Westmoreland County high school football notebook: Top teams ready for prime time

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, September 14, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Purchase Photo Options

Regional television and radio will feature several Westmoreland County teams Friday night while shining a spotlight on two recent WPIAL and PIAA championship programs.

Belle Vernon (2-0) will visit Penn-Trafford (1-2) in a game that will be televised on 22 The Point as part of the channel’s “Friday Night Rivals” series.

Belle Vernon, the top-ranked team in the state, won the WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A titles last season, and Penn-Trafford brought home a pair of 5A championships in 2021.

Meanwhile, KDKA (1020 AM and 101.3 FM) and KDKA+ will air the Franklin Regional (2-1) at Gateway (0-3) game featuring neighboring rivals for its game of the week.

While media attention is much broader than it used to be and more teams are covered by a variety of professional and other entities — not to mention the flood of social media hype — coaches try to make sure their players stay focused despite the incoming cameras and bright lights.

Belle Vernon had the KDKA game last week when it played McKeesport and won 21-14 in overtime.

“I don’t think there is any difference playing on TV,” Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane said. “A few extra timeouts is all. I don’t think anyone (on the Penn-Trafford team) will be focused on anything but a great Belle Vernon team.”

Norwin clicking

Mike Brown expected Norwin’s passing offense to flourish once his quarterback and receivers established their timing.

He is watching the arsenal mature and prosper.

Norwin has some talented athletes, and they are beginning to mesh.

“That was missing in the first couple games,” the first-year coach said of the timing and continuity. “It’s a new system, and there is a level of understanding that comes with it. Our guys are making some big plays.”

Sophomore quarterback Tristyn Tavares completed 11 of 20 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns — career numbers — as Norwin earned its first win under Brown, 33-18 over Fox Chapel.

Jake Knight also had a career game with four receptions for 165 yards, including TD catches of 55 and 95 yards.

Jackson Pons and Luke Denny also had scoring grabs, with Pons’ going for 52 yards.

Brown ran an up-tempo, no-huddle offense at Hempfield. While the scheme is similar at Norwin, the Knights are more spread out.

“We used two tight ends a lot at Hempfield and pounded the ball,” Brown said. “What people didn’t see last week was the 13- and 17-yard scrambles by Tristyn that made something happen.”

Tavares’ 588 yards lead all Westmoreland County passers.

Brown said enthusiasm is up around the program. He said varsity players showed up to Saturday’s junior varsity game.

The team also is in the habit of running Sunday practices.

“They’re supporting each other,” Brown said. “It’s nice to see. They want to be here.”

Brother Bear

Franklin Regional coach Lance Getsy watches the Pittsburgh Steelers play just like most people around the Steel City, but he always has one eye on the Chicago Bears.

That is because his brother, Luke, is the Bears’ first-year offensive coordinator.

The younger Getsy also was an assistant with the Green Bay Packers, the team that beat Chicago last week, along with stops at Mississippi State, Western Michigan, IUP, Pitt, West Virginia Wesleyan and Akron, where he played quarterback.

He began his college playing days at Pitt.

The Getsy brothers attended Steel Valley High School.

Lance Getsy said the siblings often talk shop, whether it is about WPIAL offensive schemes, NFL nickel packages or minor details.

“Of course,” he said. “He’s my brother. My family is very close.

“We discuss what we have going on. Football is football. There are great coaches at all levels.”

Lance Getsy has been known to wear Bears swag from time to time.

“But I mostly just wear FR gear,” he said.

Bowen coaching

Former Norwin player Sean Bowen is coaching in Ohio. Bowen, a former quarterback who played at Youngstown State, is an assistant at Cardinal Mooney, an eight-time state champion.

Bowen also was an assistant locally at Yough and Norwin. He is the son of former Hempfield and Serra head coach Rich Bowen.

The elder Bowen is an assistant this season at Greensburg Salem.

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

Tags: Belle Vernon, Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Penn-Trafford