Pinpointing when a youthful football team begins to mature is difficult and for Washington High School, there are several options for consideration.
There was a dominating three-game stretch where the Prexies outscored East Allegheny, Brownsville and South Allegheny, 107-14.
Then there's last Friday's gutty win over Jeannette where Washington scored the final 18 points.
How about last night's thrilling 20-18 win over a good Charleroi team when Marquis Brown picked up a Quentin Briggs fumble and returned it 66 yards for the tying touchdown before adding the winning points on a two-point run?
All solid choices.
For me, the moment came during the fourth quarter of a loss to Mt. Pleasant in Week 2. The Vikings led 28-0 before Washington scored 15 points. Those points looked meaningless at the time but it showed this group of Prexies isn't about to quit.
That attitude has shown through the past two weeks against strong competition.
So did Washington's toughness and evolving maturity.
Last night, for example, several key plays came from a variety of underclassmen. Freshman Daron Whitaker, all 5-4 or 5-5 of him, rushed for a team-high 62 yards and moved the chains during the first half. In the second half, freshman Jaylin Kelly came in and picked up 16 yards. Doesn't sound like much but he converted two third downs and added a touchdown.
Runs like the ones Kelly had and just about every yard picked up by Zach Barnes were as important in beating Charleroi as Brown's fumble.
Washington needed to match Charleroi's desire up front and it did. Sure, Briggs rushed for 180 yards but the Prexies tackled him early. Keeping Briggs contained on those first few drives had to give Washington's defense a boost.
Grinding out tough yards had to as well.
And, no matter how many big-play athletes Washington has, it's the ability to tackle and pick up tough yards that produce victories in the postseason.
** Doubt this will be the popular opinion on the board but it looked like Briggs was down when he lost the football that was scooped up by Brown for Washington's game-winning touchdown.
** Jefferson-Morgan's 21-20 victory at California in a key Tri-County South Conference game added to one dramatic Friday night.
Ryan Knight's 17-yard touchdown reception from Brandon Kozich with 1:01 remaining provided the winning points and clinched a playoff berth for the Rockets, who are in third place.
The loss hurts California's playoff chances. The Trojans close the regular season at first-place Monessen. Carmichaels, tied with California for fourth place but owner of the head-to-head tiebreaker, concludes its conference slate with winless West Greene.
The Mikes have reached the WPIAL Class A playoffs 11 consecutive years. California has been in the last 10 playoffs.
** Covered high school football for 13 years an can honestly say that I have never seen an ending like Charleroi at Washington.
** South Fayette clinched a share of the Class AA Century Conference championship with an impressive 21-0 victory at Steel Valley. It's the Lions first conference title since moving up from Class A.
South Fayette shared the Ohio Valley Conference title with Bishop Canevin and Chartiers-Houston in 2000 and with Fort Cherry and Brentwood in 1999.
Here's something to consider, with Beaver Falls losing to Center, will South Fayette receive the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL playoffs if they beat Bishop Canevin to wrap up a 9-0 record.
South Fayette and Mt. Pleasant are the only remaining undefeated teams in WPIAL Class AA.
** Trinity's Ken Wilkins has three touchdown catches the past two weeks.
40 comments:
Mike,
Word going around that there was an altercation between some members of the Charleroi coaching staff and a ref after last night's game?
Care to spread any light on that issue (if there even was one, at all)?
I want to give a round of applause to the Avella football program. They showed no quit last night even though they was clearly overmatched even against our 2nd team down the stretch. They stuffed us on a 4th down late in the game as we was trying to run down the clock. Avella has no reason to hang their heads. Avella has a bright future if they keep on playing like last night. The peices are definately there for next season and beyond. Just keep your heads up Avella. Better days are ahead.
No altercation Mailman but Charleroi coaches were hot and understandably so.
According to head coach Luke Mollis, he wanted to know who was responsible for making the call on the fumble.
"I walked to the back judge but nobody owned up to it," Mollis told reporters after the game.
He also regretted losing his cool, as was quoted in Saturday's edition of the Observer-Reporter.
Mollis and offensive coordinator Dan LaCarte immediately approached the official – the guess is we're talking about the back judge – as the game ended.
