Sep 4, 2025 By Jerin Steele 4 min read

Jefferson-Morgan and Burgettstown set for clash of unbeatens

A year ago Burgettstown and Jefferson-Morgan were in the exact same position.

Both were undefeated.

Jefferson-Morgan went on to have a historic season winning the Tri-County South Conference for the first time since 2012. Burgettstown did not win a game the rest of the way.

Now, Jefferson-Morgan (2-0) is out to prove it’s not a one-hit wonder and Burgettstown (1-0) wants to show it can be more competitive for the duration of 2025.

The two teams meet at 7 p.m. tonight in a nonconference football game at Hill Memorial Stadium in Burgettstown.

It’s the only local matchup this week that features two undefeated teams.

The Rockets defeated Chartiers-Houston 42-7 in Week Zero and won 57-30 last week over Waynesburg, which was highlighted by a sterling performance from Deakyn DeHoet. A 2-0 start is nice, but they know more challenges are on the way, starting with the Blue Devils.

“Now that we’re a conference champ, we’re going to get everybody’s best,” Jefferson-Morgan coach Shane Ziats said. “You have to go harder, because they want what you have. You have to step your game up to repeat as champs.”

Burgettstown earned a 23-20 win over Bentworth last Friday. The Blue Devils forced five turnovers from the second quarter on after yielding two touchdowns on the first three plays from scrimmage by the Bearcats. Burgettstown coach Mark Druga said some defensive position switches and adjustments made the difference.

“We have a different attitude this year,” Druga said. “We’re going to be a different team when the chips are down. We’re going to do our best to rise to the occasion. The kids believe in themselves and what we are telling them.”

Considering how well the Blue Devils forced turnovers last week, ball security will be a key for Jefferson-Morgan. Ziats said that is a focus every week, but it’s been a point of emphasis at practice as well as matching Burgettstown’s physicality.

“Ball security is something that we always talk about,” Ziats said. “We want to limit the turnovers and keep the football. That’s something we’ve stressed in practice.”

DeHoet has 261 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through two games. He’s formed a three-headed attack with running back John Woodward, who has three touchdowns, and new quarterback Triton Farabee, who took over for the graduated Houston Guesman.

Eli Hill has been a standout on the offensive and defensive lines.

“When (DeHoet) puts that foot in the ground and takes off he’s a sight to behold,” Druga said. “He can fly. As a receiver he can really go up and get balls. His playmaking ability is outstanding. Their tailback (Woodward) is a big, strong runner. I think it fits Jefferson-Morgan perfectly going back to even when Jan Haiden was coaching there. They always have had a strong, tough tailback. They have some big boys on their line as well. It’s a really nice combination for an excellent football team.”

Colton County is a catcher for the Burgettstown baseball team, but he’s more of a utility player for the football team. He’s a linebacker, running back, punter, kicker and even lines up as quarterback in wildcat formations.

Druga said County was on the sidelines as a ball boy when Burgettstown beat Neshannock in 2017 to break their 40-year playoff drought.

He had a strip sack in the final seconds last week to preserve the win over Bentworth.

Blake Neal is back at quarterback after an abbreviated sophomore season because of a broken collarbone.

Bryce Speer, a junior, had a touchdown last week and on defense forced a fumble and recovered another. Brady Rightweiser moved from outside to inside linebacker mid-game, which was one of the key changes that helped shore up the defense. He also had a rushing touchdown. Lance Duran had an interception and led the team in tackles.

“We have most of our skill-position players back and that helps tremendously,” Druga said. “They got a ton of playing time last year. In an ideal world most of those guys may not have been out there, but it’s football. Sometimes you’re not dealt the best hand and you have to play it. Now they are a year older and they’ve grown both physically and mentally as players.”