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Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair put it all on the line in rivalry game

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 7 min read
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By Eleanor Bailey/For The Almanac

By Eleanor Bailey/For The Almanac

Tanner Pfeuffer leads Bethel Park into first-round WPIAL Class 5A playoff action this weekend.

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Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Upper St. Clair wide out Bryce Jones (9) picks up short yardage on a reception before being tackled by Nick McCullough (24) during a 31-0 loss to Peters Township.

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By Eleanor Bailey

Mason Chambers (5) is stopped at the goal line by Peters Township’s defensive end Jake Velgich in a 31-0 loss.

Since Veterans Day, Bethel Park has circled Oct. 6, 2023 on its football calendar. It’s not just because the Black Hawks have the opportunity to avenge their 17-7 loss to Upper St. Clair in last year’s WPIAL Class 5A semifinal game on Nov. 11, 2022.

“We talk about goals,” said BP coach Phil Peckich. “The first is to beat St. Clair. Second is to win a conference championship. Third win a WPIAL title. That’s all set in front of us.”

Last year, the Black Hawks achieved two of their three objectives. Their 27-14 regular-season win catapulted them to the Allegheny Six Conference title, but the 17-7 defeat derailed their district championship plans.

“It really is an important game,” Peckich stressed.

It’s crucial regarding the standings but it’s vital for bragging rights. The two schools, located within 2.5 miles of each other, are bitter rivals.

“For sure, the rivalry is significant. I have only been here three years but I am more than into it. It’s a game you love to coach and the players love to play. They don’t like us and we don’t like them. You wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Locality isn’t the only ingredient contributing to the friction between the schools. Personnel contributes, too.

For example, Jeff Donati is a BP graduate that is an assistant football coach and the baseball coach at USC.

Additionally, Jim Engott is a member of the BP coaching staff. He coached for years during the Jim Render Era at USC. Engott coached Mike Orie, whose son, Clancy, is currently a standout defensive end for the Black Hawks.

“The Orie family was one of those great Upper St. Clair families,” said USC head coach Mike Junko.

The elder Orie played collegiately at Colgate while younger brother Dan played at Darmouth. Junko played football at USC with brothers, Pat and Kevin. Pat competed at Colgate and Kevin, who excelled on USC’s 1989 state championship club, went on to play professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs.

“I spoke with Mike after last year’s game and let him know how impressed I was with Clancy,” Junko said. “Like all of the Ories, he is a tough physical kid that plays his tail off on every play.”

That is exactly how both Peckich and Junko anticipate the conference clash will be contested.

“These games are always physical,” Junko said.

“The most physical, toughest team will win this game,” Peckich predicted.

“They have great players on their side and we have a solid nucleus on our side,” he added.

BP displayed its versatility and depth in dispatching Baldwin, 50-13. Tanner Pfeuffer completed 20 passes for 198 yards and touchdowns to four different receivers – Jack Bruckner (13 yards), Jovian Smith (20), Mitch Paschl (43) and Ryan Petras (7). Ja Vaughn Moore rushed for 185 yards and two scores. David Dennison also rushed for a touchdown.

“Baldwin was the first game we played where we put all three phases of the game together. The skill guys made plays and with six different guys scoring we were complimentary with everything. We have a deep cast of guys and we did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage.”

The Black Hawks present an experienced, tight front. While Orie is at end, Frank O’Mara and Santino LaMolinare hold down the tackle spots. Dylan Prindle and Jacob Brown are the guards while Hunter Goelz centers the football.

As a result, Pfeuffer has emerged as one of the top throwers in the league. After throwing for 1507 yards as sophomore, he has completed 62 of 110 attempts this season for 10 TDs and 931 yards.

“Their quarterback is one of the best in our league,” Junko said. “He has a number of dangerous targets that we have to make sure to stop from making big plays.”

Junko also noted that the Black Hawks are playing a new scheme on defense. “They have done a really nice job of limiting opponents scoring chances,” he said. “We are going to have to bring the lunch pail for this one.”

A workman-like mentality had led the Panthers to an undefeated record (4-0) until they were dismantled by Peters Township, 31-0, on Sept. 22. USC is 1-1 in the conference.

“It has been our theme all year,” Junko began. “When we do the little things right and play with discipline we are a good football team. When we turn the ball over and bust assignments we struggle. We have to play a clean game to be able to find success.”

Junko also predicts the outcome will come down to a few big plays. He noted that in past encounters the team that has made those plays has ended up winning the game.

“The key for both teams is finding ways to limit those game changing plays,” Junko said.

“Last year we allowed them to get traction on the ground and to make a number of big plays in the passing game in that first game. That really made the difference. In the second game, we found a way to make some plays.

“Their kids did a great job in both games,” he noted. “Bethel had a great team top to bottom.”

With revenge in mind, for thwarting their attempts at achieving their third and ultimate goal, the Black Hawks will be prepared for the Panthers.

“Both teams view this as a rivalry game. They are well-coached and ready to play,” Peckich said.

“Last year, the tougher team won. On tape, you can watch and see how the most physical team won the game. There is no secret about that.”

He also added that since he got the head coaching job that not a practice or game has gone by without a reminder.

“We have been preparing for this. A lot goes into a game, especially this one, and our kids will be ready to play,” he said.

PT hosts Moon

Peters Township hosts Moon at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at Confluence Financial Partners Stadium in McMurray.

The Indians anticipate a battle with the Ryan Linn’s Tigers, as they have pocketed an upset win against Penn Hills and played Mt. Lebanon tough before succumbing, 20-17, in a non-conference clash.

According to PT coach TJ Plack the Tigers have been a “formidable” opponent for years.

“Every year is a battle, on elf the more physical teams we play each year,” he said. Plack noted how last year, the Tigers were a “youthful” team.

“This year, it seems that they are playing to their strengths and improving each week.”

NA at Lebo

The Blue Devils will host North Allegheny at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 in a key WPIAL Class 6A clash.

Both teams have been pummeled by league-leading Central Catholic – Lebo, 49-0; and NA, 50-22.

Lebo most recently dispatched Seneca Valley, 17-14.

In the triumph, Fred LaSota scored on a 40-yard run and Matthew Nguyen returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown before Bernard McAuley clinched the victory with a 31-yard field goal.

Plum at SF

After road games against Canon-McMillan and Moon, South Fayette returns to the Lions’ den to host Plum at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 in a non-conference clash. It is Youth Night.

In the loss to the Big Macs, 14-7, Nico Lamonde rushed for the lone Lion TD on a 25-yard run. Lamonde completed 18 of 29 passes for 146 yards.

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