Aug 24, 2017 5 min read

The aches and pains of football camp still remain, and they will accompany the local high school teams that kick off their seasons this weekend, in what has been designated as Week Zero. There are nine games involving local teams tonight and two more Saturday afternoon.

In a new weekly column that will run every Friday in the Observer-Reporter, we will highlight five things to look for from area teams when southwestern Pennsylvania shuts down and the bright lights come on.

Here is what to watch this weekend:

1. Marquee matchup: South Fayette at Central Valley – These teams are mirror images. Combining for eight WPIAL title game appearances since 2010 – when Central Valley was formed from the merger of Center and Monaca high schools – they have been as consistent as they come. South Fayette and Central Valley have won five titles in that time.

And while those memories of hoisting titles and playing at Heinz Field are fresh, rebounding from the bitter end to last season – when the Lions and Warriors were unexpectedly bounced in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs – will be the goal when the teams kick off at 7 p.m. at Sarge Alberts Stadium.

Despite South Fayette losing 22 seniors to graduation, the players who gave Central Valley’s defense problems in last year’s season opener return. Quarterback Drew Saxton and tight end Noah Plack-Tallerico are looking for similar performances that helped South Fayette defeat the Warriors 28-17 last season. Saxton completed 18 of 22 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. Plack-Tallerico, the recipient of Saxton’s lone touchdown, had seven catches for 105 yards.

The two players the Lions might deeply miss from last year’s team are running back Geavonie Love, the Northwest Nine Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and wide receiver Dan Trimbur. Love scored two touchdowns against Central Valley and Trimbur caught five passes for 96 yards.

Central Valley returns quarterback Nico Battisti and running back Danny Santia.

2. All the attention: One doesn’t have to search long to see where the offense is generated for Mapletown and Serra Catholic. All eyes should be centered on Maples running back Dylan Rush and Serra wide reciever JaQuae Jackson. Both players were selected to the Kennywood Preseason All-Star Football Team.

Rush, who had 300 carries for 1,852 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, will begin his quest for 6,000 career rushing yards when the Maples host Serra at 7 p.m.

Jackson has been Mr. Versatile for Serra since starting in his sophomore season at receiver. His athleticism has made game planning a nightmare for the opponent’s special-teams units.

Jackson hauled in 41 catches for 582 yards last season.

3. Wake-up call: People might want to remind teams in the Tri-County South Conference that Week Zero games count on the records.

Last year, teams from the Tri-County South were 1-5 in Week Zero. Throw out California’s 40-7 victory over Brownsville and the TCS was outscored 152-59 in the other games.

Avella, Monessen, Jefferson-Morgan, West Greene and Mapletown will try to gain some revenge this weekend.

4. Quarterback questions: While questions will be answered about position battles and how local teams perform when it really matters, one mystery that will be solved shortly after the 7:30 p.m. start between Peters Township and Chartiers Valley will be the status of Indians senior quarterback Jake Cortes.

Cortes, who passed for 2,036 yard and 19 touchdowns during his junior season, injured his shoulder during the first week of camp and didn’t play in PT’s scrimmage Saturday against Upper St. Clair.

If Cortes can’t play, head coach T.J. Plack will turn to one of four quarterbacks: Zach Gramling, Brendan Brady, Ryan Moore or Logan Pfeuffer.

5. Rivalry renewed: Monessen and Charleroi will resume their “Battle of the Bridge” rivalry.

The teams resumed their series last year following a nine-year hiatus.

Classification changes and WPIAL realignment drove the two apart – Charleroi playing in Class AA and Monessen being designated to Class A – and the 100th meeting between the teams didn’t disappoint last season as Charleroi won in nail-biting fashion, 23-21.

One of the state’s oldest rivalries, dating back to 1907, will gain even more traction – and possibly hatred – tonight at 7 p.m. at Charleroi.

First-year Monessen head coach Mikey Blainefield doesn’t need an introduction to the disdain between the two schools. A Monessen alum, Blainefield also was an assistant coach fro the Greyhounds the last two years.

While both teams might dislike the other, their strategies are quite similar.

Charleroi leads the series 48-43-9 and will rely on dual-threat junior quarterback Gino Pellegrini to lead their fast-paced offense.

Monessen’s offense will be centered on multi-talented quarterback Cory Fleming. Fleming also is a member of the Greyhounds’ basketball and baseball teams.