Charleroi senior Quentin Briggs is out with a separated shoulder. Briggs was injured during the Cougars' season opening loss to Mt. Pleasant.
He missed several weeks during his junior season as well.
* I'll be heading to Wash High Stadium early tonight to hob-knob with the 2001 PIAA Class AA championship team. Pictures will be posted, probably Saturday.
Also, I'll be tweeting from the game. For updates, follow me on Twitter @TheMikeKovak. Also, follow the new Observer-Reporter Sports Twitter feed @sportsOR.
* Don't expect much intrigue at tonight's Apollo-Ridge at Washington game, but looking forward to seeing the results of Rochester at Fort Cherry, Trinity at Chartiers Valley and California at Carmichaels.
Saturday's Chartiers-Houston at Shenango game looks good too.
* According to his twitter feed, Prexies junior quarterback Josh Wise will return for tonight's game. Wise was out with mono for the Prexies' season-opening loss at Clairton.
Wise (@jlwise11_allday) posted earlier Friday, "First game today lets get a scholarship! ALL DAY#11"
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Twitter Thursday
Things were a little preachy on Twitter this week, and The Varsity Letters doesn't do preachy. But there were a couple hidden gems out there.
@C3Rawlins, Chavas Rawlins
Monessen football/soccer/basketball/baseball
Sept. 8
"Soccer Game at 4:00 vs. Beth Center! Bouta set an example of what we do to all there sports programs!;-)"
@patvofpgh, Pat Vereb
Peters Township girls soccer coach
Sept. 5
"@Gottlieb Show maryland uniforms sponsored by new Pokemon movie.. Rise of the Hallucigenic Terrapin"
Follow me on Twitter @TheMikeKovak
@C3Rawlins, Chavas Rawlins
Monessen football/soccer/basketball/baseball
Sept. 8
"Soccer Game at 4:00 vs. Beth Center! Bouta set an example of what we do to all there sports programs!;-)"
@patvofpgh, Pat Vereb
Peters Township girls soccer coach
Sept. 5
"@Gottlieb Show maryland uniforms sponsored by new Pokemon movie.. Rise of the Hallucigenic Terrapin"
Follow me on Twitter @TheMikeKovak
Quick hits
Washington High School will honor its 2001 PIAA Class AA championship football team before Friday night's home opener against Apollo-Ridge.
Those Prexies remain the only team from the Observer-Reporter's coverage area to have won a state championship in football. They finished 15-0, and were loaded with talent and colorful characters.
Wash High athletic director Joe Nicolella said things will get underway at approximately 7:05 p.m. When I spoke with him Wednesday afternoon, he said about 15-20 former players were expected. Later in the night, I talked briefly with Guy Montecalvo - Canon-McMillan's athletic director and the man who coached Wash High to the title - and he believed around 25 were expected.
Montecalvo does plan to attend before heading back to Memorial Stadium for the Big Macs' home opener against Latrobe.
It will be interesting to see who comes back, and to get a chance to talk with the most accomplished football team from this area.
* Charleroi will play its first football game at its new on-campus stadium Friday night against Brownsville.
For more on the facility and the plans, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/09-08-2011-scholastic-notebook---charleroi-stadium.
The Cougars were hit hard by injuries in their opener at Mt. Pleasant. The same thing happened to the team a year ago.
* Several football teams failed to call in games last Friday night. The culprits were Ringgold, Charleroi, Carmichaels and Waynesburg.
Like every newspaper, it's impossible for the Observer-Reporter to staff every football game. That makes calling in results essential to provide readers with information on the game. The company even has a toll-free number set up for calls. It's 1-800-222-6397.
* You won't notice any statistical leaders in Friday's edition this week. The reason? Only Jefferson-Morgan, Avella, Mapletown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Trinity reported their official Week 1 statistics to the O-R as of Thursday morning.
Stat guys and coaches, you can email stats to mkovak@observer-reporter.com or let us know if you post them on a site like MaxPreps.
* Carmichaels football coach John Menhart became the Mikes' all-time wins leader last Friday. Menhart, one of the more colorful characters around, picked up his 91st win - a 25-0 victory at Leechburg. There aren't many people out there as loyal to a place as Menhart is to Carmichaels.
Refreshing to see.
For more on Menhart's milestone, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/09-07-2011-football-notebook--menhart-.
* There's a trend developing for athletes at Monessen, and it's rather unique. A growing number of football players, guys like Chavas Rawlins, are also playing soccer.
