Big Game Hunting for Week Twelve

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 17, 2016 | 7:52 PM

Big Game Hunting salutes one of the all-time greats of the game. In addition to being one of the greatest football coaches southwestern Pennsylvania has ever known, George Novak was always more than helpful, more than kind and more than welcoming to me personally. He was all those things, win or lose, and he was all those things, first game of the year or championship game. That’s class, there is a striking lack of it in today’s society. He takes a big chunk into retirement with him. I wish him all the best and congratulate him on a fantastic career. Have fun coach! This weekend we get the odd situation of Championship Games on Friday followed by semi-finals on Saturday. We reach the final exit on the Highway To Heinz, but, just like sometimes in real life, it will take a full week to travel out the Parkway West on the Road to Robert Morris. Whether your club is playing in a championship game or for a chance to get to a championship game, it is definitely a big game. So let’s go Big Game Hunting!

6 A Championship:
#1 Central Catholic Vikings (11-1) vs #6 Seneca Valley Raiders (8-3) Friday November 18^th @ 8:00 PM at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania broadcast on the MSA Sports Network by Lanny Frattare and Bob Orkwis

The Vikes whitewashed Pine-Richland to reach their fourth straight title game in the state’s largest classification. Final score 63-34 and it was nowhere near as close as that final score might lead you to believe. Central led at one point 63-14. Seneca Valley will play in the title game for the first time since 1989 thanks to a blocked extra point attempt with no time on the clock in their 28-27 win. The Raiders will make their second appearance in a championship game, the other being a loss in 1989 in the AAA title game to Aliquippa 17-9. The Vikings will try to win their 6^th WPIAL championship.

Central’s offensive and defensive lines are just absolutely fantastic. C.J. Thorpe, Kurt and Jacob Hinish and Jamain Stephens are really a very overwhelming challenge for most WPIAL competition.

Central quarterback Troy Fisher doesn’t throw a lot he completed just three passes in the semi-final victory but one of those was a 62 yard bomb. Fisher on the season has completed 64 of 109 passes for 1338 yards and 18 touchdowns

The leading receiver for the Vikes is Justice Evans with 25 catches for 623 yards. Evans was on the other side of that 62 yard Fisher bomb in the semi’s, he has 16 touchdowns on the year. His speed stretches the field, and he can also make big plays in the screen game.

What the Vikings want to do though is pound the football down your throat and they will do it with a couple of tremendous running backs. J.J. Younger has 119 carries for 1220 yards Younger has scored a team-high 24 touchdowns but is not the only play maker running the football.

David Marshall scored the first touchdown of the game in the semi-finals he has rush for 284 yards on the year. David Adams scored a pair of touchdowns in the semi-final victory running the football in a full house backfield, a full house backfield and includes 370 pound defensive lineman Jamaine Stevens.

Central controlled Seneca Valley in week 4 by a 42-14 margin.

Seneca Valley on the year has relied heavily on quarterback Jack Cook who has had a monster year. Cook has completed 114 passes for 1687 yards on the season and 14 touchdowns.

Peyton Skalos has been the leading receiver for the Raiders with 51 catches for 615 yards and eight touchdowns.

Jake Holl also gets involved in the passing game 29 catches for 421 yards and a pair of scores.

Hank Royal is a guy who helps in both the passing and rushing games for the Raiders. Royal has 25 catches for 394 yards he also has a team-high 199 rushes for 1226 yards and a team-high 23 touchdowns. Cook by the way, is also a dual threat in addition to throwing the football he can hurt you with his legs. He has rushed for over 600 yards on the year and has scored 14 touchdowns.

This game like so many against the Vikings all season long will come down to can the Raider defense find way to stop what appears to be an unstoppable Central Catholic Vikings offense? We will find out Friday at Heinz Field.

5 A Championship:
#1 West Allegheny Indians (11-0) vs #3 McKeesport Tigers (9-2) Friday November 18^th @ 2:00 PM at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania broadcast on the MSA Sports Network by Sean Meyers and James Dotson

The Indians have one seven WPIAL championship the most recent coming in 2013 The Tigers have one for WPIAL championships the most recent coming in 2005.

The Tigers won a thriller over Gateway 41-38 in the semis, while the methodical Indians just kept rolling along, knocking off Woody High 35-7 and bidding the great George Novak a harsh farewell.

The Tigers will run the flex-bone and Jayvaun Shears does that so very well. Shears has thrown for nearly 500 yards and rushed for a team-high 1113 yards on the season. He has had a hand in 27 McKeesport touchdowns.

Fullback Ray Zellars returned to the lineup for the Tigers last week after missing time with an ankle injury and looked strong and ready to roll. For the season Zellars has rushed for 246 yards and three scores, his return is big for McKeesport.

Layton Jordan and Carlinos Acie have combined to put up 1234 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns for McKeesport this season in the ground game.

The Tigers need long, time consuming drives, they need to take care of the football to have a chance against West Allegheny.

The “Sons of Palko” keep rolling along, Bob Palko’s club relies heavily on Nick Ross who has completed 111 passes in 172 attempts for a dozen touchdowns and 1870 yards. He has only thrown three interceptions on the year.

