Fresh stuff
Mike White | 1:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18
Notes, thoughts and anecdotes after the eighth Friday night of the high school football season.
Hopewell running back Rushell Shell has been making waves. He's only a freshman, but ran for 220 yards in a 26-13 victory against Montour Thursday.
But Shell was one of three freshmen who had big impacts on games the past two days. On Friday night, Charleroi freshman Quentin Briggs rushed for 267 yards on an incredible 49 carries in a 29-13 victory against Washington.
Also Friday, Chartiers Valley freshman Wayne Capers threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Beau Carson.
Avella down to 10
Covering the Canon-McMillan-Bethel Park game last night, I sat next to Mike Kovak from the Washington Observer-Reporter. Kovak relayed some interesting information about Avella's team in its game against Clairton. Avella was down to 14 players on its roster this week. But through another reporter, Mike informed me that Avella had only 11 players for the game and played the second half with only 10 because of an injury. A running clock was used the entire game and the third and fourth quarters were only eight minutes long. Avella lost to Clairton, 56-0.
How good is Bethel Park?
I've seen undefeated Bethel Park play twice and seen Gateway play once. I will see McKeesport for the first time Thursday. But as of now, it says here that Bethel Park can play with Gateway, but can't beat the Gators. Bethel Park might have trouble with Gateway's speed on defense.
Langley turns it around
Langley is in the City League playoff hunt. What's next? The Pirates having a winning season.
Langley knocked off Carrick, 29-14, in a City League game. That gives Langley and Carrick 4-3 records. They are tied for the last playoff spot in the City League. Langley ends the regular season against Perry while Carrick plays Schenley.
Langley has won four games or more in a season only four times in the past 21 years. The Mustangs also have a chance to finish above .500 for the first time since 1987, when they went 7-2-1. To full appreciate what Langley is doing, you must realize the Mustangs didn't win a game the past two seasons.
Say what?
I've heard of dedication ceremonies for stadiums and buildings, but a turf? Yep, that's what was supposed to happen at North Allegheny last night.
North Allegheny has a new synthetic turf surace and the school was supposed to have dedication ceremonies for the turf last night. It said on a news release I received this week. And on top of that, 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier was supposed to be part of the ceremonies. My question is this: Who was the turf dedicated to?
Three more for Miller
Greensburg Central Catholic's David Miller scored three more touchdowns to give him 30 for the season. Throw in six more points Miller has on conversions this season, and he now has 186 points. Miller is now close to some elite company. He is 18 points (three touchdowns) away from tying Mars' Billy Bair and Rochester's Essex Law for the most points in the regular season since 1979. Both Bair and Law had 204. But Miller might have trouble getting three touchdowns next week. Greensburg Central plays powerful Jeannette.
Gordon on Brown
Here is what Shaler coach Neil Gordon had to say about Seneca Valley star QB C.J. Brown. Gordon's Shaler team defeated Seneca Valley, 35-32, last Saturday.
"The only quarterback I've ever had who could throw the ball like Brown was Anthony Morelli," said Gordon, who spent the previous 21 seasons at Penn Hills. "I think Brown could be a good one. He makes some throws that only big-time throwers can make."
Speaking of Gordon, his first game as a head coach was against North Hills and Coach Jack McCurry. North Hills beat Shaler, 21-18, Friday night.
Game of the year?
That's what many people are calling Thursday's McKeesport at Gateway showdown. The game is being played Thursday because it is FSN's Thursday game of the week. But you won't be able to see the game live. FSN will carry the Penguins game live and will show the McKeesport-Gateway game on tape after the Penguins.