Anyone else think it's a good thing to see?
Those Prexies remain the only team from the Observer-Reporter's coverage area to have won a state championship in football. They finished 15-0, and were loaded with talent and colorful characters.
Wash High athletic director Joe Nicolella said things will get underway at approximately 7:05 p.m. When I spoke with him Wednesday afternoon, he said about 15-20 former players were expected. Later in the night, I talked briefly with Guy Montecalvo - Canon-McMillan's athletic director and the man who coached Wash High to the title - and he believed around 25 were expected.
Montecalvo does plan to attend before heading back to Memorial Stadium for the Big Macs' home opener against Latrobe.
It will be interesting to see who comes back, and to get a chance to talk with the most accomplished football team from this area.
* Charleroi will play its first football game at its new on-campus stadium Friday night against Brownsville.
For more on the facility and the plans, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/sports11/09-08-2011-scholastic-notebook---charleroi-stadium.
The Cougars were hit hard by injuries in their opener at Mt. Pleasant. The same thing happened to the team a year ago.
* Several football teams failed to call in games last Friday night. The culprits were Ringgold, Charleroi, Carmichaels and Waynesburg.
Like every newspaper, it's impossible for the Observer-Reporter to staff every football game. That makes calling in results essential to provide readers with information on the game. The company even has a toll-free number set up for calls. It's 1-800-222-6397.
* You won't notice any statistical leaders in Friday's edition this week. The reason? Only Jefferson-Morgan, Avella, Mapletown, Carmichaels, Chartiers-Houston and Trinity reported their official Week 1 statistics to the O-R as of Thursday morning.
Stat guys and coaches, you can email stats to mkovak@observer-reporter.com or let us know if you post them on a site like MaxPreps.
* Carmichaels football coach John Menhart became the Mikes' all-time wins leader last Friday. Menhart, one of the more colorful characters around, picked up his 91st win - a 25-0 victory at Leechburg. There aren't many people out there as loyal to a place as Menhart is to Carmichaels.
Refreshing to see.
For more on Menhart's milestone, click http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/09-07-2011-football-notebook--menhart-.
* There's a trend developing for athletes at Monessen, and it's rather unique. A growing number of football players, guys like Chavas Rawlins, are also playing soccer.
Anyone else think it's a good thing to see?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Observer-Reporter WPIAL football rankings
With last week's result.
Class AAAA
1. Pittsburgh Central Catholic 1-0 def. Archbishop Wood, 20-17
2. North Allegheny 1-0 def. State College, 53-21
3. Upper St. Clair 1-0 def. Shaler, 49-0
4. Mt. Lebanon 10-1 def. Pine-Richland, 34-7
5. McKeesport 8-2 def. St. Joan of Arc (Ontario), 54-9
Class AAA
1. Montour 1-0 def. Chartiers Valley, 49-14
2. Central Valley 1-0 def. Allderdice, 36-13
3. Franklin Regional 1-0 def. Plum, 55-0
4. Ringgold 1-0 def. Elizabeth Forward, 27-6
5. Thomas Jefferson 0-1 lost to Woodland Hills, 31-7
Class AA
1. Aliquippa 1-0 def. Laurel, 41-7
2. Beaver Falls 1-0 def. Mohawk, 57-7
3. Seton-La Salle 1-0 def. Carrick, 49-8
4. Jeannette 1-0 def. East Allegheny, 47-6
5. Greensburg C.C. 1-0 def. Waynesburg, 41-14
Class A
1. Clairton 1-0 def. Washington, 42-12
2. Rochester 1-0 def. Serra Catholic, 41-7
3. Springdale 1-0 def. North Catholic, 14-6
4. Sto-Rox 1-0 def. South Allegheny, 49-0
5. Fort Cherry 1-0 def. Western Beaver, 55-40
Class AAAA
1. Pittsburgh Central Catholic 1-0 def. Archbishop Wood, 20-17
2. North Allegheny 1-0 def. State College, 53-21
3. Upper St. Clair 1-0 def. Shaler, 49-0
4. Mt. Lebanon 10-1 def. Pine-Richland, 34-7
5. McKeesport 8-2 def. St. Joan of Arc (Ontario), 54-9
Class AAA
1. Montour 1-0 def. Chartiers Valley, 49-14
2. Central Valley 1-0 def. Allderdice, 36-13
3. Franklin Regional 1-0 def. Plum, 55-0
4. Ringgold 1-0 def. Elizabeth Forward, 27-6
5. Thomas Jefferson 0-1 lost to Woodland Hills, 31-7
Class AA
1. Aliquippa 1-0 def. Laurel, 41-7
2. Beaver Falls 1-0 def. Mohawk, 57-7
3. Seton-La Salle 1-0 def. Carrick, 49-8
4. Jeannette 1-0 def. East Allegheny, 47-6
5. Greensburg C.C. 1-0 def. Waynesburg, 41-14
Class A
1. Clairton 1-0 def. Washington, 42-12
2. Rochester 1-0 def. Serra Catholic, 41-7
3. Springdale 1-0 def. North Catholic, 14-6
4. Sto-Rox 1-0 def. South Allegheny, 49-0
5. Fort Cherry 1-0 def. Western Beaver, 55-40
Monday, September 5, 2011
Week 1 thoughts
When Fort Cherry received the No. 5 ranking in Class A from the Observer-Reporter, the Rangers' placement drew the ire of a few readers of The Varsity Letters.
