South Fayette hungry for another state title
South Fayette’s Dan Trimbur catches a pass from Brett Brumbaugh and runs it into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game.
South Fayette’s Brett Brumbaugh heads into his second straight state final as the state’s all-time passing leader with 10,984 yards. The prior record was 10,948 set by Matt Bodamer of Port Allegheny in 2012.
Joe Rossi has a way of keeping his South Fayette football team hungry. He denies them sweets.
Last year, when the Lions earned a trip to Hershey to compete in the PIAA Class AA championship game, Chocolate World was off limits, even though their stay had been extended by a snowstorm. South Fayette smoked Imhotep Charter, 41-0, for the most lopsided victory in state tournament play.
By virtue of last Saturday’s semifinal win against Hickory, 44-14, South Fayette returns to Hershey to defend its title. The Lions (15-0) battle Dunmore (14-1) at noon Dec. 13 for the PIAA AA championship.
Hersheypark Stadium, where the game will be contested, will be the only site the Lions will visit during their two-day stay, even though attractions like the amusement park and chocolate factory are a stone’s throw away.
“Going to Chocolate World is up for debate,” laughed Rossi when told his star quarterback, Brett Brumbaugh, desired to make his own chocolate bar and go on the tour ride inside Chocolate World. “But no, we are not going.
“I told Brett if we win, I would personally drive him back up here next week,” Rossi promised, then explained South Fayette keeps with the tradition. “We always just take off after our games.”
For 31 straight games, the approach has worked. To again insure sweet success, Rossi plans to implement the same strategy. The itinerary includes a departure date of Friday. After the Lions watch the Class AAA final, featuring Central Valley, they will go back to their hotel and go to bed, says Rossi. However, there may be a treat in store along the way, a simple reminder of the past.
South Fayette still has the five-pound Hershey bar awarded them from last year’s final. Rossi froze it and squirrelled it away at his parents’ home for safekeeping. “Last year, we always said we’d take it here and there and eat it but we always forgot,” Rossi said. “We may break it out on the way up to Hershey.”
Indeed, as last year, the Lions are all business as they prepare to play Dunmore, which overcame a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to edge Wyomissing 23-21 in its semifinal game. The approach proves warranted because the Bucks have blended heritage with size as their recipe for success this season. At the helm is Jack Henzes. He has coached at Dunmore since 1971 and boasts more than 400 career victories.
“They are very sound in what they do and he has seen everything there is to be seen,” Rossi voiced respectfully.
When lining up against the Bucks, the Lions will see same of the biggest linemen they have faced all season. Seniors Tim and Dan Drewes anchor the unit. Both 280 pounds, Tim stands 6-feet-3 and Dan is 6-2. Behind that beefy offensive line, the Bucks have rolled up 4,857 yards rushing and 65 touchdowns in 15 games. They have 7.6 yards a carry and 323.8 yards on the ground a game.
“There offensive line is big. Those two twins are big boys,” added Rossi in awe. “Because they are big and strong on the offensive line that could pose a problem for us.”
However, the Lions have counter measures, namely Brumbaugh and Hunter Hayes.
Brumbaugh has passed for 3,758 yards and 41 touchdowns this season. With a 54-yard scoring strike to Dan Trimbur in the second stanza during the victory against Hickory, the senior signal caller surpassed the state’s all-time passing record of 10,948 yards set by Matt Bodamer from Port Allegany between 2009-12. Brumbaugh stands at 10,984 heading into the clash with Dunmore.
“With the record behind him, Brett can let it flow,” said Rossi.
Hunter Hayes let it flow against Hickory. His rushing dominated the action. The junior tailback rolled up 261 yards on 33 carries and two touchdowns against the Hornets. For the season, Hayes has rushed for 2,101 yards and 33 scores.
“Hunter’s a warrior. A grinder,” said Rossi. He’s also the Energizer Bunny, because he keeps going. “He doesn’t come off the field,” said Rossi.
Hayes plays on defense as well as special teams. “He’s our workhorse,” added Rossi.
Defense dominated the action against Hickory. After a slow start, South Fayette forced five turnovers and turned this year’s state semifinal into a runaway by the start of the fourth quarter. The Lions intercepted four passes, two for touchdowns, and also registered a safety on defense, helping to ignite the rout.
With 1:25 to play, Jack Relihan intercepted for a 15-yard touchdown and capped the scoring for the Lions. Earlier, with 10:40 left in the third quarter, Ryan Schmider’s 11-yard Pick-6 lifted the Lions to a 21-7 advantage. Logan Sharp and Roman Denson also had interceptions.
Led by Andrew Gedrys, South Fayette sacked Hickory in the end zone for the safety and a 30-14 led with 11:19 to play in the final frame.
A fumble recovery, however, proved significant. With the Hornets threatening for their second score, Matt O’Rourke recovered the pigskin at the one-yard line with 53 seconds left in the first frame.
“For us to get that stop was a game-changer,” Rossi said. “These guys understand how to win and those are the kind of plays you need right there.”
“The offense gets most of the credit, but the defense has the offense’s back and the offense has the defense’s back,” O’Rourke said. “When we got that fumble and took it 97 yards, that was huge. We got the momentum, kept our foot on the gas pedal and kept going at them by getting turnovers.”
Denson and Relihan pace the Lions in that department as each have picked off five passes this season. J.J. Walker and Hayes are the team’s top tacklers and Gedrys and Jeremy Carter spearhead the rush, recording the most sacks.
How quickly the Lions can stop Dunmore may be pivotal to the outcome. By running the football, the Bucks gobble up time and yardage. Colin Holmes and Sal Marchese control the ground game. Holmes has gained 1,592 yards on 198 carries. He has scored 23 touchdowns. Marchese has 1,272 yards rushing on 147 carries and 19 scores. Dunmore has three additional tailbacks that have gained over 430 yards.
“Time of possession will be key,” Rossi said. “We need to get off the field on defense. Every possession will be crucial. They will be limited.
“But,” Rossi interjected, “we have a speed advantage against them. We are fortunate because we have a good pass/run combination.”
Additionally, the Lions have two receivers who have caught for more yards than opposing quarterback, Eric DeLuccie (52-of-81 for 579 yards) has passed. Nick Ponikvar has more than 1,000 yards in receptions with 10 scores. Logan Sharp has nearly 900 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns.