Westmoreland County high school football matchups for 2023 Week 2

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 | 6:32 PM

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Connellsville (2-0) at Franklin Regional (1-1)

7 p.m., Friday, Franklin Regional Panther Stadium, Murrysville

Last week: Connellsville 28, Hempfield 7; Franklin Regional 28, Latrobe 21

Last year’s result: Franklin Regional 40, Connellsville 0

Franklin Regional welcomes a Connellsville squad off to its best start since 1997 after nonconference wins against Albert Gallatin and Hempfield. … Senior running back Bruce Giles rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns against the Spartans. Quarterback Anthony Piasecki threw for 175 and four touchdowns against Albert Gallatin. The Falcons have three head coaches: Chad Lembo, Mick Lilley and Jace McLean. … The Panthers, who have turned the ball over eight times in two games, will need to limit mistakes against the Falcons. Franklin Regional got two touchdowns runs from Kyle Dupill, who rushed for 115 yards, and two touchdown passes from Chase Lemke against Latrobe. The defense also came up with goal-line stands to end each half.

Derry (1-1) at Southmoreland (2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Russ Grimm Field, Alverton

Last week: Derry 26, Greensburg Salem 21; Southmoreland 48, Ligonier Valley 7

Last year’s meeting: Greensburg Salem 35, Ligonier Valley 28

Who has more confidence heading into a match of Westmoreland County teams? … Derry is riding high after breaking a 20-game losing streak, which was the longest skid in the WPIAL. Ahmad Ward has a game to remember with 191 yards rushing and three touchdowns and a 100-yard pick-6. … With an infused running game led by Da’sjon Craggette, the Scotties have balance offensively as they seek to show doubters they are for real.

Frazier (0-2) at Monessen (0-2)

7 p.m., Friday, Memorial Stadium, Monessen

Last week: Mapletown 28, Frazier 0; Cornell 20, Monessen 6

Last year’s result: Monessen 42, Frazier 6

This is a battle of two winless squads. … Frazier has been shut out in both games this season, falling to California (37-0) and Mapletown. Frazier is trying to rebuild under third-year coach Mike Shannon. Quarterback Brennen Stewart ad sophomore running Derek Diamond hope to lead the way. … Monessen dropped two hard-fought games. The Greyhounds fell to Washington (49-20) and Cornell. Tyvaughn Kershaw has scored three of the team’s four touchdowns so far.

Greensburg Central Catholic (1-1) at West Greene (2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Kennedy Field, Waynesburg

Last week: Bishop Canevin 26, Greensburg Central Catholic 6; West Greene 56, Chartiers-Houston 13

Last year’s meeting: Greensburg Central Catholic 57, West Greene 21

The scene shifts back to Waynesburg as GCC looks to make it two in a row against the high-scoring Pioneers (42 ppg). … GCC was held in check offensively against Bishop Canevin’s larger linemen, although it moved the ball against the Crusaders, whose performance was far below their standards. Samir Crosby continues to make plays in multiple ways. … Watch out for sneaky-fast running back Colin Brady, who piled up 277 rushing yards and four touchdowns in Week 1, scoring in runs of 6, 51, 58 and 35 yards.

Jefferson-Morgan (1-1) at Jeannette (1-1)

7 p.m. Friday, McKee Stadium, Jeannette

Last week: Waynesburg 19, Jefferson-Morgan 7; East Allegheny 33, Jeannette 30 (OT)

Last year’s meeting: Jefferson-Morgan 27, Jeannette 26 (OT)

Will Jeannette let another close game end up another overtime disappointment, or will the Jayhawks take care of business in regulation? … Jefferson-Morgan scored a touchdown on fourth-and-15 and then blocked an extra point last year for a heart-racing win in OT. The Rockets this season have scored 49 points and allowed 49 points. Jeannette has scored 46 and given up 46. … Noah Sanders is again the go-to guy for the Jayhawks, rushing the ball and catching passes out of the backfield.

Ligonier Valley (1-1) at Greensburg Salem (0-2)

7 p.m., Friday, Offutt Field, Greensburg

Last week: Southmoreland 48, Ligonier Valley 7; Derry 26, Greensburg Salem 21

Last year’s result: Greensburg Salem 35, Ligonier Valley 28

These teams had quite a battle in 2022 with the Golden Lions winning a high-scoring contest. … The Rams will rely on the running of junior John Jablunovsky to help them bounce back after a tough loss to a talented Southmoreland squad. … The winless Golden Lions hope to get new coach Ty George his first win. Junior quarterback Peyton Chismar is eligible to return after sitting out the first two games after he was ejected in the final game of 2022.

Class 4A No. 3 McKeesport (2-0) at Class 3A No. 1 Belle Vernon (1-0)

7 p.m. Friday, James Weir Stadium, Belle Vernon

Last week: McKeesport 17, Penn-Trafford 7; Belle Vernon 40, Laurel Highlands 0

Last year’s meeting: McKeesport 14, Belle Vernon 6

Two physical and fast teams with the look of playoff contenders meet at “The Beach.” … After a staunch showing last week that only allowed Penn-Trafford to gain 66 yards, McKeesport hopes to use its defensive pressure to slow down Quinton Marton and company. Their first two snaps against the Warriors went for 95 yards. Dominique Cochran is a problem at wideout. … Coach Matt Humbert said his defense would be fast and physical, and the opener proved it with a shutout. Martin ran for 102 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Mt. Pleasant (1-1) at McGuffey (1-1)

7 p.m., Friday, McGuffey High School Stadium, Claysville

Last week: Mt. Pleasant 27, Yough 13; McGuffey 48, Ringgold 22

Last year’s result: Mt. Pleasant 50, McGuffey 28

Two teams looking to build momentum after Week 1 ones. … Mt. Pleasant will try to replicate the balance it showed on offense last week. QB Cole Chatfield threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns, two to Lucas Nicotera, while Garrett Eicher ran for 98 yards and Jackson Hutter ran for 72. … The Highlanders bounced back from a tough loss to Southmoreland in Week Zero to drub the Rams. Charles Wagers and Connor Crowe each rushed for two touchdowns. McGuffey coach Ed Dalton used to coach at Mt. Pleasant.

Norwin (0-2) at Fox Chapel (0-2)

7 p.m. Friday, James Burk Athletic Complex, O’Hara Township

Last week: Penn Hills 27, Norwin 0; Plum 34, Fox Chapel 10

Last year’s meeting: Norwin 27, Fox Chapel 13

Someone will get their first win, but with little momentum on each side, who will it be? … Norwin was plucky in its opener against Upper St. Clair, but sputtered against top-ranked Penn Hills. The running game continues its search for consistency, but this could be the week it awakens. … Plum had its way with the Fox Chapel defense as the Mustangs ran the ball with command. The Foxes have surrendered 69 points in two games.

Penn-Trafford (0-2) at Woodland Hills (1-1)

7 p.m., Friday, Wolvarena, Turtle Creek

Last week: McKeesport 17, Penn-Trafford 7; Woodland Hills 27, Gateway 0

Last year’s result: Penn-Trafford 48, Woodland Hills 14

The Warriors look to avoid an 0-3 start, a rarity for the program. … The Penn-Trafford offense has only found the end zone once this season. QB Jonny Lovre has completed 28 of 51 passes for 312 yards, but has thrown four interceptions. Freshman Ben Grabowski leads the team with 77 yards rushing. … Woodland Hills can score from anywhere on the field. Electric receiver Scoop Smith got going against Gateway, catching three touchdown passes, two from Cam Walter. Elijah Nesby rushed for 96 yards on five carries and scored on an 85-yard run.

Yough (0-2) at Charleroi (0-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Myron Pottios Stadium, Charleroi

Last week: Mt. Pleasant 27, Yough 13; California 47, Charleroi 0

Last year’s meeting: Yough 14, Charleroi 0

A pair of programs on opposite sides of the Speers Bridge face off as they look to build momentum and return to playoff form. … While Yough has moved the football with run-pass balance, finishing drives has not been its forte. And the run defense has been unsteady through two weeks. … Charleroi is on its third coach in as many years (Mark Gambino) so a new system is looking to grow roots.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon, Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Frazier, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Jeannette, Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland, Yough