When it comes to skill players, Fort Cherry's ranks right up there with the better groups in Class A, and that group put on a show Saturday afternoon during a 55-40 win at Western Beaver.
Ryan Babirad and Corey Garry tallied three touchdowns apiece, while Tanner Garry threw for three. It's a strong trio of players, and when added with running back Jeff Whalen and a offensive line that always has size, Fort Cherry looks like a team poised for a breakthrough in 2011.
But one anonymous poster guaranteed that Fort Cherry would not finish second in the Black Hills Conference this season. Clairton is the prohibitive favorite to repeat as conference champs, and, yes, the Rangers could finish below the top two.
Why?
Well, Chartiers-Houston is far from being a pushover. The guess here is the Bucs will at least approach last year's win total, and they finished 7-3.
In quarterback Daniel Lis, Mykel Dorsey, Garrett Vulcano and Jevone Hairston, C-H has four more-than-capable runners. Players like Nate Grandelis make the Bucs a strong team up front.
When Fort Cherry plays at Chartiers-Houston during the final week of the regular season, expect the winner to get a home playoff game.
* At least a few coaches in the Tri-County South Conference believe that Beth-Center senior Deshan Brown is one of the league's premier weapons, and if the Bulldogs' results during a season-opening win against Frazier are an indciation, Brown will play a big role.
He caught five passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns from Sal Faieta.
Brown also intercepted three passes. He ranked among WPIAL leaders in that category last season.
During the preseason, I asked Brown is he had a knack for making plays on defense and he said he did not. Basically, he credited his interceptions to his ability to read what the offense was doing on a particular play and putting himself in the right position.
* There's a lot of season remaining but it looks like Ringgold and a handful of the area's Class A teams have the best chances for long playoff runs. Fort Cherry, Chartiers-Houston, Monessen and Beth-Center are quality football teams.
Got a chance to briefly talk with Canon-McMillan offensive coordinator Russ Moore - one of the more colorful guys I've come across - Friday night and one of the first things the former head coach at Waynesburg and Ringgold told me was to watch out for the Rams.
* As long as Mike LaRocka remains healthy, there's no doubt Burgettstown will be much improved from last year.
Imagine if Burgettstown had a slightly smaller enrollment (talking just a couple boys) and competed in the Black Hills Conference this season. The Blue Devils would be a playoff team for sure. Heck, maybe they still will be in Class AA.
* Really liked what I saw out of Kenyadda Brown Friday night against Trinity. When Brown got the football, his eyes and body were directed toward the line of scrimmage, and he's got the speed to blow past defenders.
* Also liked what I witnessed from Trinity back Tyler Yocca.
Trinity's offense did next to nothing during the first quarter, and it took a crafty run from Yoccas to get things going. Yocca set up Trinity's first touchdown - a one-yard run from Patrick Frey - with a 66-yard scamper where he found a small running lane, exploded through it, then made a nifty cutback to get past a Big Macs defender.
The Hillers new offense appears to suit Yocca's talents well.
When it comes to skill players, Fort Cherry's ranks right up there with the better groups in Class A, and that group put on a show Saturday afternoon during a 55-40 win at Western Beaver.
Ryan Babirad and Corey Garry tallied three touchdowns apiece, while Tanner Garry threw for three. It's a strong trio of players, and when added with running back Jeff Whalen and a offensive line that always has size, Fort Cherry looks like a team poised for a breakthrough in 2011.
But one anonymous poster guaranteed that Fort Cherry would not finish second in the Black Hills Conference this season. Clairton is the prohibitive favorite to repeat as conference champs, and, yes, the Rangers could finish below the top two.
