Oct 12, 2025 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

It’s the ninth week of the high school football season and Chartiers Valley finds itself in an unusual, yet thrilling, situation. The Colts are playing a significant home game.

CV will host Thomas Jefferson at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 in a game with playoff and championship implications.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been in this very, very exciting atmosphere,” emphasized Steve Spence, who is in his first season as CV head coach. “It’s exciting to have a chance to play in games like this. It’s what high school football is all about.”

Before playing Trinity on Oct. 10 (results unavailable at press time), the Colts found themselves at the top of the Big Six Conference standings. They were 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the league after their dramatic, come-from-behind victory against Belle Vernon, 36-35, on Oct. 3.

The triumph was the second time CV won a game that went down to the wire. On Aug. 29, the Colts outlasted West Allegheny, 29-28, in overtime.

“Belle Vernon was much like many of our previous games. Back and forth,” Spence said “We had to hang tough and keep believing in what we were doing. Games like Belle Vernon and West A help us because we are no strangers now to being in these types of games and spots.

“If we expect to move forward, we must be well-prepared and play hard because all of our opponents bring that same energy and physicality,” he continued. “We have to match that or we will get beat.”

Physicality has always been the trademark of TJ.

Under Bill Cherpak, who ranks No. 1 among WPIAL coaches, the Jaguars have won 10 district titles. He guided TJ to the Big Six Conference championship as well as the Class 4A title last year. The Jaguars were PIAA semifinalists in 2024.

As a player, he was a defensive lineman on Steel Valley’s undefeated WPIAL Class 2A championship club. He also enjoyed a successful career as an offensive lineman at the University of Pittsburgh.

“(Cherpak) is a legendary coach and he has done incredible things at TJ because they are the gold standard for programs in western Pennsylvania,” Spence said.

“His teams are always very good and as physical as it gets in high school football. Probably all 11 players on the field concern me but up front their offensive and defensive lines have the ability to take over a game.”

The onus of holding the line for the Colts falls upon Tristan Mayo, Daylyn King, Joel Buerkle, Destyn Zrelak and Anthony Mousessian offensively as well as Jake Hastings, Demarion Bundridge. Noah Harris, King and Buerkle defensively.

“The game is going to be played in the trenches. We have to be physical and not get pushed around because they are extremely good at what they do,” Spence said. “We have to hold our own and play physically. It’s all built on being physical in this conference.”

Statistically, look for Tyler Eber to dominate for the Jaguars. He leads the rushing attack with 867 yards after seven games and 17 touchdowns.

“He is one of the best running backs in the state of Pennsylvania,” Spence said.

The Colts answer with a plethora of skill players.

Luke Miranda had 221 yards passing in the win against Belle Vernon. He tossed four TD strikes to Julius Best, who finished with 104 yards on four receptions, Jack Czarnecki, Damien Holloway and Owen Weagraff. Miranda also connected with Tayshaun Lewis for the decisive 2-point conversion.

In addition, Michael Lawrence returned a fumble 96 yards for CV’s first score of the game.

“We do have skill players but not more than TJ does. We are talented at those positions with good receivers and good defensive backs. Those guys have to be ready to play well on the outside, the perimeter on defense and offense,” Spence said.

“We have to make plays when opportunities present self and be ready to not give up a big play because they will make theirs. We just have to keep a 15-yard gain to that and not let them spring for 60,” he added.

Regardless of the magnitude of the game, the Colts are approaching it with the same philosophy. They are staying focused and taking it day by day.

“Handling our business in the same manner,” Spence said. “I told the players that they have earned it every step of the way. They have done the right things all year and put them in position to play in a game like this.

“For the seniors especially to finish their careers at home playing in big football games to determine championships,” Spence continued. “That’s what you want. It’s exciting and it’s going to be an exciting game, one the program hasn’t experienced in some time.”