Peters Township, Upper St. Clair fray to determine frontrunner in conference
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Julian Dahlem eludes Baldwin tacklers as he rambles into the end zone for a touchdown during Upper St. Clair’s 53-14 victory. The sophomore also completed 16 of 18 passes for 239 yards and four scoring strikes in the win.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Jamaal Brown rolls up 76 yards on a kickoff return during Upper St. Clair’s 53-14 win against Baldwin. A senior, Brown is averaging 11.7 yards per carry this season. He had 357 yards on 31 carriers in his first three games.
When Peters Township and Upper St. Clair face off at 7 p.m. Friday, they will see mirror images of themselves on the opposites sidelines as well as the ball in this Allegheny Six Conference football clash.
On offense, both feature exciting quarterbacks, powerful running backs as well as big playmakers, and yet, each boast stingy defenses.
In bolting to 3-0 records, USC has outscored the opposition, 132-27, while the Indians have held a 124-41 advantage that includes a season-opening shutout.
While the Panthers entered the season as a heavy favorite because they returned 18 starters — 10 on offense and 8 on defense — the Indians were a relatively unknown entity because of its lack of experience and small senior class.
“Peters is way more talented than people gave them credit for in the preseason,” said USC coach Mike Junko.
Junko came away impressed with the Indians after having encountered them during several 7-on-7 sessions this summer. In addition to their talented skill set, he added, the Indians defense plays physical and the players believe in TJ’s Plack’s system.
“We will certainly have our hands full trying to contain that talented group of kids,” Junko said.
At the signal caller spot are two relative newcomers, who have been asked to be the “point guards” on their squads
A junior, with only one previous varsity start, Chris Cibrone has completed 48 of 81 attempts for 704 yards and 10 scores. He ranks second in the WPIAL.
In PT’s final tuneup before conference action, a 38-14 win against Trinity, Cibrone completed 14 passes for 242 yards and three scoring strikes to Carter Shanafelt (8 yards), Thomas Aspinall (35) and Brendan McCullough (24).
A sophomore, Julian Dahlem has completed 21 of 26 passes for 363 yards and 7 TDs. He has also rushed for 134 yards (6.4-yard average) on 21 attempts and three more scores.
In a 53-14 thumping of Baldwin, Dahlem completed 16 of 18 passes for 239 yards and scoring strikes to Aidan Besselman (16 and 10 yards), Jacob Hufnagel (30) and Cody Marn (20). While Ethan Hellmann also tossed a 38-yard TD to Brett Meinert, Dahlem also added a 5-yard TD rush against the Highlanders.
“Ethan was very efficient in his first varsity start against Baldwin,” Junko said. “He had a really strong summer and that has translated into success on the field so far this fall.
“Maybe his best attribute is playing the role of point guard and making sure he involves all of our playmakers. He is mobile and has good field vision.”
Richie Woods and Jamaal Brown possess both those assets as they have led their respective team’s rushing attacks.
Against Trinity, Woods rushed for 128 yards and scores of 8 and 31 yards. In his first three games, he has 285 yards and six touchdowns.
Against Baldwin, Brown rushed for 81 yards on seven attempts and had a 22-yard TD run. He also had a 76-yard kickoff return. Brown is averaging 11.5 yards per carry (31 rushes for 357 yards) with three touchdowns.
“Both running backs are having good seasons,” Plack said. “Both teams are able to run the football as well as stop the run. That is a true indicator of a good football team.”
Though they showed some holes on defense — they gave up a long opening-game drive as well as 14 points against Baldwin — the Panthers are allowing just nine points per game on defense.
Seamus Moorhead, Ivory Travers, Van Hellmann and Grodon Groninger have been USC’s top tacklers. Ty Lagoni, Hufnagel, Groninger and Brett Meinert account for the team’s five interceptions and Travers, Mason Chambers and Mark Banbury for the forced fumbles.
“USC has been able to limit opposing teams to relatively few points,” Plack said. “They are very disciplined and tackle well.”
Junko admits the USC defense struggled a bit against Baldwin but the game was a “wake-up call” for the Panthers.
“Peters does so many things well offensively. That is going to force us to really be dialed in defensively,” he said. “For us to find success, our defense has to be the backbone of our team.”
Junko believes his defensive coaching staff will continue to adjust to the opponent’s strengths, particularly as the Panthers enter into their most competitive phase of the season. After the Indians, USC will take on Class 6A opponents, defending state champion and arch-rival Mt. Lebanon as well as Canon-McMillan. Bethel Park is in between on Oct. 7. The Hawks, like the Indians, are hurdles for teams vying for the conference crown.
“The middle leg of our season is going to be a challenging stretch,” Junko said. “If we want to compete for a conference championship, we need to stay healthy and not find ourselves looking ahead. We are looking forward only to getting back to conference play against Peters Township. It should be a great atmosphere on a Friday night.”
Of the fray with the Panthers, Plack added, “USC is the only game on our schedule.”
The keys to winning?
“We need to limit mistakes and big plays, take care of the football, tackle and execute,” Plack said.
Junko concurred.
“We have to find a way to contain their playmakers on offense,” he said. “Their quarterback is a great decision maker and seems to have a knack for finding the open receiver.
“A big reason for their early season production is yards after the catch,” Junko added. “I preach it every week, but offensively we need to continue to have a balanced attack that is efficient running and throwing the football.”
Notes
Neither team can overlook the impact of its special teams. In PT’s win over Trinity, Joe Bedillion kicked a 37-yard field goal. He also provided five extra points. In USC’s win against Baldwin, Bennett Henderson kicked a 25-yard field goal. He has six extra points.