Upper St. Clair hosts Mt. Lebanon in classic rivalry game
Photos: Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Peters Township lineman Franco Muscatello (60) sacks Nico Lamonde (13) during a conference game against South Fayette. In a 35-0 win against the Lions, the Indians recorded nine sacks.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Dom Monz (2) shakes off a Peters Township defender and picks up yardage after a reception for South Fayette. The Lions dropped a 35-0 decision to the Indians.
By Eleanor Bailey
Upper St.Clair head coach Mike Junko remembers many thrilling football games against arch rival Mt. Lebanon. His Panthers will host the Blue Devils at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 in a non-conference clash.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Ethan Wertman (4) of Peters Township breaks up a pass intended for Dom Monz of South Fayette during a conference clash in which the Indians shut out the Lions, 35-0.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Nolan Dilucia goes airborne and scores a touchdown, giving Peters Township a 21-0 lead at halftime against South Fayette. The Indians went on to a 35-0 victory.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Nolan DiLucia (17) goes airborne and scores a touchdown, giving Peters Township a 21-0 lead at halftime against South Fayette. The Indians won the game, 35-0.
Mike Junko has many memories from football games between arch rivals Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair. He’s coached on both sidelines, and as a USC native, he played against the Blue Devils. Junko has also watched Lebo win WPIAL championships in 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1984.
“I remember going to rivalry games as a little kid. It was the one game you couldn’t miss,” Junko said. “Mt. Lebanon had some great teams in the ’80s,” he said.
The year 1988, however, brings a reminder of what the confrontation at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 will be like when Junko’s Panthers host the Blue Devils. On their way to their first WPIAL title under then-coach Jim Render, USC upended Lebo in the Class 4A semifinals.
“USC quarterback Jerry Berteotti was my hero back in those days and I remember that game,” Junko said of the playoff battle. “I didn’t think St. Clair had any chance of winning that game. It was one of the most physical high school football games I ever watched.”
Junko anticipates another titanic struggle on Friday night because the Blue Devils bring that strength and vigor to the field.
“They are a much more physical football team this year,” Junko said. “They have really adopted a physical approach on both sides of the ball,” Junko said. “They have had success wearing down their opponents and running the football. On defense they run to the ball and play a disciplined attacking style.”
While the Panthers faced a physical club in Peters Township when they put their undefeated season on the line last Friday (results too late for this edition of The Almanac) they have finessed their way to wins this fall without the physicality of a Lebo unit.
In a most recent victory against Fox Chapel, 34-0, Julian Dahlem caught 10 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns. He also accumulated 47 yards rushing on five attempts. Ethan Hellmann completed 14 of 18 aerials for 195 yards and three scores, including a 32-yard strike to Bryce Jones. Dante Coury rushed for a touchdown and Eric Taylor rolled up 76 yards on eight rushes. Additionally, Bennett Henderson kicked 25- and 26-yard field goals to go along with four extra points. Nico D’Orazio, Michael Albert and John Banbury led the defensive attack
“Julian Dahlem had a big night catching,” Junko said. “He also ran the ball for us as well. Our defense put together an overall great team effort in pitching a shutout, too.”
Meanwhile, Mt. Lebanon started the season 3-0 before being toppled by Central Catholic, 49-0, in Class 6A conference action. The Vikings are one of the top-ranked teams in the state as well as the country, featuring multiple Division I college commits.
While a non-conference clash, Lebo vs. USC is an intense rivalry that spans generations.
“Both communities understand the importance of the game. It is a non-conference game, but it never feels like that,” Junko said. “The kids grow up dreaming of playing in this game and they feel that it is their responsibility to continue the tradition of this rivalry.”
Junko’s occupation has added fuel to the fire. From 2007-2017, he taught social studies in the Mt. Lebanon School District while also serving as an assistant on the football coaching staff. He currently teaches civics and world geography at USC. He resides in the community with his wife, Misty, and two children, Ryan and Bryn.
“I still have a lot of good friends at Mt. Lebanon,” Junko said. “I will always be thankful for the opportunity to teach and coach in that community. It was difficult to leave, but St. Clair is home and it was time for me to come back home.”
To bring home a victory for the home team against their arch rival will require much of the Panthers.
“We have to be able to slow down their running game. That is the engine that drives their offense,” Junko said. “On offense we have to be balanced and attack the entire field. They do a great job of making you one dimensional.”
PT at Baldwin
Peters Township travels to Baldwin for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 29 for its third straight conference clash after starting the season undefeated. The Indians hosted Upper St. Clair on Sept. 22.
The Indians had improved to 4-0 overall after a 35-0 win against South Fayette.
Nolan DiLucia completed 24 of 37 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns – a 29-yard strike to Ethan Wertman in the first frame and a 15-yard TD to Thomas Aspinall in the second stanza. He also ran for another score, diving in from three yards out to give PT a 21-0 lead at halftime.
Vinny Sarcone tacked on two rushing touchdowns in the second half.
SF at Moon
South Fayette travels to Moon for a key conference clash at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. The Tigers pulled off the upset of the season when they tackled Penn Hills, 14-13, on Sept. 15. The Indians had been ranked No. 1 in Class 5A at the time.
Meanwhile, the Lions had dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference after their shutout loss to Peters Township. The lone bright spot in the loss wass Nico Lamonde’s 11-for-29 showing for 104 yards at quarterback.
BP at Penn Hills
The Blackhawks travel to Penn Hills for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 29.
Bethel Park dropped to 1-3 overall after falling to Canon-McMillan, 28-8, in non-conference action.
Tanner Pfeuffer completed 12 passes for 109 yards. Ryan Petras caught a swing pass from Pfeuffer, broken two tackles and raced 36 yards for BP’s only score. Ja Vaughn Moore rushed for the two-point conversion
West A at CV
Chartiers Valley battles West Allegheny at 7 p.m. Sept. 29.
The Colts fell to 0-4 overall after a 34-0 loss to Central Valley.