South Fayette focused on Quaker Valley
Nick Ponikvar ranks as South Fayette’s second-leading receiver with 501 yards and five scores. The high-scoring Lions host Quaker Valley at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at they attempt to wrap up their third undefeated season in the Century Conference.
South Fayette fullback J.J. Walker rushed for a five-yard touchdown in a 41-14 win against Seton-La Salle. Walker spearheads a defense that is ranked No. 1 in Class AA and in the Top 10 of the WPIAL.
Last week, South Fayette focused on Seton-La Salle. With the Rebels out of the way, by virtue of a 41-14 victory, the Lions concentrate on completing Century Conference play by hosting Quaker Valley at 7 p.m. Oct. 24.
“Nothing else mattered,” South Fayette coach Joe Rossi said in preparation for Seton-La Salle. “We did not talk about [conference championship]. This week, we have Quaker Valley. We’ve got a good team coming here and we want to finish it out right.”
A victory against the Quakers would assure the Lions an undefeated regular season for the third year in a row. With the win over SLS, the Lions improved to 8-0 on the year. They also stretched their winning streak to 24 games. South Fayette has not lost a game since Nov. 16, 2012, in the semifinals of the WPIAL playoffs against Washington, 26-14. The Lions’ last conference defeat came against Seton-La Salle, 33-10, on Oct. 21, 2011.
Of the Lions, Rebels’ head coach Damon Rosol said, “They are the preeminent team in AA.”
The Lions are ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL. They are the defending district and PIAA champions. They boast the best defense in Class AA. The Lions are also ranked in the Top 10 in the WPIAL. Plus, they boast the best passer in WPIAL history.
“Everybody talks about our offense,” said Rossi, “but defensively, we’re gotten pretty good.
“And,” he continued. “We’ve got No. 7. He makes plays all over the place.”
Brett Brumbaugh, who wears the numeral seven on his jersey, ranks as the all-time leading passers in yardage and career touchdowns in the WPIAL. He also holds the single-season marks for distance and scores in the district.
This fall, he has passed for 1,842 yards and 23 touchdowns. He completed 17 of 32 attempts for 315 yards and three scoring strikes last week against the Rebels.
“Brett shows why he is the best quarterback in the WPIAL,” Rossi said. “He’s got a lot of supporting cast, guys making plays around him. Big plays when we need them. It’s a total team effort.”
Indeed it is. Against the Rebels, Logan Sharp hauled in six passes for 127 yards and two, first-half touchdowns. Nick Ponikvar grabbed five aerials for 93 yards. He also caught a 49-yard touchdown. Hunter Hayes had four catches for 91 yards. The junior also rushed for 92 yards and two scores. J.J. Walker also ran for a five-yard touchdown.
Sharp is the team’s leading receiver with 559 yards and eight scores. Ponikvar follows with 501 yards and five TDs. Hayes leads the ground game with 729 yards. He has scored a team-high 16 times.
The foursome, along with lineman such as Jason Massey-Sears, Jeremy Carter, Anthony Davidson, Matt O’Rourke and Andrew Gedrys, also spearhead a defense that has allowed just 82 points this season. Walker is the leading tackler while Carter and Gedrys are the top sack men.
“Their defense is very tough, hard-nosed,” said Rosol. “As much as you have to prepare for them offensively, you have to prepare for their defense. They have tough guys up front, tough linebackers and a strong safety. It’s all good.”
Quaker Valley will test how good the Lions are because they boast Dane Jackson at the controls of its offense. The Pitt recruit completed 13 of 21 passes for 308 yards and four scores in the Quakers’ 59-23 victory against East Allegheny last week. Jackson also ran for a touchdown.
For the Quakers, who are 5-3 overall, Chris Conlan also caught seven passes for 160 yards against the Wildcats.
NOTES: A hand injury will keep Damon Denson out of the line-up against QV. The South Fayette senior did not play against the Rebels. He is a two-way starter at wide receiver and defensive back for the Lions. Denson leads the team in interceptions with five.