South Fayette’s defense flexes muscles, blanks Central Valley
MONACA – South Fayette head coach Joe Rossi remembers walking off the field for the final time last season.
While Rossi knows the importance of what Week Zero offers for him and his coaching staff, finalizing position battles and seeing exactly what this year could offer, what it might do for the Lions as a whole could even be more meaningful.
A 51-43 loss to New Castle in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs last year marked the first time South Fayette didn’t make it past the opening round since 2008. It also was the second-highest point total a Rossi-coached team has given up.
The Lions had one mission when they traveled to Beaver County Friday night: again become king of the jungle.
South Fayette’s defense, led by lineman Ben Coyne, allowed only 38 yards of total offense in the first half and Drew Saxton threw two touchdowns to build an early lead as the Lions defeated Central Valley 20-0 at Sarge Alberts Stadium.
“It’s a new team, so we aren’t dwelling too much on the past,” Rossi said. “We had a bunch of new starters out there. Even though it might not really have meant anything it’s still good to get the win.”
It was the first time in school history – since the merger of Center and Monaca school districts in 2010 – that Central Valley has been held scoreless.
The Warriors’ offensive struggles persisted throughout the entire night as they failed to pick up a first down until their fourth possession. They didn’t cross midfield until 8:07 remaining in the third quarter.
Most of those woes were caused by Coyne, a first-year starter, who tormented Central Valley quarterback Nico Battisti. Coyne had seven of the Lions’ nine sacks.
“It was quite an experience,” Coyne said. “I came out and didn’t know what to expect. I just came out here and played. It’s surreal. I dream of this day when I played youth football in sixth grade. It’s crazy. I’m just happy to be here and be able to play. I surprised myself.”
The first score proved to be the only one South Fayette needed. Saxton found Mike Trimbur behind the Warriors’ defense and lobbed him a 24-yard touchdown pass to put South Fayette up 7-0 with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lions had another opportunity at the end of the first quarter but stalled after two false-start penalties at the Central Valley one-yard line and had to settle for a Ryan Coe 22-yard field goal.
South Fayette extended its lead when Saxton found reliable tight end Noah Plack-Tallerico down its own sideline for a 30-yard touchdown to put the Lions ahead 17-0 with 1:40 leftin the first half.
The Lions were the only team to have a red-zone opportunity until midway through the fourth quarter when backup quarterback Curtis Latshaw found wide receiver Anthony Mendicino for a 20-yard pass that put Central Valley at first-and-goal from the one-yard line.
On next play, the Warriors fumbled on a quarterback sneak and South Fayette recovered inches away from its own end zone.
Battisti, who was pressured the entire night and given little time to throw, went 7 for 18 with 54 yards. After coming in for the final quarter, Latshaw completed 6 of 11 passes for 62 yards.
Working with a new receiving corps after the graduation of Dan Trimbur and Mikey Speca, Saxton was 10 for 20 with 155 yards and two touchdowns.
“Drew is awesome,” Rossi said. “He and his receivers are only going to get better with time.”
Trimbur and Plack-Tallerico combined for five catches, 98 yards and two touchdowns in the first half before the Lions turned to running back John Beck to churn out 59 yards on 14 carries.
For Rossi, there wasn’t any consideration given to not playing a meaningful game after South Fayette extended its regular-season winning streak to 48 games with the victory.
“(Playing in Week Zero) means so much,” Rossi said. “You only get so many Friday nights, so you want to play. (Central Valley) is a great program. It was a great crowd, a great atmosphere. It was a no brainer.”