Sep 28, 2015 4 min read

Former NFL head coach Dennis Green delivered one of the great news conference rants after his Arizona Cardinals lost a one-point game to the Chicago Bears in 2006.

The ever lasting soundbite, “They are who we thought they were …” is quoted by sports fans with the same zeal of any of Ron Burgundy’s musings in Anchorman.

Though Green’s delivery was off – slapping the side of the podium and throwing in a few expletives for good measure – it encapsulated the frustration of any coach, athlete or bystander who witnessed a game end in a dramatic, yet familiar fashion.

Those seven words summarize the WPIAL football season so far. Despite seven head coaching changes, plenty of graduations and a dash of realignment, local teams are who we thought they were – for the most part.

Everyone expected Ringgold to build on its strong 2014 season by competing for a conference title this fall. We thought the Rams (4-0, 4-0) would use a power-running game and a strong offensive line to bully opponents until they wore out.

Well, they are who we thought they were. Senior Chacar Berry and sophomore Brenden Small have combined for 806 yards and 12 touchdowns. The offense is averaging 36.3 points per game through four weeks, which is almost six points better than their output during the same span last fall.

The only surprise was a win over Thomas Jefferson in Week 1, something every Big Ten Conference team not named West Mifflin failed to accomplish in 20 years. But should we be shocked by the thrilling seven-point win? The Rams reached the WPIAL semifinals last fall and returned most of their skill players.

I’d be foolish not to mention Washington (4-0, 4-0) and the lopsided Interstate Conference. In 16 conference games this season, the average margin of victory is 28.4 points. That’s not exactly competitive, but we expected a top-heavy field with Waynesburg, Southmoreland and Charleroi low on numbers.

Everything is par for the course so far. McGuffey (2-1, 3-1) lost to Mount Pleasant in Week 1 and is undefeated since, which is what happened last season.

Don’t forget Waynesburg (0-4, 0-4) lost to the Prexies and the Vikings by a combined 15 points last fall. Now, the Raiders have been outscored 135-14 through four weeks.

How about Wash High? Through four weeks last season, they allowed 50 points, but this season, they’ve outscored opponents 194-13 using a stable of running backs.

It’s been a remarkable start to the season, but we thought it would happen, right? Even McGuffey head coach Ed Dalton said no one can match up with Wash High’s athleticism. That wins games in September, but you need consistent line play and discipline on defense against the Highlanders and Mount Pleasant.

The Prexies are what we thought they were and that’s an extremely talented team that can compete with the best in Class AA. We’ll find out for sure when they travel to unbeaten Mount Plesasant Friday.

Through four weeks, there have been few surprises. Peters Township is still struggling to score points, Fort Cherry and Chartiers-Houston are as unpredictable as ever – see my weekly picks – and Beth-Center running back Tony Welsh is as good as it gets. But that doesn’t mean the season has been boring.

Bentworth caught everyone off guard with its close loss to Frazier and looks very much like it’s going to be the third-place team in the Tri-County South. Then, there’s Jefferson-Morgan (3-1), which allowed five points per game in its three wins. If the Rockets can score more points, they’re a playoff team with a new head coach.

Who who would have said that in June?

How about Trinty’s resurgence the past two weeks? The Hillers’ rushing attack has been potent, but it’s the defense and special teams that are much improved from a year ago. They’re a sneaky playoff-caliber team and beating West Mifflin could do the trick.

In an age of spread offenses, local teams are still leaning heavily on the running game. Of the 17 quarterbacks in the WPIAL who have thrown for at least 500 yards through four weeks, only three play at local schools: Drew Saxton of South Fayette, Brad McLaughlin of Burgettstown and Dom Eannace of Canon-McMillan.

Don’t let me take the excitement out of Friday nights. Trust me when I say this is my favorite time of the year and it’s not because of the occasional free meal at a football game.

There are still five weeks to play and much will change in that span. But we’re about halfway through the regular season and, as Green would say, most are who we thought they were.

Staff writer Lance Lysowski can be reached at llysowski@observer-reporter.com.