Interstate showdown: Waynesburg hosts Belle Vernon for pivotal conference game
Waynesburg is hoping to party like it’s 1999 later on tonight.
That was the year the Raiders won their only WPIAL football title, and while tonight’s game with Belle Vernon isn’t a championship game, it is one of the most significant they’ve had since that ’99 season.
Belle Vernon, meanwhile, is trying to keep its unbeaten conference season going when the two teams meet, 7 p.m. tonight at Waynesburg.
“It’s the biggest game we’ve played around here in a long time,” Raiders coach Joe Kuhns said.
That’s because both teams are 7-1 overall and, along with Elizabeth Forward, are the top teams in the Class 3A Interstate Conference.
Belle Vernon is 4-0 in conference play, while Waynesburg is 4-1 with the lone loss coming to Elizabeth Forward, which is also 4-0.
The Leopards play at Elizabeth Forward next Friday.
It’s believed that Waynesburg and Belle Vernon haven’t played since the 1990s, so it’s a nice reintroduction to a series of two teams separated by 35 miles.
“I’m looking forward to having a nice big crowd,” Kuhns said. “The weather looks like it’s going to be awesome. The atmosphere should be great. The football should be great. Just the love of the game makes me look forward to this one.”
Belle Vernon has won seven straight since an opening week loss to Thomas Jefferson and has outscored conference opponents, 159-41.
After playing the last two-year cycle in Class 4A, the Leopards are feeling back at home in Class 3A, the classification in which they won back-to-back state titles in 2022 and ’23.
Part of the reason for their success has been a dynamic backfield of running back Chace Petrosky and quarterback Jace Gedekoh.
Petrosky had five touchdowns in last week’s 47-20 win over Southmoreland and Gedekoh threw two of them to him.
“Offensively we always start with our running game, because when Chace is clicking then everything else seems to fall into place,” Leopards coach Scott Bryer said. “The games where we have struggled, we’ve kind of spun our wheels on offense. You look at the Derry game (a 14-7 win) we didn’t run the ball well. We didn’t run well against TJ either. Not that it’s all on Chace, but when he’s having a night, we have things going pretty good.”
Both coaches said winning the battle at the line of scrimmage will be imperative.
For Kuhns, the Raiders’ offensive and defensive lines have been the most pleasant surprise this year.
“Last year we sat down and said we had to be a more physical football team if we are going to compete,” Kuhns said. “Then they threw us into Triple-A and we definitely had to get better at it. Knock on wood, we’ve got to use the same kids all year and they’ve just come together. Chay Lahew, my O-line coach, has done a great job with those guys.”
The linemen have paved the way for quarterback Teagen Crouse and the cast of skill guys around him to have a big season. Crouse has thrown 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns to four interceptions. Running back Ky-Mani Sumpter is closing in on 1,000 yards, with 913 and seven touchdowns. Jack Ricciuti has been Crouse’s main target. He has 29 catches for 501 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bryer was impressed with Crouse in his film study.
“He has a motor that doesn’t stop,” Bryer said. “He’s a tough kid that doesn’t quit on plays. Something we’ve been stressing to our guys is we have to get as many hats as we can to the football and we have to go until the echo of the whistle, because he’s going to keep plays alive. That jumped off the film especially in the (Elizabeth Forward) game. He made big plays out of nothing.”
Extra points
There are several games tonight that have postseason implications. Trinity hosts West Allegheny for the inside track for third place and a playoff spot in the Class 5A Allegheny Six Conference. … Ringgold travels to Chartiers Valley and South Fayette hosts Uniontown looking to remain unbeaten and meet for the Class 4A Big Six conference title next week. … Bentworth hosts Monessen and if Bentworth wins, then the Bearcats will play Burgettstown next Friday for third place and a guaranteed playoff spot. A Monessen victory puts it in the mix for third, but also in great position for a wild card considering it has a win over Fort Cherry. … California and Beth-Center are one win away from being unbeaten before next week’s meeting for the Tri-County South Conference title. The Trojans are at Avella, while Beth-Center plays at Mapletown. A win for Avella makes it 5-1 in the conference and in prime position for a playoff spot.