High school football notebook: Ligonier Valley gets early look at Hersheypark Stadium

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, November 23, 2017 | 8:36 PM

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Like every football team in the state, Ligonier Valley's end goal is to make it to Hershey.

But regardless of Saturday's result the Rams could say they already accomplished that goal — kind of.

Two-time defending champion Ligonier Valley (13-0) plays Dunmore (13-0) at Hersheypark Stadium, the traditional site of the PIAA championship games, in the Class 2A quarterfinals.

Two more wins and they'll be headed back to Chocolate World. But first, a little taste.

Teams from the eastern side of the state play regular-season and playoff games at Hersheypark Stadium, but some believe that takes some of the shine off the state finals and blurs the mystique.

Imagine the WPIAL playing second-round or semifinal games at Heinz Field — or, Robert Morris, for that matter, the second-year site of the Class 2A and A finals.

Ligonier Valley isn't making a fuss, though. Not at all. The Rams are just glad to make it this far again. They'd play in a parking lot if asked; this is, after all, still the state quarterfinals.

“Fields all across the U.S. are used for championship games but will also be used for regular-season games,” Rams coach Roger Beitel said. “Minnesota is hosting this year's Super Bowl, but the Vikings and their eight opponents will play there first. That wouldn't lessen the Super Bowl if one them made the game.

“The game is the privilege, not the venue.”

More rematches

Rematches have been the flavor of the month in the WPIAL football playoffs for Westmoreland teams. After avenging a loss — OK, six losses — to Clairton, Jeannette faces Imani Christian again Saturday for the Class A championship.

The teams played Sept. 23 in Wilkinsburg with Jeannette winning 54-36.

Penn-Trafford played rival Gateway in the WPIAL 5A championship in rematch from the Big East Conference; Belle Vernon played Thomas Jefferson in the 4A semifinals in a Big Nine rematch; and Ligonier Valley will have its second straight playoff rematch. After defeating Bishop McCort to win the District 6 title, the Rams take on Dunmore.

A potential semifinal rematch also exists between Ligonier Valley and Southern Columbia, given both teams win this week.

Have you Heard?

Imani Christian coach Ronnell Heard and his players are ring-chasing this weekend. Heard has been doing that for months as he shopped around for an engagement ring.

Heard decided to propose to his girlfriend after last week's semifinal game at Peters Township.

After the Saints' 30-24 win over California, Heard called Sherria Winston out of the stands and he and the entire team got down on one knee as Heard popped the question.

She said yes.

“It was time,” Heard said. “She has been on me about it for a while. It was a big moment.”

Would have been nice

Heard was hoping his players would get to play for a championship at Heinz Field, like he did in 2001. But since the WPIAL moved the Class A title game to Robert Morris, he'll just have to tell his players what the experience is like.

Heard wasn't complaining, rather contemplating what it would be like for the Saints to play where the Steelers play.

“I played at Westinghouse, which was the first high school team to get to play on Heinz Field,” Heard said. “From a player's standpoint … it's a great opportunity that I think all these kids should have.”

Turf wars

Jeannette and Imani Christian practiced on artificial turf playing surfaces this week in light of Saturday's final being played on the turf at Joe Walton Stadium. Jeannette worked out at Hempfield, while Imani went through drills on Woodland Hills' turf soccer field.

Both teams were scheduled to have practice Thanksgiving morning.

Cramer out

Jeannette will be without sophomore linebacker Justin Cramer Saturday in the WPIAL Class A title game. Cramer, who just returned from a right knee injury, injured his left knee and said he will get an MRI next week.

Cramer led the Jayhawks in tackles last season.

Westmoreland champs

Jeannette will go for its ninth WPIAL title Saturday at Robert Morris. The Jayhawks lead the county in district championships, their last coming in 2007.

Greensburg Central Catholic was the last county team to raise the trophy, in 2009.

In total, there have been 34 WPIAL titles won by county football teams. They break down like this:

Jeannette (8), Burrell (4), Mt. Pleasant Hurst (3), Mt. Pleasant (2), New Kensington (2), Monessen (2), Belle Vernon (1), Derry (1), Franklin Regional (1), Greensburg C.C. (1), Kiski Area (1), Greensburg (1), Latrobe (1), Mt. Pleasant Ramsay (1), Rostraver (1), Sewickley Township (1), South Huntingdon (1), Sewickley Area (1) and Washington Township (1).

Reclassified information

The PIAA released new enrollment figures recently and the only local football team affected is Southmoreland.

The Scotties are primed to move from Class 3A to 2A, although they could play up and stay where they are. Class 2A is the largest in the WPIAL, with 30 teams.

Southmoreland has not made the football playoffs since 1979, the longest drought in the WPIAL.

Elsewhere, McKeesport is set to drop from 5A to 4A, meaning the Tigers won't continue to play Penn-Trafford in the Big East Conference. The WPIAL runner-up Warriors aren't complaining.

He said it

“(Terrelle) Pryor did it better because he's the greatest ever to play for Jeannette. … Just to be mentioned in the same sentence as him is definitely humbling.” — Jeannette's Robert Kennedy on moving from quarterback to receiver.

George Guido contributed. Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Imani Christian, Jeannette, Ligonier Valley, Southmoreland