South Fayette headed back to Heinz Field
Hunter Hayes (No. 2) bolts through the line for big yardage against Seton-La Salle. The South Fayette tailback rushed for two touchdowns in the first half to help South Fayette to a 28-7 lead in the WPIAL Class AA semifinal football game.
Ryan Schmider (No. 13) and Dom Malosh (No. 38) celebrate along with teammates Brett Beltz (No. 16) and Logan Sharp (No. 1) while Dequay Broadwater (No. 15) agonizes after a critical Seton-La Salle fumble. South Fayette scored off the turnover and raced to a 28-7 halftime lead. The Lions also scored once off an interception in the first half.
Nick Ponikvar (No. 2) is dragged down after making a key reception for South Fayette during WPIAL semifinal action. Ponikvar is the Lions’ leading receiver and a weapon that Aliquippa will need to contain during the finals set for Nov. 21 at Heinz Field.
The long-awaited rematch between South Fayette (12-0) and Aliquippa (12-0) has arrived. The football foes will vie for the WPIAL Class AA championship at 5 p.m. Nov. 21 in familiar surroundings at Heinz Field. The Lions defeated the Quips, 34-28, in the 2013 final then went on to capture the PIAA state title.
“It’s a great feeling,” said SF quarterback Brett Brumbaugh of returning to Heinz Field to compete for another championship.
“It’s the goal of high school football,” added Lions’ head coach Joe Rossi. “We are going to give it our best shot. Continue to get better and go for it.”
While the Lions are going for their second straight title, the Quips are making their seventh straight trip to Heinz Field. They have won 15 titles, including back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012. Since the millennium, the Quips have won five banners, including in 2000, 2003 and 2008.
“They are a great football team, again. Nothing new there,” Brumbaugh said. “They are always there.”
While the Quips got there by eliminating Washington, 44-26, in their semifinal match-up at West Allegheny, South Fayette advanced to Heinz Field by defeating Seton-La Salle, 35-21, at Peters Township Stadium to stretch their winning streak to 28 games. It was the second time this season that the Lions topped the Rebels. To capture the Century Conference, South Fayette defeated SLS, 41-14, in Week 8 of the regular season. The Rebels lost only two games this fall, both to the Lions, and finished 10-2 overall.
While Brumbaugh keyed the offensive attack with 217 yards passing and two touchdowns to Ryan Schmider and Dan Trimbur, the defense proved the difference against the Rebels. Logan Sharp, who was Brumbaugh’s top target with four receptions for 79 yards, and Schmider each recovered a fumble while Jack Relihan returned an interception for a 40-yard touchdown.
“The defense was the difference,” Brumbaugh said. “Games are like roller coasters. They have their ups and downs. But our defense came up huge when we needed it.”
The Lions will need a similar effort as they attempt to rein in the Quips, who have racked up 605 points this season and feature three skill players that have accumulated over 1,000 yards of offense.
After graduating top rushers Dravon Henry to West Virginia and Terry Swanson to Toledo, the Quips restocked with Kaezon Pugh and DiMantae Bronough. Pugh rambled 284 yards and raced for three touchdowns in the win over Washington. The junior has accumulated 1,501 yards on 150 rushes, meaning he averages 10 yards per carry. Bronough has close to 1,300 yards rushing.
“They have a tremendous running game. Their tailback is a tremendous player. They’ve got the athletes. Plus, four of five of their offensive linemen return from last year,” said Rossi. “We are going to do our best to try and slow them down.”
Rossi equated his team’s challenge of stopping Pugh to that of quelling Danzel McKinley-Lewis. The Seton-La Salle senior had an interception on defense. The Toledo recruit also had six receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown against the South Fayette defense, which has allowed 151 points this season.
“Guys like Pugh are going to get theirs. It’s hard to eliminate everything they do. They may rip one off for a long run or touchdown but you can’t let them get two or three. You’ve got to try and get them to put the ball on the ground and cause a few fumbles.
“Actually, it’s no different than any game. You’ve got to be concerned with everything. You have to stop the run. Just play good football,” Rossi continued. “Create turnovers.”
Since his return to the defensive secondary, Roman Denson continues to be the leader with five interceptions. Relihan follows with four picks. J.J. Walker and Schmider are the leading tacklers while Jeremy Carter and Anthony Gedrys are tops in sacks.
The Lions are not without their offensive weapons. Brumbaugh has passed for nearly 3,000 yards this season. The Duquesne recruit has thrown 35 scoring strikes. He owns four WPIAL records for yards and scores in single seasons as well as career. In fact, Brumbaugh topped 10,000 yards passing for his career during the quarterfinals of the playoffs. His top targets are Nick Ponikvar, Sharp and Schmider. Ponikvar has over 800 yards and nine TD receptions. Sharp has 764 yards and 12 touchdowns. Schmider has 22 grabs for 275 yards.
Hunter Hayes propels the running game for South Fayette. Against SLS, he racked up 127 yards on 28 carries. He romped into the end zone twice in the first half. His TDs measured 12 and 15 yards. For the season, Hayes has rushed for 1,280 yards and averages eight yards a carry. He leads the Lions in scoring with 24 touchdowns.
Jasper Wolfe is the team’s leading running with a nine-yard average but just under 300 yards for the season. The Lions can also rely on Sharp, Trimbur, Denson and Ponikvar to carry the ball.
No matter how versatile the adversary, the Quips are versed in containing their opponents. They have recorded two shutouts this season, including one in their playoff opener, 40-0, against Mount Pleasant. The Quips have allowed only 138 points this year.
Additionally, Aliquippa boasts a veteran signal caller. Darrien Fields completed five of seven attempts for 113 yards against Wash High. He has completed 62 of 93 passes for 1,406 yards and 18 touchdowns. His arsenal includes Patrick Anderson, Anthony Barton and Jassir Jordan. All have over 10 receptions for more than 200 yards.
Hence, the fireworks may not just be reserved for the City of Pittsburgh’s Light-up Night festivities. “It’s going to be a great game,” Rossi enthused. “It’s going to be a great experience seeing the city all lighted up and playing at Heinz Field.
“We are excited for the opportunity. You don’t take it for granted. It takes hard work, talent and little luck to get here and it’s going to take the same thing to win the championship,” he predicted.