Sep 30, 2015 12 min read

What should we make of McGuffey? The players gone from last season are difficult to ignore and the impact has certainly been felt, especially James Duchi and Ryan Stienstraw, but the Highlanders pulled off another gritty win last week.

Junior quarterback Marcus Czulewicz passed for three touchdowns, ran for another, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble in the 28-10 victory over Southmoreland. The one thing I took from the win: Czulewicz has been the best player for McGuffey (2-1, 3-1) and is making a case for being one of the top quarterbacks in WPIAL Class AA.

Name a better one with his arm, size, athleticism and ability to play both sides of the ball. I don’t think you can, but I’m open to any suggestions. Czulewicz is the perfect fit for head coach Ed Dalton’s up-tempo, spread attack.

Defenses are having trouble keeping contain when he runs and can’t find a way to cover wide receiver Shaun Sanders. Czulewicz is obviously growing more comfortable as the starter and is the last question mark I have about McGuffey.

I’d like to see a better run defense and a more consistent running game before I can pick McGuffey to beat Washington (4-0, 4-0). Honestly, I had trouble picking the Prexies’ game against Mount Pleasant because there’s nothing to measure the Prexies up to.

What I do know is McGuffey probably should have beaten Mount Pleasant in Week 1, so how could anyone say the Highlanders aren’t a contender in that conference? It’s looking very likely that they’ll win their next four games before facing Wash High. The rest of the schedule includes Brownsville (1-2, 1-3) this week, Derry (1-2, 1-3), Burgettstown (2-2, 2-2) and Waynesburg (0-4, 0-4).

Czulewicz will have a lot to do with that and will continue to give opponents fits.

While we’re talking about McGuffey, it has an Interstate Conference game Friday night against Brownsville, which is greatly improved under first-year head coach Jason House. The Falcons are headed in the right direction, but they’ll be greatly outmatched against the Highlanders, who have some of the top linebackers I’ve seen this season.

Player to watch: Brownsville quarterback Marcellous Grooms is very athletic and keeps defenses off balance. He has completed 22 of 43 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns.

Prediction: McGuffey 42-6

The Cougars are decimated by injuries, including wide receiver Trey Douyon, who won’t play this week and could very well be out for the season. Charleroi is down to roughly 25 players, which does not bode well.

The Raiders, meanwhile, are victims of a tough schedule and losing a very good senior class, but I have a feeling their tough luck will end this week. The talent is there, but there’s very little depth and a ton of youth.

It’s a shame that Charleroi suffered so many losses this season. Douyon and senior Brock Shannon are exciting players, plus the Cougars’ program deserves a return to prominence. So does the Interstate Conference.

Players to watch: Charleroi running back Brock Shannon will carry the load again for the Cougars after carrying the ball 55 times the past two weeks. He has rushed for 398 yards and four touchdowns. Waynesburg quarterback Colin McCracken has struggled throwing the football, but he’s a threat in the option game; leading the Raiders with 115 rushing yards.

Prediction: Waynesburg wins a low-scoring game.

These two teams are likely headed to the WPIAL playoffs, so let’s break it down. Bentworth is passing the ball very effectively in Ron Skiles’ second year with Josh Hughes and Riley Nickeson completing 60 percent of their passes for a combined 734 yards and an 11:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

The Bearcats are also finding balance with running back Ethan Tush, plus the defense has been impressive. They are allowing just nine points per game – fifth-best in WPIAL Class A with 36 points allowed – which is huge for a small school.

Jefferson-Morgan may be struggling with consistency and needed a late touchdown to defeat California, but it is a tough defensive team that can make this one interesting.

Players to watch: Hughes has helped the Bearcats turn into a prolific spread attack, but faces a tough test this week against the Rockets’ defense. J-M running back Joe Headlee has rushed for 385 yards and leads the Rockets with seven touchdowns.

Last season: Jefferson-Morgan beat Bentworth 49-29. The narrative should change in this one.

Prediction: Bentworth wins

The Bucs completed a thrilling come-from-behind win over Northgate last week and the Crusaders were on the wrong side of one.

