‘Outside of the box’ defense has Peters Township ranked No. 1 in WPIAL 5A

By: Chris Harlan
Friday, October 6, 2023 | 9:13 AM

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Peters Township’s T.J. Plack is an offensive-minded head coach of a high-scoring team that averages five touchdowns a week, yet he raves about a defense he calls special.

“They do something a little bit different than what other teams do in Western Pennsylvania,” Plack said. “They think a little outside of the box, and they’ve been incredible.”

The wrinkle is a 3-3-5 formation.

The Indians have allowed only 20 points combined in their first six games — an average of 3.3 points per week. They’ve shut out three opponents and held three others to a touchdown. They’ve won by scores of 35-0, 48-7, 34-7, 35-0, 31-0 and 49-6.

“It’s unheard of, really,” Plack said. “They’re doing such a great job.”

Their next test comes Friday when top-ranked Peters Township (6-0, 3-0) hosts Moon (3-3, 1-0) in a Class 5A Allegheny Six matchup at 7 p.m. Moon has won three games in a row after starting 0-3.

Plack is more hands-on with the team’s offense and leaves the defense to co-coordinators Troy Grunseth and Darrin McMillon. A few years ago, they adopted the modified “nickel” formation as their base defense, using three safeties instead of a fourth lineman or linebacker.

Plack said they’re now probably one of the best defensive teams in Pennsylvania, not just the WPIAL.

“All you have to do is look at the stats,” he said. “We’ve been a top five or top 10 defense in the state the last couple of years. We’ve been there.”

They made the switch when McMillon’s son Donovan was a sophomore safety at Peters Township. McMillon graduated in 2021, but they’ve stuck with the defense ever since. He now plays for Pitt

“It kind of just fits our players, because of how we play,” Plack said. “We have smaller, strong, quick guys play up front and they penetrate. And we’ve been blessed with these long outside linebackers over the years.”

The current outside linebacker tandem includes junior Mickey Vaccarello (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and sophomore Reston Lehman (6-4, 225). Vaccarello already has college offers from Boston College and Miami (Ohio). Lehman lists Central Michigan and Miami (Ohio).

Junior linebacker Nick Courie plays in the middle. The middle safety position, once manned by McMillon, is now occupied by senior Justin Tornatore.

The latest touchdown allowed came against the second-team defense in the final minute of Friday’s blowout win over Baldwin, 49-6. Subtract that touchdown and the starters have allowed only 14 points.

The defense has no nickname, Plack said, but it’s certainly earning a reputation.

“It’s been a blessing the kids we’ve had lately, and the coaches looking outside the box,” Plack said. “Some teams have this (3-3-5) package, but that’s what we do. That’s our base. We’re all in.”

The formation was used at the college level before spreading to high school ranks. With five defensive backs on the field, the formation seemingly would work better against the pass than the run, but Plack said that’s not true.

“People see a three-man front and say, ‘Oh, we’ll run all over you,’” Plack said. “No. Our No. 1 goal is to stop the run, and we do a pretty good job.”

Beyond the scheme, one key to this year’s success is depth. Only a handful of players start on both side of the ball. Another benefit is that a number of those one-way starters will also play special teams nowadays.

Starting on the defensive line are junior Franco Muscatello (6-2, 225), senior Jake Velgich (5-10, 215) and senior Paris Fishell (6-0, 235). Senior tackle Dante Recker (6-6, 235) rotates in.

Joining Tornatore at safety are senior Ethan Wertman and either sophomore Nolan DiLucia, the team’s quarterback, or junior Darius McMillon, the younger brother of Donovan. The corners are junior Nick McCullough and senior Eliot Schratz, a three-sport athlete.

“Someone said, ‘Peters Township may have the best front seven in the WPIAL,’” Plack said. “Our defensive coach said, ‘Front seven? We have a front 11.’ We have guys right there, and they’re all going to tackle you.”

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Moon, Peters Township