By Josh Rizzo
PITTSBURGH -- Rod Rutherford hasn't attended many Perry football games since he graduated in 1998. Being back on the South Side for a game night brought out a different feeling. The former Commodores and University of Pittsburgh standout felt like a backseat driver during his coaching debut Thursday night at Cupples Stadium, a 49-0 Perry win over Carrick. "It's hard, being that I played on this field," said Rutherford, who led Perry to the 1997 PIAA Class 3A championship game. "Not being in control of my destiny in a way I guess. All I can o is call a play. I'm not out here creating and doing the things I would love to do. It was interesting." Rutherford, a former quarterback, bounced between the NFL and various indoor leagues from 2004-2012. He also had stints as a coach at Pitt, St. Vincent College and Indiana (Pa.). What he's trying to bring to Perry, which hasn't won a City League championship since 2012, is variety. "I think it's a fun offense," Rutherford said. "I think it gives a bunch of guys opportunities to make plays. I want to put them in a position to be successful." Perry quarterback David Freeman helped keep the ball moving. Freeman tossed two touchdown passes to Randy Williams and returned an interception 37 yards for a score. The Commodores, which led 12-0 at the half, broke open the game with 30 third-quarter points. Maleik mania Bishop Canevin transfer Maleik Hemingway left an immediate impression on his Perry teammates. Fielding a punt off several bounces, Hemingway weaved through Raiders defenders for a 78-yard touchdown with 9 minutes, 29 seconds left in the first quarter. "I was thinking I had to take it to the house," Hemingway said. Hemingway spent a lot of time there. He also scored on a nine-yard run in the third quarter and had two other touchdown runs called back by penalties. Last season, Hemingway piled up over 1,500 yards rushing for Bishop Canevin. Hardship forced Hemingway back to his hometown school. "The tuition at Bishop Canevin was putting me in a deep hole," Hemingway said. "I had to go to my home town school." Fitting in hasn't been an issue. He played at wide receiver in the backfield. On defense, he was tasked with playing cornerback. "The sky's the limit for him," Rutherford said. "We have to continue to keep working him hard." Carrick fights through low numbers Carrick, which dressed 19 players, had its best scoring drive halted at the Perry 7. At the beginning of the second quarter, a pass by Raiders quarterback L.J. Orbovich was tipped and intercepted by Perry defensive back Jakar Tucker in the endzone. The Commodores intercepted four passes and wore down the smaller Raiders' team. Carrick (0-2, 0-1) has lost 14 straight and hasn't scored in double figures since a 34-26 win over Imani Christian Sept. 25, 2015. "The kids come out and fight hard," Carrick coach Ed White said. "We condition hard and the kids work hard during the week. Once we get down, we go to the old mentality of the old Carrick. They look down and they try to question themselves some times. We're trying to change the culture. That's the biggest thing we can do. Even without as many kids as we should have. We want to change the culture." By Josh Rizzo
There’s been one topic of conversation throughout the offseason for McKeesport senior quarterback John Harper and his teammates. How the Tigers can follow their best season in 11 years by taking another stride forward. McKeesport reached Heinz Field to play in the newly-created WPIAL 5A championship game last December before falling in a heart-wrenching overtime contest, 38-37, to West Allegheny. “That’s all we’ve been talking about every day, honestly,” said Harper, who will start under center for the first time after playing at running back and defensive back last season. The Tigers, who finished 9-3 last season and tied for second place in the Big East Conference, won the last of their three WPIAL crowns Class 4A back in 2005. McKeesport will kick off its run toward another championship at 7 p.m. Friday against Franklin Regional in Murrysville. Getting back to the championship game is important for second-year coach Matt Miller. Miller, a 1992 McKeesport graduate, still lives in the same neighborhood he grew up near Renziehausen Park. Upholding the standard laid down by previous teams is especially important for him. How 2016 ended made it easier for Miller to run practices. “It took 11 years for us to get back,” Miller said. “Those kids got a taste of success and it pushed us hard during the offseason workouts. It would be something in the back of their minds, talking about how close we were. It makes them dig deeper in practice and workouts we had in the offseason.” Harper’s been preparing for his new role for a few seasons. Taking over for Jayvaun Shears will be a challenge. Shears, who now plays for the University of Maine, rushed for 1,198 yards and scored 25 touchdowns during his senior season. “My sophomore year I was practicing quarterback,” Harper said. “My junior year I was still practicing quarterback in case Jayvaun got injured. Really all you have to do is focus on your read key and do what it tells you to do.” Harper, who rushed for 428 yards and three scores as a junior, will help plenty of experience behind him. Running backs Layton Jordan and Carlinos Acie tallied 670 and 662 rushing yards, respectively, last season. Bringing these players back will help make up for some inexperience on the offensive line. “We are hoping with the couple guys with a lot of experience are able to make the transition for the younger players a lot easier,” Miller said. Harper hopes that progression will lead back to Heinz Field and maybe to Hershey Park. Navigating through a challenging conference will be the first step to a better conversation. “I think it’s great,” Miller said of the Big East. “ I think every week is a meaningful game. A great team like Penn-Trafford didn’t make the playoffs last year. We wanted to pound into our kids a sense of urgency. Every game is important, every practice is important.” McKeesport football schedule Sept. 1 at Franklin Regional* Sept. 8 at Armstrong* Sept. 15 Connellsville* Sept. 22 at Plum* Sept. 30 Latrobe* Oct. 6 at Kiski Area* Oct. 13 Upper. St. Clair Oct. 20 at Gateway* Oct. 27 Penn-Trafford* *Big East Conference games By Josh Rizzo
