Upper St. Clair hosts South Fayette

Upper St. Clair hosts South Fayette at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 in a football game that has playoff implications.
“It looks like this game will really be the start of the playoffs for both teams so I imagine it will be your typical USC-South Fayette battle,” said USC head coach Mike Junko.
That means fans better be prepared to stay in their seats until the scoreboard flashes 0:00.
“These are two programs that have had a lot of success and a tradition of winning football games,” Junko said. “It seems like it is always a close game regardless of the records or level of talent on the field. Over the years, we have had success against them, but all of those games could have gone either way.”
In 2019, Junko recorded his first win as a head coach by beating SF, 27-13. In 2020, the Panthers came from behind to top the Lions, 36-32. Last year, the Panthers trailed by 15 points before rallying for an overtime win, 31-28, on Bennett Henderson’s field goal.
So Junko is expecting a hard-fought battle against the Lions, who won three straight after starting the season at 2-3.
“They have done a great job of getting better every week,” Junko said. “They are a much different team than the one that started the season. Offensively they rely on explosive plays and defensively they are sound and physical.
Junko added that the Lions are fighters. “Their kids never give up. They have an explosive offensive system that allows them to get back into games. They also have a sound well-coached defense that makes you earn every score.”
Because of miscues, USC had their second straight loss after starting the season with six straight wins. The Panthers dropped back-to-back games against Bethel Park, 27-14, and Canon-McMillan, 28-24. There was no secret to the loss against the Big Macs.
“Too many turnovers,” Junko said. “That cost us.”
Despite three interceptions and giving up a kickoff return for a TD, several Panthers managed to shine in the loss. Jamaal Brown rushed for 160 yards and Julian Dahlem rambled for 124 more. He also completed 12 passes for 171 yards. Ethan Hellman also threw for 100-plus yards by completing 5 of 7 passes. Aidan Besselman, who hauled in 181 yards on eight receptions, and Cameron Phillips caught scoring strikes.
Meanwhile, the Lions put together an impressive effort on both sides of the line and blanked Baldwin, 45-0.
Nico Lamonde completed 13 of 19 passes for 249 yards. He tossed 53- and 25-yard TDs to Nate Deanes as well as 14- and 60-yard scoring strikes to Wesmyn Wright and Aiden Martincic, respectively. Wright had six receptions for 71 yards while Michael Gimigliano had five receptions for 55 yards and a TD grab of eight yards from Drew Wehlhorsky.
Deanes also rushed for a 25-yard touchdown and Tyler Nicholson kicked a field goal as well as five extra points. Luke Gillen had the other PAT.
In another game with playoff implications, Mt. Lebanon hosts Canon-McMillan on Oct. 28. Four of the five teams in Class 6A advance to the WPIAL tournament. Both the Blue Devils and the Big Macs are 1-2 in the Tri-County Five Conference, which is led by undefeated North Allegheny (3-0)
The Blue Devils previously edged Peters Township, 6-3, in non-conference action. Ben McAuley kicked two field goals, measuring 38 and 25 yards, for Lebo’s only points.
Chartiers Valley hosts Aliquippa at 7 p.m. Oct. 28.
Previously, the Colts lost to Montour, 32-14. In the loss, Austin Efthimiades rushed for 111 yards and Gavin Owens completed 19 passes for 138 yards.