Ross’ main target is wide receiver Brandon Lipford with 37 catches for 659 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Mateo Vandamia has 26 catches for the Indians for 464 yards he has scored three touchdowns.

Look for Kenny White to touch the ball a lot, White has 131 rushes for nearly 1000 yards he has a team high 18 touchdowns on the season.

The Indians defensively allow just 8.0 points per game, the Tigers only 18.9. McKeesport fans should be hoping for a low-scoring football game, that would be one that gives them hope for a championship.

4 A Championship:
#1 Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (11-0) vs #7 New Castle Red Hurricane (8-4) Friday November 18^th @ 5:00 PM at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania broadcast on the MSA Sports Network by Josh Rowntree and Kevin Zielmanski

The Jaguars have won six WPIAL titles the most recent being last year, the Red Hurricane have won 11 WPIAL championships the most recent being 1998. New Castle will be playing for the first time ever at Heinz Field, while the Jaguars like the Quips have their names on the lockers in Heinz, TJ plays in the Ketchup bowl for the eight time.

TJ beat a familiar foe in the semis taking down West Mifflin 35-7, New Castle continued their “Cinderella Run” avenging a regular-season loss to Ringgold 38-17 in the semis.

Geno Stone is a touchdown machine for the New Castle team, Stone has had a hand in 11 post season touchdowns already. For the season he has completed 72 passes for 1429 yards and tossed 17 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 693 yards and another 18 scores.

Garrett Farah is Stone’s top target when it comes to throwing the football, he has 25 catches for 739 yards and eight scores.

Marcus Hooker is that, hurt you in many ways guy for the Hurricane, he has 17 catches for 363 yards and 128 rushes for 789 yards, Hooker has scored 17 touchdowns on the season and anytime he gets his hands on the ball anything can happen.

Lorenzo Gardner will pound the rock for the Hurricane and chewing clock might be a good thing for New Castle in this game to keep TJ’s offense on the sidelines.

Jaguar quarterback Bobby Kelly has completed 68 of 120 passes for 1527 yards and 31 touchdowns, all the while only throwing five interceptions.

Kelly’s favorite target is University of Virginia commit, Zane Zandier, Zandier has caught 35 passes for 739 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, if you pay too much attention to Zandier – Jon Muehlbauer will kill you, Muehbauer has 21 catches for 553 yards and a dozen scores of his own.

Quinton Hill is the all-time leading rusher in Thomas Jefferson school history with over 4,000 yards on the ground. Hill, this season, has rushed the football 202 times for 1573 yards and scored 26 touchdowns.

Thomas Jefferson for all the impressive offensive numbers might be the best defense in the state of Pennsylvania in 4 A. Thomas Jefferson allows a best-in-classification 5.4 points per game on defense and has tossed six shutouts on the season.

3 A Championship:
#1 Aliquippa Quips (10-2) vs #2 Beaver Falls Tigers (10-1) Friday November 18^th @ 11:00 AM at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania broadcast on the MSA Sports Network by Andy Stanko and Kyle Dawson

The Quips have won a record 16 championships, the most recent coming last year, they will be playing in Heinz Field for the 11^th time. The Tigers have won three WPIAL titles the most recent being in 1984, they have played in Heinz Field three times and they are 0-3 in the Ketchup Bowl.

The Quips ended the storybook run for the Derry Trojans in the semi-finals with a resounding 46-20 win, the Tigers on the other side of the bracket set up the rematch with a thrilling last minute come from behind win over the Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles 28-21.

Beaver Falls has won 10 straight since a week one loss to Aliquippa, the Tigers had an early lead against the Quips but fell 44-13. Head coach Ryan Matsook has to think the Tigers have forgotten all about that game that took place 11 weeks ago.

Beaver Falls quarterback Austin French has completed 50 of 99 passes for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year, his arm and decision making continue to be impressive, the addition of that passing attack I think gives Beaver Falls something they rally have not had much of going into their other chances at Heinz Field.

Derrell Carter (15 catches 179 yards 8 touchdowns), Nate Stratton (9 catches 188 yards 5 scores), and Malik Shepherd (8 catches 195 yards), will be the key players in the passing attack for the Tigers.

Shepherd will also be a key in the run game, he has carried the ball 80 times for 853 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on the season. Neshaud Akins has the most rushes for the Tigers with 110 carries for 776 yards and nine touchdowns. Carter will get chances to run the ball as well he has rushed for 645 yards on the year.

The Tiger defense is surrendering just 16.2 points per game on the season, while the Quips allow 18.0 points per game.

In addition to being for a title this is also a huge rivalry game, though it has been largely one-sided lately in favor of the Quips.

Aliquippa has been using Eli Kosanovich through the first couple of rounds of the playoffs at quarterback, he has completed 26 of 54 passes for 280 yards and six scores.

Coach Z wants to run the ball and he has done so this season again with great results.

As a team the Quips have rushed for over 3500 yards in 2016.

The bulk of that yardage belongs to a pair of 1000+ guys. Davion Jones has carried 198 times for 1242 yards and a team-high 16 touchdowns. Avante McKenzie has carried 161 times for 1131 yards and 13 scores.

