CTK ’17 – 3-A Interstate Conference Preview

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, August 22, 2017 | 10:22 PM

For the majority of last season, all of the talk in the 3A classification revolved around the Beaver Valley Conference. While that conference did produce both finalists in the WPIAL title game at Heinz Field, the Interstate Conference had its fair share of compelling storylines. Chief among them was the unexpected rise to prominence of the Derry Trojans, who went unblemished in the conference and then won their first playoff game in decades.

The Trojans, though, lost a bevy of talented players from that team, so other squads could also sneak into the conversation for section supremacy. Mount Pleasant and South Park both made the postseason and could be on the rise in 2017, while teams like Yough, McGuffey and Elizabeth Forward aim to take the next step and reach the postseason. Meanwhile Southmoreland and Waynesburg Central have a long way to go, but both teams hope to move the arrow in the right direction for the upcoming season.

Here’s a glance at the Class 3A Interstate Conference for 2017:

DERRY TROJANS

Last year, the Trojans were unquestionably the surprise story of the football season. Just a few seasons removed from a winless campaign, Derry Area went undefeated in regular-season play, including eye-opening wins against South Park and Mount Pleasant. Perhaps the biggest shock, though, came when the Trojans bested perennial powerhouse Central Valley in the 3A quarterfinals. The magical run finally ended in the semifinals, a 46-20 defeat to Aliquippa.

Heading into this season, the Trojans will need to prove that last season was no fluke, but the loss of superstar running back Tyler Balega could make that task more difficult. Balega accounted for more than 1,700 yards rushing, and 30 touchdowns. The Trojans will return their starting QB, however, in rising senior Ryan Polinsky. Meanwhile, Shawn Broadway, who ranked second behind Balega in touchdowns last year, is also back.

Coach Tim Sweeney found a successful defensive formula last year, as the Trojans surrendered just more than 15 points per game, by far the best average in the conference. Linebacker Dom Deluca, entering his junior season, should be a big part of that unit once again.

ELIZABETH FORWARD WARRIORS

Elizabeth Forward produced a winning record last year and finished fourth in the Interstate Conference, but because of the condensed 3A postseason, the Warriors were left on the outside. The conference losses came to the playoff representatives of Derry, Mount Pleasant and South Park, though, so the Warriors will likely need to move past at least one of those teams to get over the hump.

Quarterback Zach Benedek returns for his junior year, after he passed for 787 yards and 13 scores through the air. He will need to improve his accuracy and decision making, though, as he completed less than 50 percent of his attempts and threw 10 interceptions. That task could be complicated by the departure of top receiver Jonathan Devine, who hauled in 23 passes for 406 yards. As a result, Seth Andres should have a bigger role in 2017 after he caught five passes for 100 yards. At running back, Brian Malloy, who topped 400 yards on the ground last campaign, will likely assume the role of lead running back.

In the trenches, the Warriors boast a physical specimen in rising junior AJ Ackerman. Ackerman was an all-conference and MSA Sports Kennywood Preseason Team selection at offensive lineman.

MCGUFFEY HIGHLANDERS

The Highlanders had a banner win against Mount Pleasant last season, but disappointing setbacks to Yough and Elizabeth Forward ultimately put them below .500 in the conference. There’s plenty of reason for optimism for Ed Dalton’s squad, though, as they return an array of starters for 2017.

One area where McGuffey will have to start from scratch, however, is at the signalcaller position. Departed QB Marcus Czulewicz had a pedestrian passing statline, but his work on the ground was significant. The quarterback passed for 469 yards and three touchdowns, but rushed for 1,122 and eight scores. Behind him, Marshall Whipkey attempted just 12 passes in his freshman season. At running back, Christian Clutter could be one of the most versatile players in the conference. Last year, Clutter rushed for more than 400 yards, but also caught 11 passes, second best on the team. Connor Romestan should also get touches from the backfield, as he had 38 carries for 233 yards in 2016.

The strength of McGuffey this year should be in the trenches, as they boast an experienced line consisting of Jake Phillips, Marko Olivarez, Brett Perlestine and Adam Blacharczyk. Meanwhile, on defense, Clutter in the secondary and Chase Miller at linebacker should be standouts.

MOUNT PLEASANT VIKINGS

The Vikings have been one of the most consistent teams over the past decade, seemingly always competing for the conference title and making playoff appearances. Last year was more of the same for Mount Pleasant Area, as the team finished second in the Interstate but fell in the quarterfinals to Beaver Falls. Now, the Vikings will be under the guidance of first-year head coach Jason Fazekas, who supplants the departed Bo Ruffner.

