Sep 13, 2022 3 min read

In the movie “The Hustler,” the main character, Eddie Felson, played by Paul Newman, wants to show the antagonist, Minnesota Fats, played by Jackie Gleason, that he is every bit the pool player Fats is.

They play game after game until Fast Eddie works up a sweat.

There is a famous line from that scene by Gleason, who is putting on his suit jacket.

“Fast Eddie, let’s play some pool.”

In other words: Let’s get serious about the game.

I thought about that movie scene this week while glancing over the high school football matchups. Most are starting their conference schedule, which means the games take on a new importance.

No matter how many games were won or lost to this point, the conference battle brings out that same seriousness Fats was talking about.

So with that in mind, here are five surprising teams and players ready to play some serious football.

1. Peters Township

Despite losing two Division I players two years ago, and last year’s starting quarterback to graduation, the Indians look stronger than ever.

Quarterback Chris Cibrone is second in the WPIAL, all classifications, with 884 passing yards. He has 10 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in 90 attempts.

Peters Township has flourished with Cibrone, winning the first three games. South Fayette visits this week in an Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference opener.

2. California

Can any team slow the Trojans? It doesn’t seem likely but Jefferson-Morgan, coming off an overtime win at home with Jeanette, gets the next shot in this Class A Tri-County South Conference opener.

Jake Layhue is proving a double threat, passing for 290 yards and rushing for 323 yards. What’s even move impressive is Layhue has not thrown an interception in three games, all wins over Frazier, Charleroi and Waynesburg.

California’s defense has been tremendous, holding opponents to just 20 combined points.

3. Chartiers-Houston

Head coach Terry Fetsko motivates his team with posters on the walls leading into and inside the locker room.

But as long as Zeke Watkins and Jake Mele are healthy, the Bucs will be a viable group. Last week in a win over Carmichaels, Watkins scored twice and Mele scored on a kickoff return and a pass from quarterback Terry Fetsko, the coach’s son, to put the game out of reach.

You can bet Fort Cherry’s defensive coaches are concerned with the Bucs coming to McDonald in a Class 1A Black Hills Conference game.

4. Carmichaels

How do you replace a graduated quarterback who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and passed for more than 1,000 as Trenton Carter did last season?

You don’t, so don’t try.

You can get solid play from your new quarterback, which Alex Anderson has given them. And get effective play from the defense, which has one shutout and allowed a combine 52 points this season.

That defense will be tested by tailback Colin Brady when West Greene visits the Mikes in this Class A Tri-County South Conference game.

5. Fort Cherry

What a difference a talented freshman quarterback such as Matt Sieg can make to an offense, any offense.

Sieg has already passed for 481 yards and rushed for 309.

Running back Nate Heirendt averages 7 yards a carry and has three touchdowns.

That will keep the Chartiers-Houston coaches up at night, figuring out ways to slow the Rangers offense in this Class 1A Black Hills Conference game.