South Fayette battles Thomas Jefferson for WPIAL title
Mike Trimbur never relished the role of cheerleader. The South Fayette senior, however, is rallying the Lions (11-1) as they prepare to face Thomas Jefferson (12-0) in the WPIAL Quad-A championship game set for 5 p.m. Nov. 17 at Heinz Field.
In 2015, Trimbur was one of a few freshmen on SF’s roster when they lost to Aliquippa, 44-38, in the WPIAL Class AA final, also played on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home turf.
“Back then, they were just a cheering section,” said SF coach Joe Rossi of the remnants from the Lions’ championship run.
After South Fayette beat Belle Vernon, 28-10, in last week’s semifinal and advanced to the finals for the fifth time since 2010, Trimbur spoke up. He encouraged his teammates to “stop living off the past” and riding “the coattails” of their predecessors.
“He said to his teammates, ‘Let’s do something on our own. Let’s make our own history,'” said SF head coach Joe Rossi. “It’s everybody’s dream to get to Heinz Field and play for a championship. Now those guys have that opportunity.”
Snagging a championship from the Jaguars won’t be easy. TJ is a three-time champion, having won the Class AAA crown in 2015 and claiming back-to-back Quad-A titles in 2016 and 2017. In fact, the Jaguars pocketed a 47-7 win against Blackhawk in their 19th semifinal appearance under head coach Bill Cherpak in 21 years to reach this weekend’s final.
In that victory, Max Shaw rolled up 314 yards and rushed for six of the team’s seven TDs. While he has rushed for more than 1,700 yards this season, the Jaguars are more than the Shaw show. They feature a 1,600-yard plus quarterback in Shane Stump and a 1,200-yard plus receiver in Dan Deabner.
In their semifinal win against Belle Vernon, SF stymied Mason Pascoe. He entered the game with 1,538 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. The Lions’ defense limited him to 85 yards on 26 carries and no scores.
“We knew their running game was awesome but our defense did a great job,” Rossi said. “They were trying to control the clock but we got to the football and made the stops. I was so proud of our defense for stepping up. It’s pride, desire and all those things you look for in a defense and these guys just willed themselves.”
Likewise, TJ must summon the will on defense because the Lions’ offense has also been unstoppable this fall.
Jamie Diven ignited the fuse against the Leopards, who finished 9-2 overall. The senior signal caller completed 21 of 35 passes for 331 yards and scoring strikes of 39, 3 and 26 yards to RayQuin Glover, Charley Rossi and Trimbur. Diven also rushed for a 12-yard TD.
On the year, Diven has thrown for 2,767 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Trimbur and Rossi hauled in eight and five receptions for 127 and 30 yards respectively in the win against Belle Vernon. Trimbur leads the receiving corps with 936 yards and 15 scores. Rossi follows with 523 yards and eight TDs.
The Lions also feature a respectable ground attack with Andrew Franklin leading the attack with 789 yards and nine scores. Glover follows with 423 yards and five TDs.
“While we have a great passing game, we do think we have a pretty good running game and we got that going with Franklin and Glover,” Rossi said. “They have different styles but they have done a nice job.”
Rossi added his O-Line, too, has excelled.
“Because of the nice job those guys are doing on the line, we have been able to run the ball well.”
“The MO is no secret. You just can’t let them possess the ball. We’ve got to get the stops and get the ball into our offensive hands and let those guys do their thing,” Rossi said. “There is no doubt, we have to play a good game.”
Rossi also reported that his team is healthier than it has ever been at this point in the season. He said it reminded him of the 2013-14 seasons. Those years, the Lions captured back-to-back PIAA championships.
Rossi cautioned, however, looking ahead.
“It certainly has been awhile since we’ve been here but you have to have two things in addition to a great team and great athletes. Health and you’ve got to be lucky.”