Aug 22, 2017 By Eleanor Bailey 3 min read

Nobody likes Week Zero in the WPIAL more than Joe Rossi. The South Fayette High School football coach is excited about visiting Central Valley at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25.

“I love Week Zero,” Rossi said as he enters into his 11th season at the helm. “We learn more about our guys under fire.”

Because the Lions lost 22 seniors from last year’s 10-1 club, game time is critical for those players planning to make a contribution to this year’s team’s success.

“We have a lot of position battles going and that makes Week Zero very valuable because we can get 48 minutes of film on the team and players,” explained Rossi. “We get to see who performs under the lights. It’s a good way to identify who will perform in the conference.”

Rossi says that his players embrace the opportunity to play an extra week of football.

“Our kids want to play a game,” he said. “Under the lights you find out more about your team and we want to continue to get better.”

Right now, Drew Saxton and Noah Plack are at their best. Saxton is a three-year starter at quarterback. He passed 2,638 yards and 30 touchdowns last fall in guiding the Lions to an undefeated mark (8-0) in the Northwest Nine Conference. A 6-2, 205-pound tight end and linebacker, Plack is a University of Delaware recruit. He caught 35 passes for 679 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

“Obviously Drew is having a good season and Noah is a stud,” Rossi said.

Throughout camp, Rossi has also been pleased with the development of his receiving corps. He noted Mike Trimbur made some “nice catches” in a scrimmage last weekend against Chartiers Valley. Rossi has also been pleased with Rayquin Glover. A transfer from Moon, he has “excelled” offensively and defensively. “Rayquin’s been a very pleasant surprise for us,” Rossi said. “He’s dynamic and athletic.”

In playing Central Valley, the Lions will be exposed to both as the Warriors have been one of the dominant Beaver County powers since coming into existence with the merger of Monaca and Center nearly a decade ago.

“Central Valley is a proven power,” Rossi said. “Plus, they’ve gotten some transfers from Aliquippa and all of their offensive linemen are back. They are huge. They get off the ball in a hurry. They are big and strong.

“It’s a tough challenge for us,” Rossi concluded.