I tried to listen but couldn't hear over the noise.
They were visibly angry but I did not witness any physical exchange.
Yea there coaches were in the faces of the refs why I have no idea the coaches lost that game for them not the refs anytime your winning by 6 pts with 74secs and the other team has no timeouts and u don't down the football on 3rd down instead u run the ball u need to lose dumb coaching.
From what I saw, Avella was a better football team than Burgettstown and Bentworth. I know those kids were frustrated during and after the game but there really is no reason to be. What an improvement from last year...and what a gutsy performance by #6 Jesse Noble. I loved watching him play that game Friday night. No fear, no quit...great game Jesse.
Also, I would like to thank the Avella School District and the announcer in Avella for acknowledging and having a moment of silence for the 3 young victims of Friday mornings house fire in Clairton. It was a very classy move and it was much appreciated. Thank you.
Great point Clairton Alum.
Avella was very classy the whole evening. The band played a tribute to the lost children during halftime. Overall one of the better schools i've ever been to. The way Avella acted I just hope they get their act together and play competive ball.
to the clairton alum. sorry for the loss in the town of clairton. After our burgettstown fans thought the game with your team was not dirty as fc said it would be thanks for the insult. after we praised your jv tean even though the b kids got beat. you left that insult, maybe you should been grieving your stupid comment. Remember noone is better than thou, it is what you become that make you better.
Joey NIklas by the way the tragedy happened after the b game. I'm sure we would done the same. think not talk. maybe neither for you
Avella will beat Burgettstown.
Trust me, People think this is going to be a cake walk in Burgettstown. Clairton has no sot at winning a state title.
Why did Wash High go for two so late in the game? No kicking game? Field conditions made a PAT too difficult?
No one mentioned Trinity coach Ed Dalton throwing a pass in the last 30 seconds of the game with a twenty point lead talk about class.
Sarcastic Sword, the Prexie field goal kicker has been ill. I don't know why they haven't pulled in a replacement, there are some players that can kick a field goal with some practice. Not sure really why they do some of the things they do but having a reliable kicker would be better than trying to get 2, the other teams are expecting it because that is what we have done all year. I also don't know why they aren't using their wide receivers more, they are reliable and I know the QB can get it to them. Who's to know? They're getting full use of their athletes.
to anon on 10/26 at 905:
before i respond to you I have one question. What? I have no idea what you just said.
Anon 9:07
I wasn't dogging Burgettstown at all. I was just referring to Avella's class. If what would've happened Friday was before anyother game we would've received the same treatment Avella showed us.
Wash High's Field was in pretty bad shape Friday. I don't know if that was the whole reason, but the Prexies are not the best field goal kicking team in the Interstate so I think the coaches felt more comfortable going for two rather than kicking. By the way, who all is going to make it out to the McGuffey game. That's going to be another nail biter. Any thoughts on that game?
@ Anon Oct 27 1:32 AM...
Maybe its in the water at Trinity...Their freshman team threw a pass up 36-0 vs Ringgold last Thursday that went the distance for a 60 yd TD...Now the route was less than 10 yds but its not classy.....Teams that get blown out should be given a chance to lose with dignity.....
FYI Charleroi - Mollis is suspended for this weeks game because he got ejected at the end of the Wash High game....In todays Valley Independent..
I was standing on the Charleroi sideline during the final minute plus. Mollis was not ejected during the game. He was on the sidelines through the final play. He did go up to an official after the game.
Can you be ejected from a game after it's over?
Makes no sense to me.
As for Trinity running up the score last Friday, I asked my son why they threw the ball. Trinity replaced their 1's and 2's and put in the sophomores. Yough refused to take out their starters and scored on the JV's, so to send a message, they threw on them and scored! (It was called back on a penalty). Yough should have gotten some of their JV's playing time. When you are down by 4 TD's in the 4th, time to swallow your pride and let the younger kids play.
As for the 9th grade game against Ringgold, if you can't stop a 10 yard route, that is your fault. No problem with the coach throwing a 10 yard route to try and get one of their kids a catch. If you are that bad that you can't stop the 3rd string, then suffer the consequences!!
