COACH'S CORNER

Bishop Canevin: by Coach Rossi
 

The Canevin Crusaders enter Saturdays game with a 4-4 record. They have been hit hard with the injury bug all season as they have not had every offensive line starter for an entire game. They have been mixing and matching their lineman to make up for their injuries. They also played several weeks without their starting quarterback. All are healthy now and they pose a great challenge for the Lions.

On offense, they are led by their quarterback #15 Matt Butter. He is a dual threat quarterback who can run it or throw it. He is joined in the backfield by #37 Chris Walko and # 35 Travis Lohr. They are hardnosed running backs who get the job done. Their receivers are also speedy and quick and are led by #32 Steven Frost and # 21 Bob Gustine.

Defensively, they operate out of a 4-4 cover three set. Their defensive ends do a great job containing and providing pass rush and will challenge our offensive tackles. Their secondary does a great job keeping everything in front of them.

The Lions are focusing on getting better each and every day and must stop the run against Canevin if we are to be successful. It is their senior night and they may still have a shot at the playoffs. They will be sky high as we enter Dormont Memorial Stadium for a 7:00 kickoff.

Steel Valley: by Coach Rossi
 

The Steel Valley Ironmen come into this game with a 5-2 record after beating Seton LaSalle 33-14 last Friday night. They jumped on Seton 20-0 in the 1st quarter and never surrendered the lead. They are led by the three headed monster on offense, quarterback, fullback and tailback. Quarterback Tony Johnson (#2), fullback James Caldwell (#6) and tailback Delrece Williams (#21) pose a serious threat on offense. They will run an option style offense with the ability to also pound the ball. The Lions must pursue to the ball and tackle well if we want to be successful.

Their defense operates out of a 4-4 cover three set. They have a good core of linebackers and a secondary that will not give up the big play. Their best defensive player is Kevin Ohm (#1) who plays defensive end. He has given teams fits as a pass rusher.

The Lions will have to once again win the turnover and special team battle in order to win.

Seton LaSalle: by Coach Rossi
 

Seton LaSalle enters this game with a 4-1 record. Last Thursday, Seton lost a hard fought battle against Sto-Rox 25-7. The score was 8-7 with less than three minutes to play before Sto-Rox scored the final 17 points.

On offense, Seton is lead by their all everything quarterback, Anthony Rizza (#9). He triggers their entire offense with his arm and legs. He has done a great job leading their high powered offense as he entered last week’s game as the leading passer in the WPIAL. He is a threat to break the pocket every time he drops back and we must contain him in order to be successful. Their receivers are very similar to ours in that they all contribute and are very good. He does not have a favorite target. Their offensive line is lead by possibly the best lineman in the league in Jordan Kelly (#72). He run blocks exceptionally well and they love to run behind him.

On defense, Seton operates a 4-4 base scheme and will mix their blitzes and coverages. We must do a good job containing Jordan Kelly when he pass rushes. He is relentless in his pursuit to the quarterback. Their linebackers are very athletic and are led by Jake Nowicki (#27) and Anthony Rizza (#9). Their corners have not been beat deep this season and do a good job of keeping everything in front of them.

This game is a match between two very similar offenses and defenses. The turnover battle will decide this game along with special teams. I look for a very exciting game that will come down to the last few minutes.

Northgate Preview: by Coach Rossi
 

The Northgate flames enter South Fayette with a 0-4 record. They have played well at times but have been bit by the turnover bug. They are scary in the fact that there will be a game that they do not turn it over. They have driven the ball down the field against all of their opponents. They are lead by their two hard-nosed running backs in numbers 33 and 21. They are a dominate option run team and will mix in the rollout pass.

On defense, Northgate operates out of the 4-3 defense and will run cover three and man in their secondary. They like to blitz their middle backer and strong safety. They have forced numerous turnovers on defense. Their defense is led by #33 where he plays sideline to sideline and fills the hole well. South Fayette must gain control of this game early and be prepared to stop the option attack. The option can give a team fits if they are not responsible on defense. Offensively, we must come off the ball better than last week and create space for our athletes.

