Unbeatens Wash High, Waynesburg renew rivalry
Wash High cheerleaders hold a banner for the Prexies to run through prior to their Week 1 game against Derry.
Wash High tight end Nate Swart (89) will look to lead the Prexies to a 3-0 record against rival Waynesburg tonight. Kickoff for the game between the Interstate Conference rivals is set for 7 p.m. at Wash High Stadium.
When Waynesburg High School’s players gathered for preseason workouts, head coach Russ Moore urged them to watch game film of the Raiders’ 1999 WPIAL Class AA championship team.
That season was a landmark for Greene County teams as Waynesburg was the first since Jefferson-Morgan in 1974 to win a WPIAL title. Earning a 27-point victory over rival Washington in the WPIAL championship game made it that much sweeter for Moore. Waynesburg walked away with the win by using a blitzing, relentless defense and a running game led by fullback Lanfer Simpson, who rushed for 100 yards and four touchdowns to defeat Wash High, 30-3.
One coach is the same, the players are different, but the attitude has not changed.
One of the WPIAL’s longest-standing rivalries returns tonight (7 p.m.) as the Raiders (2-0, 2-0) and Prexies (2-0, 2-0) face off in an Interstate Conference battle at Wash High Stadium.
Regardless of how much time has passed, Moore is hoping the recipe to defeat Wash High has not changed – a strong defense with a successful running game. He has even ignited his player’s hatred for Wash High.
“(Moore) doesn’t like them because of the rivalry he had with them,” Raiders senior running back John-Glen Davis said.
“He carried that on to us, so we have that hate for them. This is one of those teams to beat and it’s going to be a good game.”
The feeling is reciprocated by Wash High’s players. They have heard plenty of trash talk from Waynesburg’s players leading up to tonight’s game.
“We definitely don’t like them, either,” Prexies senior quarterback Jonathan Spina said. “We’ve played them since as long as we can remember. We never liked each other. It’s not going to change now.”
The rivalry has been one-sided since that day at Three Rivers Stadium. Wash High has not lost to Waynesburg since 2008. The Prexies went 1-8 that season. One year later, Mike Bosnic took over as head coach and Wash High has been dominant ever since – carrying a reputation for developing big, strong linemen and having athleticism that might be unmatched in Class AA.
Wash High’s offensive line, led by senior Zack Blystone, has paved the way for 517 rushing yards on just 56 attempts through two games and Spina has passed for 269 yards with four touchdowns. The Prexies have scored 89 points in two wins.
Moore believes the Raiders need to scheme to neutralize Wash High’s size and strength, but the Prexies have proven to be impenetrable so far.
“They have looked fantastic. They are the best offensive line in the WPIAL,” Spina said. “I guarantee it. They are huge. They don’t let anyone through. I’ve been hit one time this year and they make our offense go. They are the key to the offense.”
Waynesburg’s strength on offense is in the backfield with Davis and senior Hunter Cenname running the football. The two have combined for 579 yards and nine touchdowns in wins over Brownsville and Burgettstown. Using a form of a wing-T, the Raiders spread defenses to find open space with an offensive line that is showing the tenacity of the 19999 group.
Spina believes Wash High has what it takes to stop Waynesburg’s rushing attack. The Prexies’ defense has allowed only 84 rushing yards.
“Our defense is doing a lot better than anyone had expected,” Spina said. “We have a really good defensive coordinator in Chet Henderson and he definitely knows what he’s doing. He’s getting these guys ready to go.”
Bosnic wants to see discipline out of his defense, which must adhere to assignments in order to prevent the Raiders from catching it out of position. Running a similar scheme as Mount Pleasant, Waynesburg’s team is rivaling any the school has had in 15 years.
“(Davis and Cenname) are doing excellent,” Moore said. “I told them, neither one of them has a lot of speed but I wouldn’t trade them for anybody. They lower their noses and run as hard as they can.”
For the past six years, everyone in Waynesburg has heard of the powerhouse growing in Washington. Video game-like offensive numbers don’t intimidate the Raiders.
“We know that they are gunning for us and we’re prepared for it,” Bosnic said. “We know Waynesburg is going to be fired up to play us. There’s a history between the two schools.”
While coaches around the conference have raved about Wash High’s linemen and speed at the skill positions, Waynesburg’s players believe a win over the Prexies is possible.
“I think they are definitely beatable,” Davis said. “Their offense looks alright, but our defense is strong.”