@anon 10/28/09 10:43 am
Your defense throwing late on either game is sad and thats why kids grow up without respecting others......If Dalton thought he had to send a message to Yough by throwing, he doesnt have a clue....Did you ever wonder that maybe the Yough coaches kept their kids in the game to send a message to them - play badly and you'll be forced to play against their JV...
For your excuse for the 9th grade game passing late - thats an excuse in pro ball - where running up the score is tolerated because theyre pros - no complained two weeks ago when NE tossed up 50 vs Titans..But this 14 and 15 yr old kids....From early in the game, the outcome was never in jeopardy - ask a fan from either side....What message was the 9th grade coach sending - thats hes a classless fool?
I just find it comical two Clairton posters attempting to tell Avella (let alone anyone) about 'sportsmanship'.
Carry on.
Ringgold can clinch a playoff spot by beating Trinity and TJ beating West Mifflin. For Ringgold to even be in the mix, with their lack of experience, is impressive to me.
I follow Ringgold myself but to think you're a legitimate playoff team with a 2-4 record is a joke.......I hope they get in - would be good experience for an inexperienced bunch...But dont kid yourself - if they get in, they'll be a low seed playing a team like Hopewell...They didnt make the rules where the top 4 teams get in - they might benefit by it though.....To be impressed by them would be if they were challenging TJ and Char Valley for the top two spots in the Big 7...
Anon 4:20
We was thanking Avella for being classy and giving a tribute to 3 kids that died in a terrible tragedy. Learn how to read.
Sword:
The Trinity 9th grade team was not trying to run up the score. They simply tried to throw a pass to one of the WR that ususally doesn't get a chance to catch a pass. It was a simple 5 yard curl, not a half back pass, reverse, or a deep route. The kid broke tackles for a 60 yard TD.
That is admirable for the coaches to get these kids playing time and a chance to make a play. It isn't their fault that Ringgold is that bad. That kid who caught the pass will remember that the rest of his life.
As for the Varsity game against Yough, Yough's varsity players were blitzing 8 on every play and just trying to kill the sophomores from Trinity. That my friend is classless. Is that how you make yourself feel better? Get killed in a game by 41 and then keep your varsity in the whole game so that they can score a couple TD's so the score doesn't look so bad?! Unwritten rule: when one team subs, the other follows suit!
If you are complaining about someone running up the score, you should concentrate less on crying/making excuses and a little more on coaching. Maybe that is why Yough gets beat by 40 against EVERYONE!
Trinity fans quite defending Dalton it's hopeless on you're part people who follow high school football knows it's classless so move on and quite believing that stuff.
@ Anon 10-28-09 9:22 PM
Im not from Yough - I could care less what they do....Im just commenting that I think Trinity showed no class in either the varsity game or the freshman game..
Back to the freshman game - it was a screen pass - not a 5 yr curl..You dont throw a screen pass up 40 pts......Were you at the game? Once the kid caught the ball, he basically went 60 yards without much resistance - not breaking tackles like you described.....The DB's were run off the play by the WR's - there was nobody to make a play as Ringgold rushed 6-7 kids - it was a well executed play by Trinity...But if the backups want meaningful playing time - then get better...if you only play in blowouts then you run the risk of having to run belly dives all the time....Midget football is when you try to get a kid a moment in which he can remember for the rest of his life..Not high school........
Youre just ticked off that Trinity once again underachieved and they can only play spoilers this Friday by beating Ringgold....Not making the playoffs like they were predicted to do at the Big 7 Media Day...
I WAS STANDING BY AT THE GATE AT THE END OF THE CHARLEROI WASH HIGH GAME AND AFTER THE COACH DECIDED TO ACT A FOOL AND REMOVE HIS JACKET, HAVING WORDS WITH THE REF AND HAD TO BE HELD BACK BY OTHERS, THE REF THREW HIS YELLOW FLAG.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WAS THE STATEMENT FOR EJECTION.
its pretty simple...if you dont want a team to run up the score on you STOP THEM. Where is the outrage about Gateway scoring 76 on Connellsville? Im sorry, but its not the winning teams responsibility to take the foot off of the gas pedal. Both teams train all week to play a football game...if you cant stop one team from scoring thats no ones fault but your own.
