Thomas Jefferson rides running game past Central Valley

By: Sean Saputo
Saturday, August 31, 2024 | 12:19 AM

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A rainy night played into the hands of Thomas Jefferson on Friday evening, as the ground and pound Jaguars controlled the second half with the run game, leading to a 27-13 victory over Central Valley.

“When we saw it start storming, it played right into our hands,” Jaguars coach Bill Cherpak said. “We didn’t want to get into a track meet with them, and the rain limited their passing game and became much more of an advantage to us.”

Central Valley had the first chance to score on its opening drive but a missed 25-yard field goal.

With 2 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Thomas Jefferson struck first when senior quarterback Luke Kosko found senior wide receiver Gavin Miller for a 26-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.

The Warriors responded to tie the game with 4:59 remaining in the first half when sophomore running back Jance Henry scored from 3 yards out.

It took the Jaguars just 2:04 to respond, when a 28-yard reception by Miller, followed by a 24-yard rush by senior running back Matthew Martinis, led to Martinis scoring his own 3-yard touchdown to regain the edge, 14-7.

Central Valley quickly answered, when Henry scored just 22 seconds later with a 57-yard touchdown run, but the extra point went wide left, and Thomas Jefferson held the slim lead of 14-13 at the half.

At the half, the Warriors were outgaining the Jaguars 186 to 174 in total yardage and decisively on the ground, 148 to 55.

As the second half came around, the weather conditions changed to wet and rainy, playing into Thomas Jefferson’s favor, allowing the offensive line and running backs, specifically sophomore Tyler Eber, the ability to shine.

“It was really (Eber’s) first big game,” Cherpak said. “He hits the hole and he goes. He used to cut and cut back in, but now he knows to just hit the hole and go.”

Eber, who finished with 132 yards on 27 carries, set up the Jaguars’ two scores in the second half, including nine straight carries on the first drive of the third quarter, collecting 74 yards. The drive was capped by Kosko’s 3-yard sneak to make it 20-13 with 4:18 left in the frame.

The final points scored by Thomas Jefferson came with 5:02 remaining in the game, as Eber carried the ball eight more times, setting up Martinis for his second touchdown of the game, from 1-yard away.

The second half was completely different offensively, as the Jaguars ran 28 plays, all on the ground, collecting 144 total yards. On the other side, the Warriors ran 21 plays that totaled just 41 yards.

Thomas Jefferson now prepares for another huge matchup against McKeesport, which got the best of the Jaguars last season.

“It’s going to be a great game; it’s become a rivalry after playing them so much being in the same conference,” Cherpak said. “They want to run the ball, we want to run the ball, so it’s all going to come down to execution, the lines and limiting turnovers.”

On the other side, Central Valley sits at 0-2 and its gauntlet of a nonconference schedule and tour of Class 4A continues with Belle Vernon next Friday.

Tags: Central Valley, Thomas Jefferson