Jeannette finds success with deep backfield

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, December 5, 2017 | 8:30 PM

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Jeannette's title-winning football teams have had plenty in common over the years: steady quarterback play, dependable front lines and a poison-mean defense at the top of the list.

But many also had workhorse running backs who moved the sticks with durability, shiftiness and speed.

This year's team, however, has done it differently.

The Jayhawks (14-1) won their ninth WPIAL championship and will go for their second PIAA title Thursday in Hershey without a “featured” running back.

You could argue that part-time senior quarterback Robert Kennedy fits that billing, with his 1,242 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground.

While the handoffs have been limited, they also have been more spread out. That trend likely will continue as the Jayhawks get ready for their big scene Thursday afternoon against Homer-Center (13-1) in the PIAA Class A final at Hersheypark Stadium.

Jeannette's last state championship came in 2007 with superstar Terrelle Pryor at quarterback and big-play back Jordan Hall at running back.

This year's group has a much different makeup.

Jeannette has one of its tallest teams with 6-foot-4 receivers Marcus Barnes and Tre Cunningham flanked wide, and the Jayhawks have utilized that length to become more of a passing threat.

Kennedy and junior Seth Howard have shared time under center late in the season. Howard threw a touchdown to Kennedy in last week's 17-6 win over Farrell in the semifinals.

Junior Melik Gordan was thought to be the replacement in the backfield for standout Kareem Hall, who graduated. But Gordan has had an injury-plagued season and has been in and out of the lineup.

That has prompted a running back-by-committee approach with 16 players carrying the ball this season.

“We may not have a Terrelle Pryor back there, but we have a lot of talented kids,” Jeannette coach Roy Hall said. “They get the job done. We're fortunate to have several good skill players.”

Kennedy allows his teammates to get chances out of the backfield. The ball is snapped and the play looks like a jet sweep. But Kennedy instead fakes and hands off to another back, and the play still goes for big yardage.

Kennedy isn't just a decoy at receiver.

“Once we get the ball, we don't need big plays every time,” junior running back Zack Berginc said. “We can get a few yards at a time. But with our speed, if we get outside, we can quickly get 10 yards or more down field.”

Berginc has rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries — and two impressive postgame back-flips.

Earning the starting running back job is an accomplishment at Jeannette, but getting totes in the flow of games, like this season, is just as notable.

Different permutations also have proven effective.

Howard has rushed for 329 yards and 10 touchdowns on 60 attempts; sophomore Imani Sanders has 381 yards and eight TDs on 75 carries; and junior Isaiah Winters has run for 198 yards and a score on 21 attempts.

“The key is making the most of your opportunity,” Sanders said. “We have a saying here that when you get your chance, you have to take advantage of it.”

Coach Hall said a patchwork and undersized line also has played a part in the moving-turnstiles running game.

“You look at some of those (lineman),” Hall said. “Take Drake Petrillo. This is his first year playing football. We have had a lot of guys in and out there. Our line (in 2007) was more set. These guys this year have really come together.”

Kennedy said the game plan isn't necessarily about who gets the carries. Rather, what each player does to help the Jayhawks win another state title.

“Our mentality is to dominate,” Kennedy said. “Whoever we play, that's the way we think. We want to give the people of Jeannette what they want. We want to bring it home.”

Added Berginc: “It would (stink) to go all the way out there and lose this football game. We have no plans to do that.”

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

Tags: Jeannette