A wiseman once said, "It's not my job to stop me, it is the other teams." Class has nothing to do with it. Are we teaching our boys to be men? About life? In their future no one is going to "take a knee" if they are getting beat up professionally or financially. We have a tendency to treat kids too softly these days. Teach them to get back off the canvas no matter what the score is and be relentless when you have an advantage. It's life. No Whining. No Knee-downs.
Mike:
coaches are accountable for their actions at the game site, before, during and after.
You can be ejected at anytime. If now, many post-games could get way out if hand.
well said cementhead!! Quit coddling the kids!! If you don't want your teeth kicked in, then go out for the band!!
This is competative sports, it is your job to stop the opposing offense, not their job to ease up because you stink!
That is the problem with these kids these days. You constantly protect your little babies and never let them learn a lesson in life. When they get fired from their job, will you go cry for them? What about when they have financial trouble, you will bail them out. Let them learn how to lose! That is how you learn how to win!
"Joey Niklas said...
I want to give a round of applause to the Avella football program. They showed no quit last night even though they was clearly overmatched even against our 2nd team down the stretch. They stuffed us on a 4th down late in the game as we was trying to run down the clock. Avella has no reason to hang their heads. Avella has a bright future if they keep on playing like last night. The peices are definately there for next season and beyond. Just keep your heads up Avella. Better days are ahead."
That's what I was referring to. Maybe you should learn how to read. Of course, you would probably have to go to a better school.
the lack of class and respect for our fellow human beings never cease to amaze me......Youre talking about teenagers here - they do work hard...but if they lack talent to compete, what is running up the score proving? there is such a thing as winning with dignity and allowing weak teams to lose with dignity...
As for Gateway - I cant imagine any pass was thrown in the 2nd half - and with a running clock to boot.....I have no problems with teams playing hard to the end of the game - and if a team like gateway kept scoring but never was rubbing it in like throwing a pass or reverse, then so be it..It is what it is.....I never would have complained in the first place about that freshman game even if the score was 76-0 provided Trinity attempted to win with class....
i am not a dalton fan at all. but these 9th grade boys are a good group of kids with lots of talent. i wish them the best despite dalton.
Sarcastic Sword........
Nobody from Trinity would intentionally humiliate another kid or opposing team. To beleive that, only makes you sound like an angry and bitter person.
"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces, is likely the one who dropped it."- Lou Holtz, Arkansas
"Show me a gracious loser, and I'll show you a failure."-Knute Rockne, Notre Dame
Good Luck to your Rams on Friday night. It should be a good one!
trinitys just not used to blowing teams out, so they dont know how to handle it. they should look at TJ for a good example
"Youre just ticked off that Trinity once again underachieved and they can only play spoilers this Friday by beating Ringgold....Not making the playoffs like they were predicted to do at the Big 7 Media Day..."
Umm call me crazy but im pretty sure its win and in for the hillers this year....unless west mifflin pulls the upset of all upsets....but what do i know
"Joey Niklas said...
I want to give a round of applause to the Avella football program. They showed no quit last night even though they was clearly overmatched even against our 2nd team down the stretch. They stuffed us on a 4th down late in the game as we was trying to run down the clock. Avella has no reason to hang their heads. Avella has a bright future if they keep on playing like last night. The peices are definately there for next season and beyond. Just keep your heads up Avella. Better days are ahead."
That's what I was referring to. Maybe you should learn how to read. Of course, you would probably have to go to a better school.
October 29, 2009 2:14 PM
And what is so bad about that. I gave them props on a good game played. I said nothing bad about Avella. Can you not hate Clairton for 3 seconds to realize I was giving them credit. And I also said that they have a bright future ahead of them.
Trinity needs to take lessons from TJ?!! Do you remember all the fighting and name calling last year when TJ was throwing on Elizabeth Forward late in the game and up by a Million??!!! Before Dalton came to Hiller Country, we used to be the Yough of the WPIAL. I never once complained when my son's team got destroyed by 60 against USC or when other teams burried the Hillers by a million. It was our job to get better, not their job to take it easy on us.
Great quotes by THSfan. Those are lessons about life. If you don't like it, get better. If you can't get better, find another hobby. I love the "join the band" quote from an earlier post!!
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