South Fayette’s Brumbaugh repeats as Almanac MVP
Brett Brumbaugh hung up his high school uniform after becoming Pennsylvania’s all-time leading passer and after guiding South Fayette to back-to-back WPIAL and PIAA titles. He will play at Duquesne University next fall.
Brett Brumbaugh is quick to congratulate his teammates for his success. Here, he acknowledges Hunter Hayes after he rushed for the first touchdown in a 28-16 win against Dunmore in the PIAA championship game.
Brett Brumbaugh waits for the snap from center to start South Fayette’s offensive attack.
Nick Dabowski (No. 52) was among the offensive linemen providing the protection for Brett Brumbaugh to throw for a record 11,048 yards during his career.
Jason Massey-Sears (No. 77), Zach Radinick (No. 57) and Thayer Phillips (No. 51) provide the protection Brett Brumbaugh needs to complete a pass against Dunmore. The senior signal called completed eight passes, two for touchdowns, and 120 yards in South Fayette’s 28-16 victory over the Bucks.
As he cleaned out his locker and tossed his uniform into the pile of jerseys waiting to be refurbished for 2015 season, Brett Brumbaugh sensed finality. His football career at South Fayette High School has come to an end.
“I never wanted this to end,” said the senior signal caller. “All good things come to an end, though. That being said, the best way to end it was as champions. So, I am glad we went out the way we did. It was an excellent ending.”
Hollywood could not have scripted it any better. Brumbaugh didn’t just got out a winner – he finished as the best there ever was. Brumbaugh left a legacy at South Fayette. As a starting quarterback, he compiled a 45-2 record, complete with three undefeated conference championships and two, back-to-back district and state titles. Plus, the Lions will ride a 32-game winning streak into next season.
“No words can describe how I feel,” Brumbaugh said. “I can’t put it into words.”
Statistics, however, tell the tale. With 11,084 yards, Brumbaugh finished his career as the leading passer in Pennsylvania history. He completed 63 percent of his passes (675 of 1,068 attempts). Brumbaugh also threw 127 career touchdowns, second best in state history.
In leading the Lions to the district and state titles in 2013, Brumbaugh threw for a WPIAL single-season record 3,897 yards, breaking the record of 3,726 set by his brother, Christian, in 2010. He also tossed 41 TDs. This fall, he threw for 3,738 yards and 42 scores, two coming in a come-from-behind victory over Dunmore, 28-14, in the PIAA Class AA final played Dec. 13 at HersheyPark Stadium.
“We worked hard last year,” explained Brumbaugh of the 2013 season that ended with a 41-0 rout of Imhotep Charter in the PIAA final. “This year, we had the target on our backs. We got everybody’s best game. It was more of a battle. Tougher, because last year we felt nobody expected us to do what we did.
“This year was a dogfight, especially the championship game being down at halftime and we had to come back,” continued Brumbaugh, who rates this year’s state title as best because it came during his senior year. “But, we never doubted. In our minds, we always believed.”
Joe Rossi became a believer midway through Brumbaugh’s freshman year. In the eighth game of a 7-4 season, the 6-4, 200-pound quarterback took control as a starter.
“For the team to go as far as we have, speaks to the person Brett is. He has fun on the field. He can joke around, but when it comes time to get serious, he gets it. He understands,” Rossi said. “One thing that has stuck with him that I have always told him is that life is a roller coaster. There are going to be ups and downs and you have to ride the wave and enjoy it, and he does. He’s level-headed and he’s played on an even-keel.”
Experience seasoned Brumbaugh. Because he has played in many ‘meaningful’ games, including back-to-back victories, 34-28 and 31-22, against Aliquippa at Heinz Field for the WPIAL titles, Brumbaugh exhibits a confidence when he takes the field. “I don’t get nervous anymore,” he said. “Anxious? Yes. Nervous? No. Never nervous,” he stressed. “It’s hard to explain. I guess it’s from all the experience we have gained. We were confident all year.”
Add focused and determined, too. Brumbaugh says people may be surprised to know that the process that has brought success to South Fayette has required those two ingredients. “It’s crucial,” he said. “But at the same time, you also have to have fun. You can’t dread coming to practice. There’s got to be an element of fun and energy, because you are spending so much time together with your teammates and coaches.”
Because South Fayette football is family, Brumbaugh called his teammates brothers and he relished playing for the township.
“South Fayette is so special to me,” he said. “Knowing I was playing for the community, for South Fayette High School, my teammates and coaches was the greatest thing for me. To play in front of our fans is something that I will never forget. I could never replace these memories.”
And, while he knows that either sophomore Mikey Speca or freshman Drew Saxton will take his place at quarterback once he departs for Duquense, Brumbaugh predicts continued success for his former teammates, which include 2,000-yard rusher Hunter Hayes and an intact offensive line.
“They have the talent to do it again. I expect them to be right back in the thick of things. It’s not like we haven’t left anything behind,” he explained. “There are some great players here.”
Yet, in 2014, the best continued to be Brumbaugh. For the second year in a row, he has been named Almanac Most Valuable Player for football. “It’s truly an honor,” he said. “There are a lot of good players in the WPIAL.”