Jeannette takes aim at first WPIAL repeat in over a decade

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, August 18, 2018 | 7:13 PM

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With several key pieces gone from its WPIAL and PIAA championship team, Jeannette has some slight concerns.

That’s the tinge of bad news.

The good news: the rest of that group is back. And that means a preseason Class A No. 1 ranking for the Jayhawks, who went 15-1 and still appear to have some firepower.

Adding to their WPIAL record 736 wins shouldn’t be too taxing.

“We still have what it takes to win a championship,” senior receiver/defensive back Marcus Barnes said. “Jeannette is a small town, but we have a lot of tough kids, and we know how to win.”

Star quarterback Robert Kennedy, receiver/linebacker/kicker Tre Cunningham and staunch lineman Jalen Jones all graduated, while would-be senior defensive end Anthony Johnson, a Division I prospect, transferred to a larger school in Cleveland.

Kennedy was the Class A state co-player of the year and Mr. PA Football. Cunningham was the Tribune-Review Westmoreland’s Athlete of the Year. Johnson is the reigning Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and had offers from Syracuse, Buffalo and others.

“You don’t replace a ‘Poogie,’ ” Jeannette coach Roy Hall said, referring to Kennedy, now at Lackawanna junior college. “We have some other guys who will come and do an admirable job. When you lose a kid to graduation, that’s one thing. When you lose one to another school, that hurts. I wish (Johnson) all the best. No ill feelings.”

Kennedy combined for 2,818 yards and 47 touchdowns. Johnson had 12 sacks.

Now to the players who are here. Barnes, the top returning receiver (33 catches, 566 yards, 10 TDs) is a cornerstone to build around, along with senior quarterback Seth Howard, who was unheralded during the postseason run. Howard, who didn’t join the team until Week 3, ran for 383 yards and 11 scores and threw for 668 yards and seven scores.

An experienced line brings back junior Cam Felbaum, senior Drake Petrillo and sophomore Tavon Briston. A new player to watch is Zach Crutchman, who transferred from Hempfield. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior is a tight end and defensive end and could be a viable replacement for Johnson, a mean and high-spirited pass rusher.

“We like what we see in him,” Hall said of Crutchman.

Junior linebacker Justin Cramer is back and appears healthy after some knee issues. His ability to corral rushers could be vital to the defense. Junior Jackson Pruitt could be another key receiver, while senior Zack Berginc returns as a running back and linebacker, as does senior Melik Gordon.

Other key running backs include junior Imani Sanders (396 yards, 9 TDs) and senior Isaiah Winters.

Junior Jaden Crosby also shows potential as a tailback.

Newcomers include sophomores Tony Plunkett, Kael Fisher and Sean Critchon, and junior Bayley Molter. All are receivers and defensive backs, except for the 6-4, 190-pound Plunkett, who is a linebacker. He moved to Jeannette from Philadelphia.

Hall brings up a good point about the second-tier players whose contributions in long-decided games last year could pay dividends.

“The good thing is that a lot of our guys have experience,” Hall said. “They saw a lot of playing time in blowouts.”

Jeannette plays other Class A heavyweights Imani Christian, OLSH and Clairton, all at home this season.

“It’s gonna be packed,” Barnes said. “All three games, packed. Crazy.”

High-powered Imani averaged 40 points a game and returns several key players. The Saints lost to Jeannette in the WPIAL final, 35-34.

Jeannette finally defeated Clairton after five straight hard-to-swallow defeats to the Bears, a feat many believe sent the Jayhawks on their way.

Jeannette, Imani and Clairton were Eastern Conference tri-champs.

“There are four other teams that could be No. 1,” Hall said. “We have some holes to fill, but we have some guys ready to do that.”

Schedule

Coach: Roy Hall

2017 record: 15-1, 6-1

All-time record: 736-315-48

Date, Opponent, Time

8.24, East Allegheny, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Leechburg*, 7 p.m.

9.7, Imani Christian*, 7 p.m.

9.14, at Avella, 7 p.m.

9.21, Springdale*, 7 p.m.

9.28, at Brownsville, 7 p.m.

10.5, OLSH, 7 p.m.

10.12, Greensburg C.C.*, 7 p.m.

10.20, at Riverview*, noon

10.26, Clairton*, 7 p.m.

*Class A Eastern Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Robert Kennedy*

87-152, 1,462 yards, 25 TDs

Rushing: Kennedy*

182-1,356 yards, 22 TDs

Receiving: Marcus Barnes

33-566 yards, 10 TDs

*Graduated

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Jeannette