Aug 29, 2017 By Eleanor Bailey 3 min read

As Jim Renders prepares Upper St. Clair for its Allegheny Nine Conference opener at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at North Hills, he sees a lot of similarities between the Indians and the Panthers’ previous opponent, Steubenville. USC lost to the Big Red, 37-7, in Week Zero football action.

Big Red regularly reaches the Final Four in the Ohio state playoffs. North Hills owns three WPIAL titles. The Indians have competed in the district playoffs for the past five years, but they posted a 6-5 record last season, with one of their losses being 28-7, to USC in 2016.

“North Hills has a stadium similar to Steubenville. No track. The stands go down to the sidelines,” said Render. “North Hills will also have a lot of Rowdy Rooters and red in the stands. People turn our for game there.”

In Steubenville, 8,000 Big Red fans turned out to cheer against the Panthers but Render isn’t expecting numbers like that against North Hills. He is, however, expected a hotly-contested game.

“North Hills traditionally is a tough program with aggressive kids,” he said.

Melvin Banks was particularly aggressive as he rolled up 195 yards rushing in a 45-17 victory against Shaler. He also rambled for 70- and 7-yard scores while also racking up a 97-yard kickoff return for another touchdown.

“That running back did well against Shaler. He did a marvelous job,” Render said.

Despite the lopsided contest against Steubenville, USC did a decent job. The Panther trailed, 14-7, before giving up a pivotal score just before intermission.

“We made a mistake and it was huge. That hurt us,” Render said of the 25-yard TD strike. “We have to cutdown on those things.

“We did a lot well, and all was good except the outcome,” Render added. “It was a great atmosphere. … I think we are a better football team for having played this game rather than a second scrimmage. We would not have gotten as much out of it. We competed well.”

Render was particularly pleased with the performances of Dom Cepullio and Colin McLinden. They are two of USC’s veteran leaders.

Cepullio caught a 57-yard pass from Jack Hansberry for the lone Panther score. He had three receptions for 64 yards. He also averaged 31.2 yards per punt.

McLinden had five tackles on defense. He had two catches for 17 yards and led the Panthers in rushing with 35 yards on nine carries.

“They competed very, very well offensively and defensively,” Render said.

Despite the lopsided loss to Steubenville, Render said the Panthers are in a good frame of mind and he is not “too worried” about their psyche. “We made some mistakes. We just have to clean up some things. And, we have to use more players.”

In order to register their first conference win, Render added that he is focused more on his team than what North Hills does.

“My concerns are more about my team and getting them ready to play,” he said. “We need to worry about what we do and not worry about the other teams and what they have. Sometimes you can worry too much about the other guy than worry about your own team. What’s important to me is my guys.”