After historic playoff win, Deer Lakes turns attention to defending PIAA champion Belle Vernon

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 | 4:00 PM

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Deer Lakes made history and made a statement Friday with its 30-point home victory over Southmoreland in a WPIAL Class 3A first-round football game.

It was the No. 8 Lancers’ first playoff victory in only their second postseason game at home.

Now, Deer Lakes hopes to make a bigger statement in the quarterfinals as it seeks to take down No. 1.

The Lancers will take their 8-3 record to Belle Vernon on Friday in hopes of springing an upset of the defending WPIAL and PIAA champion Leopards (8-1).

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

“The kids have been hearing from so many people what a great accomplishment (the 48-18 Southmoreland win) was,” Deer Lakes coach Tim Burk said.

“They’re proud of it, as they should be. But at the end of the day, we had to move on past that. We stressed that to the kids before practice on Monday. I am sure there will be time to reflect on that win later. Right now, we have to focus on the job right in front of us. We can’t be satisfied with what we’ve done. We have to push forward.

“This is a group that has gotten us to this point because of their talent and their work ethic. With the maturity and leadership that we have, we have to continue to get better down to the smallest things. We know that Belle Vernon is a serious roadblock ahead of us.”

The Leopards, who feature Penn State commit Quinton Martin, the preseason No. 1-ranked player in the state, received a bye into the quarterfinals and got a chance to rest.

“The guys worked hard all season for things like getting a bye,” Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert said.

“We had a few extra days to work out some bumps and bruises from the regular season. We also were able to focus on some things that might get cut from a regular preparation standpoint. We were able to hone in on a few fundamentals. We were able to do some self-scouting to see what we might need to shore up. There is that anxious anticipation when you get to Friday and want to play a game, but we’ll take a bye week whenever we can get it.”

Belle Vernon’s only loss came in Week 3 by five points at the hands of nonconference rival Thomas Jefferson. The Leopards did prevail in overtime over Class 4A power McKeesport in another nonconference battle.

Since the loss to the Jaguars, the Leopards have been an offensive juggernaut with at least 49 points in all five wins.

“At this point, everybody is good, and to get to where you want to be, you have to face the top teams,” Burk said.

“We feel we’re good, too, and we’re excited to go down to Belle Vernon and hopefully play our best game. We know this is a tall task and what is in front of us. But I know our guys will show up and battle.”

Belle Vernon last played Oct. 27 for the Interstate Conference crown against Elizabeth Forward, and the Leopards rolled 49-28 behind 213 yards and three passing touchdowns from senior Braden Laux and another 244 yards on the ground.

Martin showed his versatility with four catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns to go with five carries for 53 yards and a score.

“(Martin) is a true talent and a special player,” Burk said. “He is such a well-rounded player and does so many things so good. He deserves all the accolades and everything else he is getting. That is why he’s going to Penn State. We have to make sure to limit what he wants to do. I know that is easier said than done because he is a major player.

“They have a ton of talent all over the place. The quarterback is committed to Eastern Michigan as a defensive end. Matt Humbert does a great job with putting his players in the best positions to be successful.”

Deer Lakes senior quarterback Derek Burk added to his record-breaking totals against Southmoreland with 146 yards and three TD passes. Zach Grant finished with seven catches for 74 yards and all three touchdowns, junior Zier Williams contributed 115 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries and senior Aiden Fletcher contributed a rushing score.

“I was impressed with the energy,” Burk said. “I was a little concerned with whether they would get caught up in the limelight of the whole situation, but they didn’t. They just flat out came out and played and never looked back. They played with passion and played for one another.

“We just did so many good things offensively and just executed. We’ve really started to hit our stride toward the end of the year.”

Burk owns 26 touchdowns this season and is 63 yards away from 2,000 passing yards.

“Deer Lakes is a solid football team,” Humbert said. “They are riding a high with the first playoff win in school history, and they did it in dominating fashion. They most likely will be bringing that momentum down to The Beach on Friday.

“I see a dynamic offense with a quarterback in Burk who commands the pocket very well, throws a good ball and can also run with it when he needs or wants to. He is poised and seldom gets rattled. They also have a group of talented receivers who make play after play and can stretch the field. Then there is (Williams), who is both strong and quick as a runner. They can throw a lot at you. We’ll have to be ready.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Deer Lakes