West Greene athletics have enjoyed strong run
Observer-Reporter
West Greene’s Ben Jackson is congratulated by Gavin Scott after scoring a touchdown in a game last season.
Courtesy of Rick Sonneborn
West Greene lines up at the A.J. Everhart Invitational at Penn State Fayette Sept. 22. The Pioneers went 10-0 in Section 3-AA and won the school’s first cross country section title.
Over the last three years, West Greene has found athletic success in a variety of sports.
The first is the dominant run from the Pioneer softball team over the last three springs, which included winning the last two PIAA championships and the last three WPIAL titles.
The baseball team broke a two-decade long playoff drought with a postseason berth last spring.
The boys and girls basketball teams have combined for six playoff appearances, two section titles and the girls advanced to the WPIAL finals last winter.
There have been several memorable moments, plays, days and weeks over that time for fans of West Greene athletics.
This week, however, could be another golden moment.
The girls cross country team won their first section title on Tuesday with a sweep of McGuffey and Burgettstown. The Pioneers are currently 10-0 in section play after only their fifth year of competing at the varsity level.
The football team has a chance to make history Friday, when the Pioneers could grab the first conference title – and just the second overall – since 1993 if they beat California in Tri-County South action. West Greene tied with Monessen for the section crown in 1993.
“We just focus on us,” WG athletic director Billy Simms said. “I’m sure that the North Alleghenys and the Pine-Richlands of the world have had this type of success across all sports, but it’s a new thing here at West Greene. It’s been a wonderful ride and I think the kids are bringing the right attitude in all that they do in athletics and in the classroom.”
The cross country team was established in 2010 at West Greene. It started out as a club sport for a couple years before being granted varsity status in 2014.
“We finished last year second in our section and the girls were not satisfied with it,” WG cross country coach Marcia Sonneborn said. “They trained this whole summer and they set the goal of winning the section a top priority. We had a lot of high expectations for this group, and they were ready for the challenge.”
The girls squad is led by seniors Ashley Cumberledge, McKenna Lampe and Madison Lampe. The other girls on the team are sophomores Jersey Wise and Danielle Fox, and a freshman contingent that consists of Katie Lampe, Brooke Barner, Sarah Collins and Tia Howard.
“Both Madison and McKenna joined us late this year because they were both at basic training,” Sonneborn said. “I think their younger sister Katie really pushed them this season. Katie had a strong offseason for us and she just wanted to keep pace with her sisters. I think those girls root for each other and it’s a really friendly, sibling rivalry.”
The boys team, even though they don’t have a full team to compete in section, is led by junior Colton Anderson, sophomore Daniel Collins and sophomore Levi Corbly.
The WPIAL Cross Country Championships are Oct. 25 at California University.
“We know it’s going to be tough in the championships,” Sonneborn said. “Our goal is to get out of the WPIALs and advance to the state meet. Last year, we were one place and six seconds from making it to the PIAAs. That has been a driving force for us the whole year. Most of the girls have really improved their times throughout the season and we are ready for the postseason.”
One of the catalysts for West Greene football this fall is junior tailback Ben Jackson. Coming into Week 6, Jackson is second in the WPIAL in rushing with 1,237 yards and second in all classifications in touchdowns with 22.
“It just been fun playing on this team this year,” Jackson said. “The holes have been huge and my offensive line has been great. They make my job a lot easier. After we lost to Cameron (22-14 in Week Zero), I think that has really motivated us for the rest of the season.”
Jackson is 278 yards shy of reaching 4,000 career rushing yards and would only become the sixth running back from Greene County to hit that milestone.
The other five are Mapletown’s Derek Bochna (1990), West Greene’s Rodney Wilson (1994), Carmichaels’ Rocky Doman (2000), Waynesburg’s Lanfer Simpson (2001) and Mapletown’s Dylan Rush (2017).
Wilson is the all-time leading rusher in Greene County with 6,304 yards.
“Since my freshman year that has been my goal is to get the school record,” Jackson said. “Obviously, wins are the most important thing, but I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I have had my eye on that record.”
West Greene’s experienced offense line consists of seniors Wyatt White, Jeremiah Miller, Cole Widdup, Marcus Morris and junior Brock Bedilion.
“I think when we lost our opener, it stung a little,” WG football coach Rodney Huffman said. “We didn’t play our best game that night. Since then, we have played with a chip on our shoulder and I really liked our preparation every week. We knew Week 6 against Cal would be a big game.”
Another key factor for the Pioneers is a relentless defense. West Greene (5-0, 5-1) has allowed just 34 points and has three shutouts in six games.
“All three levels (of defense) have played well together,” Huffman said. “We have been very cohesive and are really reading our assignments. They are running to the ball, and are just gang-tackling the ballcarrier.”
As for keys against California Friday, Huffman is keeping it simple.
“Cal is well coached and I know Darrin (Dillow) will have his kids ready,” Huffman said. “Both teams like to run the football, so whoever can be more effective on the ground will win. Turnovers and penalties will be key, too.”
After playing Cal, West Greene’s remaining schedule consists of a home matchup against nonconference opponent Clairton, at Jefferson-Morgan then home against nonconference foe Union.
“It’s been an unbelievable honor to be around this athletic program,” Simms said. “You can’t take it for granted. We have had an outpouring of support and, like we all know, winning cures a lot. It’s been great to see the old alumni and some new people around these different sports. Now, some of our girls have a chance to become section champions three times in one year.”