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Upper St. Clair visits Mt. Lebanon in renewal of rivalry game

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 4 min read
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Mike Junko has been a part of both sides of the rivalry between Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair’s football teams.

“This game seems to ignite a great deal of passion on both sides,” said Junko, whose Panthers will face the Blue Devils Sept. 3. “It is good for both communities and good for football in Western Pennsylvania.”

Junko was a sophomore reserve on USC’s 1989 state championship football team before taking over the reigns as starting quarterback. He also was the starting catcher on USC’s only WPIAL championship baseball team in 1992.

After three years as the starting quarterback at the University of Akron under coach Jerry Faust, Junko embarked on his teaching career at Mt. Lebanon. He also served 11 seasons as an assistant football coach at Mt. Lebanon under Chris Haering and Mike Melnyk.

After two years plying the trade under longtime USC head coach Jim Render, Junko became the Panthers’ head coach in 2019. He also has employed two assistants — Jeff Donati and Tom Stilley — with whom he worked while at Mt. Lebanon.

Junko said the time he spent at Mt. Lebanon was very special. He and his assistants remain in contact with many of their former players.

“Many have gone on to great things in life,” Junko said.

“The great thing about my staff, and this has been true throughout their careers, is how much they truly care about our athletes.” he continued. “I am blessed to be surrounded with assistant coaches that serve as mentors for our players that understand what coaching is really all about.”

For the Panthers, facing the Blue Devils is more about growth than grudges.

“This game is another step in the maturation process for our football team,” Junko said.

“Our early schedule will provide a great test and give us a real sense of where we are as a program. Our goal is to continue to improve every week and have our younger players grow and develop with each Friday night experience.”

With six returning starters from last year’s 5-3 playoff team, USC indeed is indeed young compared to the Blue Devils.

Lebo returns a plethora of three-year starters, including quarterback Joey Daniels, who threw for 1,017 yards and 14 touchdowns, Navy recruit Eli Heidenreich; Harvard baseball recruit Jack Smith and Division I prospect and safety Alex Tecza.

“They are a very balanced football team on both sides of the ball,” Junko said of the Blue Devils. “They have a number of game-changing athletes that possess great athleticism. They attack on defense and their quarterback may be the best in the WPIAL this year.

“This is one of the most talented Mt. Lebanon teams I have seen in the past decade,” Junko continued. “They will certainly challenge for the 6A title this year.”

Lebo has won six WPIAL titles, the last of which came in 2000.

Mt. Lebanon head coach Bob Palko owns eight WPIAL rings and one PIAA championship trophy at West Allegheny. Heading into the 2021 campaign, he boasted a 227-78 career coaching record.

Meanwhile, the Panthers have been WPIAL champions seven times, five under Render, and PIAA champions twice.

The teams did not play last year but split decisions in their previous meetings. Lebo beat USC, 28-14, in 2019. The Panthers defeated the Blue Devils, 28-7, in 2018.

The Panthers are focused on the progress they have been making since their scrimmage with Woodland Hills and season opener against Greensburg Central Catholic Aug. 27.

“We’ve created turnovers on defense and took care of the ball on the offense,” Junko said. “These were great opportunities for our younger players to get some reps at the varsity level.

“Against Lebo, we have to limit mistakes,” he continued. “We will be playing in a big-time atmosphere and there are great lessons to learn this early in the season.”

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