The WPIAL schedule makers sure weren't kind to Washington. The Prexies opened the season with Clairton (a game the schools scheduled) and they played Seton-La Salle Friday night. Things won't be easy this week either as Wash High hosts South Fayette.
At least Washington had the opportunity to schedule its game against Clairton. Waynesburg was not afforded the same opportunity, but the Raiders have been forced to navigate an equally brutal opening month.
Waynesburg started its season against Greensburg Central Catholic. The Raiders played Jeannette Friday night. This week, they're awarded with a crossover game against Beaver Falls.
* Credit Burgettstown with manhandling its first three opponents and continuing its surprising start to the 2011 season with another easy win - this time over South Allegheny to open play in the Century Conference.
It marks the first time since 2000 that the Blue Devils are 3-0. That team, which competed in Class A, failed to make the playoffs.
Burgettstown's schedule gets extremely difficult in the coming weeks. The Blue Devils are at Steel Valley and at South Fayette. After a home game against Quaker Valley, they are at Seton-La Salle and Keystone Oaks.
If Burgettstown can find a way to win two of those games, the season finale against Washington could be a scenario where the winner gets into the playoffs and the loser goes home. Stress the "could be" in that sentence.
* There are several outstanding football players locally in this year's senior class, but I entered the season thinking the top two talents were Ringgold's Demetrius Louis and South Fayette's Zach Challingsworth.
Both are juniors, and their performances Friday night did nothing but reaffirm my belief.
Louis missed the Rams' Week 2 loss at Hampton. He returned against Hollidaysburg and rushed for 253 yards and four touchdowns on nine carries. No player in the coverage area possesses Louis' combination of size, speed and strength. As one person put it Friday night, "He's the most talented guy I've seen in a while."
Challingsworth caught seven passes for 101 yards, rushed eight times, intercepted two passes, punted and even threw a 28-yard touchdown pass as the Lions' eeked out an important win over Steel Valley. Considering his work ethic, Challingsworth's chances of landing at a Division I school are considerable.
* Yes, Penn-Trafford blew out Peters Township in Week 1, but is anyone else starting to think it wasn't such a terrible loss considering how well Penn-Trafford has played this season?
Andrew Erenberg is on a short list of the area's top players.
* Huge games coming up for Ringgold, Chartiers-Houston, Washington and South Fayette, and California and Monessen. Huge.
* The list of local unbeatens is rapidly shrinking. Burgettstown, Chartiers-Houston, Beth-Center, Monessen and California are the only teams on that list.
C-H hosts Clairton this week. California, which picked up a nice non-conference win over Riverview in double overtime, plays at Monessen, which has yet to allow a point.
7 comments:
week three thoughts for wash high. first off wise's 1 yrd touchdown was set up by matt browers 83 yrd kick return, i have to mention that because like i said in the past the recievers get no love. i know nobody listens to me but i also mentioned that washington needs to get a passing game going. they have great backs but you cant play 5th grade football in this league.they have the people to do it. i think washington can play with anybody in the conference.they need to stop the offsides penalties (its atrotious).with 3 minutes left in the game the qb was running to the sidelines to get the plays and the line was walking up to the line of scrimmage.then they ran the ball ahhhhhhh.too many fumbles and missed handoffs. this team is a good football team and i think they can make the playoffs.someone please recognize what these kids can do and work on execution.
Seton LaSalle has been billed by many as one of the top teams in AA this season. I am just as tired of the Clairton talk as most of you are, and I really dis-like a majority of their fans, but you have to ask just how good is that Clairton team? I mean I watched Seton LaSalle Friday night and Clairton is better than them...a lot better than them in my opinion. I dont like what they do and how they act, but you have to give them credit.
I have covered a Clairton and Franklin Regional game this year. I must say that in my opinion, the Bears are substantially better. You may think I am insane but I have seen hundreds of High School games over the last ....seasons. Clairton not only possess the talent and speed but also the intelligence and strength. They would most likely run through AA much as they do A. Also, I believe that they would do incredible damage on the ranks of AAA. Lower your eyebrows, I did just say it. There is no team, at least in the WPIAL, that possess the speed of this team. If you beg to differ, so be it...You don't have to take my word for it, but you probably should.
Hard to take someone's word for it when they don't put their name to it, particularly when claiming to be part of the media. Nice!
I'm not sure anyone here has questioned Clairton's talent, and would be foolish to do so considering the Bears' achievements the past 4-5 years.
i agree with all the statements so far. but i dont believe seton lasalle is going to win wpial. but they are well coached. coaching can win you some games.aliquippa and clairton would be a good game. as would tj and clairton. as for penn trafford, their line is huge and the strongest in wpial without a doubt.
Demetrius Louis can make an avg offensive line look better than it is - his absence vs Hampton was a big loss and while Im not ready to say they win for sure with him in lineup because the defense didnt show up but their chances would have been much better. The young man is a joy to watch.
Onto this week - the Rams face their toughest test to date - GB Salem is big and physical and a road game. More questions will be answered about this team by 10PM Friday.
Impartial observer, your opinion is WRONG. Seton gave up 1 long run on a break out that entire game, Wash Hi moved the ball on Clairton the entire game. If Seton's WR's catch balls right in their hands, that games a blow out early on.
Typical Wash Hi, big hit, run your mouth, one big play, run your mouth, give up first downs, point fingers at each other. If that team could learn to play together and be more interested in execution and less in talking smack they would be a good AA team. Until then, they are a joke.
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