High school football notebook: Mt. Pleasant focused on present, not playoff streak

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, October 12, 2017 | 5:03 PM

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Mt. Pleasant is staying in the present — in the hopes it won't have to worry as much about the future.

The Vikings (2-5, 1-4) have made the WPIAL football playoffs eight consecutive years, a streak that has made a tradition-rich program proud. But they have dipped to sixth place in the eight-team Interstate Conference and will have to work to get back into the Class 3A playoff chase.

There are three conferences in 3A. The top two teams from each qualify, along with two third-place “wild-card” teams.

Mt. Pleasant has a pair of winnable conference games left, and both are at home, against Yough (1-6, 1-3) and Southmoreland (0-6, 0-4). But will that be enough to get the Vikings in?

First-year coach Jason Fazekas isn't looking that far ahead. He won't veer from the team's immediate goals.

“Our focus after the past two weeks is totally on this Friday,” Fazekas said. “We need to get better with each practice. I think our kids and coaches are embarrassed with how we played recently, and we are looking to make progress toward getting better this week.

“That should be plenty of motivation for the team.”

Showing improvement

Two area Class A programs that struggled a year ago are experiencing what it feels like to win again.

Greensburg Central Catholic went 2-8 last season, and Monessen finished 1-9. This season, GCC is 3-4 and in the playoff race in the tough Eastern Conference, and Monessen is 2-5.

GCC missed the playoffs last year to snap a 13-year streak. The 1-9 mark was the worst in Monessen history and caused the Greyhounds to miss the playoffs for a third straight season.

Both teams have first-year coaches — Aaron Smetanka at GCC and Mikey Blainefield at Monessen.

“The kids are working hard and seeing what putting in the time can do,” Smetanka said.

The top five teams in each of three Class A conferences — plus one wild-card team — make the playoffs.

Winning the race

Kennedys used to run for president. At Jeannette, Kennedys run for touchdowns. And pass for them. And return punts, kicks and interceptions for them.

Jeannette quarterback/defensive back Robert “Poogie” Kennedy has accounted for 36 touchdowns in seven games — 16 passing, 14 rushing, three on interception returns, two on punt returns and one on a kickoff return. He is a key reason why Jeannette (7-0) is ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL and fourth in the state.

Consider: Terrelle Pryor threw for 583 yards and 10 TDs and ran for 559 yards and six scores in his first year as a starting QB at Jeannette.

Pryor was a sophomore but Kennedy, a senior, has looked the part and more.

Kennedy is confident in his skills and talks about it with candor.

“I knew I was going to put up numbers like this in the passing game because of how diverse our offense is,” he said. “And I knew rushing that I was going to be successful because of all the extra work I did, running hills and running extra sprints in the offseason.”

And don't forget the blockers.

“I've done this by having one of the best lines in single-A — no doubt,” Kennedy said.

Paying tribute

Derry will honor first-responders, active military personnel and veterans before Friday night's game against Ellwood City at Trojan Stadium. The “Salute Our Heroes” program that organizers have put together will begin at 6:30 p.m.

New book

Longtime Penn-Trafford football historian Rush Pedder has written a 378-page book about the Warriors program. “Warriors: The History of Penn-Trafford Football” has everything any fan would want to know, from records, box scores, all-time roster, interviews, photos and more.

The book costs $25 with $1 per sale going to the football program. It can be purchased at P-T home games; in the high school athletic office; at the team banquet; by mailing a check payable to: Rush Pedder, 1242 Mission Road, Apt. 10, Latrobe, PA, 15650; or by emailing a request to ptwarriorshistory@gmail.com ($30 by mail).

Scottie going down under

Southmoreland junior running back Ronnie Robinson has been invited to play in the Down Under Sports Tournaments this June in Queensland, Australia. He will play for Team Pennsylvania. Players must fund-raise for the 10-day trip. To donate, visit DownUnderSports.com/payment.

Extra points

It has been feast or famine for Greensburg Salem. The team's margin of victory: 25.7 points per game. Its margin of defeat: 27.5. … Latrobe QB/LB Jason Armstrong picked up an offer from Wheeling Jesuit, a Division II program. Wheeling Jesuit also offered Penn-Trafford kicker Nick Tarabrella. … Greensburg Central Catholic kicker Ethan Slike's project to raise money for childhood cancer research through Kohl's Kicking Camps had gathered more than $1,100 in donations as of early this week. … Mt. Pleasant senior receiver Ryan Quinn has 18 receptions for 305 yards and two scores. He transferred from GCC. … Six county teams are allowing fewer than 17 points per game: Penn-Trafford (6.3), Belle Vernon (9.5), Derry (11.0), Jeannette (12.7), Norwin (14.1) and Franklin Regional (16.2).

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

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Jeannette, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland