H.S. football notebook: Laurel Highlands coach set to face alma mater

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 20, 2018 | 8:36 PM

Jake Just expects pregame butterflies when he returns to coach against his alma mater Friday night at Offutt Field.

But that won’t change the No. 1 goal for the Laurel Highlands rookie coach when he faces Greensburg Salem. The motto this week, with respect to the late Al Davis: Just win, baby.

The winner between the Mustangs (2-2, 1-1) and Golden Lions (1-3, 1-0) could begin to establish footing in the Class 4A Big Eight playoff chase.

Friday will be a business trip for Just, who will exchange pleasantries, give hugs and handshakes and then try to dismantle his hometown team at a place he calls “the best stadium for high school football.”

“The only difference between this week and any other week is that there will be a few more familiar faces in the stadium, and I have known many of Greensburg’s for years,” Just said. “I am not putting more emphasis on this game because I am an alumni. We have a job to do, and Greensburg is the next one we play, so they are our sole focus.”

Just, a 2002 Greensburg Salem graduate, replaced his brother, Zack, as coach of the Mustangs. Zack, who led the team for eight seasons, remains on staff. He, too, is a Greensburg Salem alum. Jake had been his assistant.

The bearded brothers will return to their old stomping grounds together.

“I am excited for this week due to the magnitude of the game,” Jake Just said. “Both teams are looking for their first win in the conference, and both teams will be ready to play this week.”

Jake said Zack remains a vital cog in the system for the Mustangs.

“Although I carry the title of head coach, everyone on our staff is vital to what we do in all phases of the game,” Jake said. “The structure that Zack implemented has played a major role in not only football but academics, and it builds character. There is never a situation that occurs that he has not seen or has dealt with himself, so the fact I can call him and talk to him about certain issues certainly helps my sanity.”

Greensburg Salem coach Dave Keefer had a similar experience several years ago when he was an assistant with the Golden Lions and traveled to play his alma mater, Mt. Pleasant.

“We beat (Mt. Pleasant) three times,” Keefer said. “I don’t know how big it is. I mean, you’re a man, not a kid. You’re still excited about it, and you always have fond memories but your agenda is to win. After the coin toss, I think it just becomes another game.”

Jake Just thinks the better-prepared team will win Friday.

“If we are able to clean up mistakes that we made against Belle Vernon, then we should be able to compete,” he said. “It’s going to come down who plays more physical and takes care of the football. I am excited to see our team respond.”

Penn-Trafford lurking

With so many graduation losses from its WPIAL Class 5A runner-up team, Penn-Trafford was expected to have some bumps in the road as newcomers found their footing.

So much for speculation.

The Warriors flattened No. 3 McKeesport, 20-9, last week to let teams know they’re still a contender despite an 0-2 start.

Penn-Trafford is built on repetition and attention to detail under coach John Ruane, and last week’s win, the coach said, was a result of preparedness and crisp play. And a strong defensive effort.

“A win over McKeesport any time is a big win. We respect their program as much as any,” Ruane said. “So it was a good win for us to get things rolling.

“I think our defensive staff did a great job of preparing the kids, and our players played very physical, tackled well and limited big plays.”

Run to pass

When Yough’s Dustin Shoaf was growing up, his favorite player was former Jeannette star quarterback Terrelle Pryor. All of the sudden, Shoaf has a chance to pass his former idol on the WPIAL rushing list.

Shoaf, who ran for 401 yards and five touchdowns on 41 carries last week at Deer Lakes to surpass 4,000 career yards, is just 107 yards from Pryor’s total of 4,238. Pryor rushed and passed for over 4,000 yards. He is a wide receiver for the New York Jets.

“I haven’t really thought of it, but it’d be honestly pretty cool,” Shoaf said, “to say that I passed a guy who plays in the NFL. It would be crazy.”

Shoaf, who is at 4,131 yards, is the only rusher in WPIAL history to run for more than 400 yards in a game twice. He ran for 428 yards and five TDs on 43 carries last season against Southmoreland.

Shoaf has three straight games of 229 or more yards and has topped 100 yards in 13 of his last 14 games. He has seven 200-plus-yard games in his career.

Only two schools have offered Shoaf, both of them Division II: Cal (Pa.) and Slippery Rock.

Burger time

Not many high school football coaches have a hamburger named after them. But Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel does. Forks Inn in Ligonier offers the “Beitel Burger.”

The coach created the menu item.

“Who can pass up a juicy, delicious 1/4-pound burger topped with pepper jack cheese, red onion, and bacon?” Beitel said with a laugh. “I have had several already … I am hoping that my cardiologist doesn’t read this.”

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

Tags: Greensburg Salem, Laurel Highlands, Ligonier Valley, Penn-Trafford, Yough