South Fayette looks ahead after loss to Prep
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mike Trimbur, left, consoles Charley Rossi after South Fayette’s season-ending loss to Erie Cathedral Prep, 42-10, in the PIAA playoffs Nov. 23.
Billy Lucas fends off Ben Coyne during PIAA football action. Lucas rushed for 342 yards in Erie Cathedral Prep's 42-10 win over South Fayette.
South Fayette’s Andrew Franklin splits two Erie Cathedral Prep defenders as he carries the football during the Nov. 23 state playoff game.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mike Trimbur looks for room to move after making a reception for South Fayette against Eric Cathedral Prep.
After South Fayette’s season-ending loss to Erie Cathedral Prep, 42-10, in quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 5A football playoffs, coach Joe Rossi instructed his players to seek out those “special” individuals and “hug” them.
With a tear streaking down his chilled cheek, Charley Rossi embraced Mike Trimbur. The Cornell recruit proved more than a mentor to the sophomore, who is likely the heir apparent to his starting position next season. Many other underclassmen, too, took time to thank the squad’s other 17 seniors who put South Fayette at the pinnacle in the WPIAL.
Despite the Nov. 23 defeat to the Ramblers, the Lions accomplished a great deal in 2018. They rolled up another undefeated conference championship and won their fourth WPIAL title under Rossi by upending Thomas Jefferson, 31-24, in the finals played Nov. 17 at Heinz Field. The Lions finished 12-2 overall.
Of the sensational season, Rossi said during his post-game huddle that he “enjoyed every moment” from the team-building trip to Ohio during the summer, to the sultry training camp drills and through the games that started back on Aug. 24 with a one-point loss to Upper St. Clair, 34-33 and culminated with the state playoff loss in Erie.
“The sun will come up,” Rossi assured his dejected players. “Know, though, there are no disappointments. We learn something from (our losses) but know, too, we can hold our heads up high and we can go home with pride.”
The seniors certainly can be pleased with their achievements. Guys like Trimbur, Jamie Diven, Ryan Kokoski, Peyton Tinney, RayQuin Glover, Joe Mowod, Ryan Coe, Ben Wright, Ben Coyne, Tom Elia and Eamon Horowitz made significant contributions this fall as did Douglas Brandy, Hayden Sheader, Steven Ziegler, Ryan Fleming, Helina VanBibber, Tremir Johnson and Sean Sutcavage for the program.
Diven led the offensive attack, completing 22 of 37 attempts for 195 yards and one scoring strike of 50 yards to Glover in the loss to Cathedral Prep. Those numbers raised his season totals to 3,211 yards passing and 44 touchdowns.
Trimbur proved to be Diven’s top target. With three receptions for 22 yards against the Ramblers, Trimbur finished with 57 catches for 1,094 yards and 16 scores this season. He caught five passes for 138 yards and two scores and intercepted a pass to seal South Fayette’s win against TJ.
Glover ranked second on the team in rushing but displayed his versatility by pulling in 11 receptions for 122 yards against Cathedral Prep. He accounted for 13 TDs and more than 700 combined rushing and receiving yards.
Coe dominated the special teams with his kicking, connecting on 60 extra points and booting nine field goals, including a 33-yarder that pulled the Lions to within 21-10 against the Ramblers, the same halftime score before their WPIAL comeback.
Elia, a Richmond recruit, Wright, Coyne and Horowitz anchored both sides of the line while Tinney and Kokoski excelled as much in the secondary as well as offensive weapons. Coyne led the team in sacks and tackles while Kokoski led the team in interceptions. With underclassmen such as Rossi, Jaelin Krocker, Nolan Lutz and Quentin Franklin, the Lions recorded five shutouts.
However, Billy Lucas proved too much for the SF defense to handle. Prep’s senior running back rushed for 342 yards and three touchdowns.
“(Lucas) is a stud,” Rossi said. “He’s a good football player that proved why he has Division I offers. He’s the real deal. Even with a bad hamstring, he’s a tremendous talent.”
Meanwhile, quarterback Regan Schleicher accounted for Catheral Prep’s other points. He rushed for TDs of 21 and 3 yards and tossed a 36-yard scoring strike to Joe Scarbino.
“The game just came down to us stopping the run,” Rossi said. “We didn’t do a good job.”
Even as the game slipped away with Prep scoring two TDs in the third quarter, South Fayette maintained its tenacity.
“They fought until the end,” Rossi emphasized. “That was a good football team we played but we know we can hold our heads up high knowing all that we accomplished this year.”
For the Lions, it could be a new beginning. When the Lions won their first WPIAL title under Rossi in 2010, they suffered a lopsided loss in the PIAA finals but rebounded to capture back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014.
“After a hiatus,” Rossi said of the 2018 campaign, “we ended up being back on top in Western Pennsylvania.”
Editor’s Note: Luke Campbell contributed to this story.