26-0.
Baldrige scored his third touchdown on a 2-yard run with 3:27 left in the third quarter.
"We keep getting better every week," Cherpak said. "I really believe in the last two or three weeks, the team unity has come together. I don't know what it is that's done that, but everyone has one goal -- to win."
As usual.
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