Keystone Oaks, Seton-La Salle renew rivalry
Alex Smith (center) will be a key factor in the battle between Keystone Oaks and Seton-La Salle. The Golden Eagles are undefeated in the Allegheny Conference thanks to his 2,211 yards passing and 22 scoring strikes.
Rob Carter goes against his former coach, Greg Perry, when Seton-La Salle battles Keystone Oaks in Allegheny Conference football action at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Dormont Stadium.
When only a road separates two schools, there is sure to be a rivalry and there is none bigger than when Keystone Oaks and Seton-La Salle battle in athletic activities.
The schools, located in Mt. Lebanon and facing each other on McNeilly Road, will take to Dormont Stadium for a key Allegheny Conference football game at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.
“This is a huge rivalry. Dates back a few decades,” SLS head coach Rob Carter said. “Whoever has been the better team really never mattered. Both teams show up and play each other with physicality and toughness.”
Carter speaks from experience. He actually competed for the Rebels and played, ironically, for Greg Perry. After 20 seasons at the helm at SLS, Perry currently coaches KO. This will be his third meeting against his former squad.
While he admits it’s a different feeling coaching against the Rebels because most of the players he mentored are gone, Perry acknowledges the interesting sidebar to the contest. Not only did Carter play for Perry, he coached under him, gaining his foothold in the business.
“Rob’s a friend,” Perry said. “He is doing a good job. I have respect for him and they have respect for us. I feel for what Rob is trying to do and I hope they give him a chance to build up the program again.”
In July, Carter moved into his role as head coach. He has relied on Perry’s friendship and wisdom to cultivate a new approach to football at SLS. He has succeeded to the point that the Rebels are 4-2 in the conference and 5-3 overall.
“Before the game it should be both fun and nerve racking,” Carter said. “Coach Perry has done a great job with his squad and turning around the KO program. I hope he is proud of how I have handled the job thus far this year.
“Once the game starts, it is just a game… playing against an opponent,” he added.
The Golden Eagles are not just any opponent. They are ranked No. 5 in Class AAA. They ran their record to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the conference after smashing Freeport, 44-7.
Alex Smith leads the Golden Eagles, and against the Yellow Jackets, he completed 14 of 17 passes for 273 yards and three scoring strikes of 39, 46 and 40 yards to Quarn Powe. He also had a 15-yard TD pass to Michael Daure. Smith rushed for two scores that measured 1 and 45 yards.
“Alex did all that in the pouring rain,” Perry said.
For the season, Smith ranks in the Top 3 among passers in the WPIAL. He has passed for 2,211 yards and 22 scores this season.
“The kid’s a player,” Perry said. “Alex makes us as good as we are. And, he has a supporting cast. Powe, Dylan (Knorr) and Nick (Hrivnak) are decent weapons. So pick your poison.”
Perry said that his KO cast reminds him a bit of his 2002 SLS team that won a WPIAL title. He had Anthony Doria at QB, Joe DelSardo and Mike Caputo as wide outs and Carmen Connolly in the backfield. “Four skilled players,” he said. “But we never had a QB that could run like Alex. (Bruce) Gradkowski could run on the fly but Alex is not afraid to tuck it under his arm and get out of the way.”
SLS is the one team standing in the way of KO’s objective. With their win against Freeport, they clinched the league championship, but Perry said the Golden Eagles set a goal of going undefeated in the conference.
“We can’t have a letdown because this is for (playoff) seedings,” he said. “We can’t stumble. We have to put on a show of our own and be ready.”
Lionel Deanes has been putting on a show for SLS all season long. He rushed for two scores of 63 and 10 yards and 201 total yards in last week’s 35-28 loss to Quaker Valley. Deanes has 1,788 yards and 15 touchdowns on the year.
“Lionel is having a great season,” Carter said. “The O-line is doing a great job of opening holes for him and this is all a tribute to Lionel’s and the line’s hard work in the offseason. Lionel is a tremendous student-athlete that is unselfish and just wants to do his best for the team.”
Matt Banbury and Nolan Abbiatici have been doing their best, too. Banbury rushed for a score and tossed an 8-yard TD aerial to Nick Vari for the Rebels, who led QV, 28-7, heading into the fourth frame. Banbury completed 12 of 21 aerials for 141 yards. Vari and Nolan Abbiatici had four receptions each for 61 and 27 yards respectively.
Line play will factor into any success SLS has against KO.
“KO has a great team,” Carter said. “They play fast and physical on both sides of the ball. You have to limit the KO offense to as few possessions as possible. If we win the battle on the line and control the clock and hopefully keep it close then we hope to have a chance in winning the game.”
Other action
In other action on Oct. 28, Upper St. Clair visits Woodland Hills. Both teams are 6-1 in conference play. The Panthers are 7-2 overall after thumping Hampton, 55-3. Colin McLinden, Blake Kadar and Thomas Vissman each rushed for two scores. Vissman finished with 127 yards. Pat Travers and Nate Ripley also scored for the Panthers.
Meanwhile, Chartiers Valley hosts Baldwin. Both teams are 1-6 in the league. The Colts fell to Fox Chapel, 51-12, while the Highlanders succumbed to Baldwin, 49-27. Connor Barrett played a role in both CV scores. He returned a kickoff 88 yards for a TD. He tossed a 56-yard scoring strike to Anthony Doyle.
In Quad-A action, South Fayette plays host to Montour. The Lions thrashed Highlands, 48-14, to run their record to 9-0. Drew Saxton threw for four scores and 204 yards. Luke Meindl hauled in TD aerials of 42 and 41 yards. Mike Speca pulled in a 53-yard scoring strike and Cameron Garland had a 50-yard TD reception. Geavonie Love and Noah Walker rushed for scores of 3 and 45 yards. Ryan Fleming recovered a fumble in the end zone for the other SF TD. Dan Trimbur (4), Jared Renz and Helina VanBibber kicked extra points.
In non-conference action, Canon-McMillan hosts Butler and Peters Township visits Shaler. The Big Macs are coming off a 13-10 victory against PT last week.