Sep 21, 2015 4 min read

My plan was to open this post reviewing Week 3’s “Shootout in Ellsworth” between Bentworth and Frazier. When you bring two strong passing games together in Class A, there’s usually very little defense and a wealth of points are scored.

Then again, nothing seems to go according to plan these days. The shootout because a defensive showdown as neither offense could sustain a drive and both quarterbacks combined to complete 25 of 45 passes for 154 yards. In case you missed it, Frazier defeated Bentworth, 7-3.

Bentworth’s Josh Hughes had another effective game, but the short passing game did not translate to points. The Commodores (3-0, 3-0), who have allowed just three points in three games, had 26 yards and 65 penalties through 30 minutes.

Seven days after Meadville and Dubois put up mind-numbing number, these two teams changed our outlook on high school football. Maybe defense is still a thing? Well, I won’t go that far, but it was last Friday night.

The Bearcats (2-1, 2-1) stalled in Frazier territory four times in the first half. I’m not one to advocate for moral victories, but this one certainly counts. Bentworth won just one game in 2013 and seemed to be a program unlikely to regain the success it once had.

That all changed when head coach Ron Skiles returned and installed a spread offense. Anyone can choose to run that scheme, but he’s developed young quarterbacks who are able to run it effectively. And how about holding Frazier to seven points when it outscored its previous two opponents 93-0?

Bentworth is certainly a playoff team and I’m curious to see how it bounces back after the loss.

Another week, another win for Washington (3-0, 3-0). The Prexies are averaging 50.7 points per game, which is third in Class AA behind Steel Valley and Seton-La Salle. Their defense is allowing an average of 73.3 yards per game and is effectively pressuring quarterbacks into mistakes, forcing seven interceptions in three games.

As expected, this is a running team. Quarterbacks Markel Pulliam and Connor Bedillion have combined to complete 12 of 16 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns.

The running game, meanwhile, has produced 964 yards in three games and four different players have amassed more at least 100 yards. Seniors Kurt Adkins (338 yards) and Jordan West (208) lead the group.

That will certainly continue this week against Brownsville, but next week the Prexies travel to Mount Pleasant, which had success stopping the run. That’s the game of the week next week.

Or did they? South Fayette did defeat the Eagles 49-14, but it trailed in the first quarter and committed uncharacteristic penalties. Head coach Joe Rossi knows that false starts or offside calls happen, but these were personal fouls. Undisciplined play will eventually backfire and the errors will have to be corrected in the coming weeks.

South Fayette (3-0, 3-0), which holds a 35-game winning streak, is at Steel Valley (3-0, 3-0) in Week 6 and hosts Seton-La Salle (3-0, 3-0) in Week 8. The Ironmen are a team that is being overlooked by some in Class AA, but they are averaging 57 points per game and return the most players from last season.

That being said, the Lions’ defense is even faster than last year’s, Mikey Speca is a big play waiting to happen and it’s pretty impressive how they’ve been able to replace players such as Zach Challingsworth (Pitt) and Justin Watson (Penn) in recent years.

Until further notice, Beth-Center (2-0, 2-1) is still the top dog in the Tri-County South. It is now 59-3 against league opponents since joining in 2008.

Four of the top six leading scorers in WPIAL football are from Washington or Greene County. Beth-Center’s Tony Welsh is tied with Zane Dudek of Armstrong for first (72 points); followed by Ringgold’s Chacar Berry (60), California’s KC Zajicek (56) and Mapletown’s Dylan Rush (51). Steel Valley’s DeWayne Murray is ahead of Berry with 61.

T.J. Kpan, Peters Township: The junior running back helped the Indians (1-2, 1-2) earn a key win over Canon-McMillan with 125 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.

Tony Steadman, Trinity: The senior blocked a pair of punts, both of which were recovered in the end zone for touchdowns. Tanner Hudak receovered the first for the Hillers’ first score, and Steadman scooped on ascored on the second one in the second quarter as Trinity (1-2, 1-2) defeated Elizabeth Forward 49-7.

Dylan Rush, Mapletown: Rush, a sophomore running back, had 221 rushing yards and a school-record six touchdowns. He also broke the school record fr points in a game.

Others receiving votes: Chartiers-Houston quarterback T.J. Johnston, Beth-Center running back Tony Welsh, Wash High running back Kurt Adkins, Monessen’s LaValle Rush and Ringgold running backs Chacar Berry and Brenden Small.