Why?
Well, Chartiers-Houston is far from being a pushover. The guess here is the Bucs will at least approach last year's win total, and they finished 7-3.
In quarterback Daniel Lis, Mykel Dorsey, Garrett Vulcano and Jevone Hairston, C-H has four more-than-capable runners. Players like Nate Grandelis make the Bucs a strong team up front.
When Fort Cherry plays at Chartiers-Houston during the final week of the regular season, expect the winner to get a home playoff game.
* At least a few coaches in the Tri-County South Conference believe that Beth-Center senior Deshan Brown is one of the league's premier weapons, and if the Bulldogs' results during a season-opening win against Frazier are an indciation, Brown will play a big role.
He caught five passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns from Sal Faieta.
Brown also intercepted three passes. He ranked among WPIAL leaders in that category last season.
During the preseason, I asked Brown is he had a knack for making plays on defense and he said he did not. Basically, he credited his interceptions to his ability to read what the offense was doing on a particular play and putting himself in the right position.
* There's a lot of season remaining but it looks like Ringgold and a handful of the area's Class A teams have the best chances for long playoff runs. Fort Cherry, Chartiers-Houston, Monessen and Beth-Center are quality football teams.
Got a chance to briefly talk with Canon-McMillan offensive coordinator Russ Moore - one of the more colorful guys I've come across - Friday night and one of the first things the former head coach at Waynesburg and Ringgold told me was to watch out for the Rams.
* As long as Mike LaRocka remains healthy, there's no doubt Burgettstown will be much improved from last year.
Imagine if Burgettstown had a slightly smaller enrollment (talking just a couple boys) and competed in the Black Hills Conference this season. The Blue Devils would be a playoff team for sure. Heck, maybe they still will be in Class AA.
* Really liked what I saw out of Kenyadda Brown Friday night against Trinity. When Brown got the football, his eyes and body were directed toward the line of scrimmage, and he's got the speed to blow past defenders.
* Also liked what I witnessed from Trinity back Tyler Yocca.
Trinity's offense did next to nothing during the first quarter, and it took a crafty run from Yoccas to get things going. Yocca set up Trinity's first touchdown - a one-yard run from Patrick Frey - with a 66-yard scamper where he found a small running lane, exploded through it, then made a nifty cutback to get past a Big Macs defender.
The Hillers new offense appears to suit Yocca's talents well.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Tempers flare at Neil C. Brown Stadium
Washington competed better against Clairton this year but still lost, 42-12, as the Bears upped their win streak to an impressive 32 games.
Things got a little testy between the teams, and even some fans. Here's an excerpt from a story sent to the Observer-Reporter from our good friends at the Daily News in McKeesport.
"Most of the evening’s drama occurred before and after the contest. (Washington head coach Mike) Bosnic had words with Clairton fans about an hour before kickoff, and some bad blood spilled over following the game. Clairton and Washington players had to be separated after shaking hands.
Also, a group of Clairton fans was waiting for Bosnic by the Washington locker room.
“It’s not bad blood,” Bosnic said. “It’s just football.”
The Clairton coaching staff was upset that Washington left its varsity team in the game against the Bears JV unit in the fourth quarter.
“I’m just trying to make my team better,” Bosnic said. “I don’t really see what’s so bad about that. To do what they did after the game is unbelievable.”
Nola didn’t exactly see things that way.
“Their coach said that he wanted to keep his team from getting demoralized because of the score and that’s why he left his starters in,” (Clairton coach Tom) Nola said. “You shouldn’t have a first team in against a JV team.”"
Things got a little testy between the teams, and even some fans. Here's an excerpt from a story sent to the Observer-Reporter from our good friends at the Daily News in McKeesport.
"Most of the evening’s drama occurred before and after the contest. (Washington head coach Mike) Bosnic had words with Clairton fans about an hour before kickoff, and some bad blood spilled over following the game. Clairton and Washington players had to be separated after shaking hands.
Also, a group of Clairton fans was waiting for Bosnic by the Washington locker room.
“It’s not bad blood,” Bosnic said. “It’s just football.”
The Clairton coaching staff was upset that Washington left its varsity team in the game against the Bears JV unit in the fourth quarter.
“I’m just trying to make my team better,” Bosnic said. “I don’t really see what’s so bad about that. To do what they did after the game is unbelievable.”
Nola didn’t exactly see things that way.
