West Catholic must stop a pass-happy offense
In its bid to conquer a third straight undefeated opponent, West Catholic's defense needs to switch gears. In the PIAA Class AA state quarterfinals and semifinals, the Burrs ousted a pair of run-oriented foes. Next up, in a championship game noon Saturday at HersheyPark Stadium, is pass-happy South Fayette.
In its bid to conquer a third straight undefeated opponent, West Catholic's defense needs to switch gears.
In the PIAA Class AA state quarterfinals and semifinals, the Burrs ousted a pair of run-oriented foes. Next up, in a championship game noon Saturday at HersheyPark Stadium, is pass-happy South Fayette.
Lions quarterback Christian Brumbaugh, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior ticketed for William and Mary, has completed 226 of 339 passes for 3,615 yards and 50 touchdowns with eight interceptions.
South Fayette, the District 7 champion, is located in McDonald, about 20 miles southwest of Pittsburgh.
Here is a closer look at the game:
Coaches. South Fayette's Joe Rossi owns a 61-33 record (.649 winning percentage) in nine seasons. Before taking over the Lions, he coached at District 7's Riverview, a Class A school. In 12 seasons with the Burrs, Brian Fluck is 108-49 (.688).
TV. The game will be televised live on the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
Quick facts. In the Class AA state basketball final last March, South Fayette nipped Strawberry Mansion, 49-47. After dropping two of its first three football games, West has won 11 straight by a combined score of 450-94.
Mad bomber. For his career, Brumbaugh has thrown for 7,052 yards, a Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League record, and 86 TDs. Last week, in a 49-12 romp over Forest Hills, he was 21 of 31 for 362 yards and six TDs.
Quality slasher. West's Brandon Hollomon, a 5-11, 155-pound senior tailback, has carried 127 times for 1,444 yards and 17 TDs. With 3,151 career yards, he is 8 yards shy of his brother Rob's school mark.
Spread attack. The Lions' pro-style offense is also spurred by 5-11, 175-pound senior halfback Jeff Davis, who has carried 197 times for 1,555 yards and 15 TDs. Fullback Trevor Fiorentini, a 5-10, 210-pound junior, has rushed 30 times for 265 yards and six scores.
Stifling unit. West's defense, yielding 9.8 points per game, is led by end Jim Lynch (82 tackles), inside linebackers Kevin Burns (97) and T.J. Waters (69), and outside linebacker Anthony McDonnaugh (57).
Receiving threats. Brumbaugh's top targets are Tyler Challingsworth (71 catches for 1,047 yards, nine TDs), Davis (48 for 738, 10), Josh Patterson (37 for 601, 13), and Zach Hollingsworth (36 for 792, 11).
Special teams. On kick returns, Davis and Challingsworth are both averaging 27.8 yards. Tyler Lee has booted three field goals and hit 75 of 82 extra-point attempts.
Analysis. Brumbaugh, able to connect on passes all over the field, has the arm to expose a secondary's weaknesses. West, though, has the speed and athleticism to counter a full-fledged aerial assault. With 205 yards and four scores from Hollomon, the Burrs win a wild one.
Pick: West, 35-31.
Projected Starters for West Catholic and S. Fayette
South Fayette (15-0)
OFFENSE
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
21 Tyler Challingsworth WR 6-0 165 Sr.
73 Nick Faraci LT 6-2 285 Sr.
69 Tyler Chabalie LG 6-0 240 Sr.
62 Kevin Hitlan C 6-1 195 Jr.
57 John Schwab RG 5-11 240 Sr.
60 Sean Lacinski RT 6-3 285 Jr.
17 Eric Myers TE 6-1 205 Sr.
12 Josh Patterson WR 6-0 165 Sr.
10 Zach Challingsworth WR 6-3 175 Jr.
7 Christian Brumbaugh QB 6-4 200 Sr.
24 Jeff Davis RB 5-11 175 Sr.
DEFENSE
66 Luke Mortensen DE 5-10 190 Sr.
73 Nick Faraci DT 6-2 285 Sr.
61 Nick Guyan DT 5-11 210 Jr.
44 Brian Haney DE 6-0 150 Sr.
1 Tanner Courtad OLB 6-4 205 Sr.
11 Zach Fisher OLB 6-0 180 Sr.
17 Eric Myers ILB 6-1 205 Sr.
25 Trevor Fiorentini ILB 5-10 210 Jr.
29 Ben Meredith CB 5-8 145 Sr.
3 Mike Fetchet CB 6-0 150 So.
21 Tyler Challingsworth FS 6-0 165 Sr.
West Catholic (12-2)
OFFENSE
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
10 Quran Kent WR 5-7 155 Sr.
75 Rodney Linder LT 6-0 275 Sr.
51 T.J. Waters LG 6-3 215 Jr.
64 Dom DiGalbo C 6-4 255 Jr.
52 Mike Makor RG 6-3 310 Jr.
55 Eric Wyant RT 6-3 225 Jr.
41 Jim Lynch TE 6-4 210 Sr.
7 Jaelen Strong-Rankin WR 6-4 190 Sr.
6 Anthony Reid QB 6-1 185 Sr.
23 Dion Givens FB 5-11 190 Sr.
21 Brandon Hollomon HB 5-11 155 Sr.
DEFENSE
41 Jim Lynch DE 6-4 210 Sr.
64 Dom DiGalbo NG 6-4 255 Jr.
42 Kris Padgett DE 6-4 210 Sr.
49 Tristin Freeman OLB 6-0 210 Jr.
51 T.J. Waters ILB 6-3 215 Jr.
56 Kevin Burns ILB 5-11 175 Sr.
18 A. McDonnaugh OLB 6-2 215 Sr.
14 Blaize Schieler CB 5-10 150 Jr.
21 Brandon Hollomon CB 5-11 155 Sr.
11 Kevin Malone FS 5-11 170 Jr.
9 Dave Sherman SS 5-11 180 Sr.
- Rick O'Brien
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