Five Things we learned in Week 2
Each Monday we’ll look back at the highlights of the week that was in local high school football. Because of the Memorial Day holiday, this week’s edition is on Tuesday.
This week there was a milestone for Monessen, a signature win for Trinity, big rushing totals, a display of versatile talent at Wash High and a big second quarter for West Greene.
1. 700 Club
With a 38-0 win at Carmichaels Friday night, Monessen etched its name in the WPIAL history books.
The Greyhounds became the ninth team in WPIAL football history to achieve 700 wins.
They joined Aliquippa, Jeannette, New Castle, Washington, Clairton, McKeesport, Greensburg Salem and Beaver Falls as teams to win 700 or more games.
It’s an accomplishment the current group of Greyhounds can take with them forever and is part of a 2-0 start this season.
The Greyhounds left little doubt on whether or not they’d reach the milestone by racing out to a 30-0 lead at halftime.
Damari Miles had a pair of touchdown runs, Kayden Kolbeck scored in a 55-yard run and Roodly Destyl scooped up a Carmichaels fumble and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
2. Thriller Hillers
After the graduation of quarterback Jonah Williamson, some may have feared Trinity would take a step back in the 2026 season, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
The Hillers are still full steam ahead and have maybe the most impressive victory of the young season, going into Canon-McMillan Friday night and securing a 29-24 win.
The final score was closer than the game itself.
Trinity jumped out to a 17-0 lead on a pair of Owen Gardner touchdown runs and a Cooper Cincinnati field goal and led 29-10 in the fourth quarter before the Big Macs made it interesting with a couple late touchdowns.
Daniel Glass, a Davidson commit, added a 43-yard touchdown and Owen Samogala scored on a seven-yard run.
Samogala has stepped in nicely at quarterback for Williamson through the first two games.
Trinity has another road test against a Class 6A team, Hempfield, on Friday.
3. Wash High Weaponry
Defensive coordinators game planning against Wash High’s offense this fall are in for some long nights and may need to take an aspirin after watching the tape.
That’s because the Prexies have a unique blend of talented skill players.
They have a power back in Trenton Grooms that can bowl over defenders to get yards. They have speedy receiver/running back types in Ameer Nelson and JaQuay Heyman that are true burners and a do-it-all back in Jamarie Walker.
Travon Moore has done nicely at quarterback after the graduation of Tristan Reed giving the Prexies another element to their offense with the passing game.
All of that was on display in a 55-20 win over South Allegheny Friday night. So far the Prexies have defeated two Class 2A playoff teams from a year ago, the Gladiators and Steel Valley.
It’s a long way away, but that Fort Cherry/Wash High matchup in the final week of the regular season already looks like it has potential to be the local game of the year.
4. Running wild
Walker had 166 yards and Heyman rushed for 117 and were among a large group that put up impressive rushing totals in Week 2.
There were a dozen local players that put up 100 or more yards rushing.
A quarterback actually led the way for local ground gainers.
It was West Greene quarterback Joel Rizor, who had 208 yards rushing.
The Fort Cherry duo of Eli Salvini (196 yards) and Ryan Huey (153) put on a show against California.
McGuffey had two rushers over 100 yards in a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Knoch. Denny Furmanek had 164 yards and Caleb Simons rushed for 146.
Charleroi’s Elijah Allah had three total touchdowns and 145 yards in a win against Carlynton.
Ringgold’s Nick Stasko racked up 135 yards in a win at Valley and Gardner had 100 for Trinity.
Beth-Center had two players eclipse the century mark in Saturday’s win against Riverview at Riverside Park.
DeSean Whipkey had 105 and Enzo Brown had 100.
5. Lighting up the scoreboard
West Greene hadn’t put a point on the board entering the second quarter of Friday’s game against Brownsville.
Then the Pioneers proceeded to put up one of the highest scoring quarters in recent memory.
West Greene put up 44 points in the frame and went on to beat the Falcons 50-6.
The Pioneers had been shutout the week before against Waynesburg and had two touchdowns called back in the first quarter against Brownsville.
They took out their frustrations in the second, to the tune of six touchdowns.
Gavin Roberts got the barrage going by returning a punt 51 yards for a touchdown.
Rizor had a pair of touchdowns and Bret Scott added three scores to cap off a quarter that the Pioneers faithfully will look back fondly on for years to come.
Staff writer Jerin Steele can be reached at jsteele@observer-reporter.com