Lebo plays host to Norwin in must-win game
Another conference game. Another must-win situation. That’s what Mt. Lebanon’s home game against Norwin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 shapes up to be.
“Every conference game has been a big game and they get bigger as the year goes on,” said Mike Melnyk, who has his Blue Devils positioned in fifth place in the Quad County with a 3-3 slate. “The loser has a chance to stay home, so there will be a sense of urgency on Friday night.”
With only two weeks to play in the regular season, Lebo (3-5, 3-3) is positioned in fifth place in the Quad County Conference. The top six teams in the league advance to the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs, which commence Nov. 2-3.
Undefeated North Allegheny (8-0, 7-0) leads the league followed by Pine-Richland (7-1, 6-0), which defeated Lebo, 42-24, last week. In the loss, the Blue Devils fell behind, 28-0, before mounting a second-half comeback.
“I was not happy getting down early, but our kids did not quit at any point of the game,” Melnyk said. “Small things continue to hurt us at crucial times. We are still trying to correct that.”
The Blue Devils have their work cut out for themselves against the Knights (2-4, 3-5). They face Jack Salopek, who ranks among the WPIAL passing leaders with more than 1,300 yards.
“Norwin has excellent skill kids and they use them in a variety of ways,” Melnyk said. “We will have to be sound defensively and try and wear them down on offense.”