Keystone Oaks’ Michael Daure named Trib HSSN Football Player of the Week

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 9, 2018 | 11:24 PM

Through three weeks, Keystone Oaks’ offense has truly been golden.

While many were talking up sophomore quarterback Logan Shrubb coming into the season, it is running back Michael Daure who is delivering the KO punch in leading an offense that is averaging 51 points in three victories.

For his effort, he is the TribLive High School Sports Network Player of the Week.

“He was under the radar in all the preseason hoopla,” Keystone Oaks coach Greg Perry said. “We as a staff are not surprised since he had close to 1,200 yards rushing and 30 receptions last year.”

Daure rushed for 388 yards on 27 carries Friday in a 48-18 victory at Hopewell in a Class 3A Tri-County West Conference opener for the Golden Eagles. He also scored five touchdowns on runs of 97, 41, 1, 2 and 67 yards and threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Morrow.

His big day rushing could have been bigger said Perry.

“He should have had over 400 yards (Friday) night. He had a 44-yard touchdown run called back.”

Through Week 2, Daure (pronounced like Cowher but with a D) leads the WPIAL in rushing with 817 yards, and he has scored 15 touchdowns.

Perry credits his offensive line but had some special things to say about his senior running back.

“Our offensive line is doing well and Michael is patient and hits the hole. He just needs a crease. He may be the fastest I’ve had in my 27 years in the business.”

WPIAL Week 2 honorable mentions:

Dante Flati, West Allegheny

In a Class 5A Allegheny Eight Conference thriller, West Allegheny’s Dante Flati struck early, scored late and did a lot of damage in between. Flati rushed for 189 yards and scored in the first quarter on a 22-yard run, in overtime on a 4-yard run and had an 87-yard scamper to pay dirt, as well, as the Indians squeezed by Bethel Park, 36-35, in the weekend’s only district game to go beyond regulation. The win keeps West A tied with Upper St. Clair for the early season top spot.

Tyler Kowalkowski, Mars

For a team not know for throwing the ball, it was a picture perfect night for chuckin’ for Mars quarterback Tyler Kowalkowski. The Fightin’ Planets senior signal caller was a perfect 7 of 7 passing for 138 yards and a 20-yard touchdown pass, plus he added two short rushing scores as Mars improved to 3-0 overall with a nonconference victory over Greensburg Salem, setting the stage for a big Week 3 Class 5A Northern Conference showdown for the Planets at home against Penn Hills

Shane Stump, Thomas Jefferson

It was just another day at the beach for Thomas Jefferson. Facing a tough Belle Vernon team on the gold turf at BVA known as ‘The Beach” and dealing with a driving rainstorm at times, Jaguars quarterback Shane Stump connected on 7 of 12 passes for 201 yards, with two of those completions going all the way to the house on passes of 35 and 80 yards to Daniel Deabner as TJ rolled to an impressive 36-14 Class 4A Big Eight Conference victory.

Dino Tomlin, Shady Side Academy

He may not have the gift of gab that his high profile father has as a football coach, but his play on the field is worth more than a thousand words. Shady Side Academy senior Dino Tomlin had four receptions Friday for 141 yards and three touchdowns on catches of 43, 80 and 15 yards, he also had an interception and a 97-yard kickoff return for a score as the Indians cruised past Valley, 43-14, to set the stage for a Week 3 Class 2A Allegheny Conference showdown against Steel Valley.

Noah Whiteleather, Rochester

It was supposed to be the calm before the storm for Rochester, however senior running back Noah Whiteleather had no problem rocking the boat. In a Class A nonconference game against Leechburg, Whiteleather ran left, ran right and run up the middle with little issue as he finished with 356 yards and scoring jaunts of 38, 15 and 72 yards as the Rams cruised to a 42-6 triumph to set the stage for a Big 7 Conference showdown in Week 3 against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

Bonus Mention — Ambridge

After a two-plus years of losing, the sweet taste of victory is back for Ambridge. The Bridgers snapped a 22-game losing streak in grand style with a 14-0 whitewash of Waynesburg, the first win for Ambridge since a 25-13 victory over Chartiers Valley on Oct. 30, 2015.

Don Rebel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Don at drebel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TheDonRebel.

Tags: Ambridge, Keystone Oaks, Mars, Rochester, Shady Side Academy, Thomas Jefferson, West Allegheny