Special seasons for football finalists
One team emerged in first place from one of the most difficult conferences in WPIAL Class AA, another was in charge of one of the most prolific running games in the WPIAL, and a third managed to repeat a dramatic run through the postseason that produced WPIAL and PIAA championships.
That’s why Mike Bosnic of Washington, Nick Milchovich of Ringgold and Joe Rossi of South Fayette are finalists for Football Coach of the Year.
The three will be honored, and the winner announced, at the Tri-County Athletic Directors Coach of the Year Banquet at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Meadow Lands.
Tickets for the banquet are $35 each and are on sale at Washington High School, 201 Allison Avenue, Washington, Pa., 15301. Reservations can be made by calling athletic director Joe Nicolella at 724-223-5085, ext. 2091.
All proceeds from the banquet benefit Special Olympics.
Bosnic led the Prexies to the Class AA Interstate Conference title with an 8-0 record. The Prexies had the fourth-highest scoring team and the fourth-best defense in the WPIAL’s Class AA. Washington averaged 41.8 points per game while allowing just 17.4.
In the WPIAL playoffs, Washington rolled past Steel Valley and Apollo-Ridge before having its season ended in a loss to Aliquippa in the semifinals. Quarterback Jonathan Spina passed for 1,358 yards and 20 TDs, running back Malik Wells gained 1,406 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, and DeQuay Isbell led the team with 24 receptions and 20 touchdowns.
Milchovich took advantage of a quick-score offense and a gritty defense for a second-place finish in the Class AAA Big 9 Conference. The lone regular season loss was to champion Thomas Jefferson in the opener.
The Rams won their next 10 games, including a WPIAL first-round game against Gateway, and a quarterfinal-round game against Hampton. The Rams fell to Central Valley in the semifinals, 41-13. Running back Chacar Berry (1,392 yards), quarterback Nico Law (840) and Brenden Small (722) combined for nearly 3,000 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns.
Rossi led South Fayette to a historic season, winning a second consecutive Class AA championship with a 28-16 victory over Dunmore at Hersheypark Stadium last December. It capped a season in which the Lions had a 16-0 record and extended the program’s winning streak to 32 consecutive games.
South Fayette won the WPIAL title with a 31-22 victory over Aliquippa. The Lions averaged nearly 44 points per game and allowed 13.6. Quarterback Brett Brumbaugh was named the state’s Class AA Player of the Year after passing for 3,738 yards and 42 touchdowns. He set WPIAL and PIAA records for career passing and career touchdowns.