Steelers recognize Upper St. Clair coach

Most Steelers football fans would like to forget Sunday’s 42-37 debacle against the Kansas City Chiefs. Not Jim Render though. The Upper St. Clair football coach will fondly remember the warm reception he received Sept. 16, 2018, at Heinz Field.
“They treated me like gold,” he said. “It was all very nice.”
Render was recognized at Scholastic Coach of the Week, and was presented a framed, game jersey with last name and the No. 400 emblazoned on the back. The number indicated the milestone the legendary coach achieved. On Aug. 31, he earned his 400th career victory when he guided his Panthers to victory, 16-14, against Peters Township in the Allegheny Eight Conference opener.
“To be honest, I was shocked,” Render said of the presentation. “I did not expect it.”
Because the Steelers always recognize a COTW, Render accepted their invitation to attend the on-field, pre-game ceremony, where he also received a handshake from coach Mike Tomlin and mingled with Jim Furyk, who was in attendance for promotion of golf and the Ryder Cup.
“People were all yelling, ‘Jim, Jim, Jim’ and I told (Furyk), they are all screaming for you,” Render said. “It was all extremely nice.”
During the presentation, the scoreboard displayed a video of Render in action and summarized his career.
In 49 seasons, he has amassed a 402-138-6 record while serving at three schools-two at Carrollton, Ohio; seven at Uniontown and the past 40 at USC. He has won two PIAA championships. His teams owned a WPIAL record 69-game conference winning streak from 1988-98.
While he has won the most games as a coach in WPIAL history, he is not the one with the most district championships. His pal, Bob Palko, wins that battle, 8-5.
The two will match wits when they tangle at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 as the Panthers host West Allegheny in a key Allegheny Eight Conference game. USC is undefeated at 4-0 while the Indians are 2-1. Last year, the Panthers beat West-A in overtime to claim the conference championship.
Twenty-five years ago, Render and Palko met. They served on the Big 33 Coaches Association board and they coached together in the East-West All-Star games. Additionally, USC and West-A had been long-time scrimmage partners before being aligned together in the same conference.
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Render said of the relationship.
“Bob’s a great coach and when you face him you know that you are going to get a well-prepared team. West-A is always well-coached and very innovative.”
Render anticipates a suspenseful game against the Indians.
“Well,” he said, “it seems like all of our games have been thrillers.”
USC is coming off a dramatic 16-14 win against Woodland Hills. In the victory, the defense and special teams excelled.
The Panthers tackled the WH’s punter in the end zone for a safety. Jason Sweeney returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown. Nate Ripley recovered a fumble in the end zone. Jake Slinger blocked WH’s field goal attempt on the final play of the game.
“We found a way to score, on defense in particular,” said Render. “It was an odd game but we will be stronger because of it. We need to build on it.”
Against the Indians, Render said it is essential the Panthers improve in many facets of the game if they are to record the victory.
“We need to do a variety of things,” he said. “We need to find a way to be more productive on offense, stop making mental mistakes on defense and our kicking game needs to always get better.”
Nevertheless, Render was pleased with the overall effort, particularly the play of Sweeney, who doubles as the team’s quarterback and placekicker, Slinger and Jake Stevenson.
“Jason has stepped in on defense. He has been versatile for us,” Render said. “Jake has been steady and consistent. He has come in and given us a big lift. And Slinger has made big plays for us in all four games.”
Notes: Antonio Orsini leads USC in rushing with 386 yards and 4 touchdowns. Sweeney has completed 37 of 71 passes for 505 yards and six scores. Chris and David Pantelis led the receiving corps with 15 and 12 catches for 234 and 183 yards respectively.
Defensively, Harvey Rauch leads the team with 19 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. Slinger (15.5), Brandon Shearer (15.5) and Ripley (14) follow.