Sto-Rox Preview: by Coach Rossi
 

The Sto-Rox Vikings sport a 3-0 record in 2009. They have scored a total of 108 points (36.0 average) and have only given up 49. They have two of the premier players in the WPIAL and Century Conference in quarterback Paul Jones and wide receiver/linebacker Andrew Carswell. Paul Jones is a Penn State recruit and Andrew Carswell is a University of Pittsburgh recruit. Both players have verbally committed to those schools.

On offense, Sto-Rox is a spread team that will throw to multiple receivers. Paul Jones has a very quick release and reads defenses well. Their running game has been productive when called upon. There is no secret as to what they want to do. They utilize their talent very well.

Defensively, they operate out of a four man front and either play three or four linebackers. They run multiple coverages behind their linebackers and do a good job mixing up their blitzes. They are extremely quick and aggressive.

Traveling to the Rox is always a challenge and the South Fayette Lions must be disciplined and take care of the ball in order to be successful.  

Keystone Oaks Preview: by Coach Rossi
 

The Keystone Oaks Golden Eagles bring a 2-0 mark into South Fayette stadium coming off an impressive 26-0 win at South Park. They bring an enormous line that averages about 275 pounds across the board including all conference tight end #44 Max Kielbalsa. They are led by their two headed monster at tailback in #13 Jordan Maddox and #30 Matt McCann. Both tailbacks were well over the 100 yard mark in their first two contests. They will primarily operate out of a two tight end, one back look. They will run the ball about 75% of the time but do have some receivers that can make plays when they need it.

On defense, they run a 4-3 cover 3 team with #13 Jordan Maddox being one of their stud players. He is their strong safety and plays all over the field. They will blitz him often to disrupt an offense. Their front four is led by #44 Max Kielbasa at defensive end where he has numerous sacks. At linebacker, #30 matt mccann is their tackle machine. They will play multiple coverages in the secondary to cover the pass.

Keystone oaks tied for the conference championship last season and return many of the players who made that happen for them. They will pose a great challenge for the lions and bring their #3 ranking in AA to our stadium. We look for a physical battle to take place on Friday night

Quaker Valley Preview: by Coach Rossi
 

The Quaker valley Quakers are coming off one of their best campaigns in the 2008 season. The Quakers return their quarterback Pat Conlin (#12) who runs the spread offense tremendously. He was injured in his last game and may or may not play. Their offense features many spread formations and puts pressure on the secondary. We will rely on our front four to put pressure on the quarterback and contain their rollout game. You will see many throws throughout the game and the option being their main run family.

On defense, they operate out of a 3-4 set and feature a tremendous defensive lineman in Zach O’Neil (#58). He puts pressure on the quarterback and plays the run very well. Their linebackers are very active and blitz throughout the game. The Quakers secondary runs multiple coverages and are led by Cory Leonard (#10). He is a very good cover guy.

The lions take to the road for the first time in 2009 and must defend the pass well and come off the ball on offense in order to bring home a win.

South Park Preview: by Coach Rossi
 

South Park returns many starters from last year’s squad that finished 3-6 and had many close losses as we did. They return Shane Dotson (#28) who was a 1st team century conference running back in 2008. He will carry the load on offense as we look for him to garner upward of 30 carries. They have a rather large and solid offensive line and tight end. Their quarterback is a 1st time starter and has shown the capability to both pass and run from that position.

On defense, they operate out of a 5-2 cover 3 defense. They play multiple coverages and Shane Dotson is a great cover corner. Their linebackers fill the hole well and pose a great challenge for our offensive line. Their special teams are always solid and this game may come down to the team that makes something happen on specials.

We are excited to honor our ten Senior players on Friday night. Festivities are scheduled to begin at 7:00 sharp. We are excited to begin the 2009 season in the confines of South Fayette stadium against a traditional power in South Park.