The Vikings will have to replace the vast majority of their offensive production, though, as QB Johnny Yester, running back Chris Wagner, and top two receivers Keith Kalp and Jake Newill have all graduated. As a result, versatile weapon Cody Reese will become a focal point. In 2016, Reese rushed for more than 600 yards, ranked third on the team in receiver, and also threw 10 passes.

Offensive lineman Cody Vokes is back and should anchor the unit. The Vikings will aim to remain stout defensively, as well, as they allowed just 20.4 points per game last season.

SOUTHMORELAND SCOTTIES

Southmoreland’s lengthy playoff drought has been well publicized, and last season, the Scotties never even threatened to make a playoff push, finishing 1-8. After allowing 41 or more points in their first four games, though, the Scotties improved a bit defensively down the stretch, and they have some key players returning in 2017 for coach Mark Adams.

Jaden Datz is the latest Datz to play under center for the Scotties, as he enters his senior season after throwing for just shy of 500 yards in 2016. Those numbers were a bit misleading, though, as Datz split time at the position with Jonathan Leighty, who also returns after a forgettable campaign that included eight interceptions. Whoever plays at QB will need to find a new favorite target, as Tommy Pisula is gone after hauling in 40 passes. Mike Moresea, too, is gone from the receiving corps, so no returning player caught more than five passes last campaign. At running back, though, the Scotties bring back Ronnie Robinson, who had almost 1,000 yards and nine scores as a sophomore.

Defensively, Datz will be a catalyst in the secondary, after he earned all-conference recognition in 2016.

SOUTH PARK EAGLES

The Eagles were streaky in 2016, losing four games in a row but responding with a four-game surge. More importantly, South Park finished 5-2 in the conference, tying for second place. The Eagles earned a wild-card spot for the playoffs, but suffered a lopsided defeat to Aliquippa to end their season.

With the graduation of QB Jordan Kmonk, who led the team in passing and rushing, the Eagles will need to replace a lot of offense. Kmonk passed for just shy of 1,300 yards, and rushed for 460. The running game should be fine, though, as Isaiah Mack returns after compiling 400 yards on the ground and a team-best eight scores as a fullback in 2016. Devin Turner is the only receiver in the top four statistically who is back for South Park, as he had 20 catches for 362 yards.

The Eagles should be strong on the defensive side, though, as Mack returns after an all-conference campaign at linebacker, while Mike Mehalic earned the same distinction on the defensive line. Marty Rieck’s crew had a negative point differential last season, so they will need to improve to ascend in the standings this year.

WAYNESBURG CENTRAL RAIDERS

The Raiders failed to find the win column in 2016, and a sputtering offense was a big reason why. The team averaged just 8.6 points per game, and was shut out in four contests. The closest Waynesburg came to a W was an eight-point setback to Southmoreland.

To compound the Raiders offensive woes, the graduation of Colin McCracken means that the Raiders must replace their top passer and rusher from 2016. Dylan Stritchfield received snaps at QB last season, though, as he attempted a team-best 46 passes. He’s also the top returning rusher, as Zach Eisiminger and his more than 500 yards also are gone. However, leading receiver Jacob McCallum is back for his junior year, and will look to build on his statline of 19 catches for 252 yards.

YOUGH COUGARS

Yough finished 4-5 last season, but might be poised to contend for a playoff spot in 2017 under the guidance of coach Scott Wood.

The Cougars will need to replace quarterback Ryan Everly, who threw for 1,051 yards, but other skill players return for Yough. Running back Dustin Shoaf compiled 1,077 yards on the ground, caught 10 passes and scored a team-leading 10 touchdowns as just a sophomore. If he continues to progress, he could be among the best running backs in the classification. At receiver, Brian Donahue returns after registering more than 400 yards in 2016.

A strong offensive line should help create time and space for the playmakers, has the Cougars return all-conference lineman Scott Houseman, who tips the scales at more than 300 pounds. On the defensive side, the Cougars return some key players, too. Among them are Levi Graft, a defensive lineman, and Donahue, a standout linebacker.

MSA SPORTS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH in INTERSTATE:

1. Mount Pleasant Vikings

2. South Park Eagles

3. Derry Trojans

4. Yough Cougars

5. Elizabeth Forward Warriors

6. McGuffey Highlanders

7. Southmoreland Scotties

8. Waynesburg Central Raiders

Tags: Derry Area, Elizabeth Forward, Waynesburg Central, Yough