Steel Valley, Washington overcame obstacles to reach WPIAL Class 2A final

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 24, 2017 | 3:03 PM

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It's not surprising that Steel Valley and Washington are headed Saturday to Joe Walton Stadium; the two were WPIAL favorites since late summer.

They finished the regular season undefeated, and now No. 1 seed Steel Valley (11-0) faces No. 2 Washington (12-0) in the WPIAL Class 2A final at 6 p.m. But that doesn't mean their routes to RMU were ever guaranteed.

Each had its own obstacles.

A year after winning the Class 2A state title, Steel Valley returns to RMU with a lineup that includes only four starters from last season's championship: Todd Hill, Trevon Adams, Amonte Strothers and Alex Ligeros. Gone from last year's lineup are Pitt freshman Paris Ford, Duquesne's DeWayne Murray and the rest of their deep senior class that forced the mercy rule 15 times last year.

This year, the Ironmen have started three freshmen with quarterback Ronnell Lawrence among them. Lawrence, forced into the lineup midseason, has thrown for 722 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“It's always a great feeling knowing you're playing for a championship,” Steel Valley coach Rod Steele said. “Like I tell the guys, each year is a different year. You graduate kids. Your younger kids get older and develop into starters. It's always nice when you can turn over (the roster) and get back. That's everybody's goal.”

To complicate matters, star Steel Valley tailback Nas West tore his ACL in the first scrimmage, and an injury pushed senior quarterback Trey Karfelt to the sideline in Week 3. Karfelt returned just last week but didn't start at quarterback.

Without West, Kam Williams emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher with 19 touchdowns.

“The kids could have put their heads down and fell in the tank,” Steele said, “but they kept grinding. The coaching staff did a great job of getting the next guy ready. That's what it's been about.”

Steel Valley qualified for the finals with a 13-10 victory over Riverside in overtime.

Washington's challenge this season was much different. After several playoff disappointments, this year's roster was out to prove it could reach the WPIAL finals.

This was the fourth year in a row the Prexies were seeded second or third, but the past three years all ended with semifinal or quarterfinal losses.

“This group has been hungry to get to a championship game,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “It's something we talked about. Right now, we're thrilled to be practicing on Thanksgiving Day.”

Washington qualified with a 19-14 semifinal victory over Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic. Junior running back Nick Welsh rushed for 100 yards on 19 carries and scored a 15-yard touchdown before leaving injured. Bosnic said Welsh is cleared to play Saturday.

Washington's offense has more balance than in years past with junior quarterback Zack Swartz passing for 1,764 yards and 26 touchdowns. His top receiver is senior Isaiah Schoonmaker, a Miami (Ohio) recruit with 30 receptions.

The Prexies average 43.1 points and allow 8.5, both best in WPIAL Class 2A.

“It's just group that really wanted it and wants to be champions,” Bosnic said. “They're a resilient group that fought through adversity. It's just a group that really wants it.”

Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.

Tags: Steel Valley, Washington