Franklin Regional, Latrobe coaches want to see improvement in Week 1 matchup

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 | 7:08 PM

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High school football coaches contend that the week between the first game of the season and the second is when they see the most improvement from their players.

That’s because the coaches get to see on film how the players performed in game action, correct their mistakes and make adjustments.

When Franklin Regional faces Latrobe on Friday at Memorial Stadium, both coaches are eager to see how they stack up. Last year, Latrobe escaped with a 36-33 overtime win in Murrysville.

In last week’s openers, Thomas Jefferson took advantage of five Franklin Regional turnovers and walked away with a 42-7 win, and Latrobe overwhelmed neighboring Derry, 56-13.

“It’s the best time to teach the players,” Franklin Regional coach Lance Getsy said. “It’s the time you get the most out of your players.

“We have to continue to work hard. We have a lot of young kids that saw their first varsity action, and it was against TJ. It was a great learning tool.”

Franklin Regional allowed two quick scores last week before cutting the deficit to 14-7. The Panthers were driving again but turned the ball over, and TJ took advantage, extending its lead to 28-7 by halftime.

“We were in the game, and our defense was getting stops,” Getsy said. “But we have to protect the ball better, make better decisions and manage the game better. That includes me, my coaches as well as the players. Five turnovers are hard to overcome against anybody.”

Latrobe had a much easier time in beating Derry.

Second-year coach Ron Prady said there are still things to fix despite the lopsided victory.

“We had the penalties to clean up,” Prady said. “I also wish we could have played the starters longer.”

Latrobe led 42-0 at halftime, which put the game in a running clock in the second via the mercy rule.

But Prady still had plenty of good takeaways.

Junior tight end Jack Drnjevich caught three passes for 33 yards, including two for touchdowns. Ja’Tawn Williams also caught two passes for 73 yards and a score.

Junior quarterback John Wetzel completed 6 of 9 passes for 124 yards and four scores.

“A lot of players stepped up,” Prady said. “We have more one-way starters this season.”

Prady said he knows Franklin Regional is better than it played last week. He also knows because Franklin Regional played a game rather than competing in a scrimmage like it did last year, the Panthers will be better prepared.

“We were able to jump on them early last year,” Prady said. “We had played a game and didn’t make as many mistakes. They had some snap issues, and it took them awhile to get started.”

Still, the Panthers rallied from a 16-0 deficit to grab a 20-16 lead in the fourth quarter.

Running back Bobby Fulton, who has since graduated, rushed for 251 yards for the Wildcats, and Ayden Hudock had four catches for 116 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers.

Hudock caught a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Chase Lemke against TJ.

“I feel the game was a lot closer than the final score,” Prady said. “I expect them to be physical, tough and not a happy bunch Friday.”

Prady said he’s impressed with Panthers linebackers Owen Sinclair and Austin Kerns, as well as tackle Antony Devola and Hudock at safety.

“We fought, and we battled,” Getsy said. “We had a call go against us in the end zone. I saw a lot of good things. We just have to brush up on things.”

One player who impressed Getsy was FR nose guard Jake Gentile. The 5-foot-7, 145-pound senior gave TJ fits with his quickness.

He was also pleased how well Sinclair played after he moved from linebacker to the defensive line during the game. Sinclair led the Panthers in tackles.

“Latrobe has it going,” Getsy said. “They have an experienced quarterback and some good skill. It will be a test for us.

“Getting game experience is definitely a plus. We just need to continue to grow.”

Head to head

Franklin Regional leads the all-time series, 9-6

2022: Latrobe, 36-33 (2OT)

2021: Franklin Regional, 41-40

2020: Franklin Regional, 27-14

2019: Franklin Regional, 42-21

2018: Franklin Regional, 17-14

2017: Franklin Regional, 23-20

2016: Franklin Regional, 49-14

2003: Franklin Regional, 16-7

2002: Latrobe, 20-18

2001: Latrobe, 23-13

2000: Latrobe, 34-14

1991: Franklin Regional, 26-12

1989: Latrobe, 21-7

1981: Latrobe, 28-6

1980: Franklin Regional, 35-20

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Latrobe