C-H has a very underrated group of skill players, including quarterback TJ Johnston, running back Spencer Terling and wide receiver AJ Myers. Plus, there’s Tyrone Wormsley, Ethan Shober, Cody Scears and kicker Mike Cushma.

The offensive line was my only question entering the season and it looks strong so far. C-H is on a two-game winning streak and is looking very much like a playoff team.

Players to watch: Chartiers-Houston wide receiver AJ Myers is one of the best athletes in the area and it’s nice to see that skillset being shown on the football field. He leads the Bucs with 19 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns.

Bishop Canevin running back Amaan Bridgett has 73 carries for 410 yards and eight touchdowns. Stopping him is the key for C-H.

Last season: Chartiers-Houston won 26-14

Prediction: Chartiers-Houston in a close one.

The Maples were shutout last week against Frazier, but the Commodores have only allowed three points in four games so don’t read into that one. I’m not sure what to make of Mapletown, which used Dylan Rush at quarterback last week, despite him being the top running back on the roster.

Avella continues to battle through injuries and has only scored eight points the past two weeks. It’s a short-handed, inexperienced roster and that will show once again.

Players to watch: Avella wide receiver Tyler Fraysier is very talented, but has struggled since Luke Lloyd has missed time at quarterback. His match up with Mapletown’s defensive backs will be key.

The Maples’ offense runs through Dylan Rush, who ran for more than 1,000 yards last season and has seven touchdowns this season.

Last season: Mapletown won 28-0

Prediction: Mapletown wins big again

Since losing to Greensburg Central Catholic in Week 2, the Bulldogs have outscored opponents 92-16. Tony Welsh is only 62 yards away from 4,000 for his career and I don’t know if any team in the conference can match up with B-C.

The Pioneers have scored 28 points over the past two weeks, which is a big improvement. It seems like the program is headed in the right direction, but this is bad match up.

Players to watch: Welsh. Seriously, if you haven’t seen him yet, you should. West Greene quarterback Owen Main is athletic and I hear good things about his progress in that offense. B-C struggles at time against the pass, so Main could open things up.

Last season: Beth-Center 48-0.

Prediction: Bulldogs win big again.

The Wolverines rolled over Freedom last week and only lost to a very talented New Brighton team by two points in Week 2. They play in an extremely difficult conference and it’s a run-heavy offense against a Burgettstown team that struggled in that area against Charleroi last week.

The Blue Devils earned another big win over Charleroi with quarterback Brad McLaughlin breaking all kinds of records. I don’t care who you play against. Scoring seven touchdowns is impressive.

Players to watch: Ellwood City quarterback DJ Barrett has rushed for 320 yards and four touchdowns, but has struggled in the passing game. I like his ability to keep defenses guessing. McLaughlin is putting up big numbers this season and Burgettstown will need that to continue.

Last season: Elwood City 40-13

Prediction: The Wolverines pull away for a 35-13 win

Both teams are fighting for that final playoff spot and the loser could be in trouble. The Mikes are averaging just 13.3 points per game, and California had a difficult time against Jefferson-Morgan last week.

Defense will be key and I like the Mikes’ experienced offensive line.

Players to watch: Carmichaels’ Cody Brown is a phenomenal defensive back and has excelled at wide receiver this fall. I sense a big game coming from him. Even if he didn’t score eight touchdowns ina game, I’d pick California’s KC Zajicek. Great athlete in a spread offense. Keep an eye on him. You know the Mikes will be.

Last season: Carmichaels 34-22

Prediction: Carmichaels in a low-scoring game

Fox Chapel has struggled under head coach Tom Loughran, who had a ton of success at South Park, but it is playing in arguably the most difficult conference in the WPIAL. The Foxes are averaging just 8.5 points per game and they are allowing an average of 43.

That doesn’t bode well against Canon-McMillan. The Big Macs have been a much better offensive team and the defense has to get better eventually. After three strong weeks, they took a step back against Bethel Park, but the Black Hawks are going to make some serious noise in the WPIAL playoffs.

