5 things to watch: Local teams seek conference titles
California and Fort Cherry have the opportunity to clinch a conference championship with victories tonight as the high school football regular season winds down.
Peters Township is in good shape to win the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference, and though the Indians play a non-conference game against Canon-McMillan thet could clinch this evening if South Fayette emerges victorious.
Second place will be on the line in the Class A Tri-County South Conference.
Be sure to follow these storylines:
1. California seeks TCS title: The Trojans head into tonight’s game against Beth-Center at 5-0 in the conference and 7-1 overall. California would clinch at least a share of the Class A Tri-County South Conference title with a victory over the Bulldogs (3-2, 3-5).
Beth-Center is in good shape for the playoffs as the fourth-place team out of the conference, but a loss to the Trojans would set up a key matchup with Monessen (1-4, 2-6) in the regular-season finale.
California’s lone setback was to Class 2A Waynesburg on Sept. 8. The Raiders earned a 27-9 victory, which has proven to be not be as bad for the Trojans with Waynesburg (2-2, 6-2) having a solid campaign that should include a spot in the playoffs. The Raiders can clinch a postseason berth tonight with a victory over Sto-Rox (1-4, 1-6).
2. Fort Cherry on the cusp of title: The Rangers passed their second big test last week with a 42-13 victory over Cornell.
Fort Cherry is 5-0 in the Class A Black Hills Conference and 8-0 overall. The Rangers can clinch at least a share of the title with a win at Carlynton (1-4, 2-6).
Fort Cherry had high expectations coming into the season with an electric offense that includes more than sophomore quarterback Matt Sieg. Ethan Faletto and Nate Heirendt have shared rushing duties when Sieg is not taking off down the field for chunks of yardage. Shane Cornali and Evan Rogers have been threats for the oppositions at wide receiver.
The question was if the defense would hold up, and so far, so good. The Rangers are yielding only 10.8 points per game.
3. Help from others: Not that Peters Township needs any help, but a victory by South Fayette (1-2, 4-4) over Bethel Park (2-1, 3-5) would clinch at least a share of the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference title for Peters Township (4-0, 8-0).
The Indians host Class 6A Canon-McMillan (1-2, 5-3) in non-conference action. Peters Township showed it could compete with the larger classification last week in a 42-0 rout over Mt. Lebanon (1-2, 4-4).
A key for Canon-McMillan will be the status of quarterback Mike Evans, who sat out the last two games with an injury.
Peters Township is in the driver’s seat to win the conference, but the Indians might have to do it next week when they host Bethel Park.
4. Second-place showdown: Jefferson-Morgan and West Greene have clinched playoff spots out of the Tri-County South, but tonight’s contest in Rogersville will go a long way in determining which Greene County team will host a playoff game and which will be on the road the first Friday in November.
The Rockets’ season has already been a success as the team clinched a playoff spot for the first time in 11 years in a 46-12 victory over Monessen last week. Jefferson-Morgan (4-1, 5-3) looks to break another streak in hosting a playoff game.
The Pioneers (4-1, 6-2) had a down year last season, winning only two games, but have come back strong. Senior tailback Colin Brady went down with a high-ankle sprain against Carmichaels and sat out one game, but he has returned and West Greene didn’t miss a beat during his absence.
The winner will clinch a home playoff game if California also defeats Beth-Center.
5. Ringgold has a shot: The Rams are one of three local teams seeking their first victory. Ringgold has an opportunity to end a 23-game losing streak tonight when it hosts Laurel Highlands in the Class 4A Big Seven Conference.
LH came into this season the winner of playoff games in back-to-back campaigns and tied for the conference crown a season ago, but when you have two Division I recruits (Rodney Gallagher and Keondre DeShields) life can be easier.
Gallagher and DeShields have graduated and the Mustangs’ next projected star, Antwan Black Jr., suffered a scary injury Sept. 8 at Kiski and had to miss several games.
Laurel Highlands is battling injuries, which you never want to see, but this game sets up nicely for Ringgold to get the “W.”