I cannot imagine a better lid-lifter for what we hope, and think is going to be an amazing day at Heinz Field, than this football game. It’s the Beaver county breakfast with champions!

2 A Semifinals:
#2 Wash High Prexies (11-0) vs #3 Neshannock Lancers (11-1) Saturday November 19^th @ 7:00 PM at Moon high school broadcast on WJST AM 1280 and the MSA Sports Network by Mark Schaas and Lee Mohn, also broadcast on WJPA FM 95.3 and the MSA Sports Network by Bob Gregg and Mark Uriah 

These teams put up a combined 132 points in their quarter-finals victories last week. Washington rolled Brentwood 61-27 while Neshannock thumped Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 71-28.

I fully expect both finely tuned offenses to be rolling again this week in the semi-finals and that makes this the big game in 2 A.

The Prexies come off their third straight unbeaten regular season, Neshannock’s only loss came back in week two when they fell to Quaker Valley on the road since then they have won nine straight.

Wash High is scoring 43.7 points per game on the season and allowing a miniscule 9.7 points per game, while the Lancers are scoring 41.2 points per game and allowing just 13.8 on the year. I guess theoretically you could look at this game and imagine a defensive struggle, but I don’t think so. Thankfully we’ll get to see it or here it on the Network and high scoring or low scoring, I think it is going to be a great game.

Neshannock quarterback Frank Antuono is a force on both sides of the ball and a force doing both things with the ball offensively, running and throwing it. He has completed 120 of 200 passes for 1927 yards and 21 touchdowns. He has also carried it himself to the tune of 771 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Antuono’s top receiver is Danny Welker with 41 catches for 756 yards and a team-high 19 touchdowns, Ty Sear has 21 catches for 326 yards and he has scored four times.

In addition to Antuono running the football the Lancers also have a 1000+ guy in Sean Doran who has rushed 138 times for 1066 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on the year.

Mike Bosnic’s Prexies have a dandy quarterback in Connor Bedillion who has completed 62 of 114 passes for 1050 yards and 20 touchdowns on the year.

Bedillions top receivers are Isaiahs Robinson and Schoonmaker the duo has combined for 59 catches and 928 yards in the passing game and scored a combined 20 touchdowns on the year.

Mike Bosnic has a solid, experienced, big, athletic offensive line and that allows him to use the running back by committee as efficiently as you can imagine. Six Prexies have rushed for 100 yards or more on the season. Leading the way is Lyle Webb with 92 carries for 508 yards and seven touchdowns. Zyan Wallace has 52 carries for 468 yards and nine touchdowns on the year.

This might be a game where the winner is the team that has the ball at the end of the game with a chance to score, that’s always great fun, unless it’s not your team.

1 A Semifinals:
#2 Rochester Rams (11-0) vs #3 Jeannette Jayhawks (11-1) Saturday November 19^th @ 7:00 PM at Fox Chapel high school broadcast on WHJB FM 107.1 and the MSA Sports Network by Mike Zapone and Jimmy Lee Santorella also broadcast on WMBA AM 1460 and the MSA Sports Network by Tom Hays and Bruce Frey

Geno Matsook told the MSA Sports Network early in the 2016 season that he felt like the Rams were back and he has been proven oh so very correct on that call. The unbeaten Rams controlled Kenny Robinson and Imani Christian in the quarters 32-6. Jeannette’s only blemish is a tough week nine loss to Clairton, they throttled Springdale in the quarters 69-21.

Gio Vonne Sanders makes the Jayhawks go with his feet and his arm. Sanders has completed 65 of 107 passes for 1361 yards and 20 scores, all the while rushing 65 times for 486 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Just like Sanders the rest of the skill guys for the ‘Hawks are dual threats, Robert Kennedy has 17 catches for 370 yards and has rushed for 471 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. .

Kareem Hall has 448 yards receiving and has rushed for 1037 yards on the season, he has totaled a team-high 20 touchdowns in 2016.

Ryan Swinton is in the same mold, he has 845 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns on the year.

Jeannette’s defense has pitched seven shutouts and is allowing just 6.4 points per game on the season.

The rams have just a pair of shut outs but they have held their opponent to a touchdown or less in six games this season, they allow just 10.4 points per game on the year.

Quarterback Ian Kouba has thrown for more than a grand and rushed for more than a grand for Geno Matsook. Kouba is 67 of 182 passing for 1275 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is also the leading rusher for Rochy with 1028 yards and 15 more touchdowns in his 153 carries.

Caleb Collins will catch it and run it for the Rams, Collin is the leading Rochester receiver with 22 catches for 353 yards, and has rushed for 726 yards on the season, all-told he has scored 15 touchdowns.

Mahlik Strozier and Elijah Goosby are both averaging over 20 yards per catch in the Rams offense and the duo has combined for nine touchdowns and 507 receiving yards.

Also on the ground be aware of Chris Hayes who has rushed for 616 yards and scored 11 touchdowns for Rochy.

Tags: Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Jeannette, McKeesport, Washington, West Allegheny