Players to watch: Fox Chapel receiver Conner Romango has been Dimitri Spina’s top target and should see plenty of action against the Big Macs’ secondary. I expect Loughran to attack C-M through the passing game.

Canon-McMillan running back Bryan Milligan has been outstanding against tough competition. He has 451 yards on 76 carries (a 5.9 average with a young offensive line) and five touchdowns. He’s an old school back and is dangerous once he gets to the second level.

Last season: Fox Chapel 34-12

Prediction: Canon-McMillan wins and head coach Mike Evans improves to 1-4

The Antelopes are rolling after reaching the WPIAL title game last season and they are using the passing game to do it. Avonworth has plenty of weapons, some tremendous athletes and is one of the few teams that could beat Clairton.

Fort Cherry grabbed a big come-from-behind win over Bishop Canevin last season and is looking like the playoff team we expected. The Rangers are big up front and have a lot back from last season. They’ll give Avonworth a fight.

Players to watch: Avonworth quarterback Zach Chandler has thrown for 1,270 yards and 15 touchdowns. Not too shabby. Fort Cherry running back Nick Cook can get those tough yards and that will be needed in a game like this.

Last season: Avonworth 42-13

The Blue Devils are averaging 38.5 points per game and are sitting in first place. Who expected that? Granted, they haven’t faced Woodland Hills, Upper St. Clair or Bethel Park, but beating Penn Hills was big.

The Indians struggled with New Castle one week after running all over Canon-McMillan. They’re a young team that is headed in the right direction, but patience is needed.

Players to watch: Mt. Lebanon quarterback Eddie Jenkins has thrown for 644 yards and nine touchdowns with two more rushing scores. Peters Township running back TJ Kpan is a Division I talent running behind a raw line, but the sky is the limit.

Once that line develops, look out.

Last season: Mt. Lebanon 42-6

Prediction: Mt. Lebanon wins again

The Rams walked away with a 14-7 win last week against West Mifflin, which was big for the confidence of quarterback George Martin. He made some great throws and did a nice job when it mattered most. I also was very impressed with the defense. They fly to the football and can get after the quarterback.

AG struggled against Trinity and it has lost 18 consecutive games. The Colonials are averaging just 13.5 points per game and are allowing 47.3.

Players to watch: Ringgold running back Chacar Berry has rushed for 545 yards and 10 touchdowns. I also expect Brenden Small to get plenty of carries. Colonials senior running back Joey Embacher has a team-high five touchdowns.

Last season: Ringgold 56-7

Prediction: Ringgold wins big again

The Lions have a 36-game winning streak, they’re averaging 51.5 points per game and the offense is getting better every week. I like how they aren’t asking Drew Saxton to make deep throws like Brett Brumbaugh.

He’s at his best using the screen game and slant routes to let his skill players make people miss. Carlynton has a 17-game losing streak and is averaging just 4.8 points per game.

Players to watch: South Fayette running back Hunter Hayes has not been needed on offense yet, but look to get a few more carries early in this one to get him ready for a Week 6 game against Steel Valley.

Last season: South Fayette 41-7

Prediction: South Fayette wins big

The Jaguars’ home winning streak ended with a Week 2 loss to Belle Vernon, but they’ve bounced back with two blowout wins. Thomas Jefferson has dealt with injuries to the offensive line and has been without its quarterback, but the players are out to prove the program has not gone down.

Trinity is looking much better under first-year head coach Jon Miller and it starts with the defense. The Hillers are forcing turnovers and are making splash plays on special teams. That is helping an inexperienced offense.

Players to watch: Thomas Jefferson junior Zane Zandier (6-3, 200) is an incredible athlete and can hurt opponents in a variety of ways. He leads the Jaguars with seven touchdowns and is a threat in the wild cat.

Trinity sophomore running back Joey Koroly is healthy and isn’t being asked to shoulder the load. That’s a good sign for the Hillers’ offense.

Last season: Thomas Jefferson 42-7

Prediction: Thomas Jefferson wins, but Trinity is competitive in this one.