Westmoreland football notebook: Derry continues to roll despite injuries

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, September 28, 2019 | 6:15 PM

Happy Saturday morning!#RelentlessEffort #G1M pic.twitter.com/o2pnMDlyGr

— Ligonier Valley Rams Football (@LVRamsFootball) September 28, 2019

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Before the start of the season, Derry’s strength appeared to be the offensive and defensive lines.

Injuries are starting to deplete that strength.

Nick Detore and Justin Fallat were two-way starters lost to season-ending injuries before the season-opener against Latrobe, and Seth Loughner sustained injuries to his right ankle and knee in Derry’s 26-17 victory Friday against Elizabeth Forward.

“We’re banged up,” Derry coach Tim Sweeney said. “We dress players that we can’t play. I don’t know how we’re doing it.”

A knee injury sidelined senior running back Justin Huss in the Trojans’ 13-3 loss Sept. 20 at North Catholic. Huss returned to the lineup Friday, scored three third-quarter touchdowns on runs of 80, 2 and 1 yards and finished with 129 yards rushing.

His play helped the Trojans rally from a 17-7 deficit.

“Justin is a game-breaker,” Sweeney said. “We needed a spark, and he provided one.”

Injuries have provided a couple of sophomores more playing time: Noah Cymmerman on the line and Eric Catone at inside linebacker.

Both made huge plays on defense against EF. Cymmerman recovered a fumble and had a sack, and Catone was in on numerous tackles.

“Noah is a two-way player, and, when Seth went down, he came in and played well,” Sweeney said. “Eric started his first game in a big game like this.

“We just can’t stay healthy. We have so many guys that are hurt. We have an injury bug right now.”

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Ruane tops charts

Penn-Trafford football coach John Ruane became the program’s all-time wins leader when the Warriors dumped Plum, 47-17.

Ruane, who began coaching at Penn-Trafford in 2010, passed Art Tragesser and has an 84-25 record. Tragesser was 83-52.

Ruane is a Gateway graduate and teaches at his alma mater. He teaches a lot of the football players from Gateway, making the Penn-Trafford/Gateway game special every year.

A record was set at Warrior Stadium as Plum kicker Tyler Kolankowski booted a 47-yarder in the second quarter.

The previous record of 41 yards was held by Penn-Trafford’s Dustin Pozzuto in 2004 and Ron Rupp in 1980.

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19 and counting

Jeannette (6-0) posted its fourth-consecutive shutout Friday, defeating Class 2A Brownsville, 49-0, in a nonconference game.

The Jayhawks have not allowed a point in 19 consecutive quarters.

Leechburg was the last team to score on the Jayhawks, and that was on a kickoff return.

Jeannette has defeated Imani Academy (48-0), Avella (54-0), Springdale (43-0) and Brownsville during the streak.

Jeannette’s defense should be tested Saturday against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in a nonconference game at Moon.

•••

34 and counting

The beatdowns continue in the Heritage Conference at the hands of Ligonier Valley.

The Rams won their 34th consecutive conference game Friday, running over Purchase Line, 48-0.