Unbeaten rivals Penn-Trafford, Gateway to face off for Victory Bell

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 | 4:42 PM

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For whom will the bell toll on Friday when No. 3 Gateway visits No. 2 Penn-Trafford in a battle for first place in the WPIAL Class 5A Big East Conference?

The two teams in the conference and local rivals will square off in the annual “Battle of the Bell” game at Warrior Stadium. It's also a night when the two teams will honor all the military branches and first responders.

Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane, who played, coached and currently teaches at Gateway, hopes history doesn't repeat itself.

A year ago, the Warriors (5-0, 3-0) started 5-0, but three consecutive losses followed and they ended up missing the WPIAL playoffs. Gateway has won seven of the past nine meetings between the rivals, whose series dates to games between Trafford and Pitcairn, with the winner awarded the coveted Victory Bell.

Ruane hopes that trend changes, but he knows it won't be easy.

“It's tough being over there all day long because they are good kids, they are fun to teach and joke with,” Ruane said. “They handle things very maturely, and it's a big credit to those guys and their staff for making sure that takes place.

“They are loaded. They're really good. They are very talented, and they are very experienced. They don't have a weak spot. With that being said, we'll have to perform our best in preparation all week long and on Friday night.”

Both teams possess high-scoring offenses.

Gateway, which is averaging 44 points, is led by senior quarterback Brady Walker, a three-year starter, as well as junior wide receiver Courtney Jackson and senior running back Isaiah Cameron.

Penn-Trafford, averaging 35 points, is led by senior quarterback Cam Laffoon and the running tandem of senior John Gay IV and sophomore Caleb Lisbon.

“I think Gateway is No. 1 coming into the season,” Ruane said. “They were so talented a year ago and were a ‘Hail Mary' away from going to Heinz Field. Brady is very good.”

Walker has completed 70 of 107 passes for 1,328 yards and 10 touchdowns. His main target is Jackson, who has caught 26 passes for 663 yards. Cameron is a dual threat, rushing for 454 yards and catching 12 passes for 250 yards. He has scored 12 touchdowns.

Gateway coach Don Holl said having a three-year starter at quarterback is rare but quite beneficial.

“Brady is a special player,” Holl said. “He can make all the throws. He's a leader.

“We have to be ready for a team that is well-coached and that will have a great plan. We'll have to play a great game. We're excited to play.”

Laffoon also is a dual threat for Penn-Trafford. He has completed 39 of 69 passes for 515 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 311 yards.

The main running threats for the Warriors are Gay, who has 525 yards and seven touchdowns, and Lisbon, with 405 yards and eight scores.

For Gay, the game is special for a couple reasons. He gets to play against the alma mater of his dad, John, and he gets to go against his cousin, senior defensive end Canaan Cleveland. His dad played at Gateway in the early 1980s.

“I just want to show that I can do the same things my dad did,” Gay said. “I'm also looking forward to going against my cousin.”

Penn-Trafford senior linebacker Matt Wilkie said he's looking forward to stopping the Gateway offense.

“We have to play physical and play our defense,” Wilkie said. “We can't make the mistakes we made last year. They're a good team this year, and we have to eliminate the mistakes.”

The Penn-Trafford defense is allowing 6.2 points per game, but Ruane said the team must continue to improve.

“I'm pleased where we are, but we were 5-0 at this point last year and missed the playoffs,” Ruane said. “We're not celebrating anything. We were wrapping Christmas presents in November last year.

“We're certainly motivated by that. We learned a lot from that, and we have to get better each week, and that's what we'll focus on from here on out.”

If they do, Penn-Trafford will be ringing the bell once again.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Gateway, Penn-Trafford