5 things to watch: The round of rematches
Tonight’s action in the WPIAL football playoffs might as well be named the “round of rematches,” as five local teams, including two in one game, will meet their opponent for the second time this season, but with a lot more on the line.
Canon-McMillan (6-4), Peters Township (11-1), Trinity (7-4), Washington (10-1) and McGuffey (8-3) will see familiar opponents tonight, while Belle Vernon (8-1), Fort Cherry (11-0) and California (10-1) face teams for the first time in hopes of advancing in their respective classifications.
All games are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.
1. Conference rematch: Washington and McGuffey played two weeks ago in the regular-season finale with the Prexies edging the Highlanders, 13-7, in Claysville to clinch a share of the Class 2A Century Conference title.
The rivals will play at Canon-McMillan’s AHN Field for the right to advance to the semifinals and expect more than 20 points this time.
Washington was a 48-6 winner over Ellwood City at home in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs, while McGuffey topped Derry, 25-13.
The teams have a contrast in styles, as the Prexies use their speed to get to the outside with playmakers like Ruben Gordon and Zxavian Willis, while the Highlanders run a flexbone offense with quarterback Connor Crowe running the show. Fullback Dylan Droboj is a bruiser.
Washington quarterback Tristan Reed was injured in last week’s game against Ellwood City, but Caleb Patton came in and was 6-of-10 for 83 yards with one touchdown.
Regardless of who wins, expect a hard-fought football game.
2. Peters Township seeks berth in 5A final: Peters Township hopes the old adage that “defense wins championships” holds true as the Indians meet Allegheny Six Conference foe Moon in the semifinals of the Class 5A playoffs at South Fayette.
Peters Township ran the table to win the conference, with its defense stealing the show after allowing only 41 points in five games. The Indians have pitched five shutouts, including last week’s 35-0 win over Franklin Regional in the quarterfinals.
Moon (6-5) entered the playoffs as the fifth seed and upset Gateway, 35-31, last week. The Tigers were one of the few teams that had a lead against Peters Township, as they led 7-0 on Oct. 6, but the Indians battled back for a 40-7 victory with a dominate second half.
Don’t expect tonight’s winner to have a 33-point advantage, as Moon comes in on a high note after its upset victory and is looking for some redemption.
3. Quarterback spy: If it expects to win tonight’s Class 6A WPIAL semifinal, Canon-McMillan must stop North Allegheny quarterback Logan Kushner, who ran for 171 yards on 13 carries and scored three touchdowns against the Big Macs durign the regular season. Kushner also passed for 107 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ 30-6 win Sept. 1.
The Big Macs had several mistakes that hindered their chances the first meeting, including a fumble that led to the Tigers’ first touchdown.
North Allegheny will host but expect Canon-McMillan to play a better game this time.
4. Not the same Hillers: Trinity isn’t the same team that suffered a 35-7 defeat at the hands of McKeesport on Sept. 22 in Class 4A Big Seven Conference play.
The Hillers lost their next game to Latrobe, 25-7, before earning one of the biggest surprises of the season, a 23-6 triumph over traditional power Thomas Jefferson.
Trinity won three of its last four regular-season contests, with the lone loss against a team not from the state of Pennsylvania in Linsly School, W.Va.
The Hillers were the 10th seed in Class 4A and matched up against North Catholic in the first round. Trinity overwhelmed the Trojans, 49-0.
McKeesport will host but better not take the Hillers lightly.
5. Fort Cherry seeks revenge: The Rangers have a rematch – if you count last season – with Rochester, who knocked them out of the Class A playoffs last year in the quarterfinals.
Fort Cherry has worked on improving its defense and is allowing 11.3 points per game. The Rams and Rangers have three common opponents in Northgate, Cornell and Our Lady of Sacred Heart with both defeating the trio.
Fort Cherry had an easier time in its wins over Cornell (42-13) and OLSH (42-0). Rochester beat Cornell (20-19, in overtime) and OLSH (36-12).