“Their coach said that he wanted to keep his team from getting demoralized because of the score and that’s why he left his starters in,” (Clairton coach Tom) Nola said. “You shouldn’t have a first team in against a JV team.”"
Friday, September 2, 2011
Quick hits
I'll be tweeting updates from tonight's Canon-McMillan at Trinity game. Follow me @TheMikeKovak.
Also Rodney Taylor, a Ringgold follower and friend of The Varsity Letters, will be tweeting updates from Ringgold at Elizabeth Forward. Follow him @RodKTaylor.
Anyone other Tweeples out there wishing to send updates from games, feel free. Let us know your handle via The Varsity Letters or Twitter.
* Do readers enjoy reading live blogs from games? Used to do them but never seemed to get much response. If enough people want them, TVL will provide.
* Monessen sophomore Justice Rawlins did not have an MRI on his injured knee earlier this week due to swelling. The Greyhounds hope to know more about the situation soon.
* Former Monessen football and basketball player Josh Stepoli, who bounced between Monessen and Greensburg Central Catholic the past year, is reportedly attending North Mecklenburg High School in Raleigh, N.C.
Also Rodney Taylor, a Ringgold follower and friend of The Varsity Letters, will be tweeting updates from Ringgold at Elizabeth Forward. Follow him @RodKTaylor.
Anyone other Tweeples out there wishing to send updates from games, feel free. Let us know your handle via The Varsity Letters or Twitter.
* Do readers enjoy reading live blogs from games? Used to do them but never seemed to get much response. If enough people want them, TVL will provide.
* Monessen sophomore Justice Rawlins did not have an MRI on his injured knee earlier this week due to swelling. The Greyhounds hope to know more about the situation soon.
* Former Monessen football and basketball player Josh Stepoli, who bounced between Monessen and Greensburg Central Catholic the past year, is reportedly attending North Mecklenburg High School in Raleigh, N.C.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Twitter Thursday
Some of the top tweets from the week the went by quickly.
Brandon McGavitt, Trinity football
@Bmac_62395
"You know your a bad mother when you drop your baby in the stands"
followed by ...
"@SamTrap23 during our practice some lady dropped a baby in the stands"
Tanner Garry, Fort Cherry football
@TannerGarry3
"I'm just feelin like the throne is for the taking. #watchmetakeit"
Doug Wilson, Canon-McMillan basketball
@dougie_fresh055
"damn I look fresh in my senior pics #dougiefresh"
Lance Tritschler, Ringgold football
@HeavyT75
"@TheRealQuad_Law @TheMikeKovak I'm not settling for 5th in November... #hardworkpaysoff"
Follow me on Twitter @TheMikeKovak
Brandon McGavitt, Trinity football
@Bmac_62395
"You know your a bad mother when you drop your baby in the stands"
followed by ...
"@SamTrap23 during our practice some lady dropped a baby in the stands"
Tanner Garry, Fort Cherry football
@TannerGarry3
"I'm just feelin like the throne is for the taking. #watchmetakeit"
Doug Wilson, Canon-McMillan basketball
@dougie_fresh055
"damn I look fresh in my senior pics #dougiefresh"
Lance Tritschler, Ringgold football
@HeavyT75
"@TheRealQuad_Law @TheMikeKovak I'm not settling for 5th in November... #hardworkpaysoff"
Follow me on Twitter @TheMikeKovak
WPIAL baseball championships remain at Consol
Consol Energy Park - home of the Washington Wild Things (yep, they're still around) - will remain the host facility for the WPIAL baseball championships. The WPIAL and the Frontier League franchise renewed their relationship for the next three years.
Peters Township (Class AAAA), Waynesburg (Class AA) and Chartiers-Houston (Class A) played in championship games there in 2011.
The WPIAL did look into hosting the games at other facilities, but elected to remain at Consol.
"In addition to the first-class management team and the top notch facility, Consol Energy Park has guaranteed the ates for us," said Tim O'Malley, executive director of the WPIAL, in a released statement. "That was something that the other facilities were unable to do, and that's critical in our decision making process."
Peters Township (Class AAAA), Waynesburg (Class AA) and Chartiers-Houston (Class A) played in championship games there in 2011.
The WPIAL did look into hosting the games at other facilities, but elected to remain at Consol.
"In addition to the first-class management team and the top notch facility, Consol Energy Park has guaranteed the ates for us," said Tim O'Malley, executive director of the WPIAL, in a released statement. "That was something that the other facilities were unable to do, and that's critical in our decision making process."
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