SHALER TWP -- Given the option of a second scrimmage or another game, North Hills coach Pat Carey would rather have his kids lace them up. For the second year since the PIAA expanded to six classes and added Week Zero, the Indians took on Shaler. Both teams were previously conference rivals when both were in Class 4A. Now, the Class 6A Titans and 5A North Hills can only meet the first week. Friday at Shaler, the Indians collected a 45-17 win over Shaler, their sixth straight in the series. "I like the fact they are our neighbor and one of our rivals from the past," Carey said. "I think going into conference play, there's nothing like game shape. Playing a football game is the best way to get into that." North Hills subbed some of its first team in the second half, but running back Melvin Blanks didn't need long to make an impression. Blanks piled up 172 rushing yards and scored three times. The most devastating for Shaler was a 98-yard kick-off return right before halftime. The Titans, who have lost 15 straight, had to play shorthanded. Wide receiver Michael Battaglia and running back Joey Pollak were both out with injuries. Joey Kremer stepped up in Pollak's absence, piling up 123 yards on the ground. Brian Colarusso also had a big game for Shaler, scoring both of the Titans' touchdowns and finishing with 120 receiving yards. First-year Shaler coach Jim Ryan was pleased with the effort. "I had confidence the guys behind them were going to step up and make plays," Ryan said. "It took them time to get going because they don't have the experience. Playing under Friday night lights is a different ballgame. I'm pleased with how they stepped up and I knew they would." Carey was pleased with how North Hills defended Shaler. The Indians never let the Titans get going in the first half and suffocated the passing game early. Prepping for the Titans wasn't perfect, but Carey feels they adjusted well. "You can never trust what they do in a scrimmage is what they are going to do in the game," Carey said. "Our kids played really hard. We subbed out pretty early in the game. I thought our first-teamers played pretty well." Here are some other items of interest from Western Pa. football: 31 years later Quaker Valley coach Jerry Veshio picked up his first win as a head coach with the Quakers in three decades by guiding QV past Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic 55-21. Veshio was asked to take over after John Tortorea resigned suddenly at the beginning of August. Gators have bite Gateway jumped out to a 28-0 lead at the Wolverena and had to hang on for a 35-23 decision. The Gators should be one of the favorites to reach Heinz Field this season in 5A. Gateway has experience at quarterback and a coach, Don Holl, who was known for having a dynamic offense at Seneca Valley. Central Catholic takes beating Cathedral Prep put a fierce beating on Central Catholic Friday night in Erie. Not sure what to make of how this impacts the WPIAL Class 6A favorites. The Ramblers are likely the front-runners for a state title in Class 4A. Central Catholic will likely still pile up a bunch of wins. Will the Vikings be able to top 6A's best? Photos from North Hills' 45-17 win over Shaler Saturday. As part of a notebook, there will be interviews from each coach as well as analysis from went on from an eventful Week Zero around the WPIAL.
Originally, this was going to be about predictions.
But with all the transfer news still coming in, include Maleik Hemingway's move to Perry from Bishop Canevin, accurately forecasting the City League and WPIAL champs was going to be tough. No way to digest all that information one day before kick-off. Instead, here are things to think about: How will Woodland Hills survive coaching change? Replacing George Novak, the only coach in school history, isn't going to be easy for the Wolverines. Woodland Hills already had to promote Tim Bostard to acting coach after Novak's replacement, Kevin Murray, was caught up in a non-football scandal. Other similar schools have had a mixed bag replacing legendary coaches. McKeesport coach George Smith compiled a 196-106-3 record from 1982-2009 for the Tigers. After he retired, Jim Ward came in and the program went 19-11 in three seasons. Perhaps looking at McKeesport is the best case scenario for the Wolverines. George Smith coached the Tigers from 1982 to 2009, piling up a 197-106-3 record and two PIAA titles before retiring. His replacement, Jim Ward, went 19-11 in three seasons before Smith returned. Smith never won another WPIAL title and retired again after 2015. His replacement, Matt Miller, took the Tigers to the WPIAL Class 5A title game last season, losing a heartbreaker in overtime to West Allegheny. North Hills hasn't been the same since Jack McCurry, who has 381 wins as coach, retired in 2013. McCurry's successor, Pat Carey, has made the playoffs in all four years as coach, but has yet to make the second round. The Indians are 20-21 since McCurry retired. It will be interesting to see which way Woodland Hills goes. State football rankings Only one WPIAL team -- Class 3A Aliquippa -- is ranked No. 1 in its class. The WPIAL went 2-2 in PIAA title games last year, with Steel Valley (2A) and Beaver Falls (3A) taking the top spot. Transfer madness Maleik Hemingway's transfer from Bishop Canevin to the City League's Perry is sort of strange. Not because he shouldn't want to play in the community where he lives. Hemingway said he was happy and rolled up 1,579 yards for the Crusaders last season. Perry having Rod Rutherford as coach and getting Hemingway may be enough to make the Commodores the City League favorite. Imani Christian, North Allegheny and Pine-Richland also got richer through transfers in the offseason. Aliquippa was one of the rare schools which had a transfer denied. Imani Christian Will the Saints live up to their hype? Beating consistent powers Jeannette and Clairton in conference will be tough. Wilkinsburg-based Imani has become a hot spot for transfers the past two seasons. If the Saints are able to get everyone in tune by the beginning of the season, they could be a player in Class 1A. Quick predictions for WPIAL champs 6A-Pine-Richland 5A-McKeesport 4A-Thomas Jefferson 3A-Aliquippa 2A-Steel Valley 1A-Jeanette Bloomfield native Mark Cherico scored an early takedown, but couldn't solve Mike Santiago in a loss on Dana White's Tuesday night contenders in Las Vegas.
Santiago was able to utilize his reach advantage and drop Cherico with several strong punches along the cage. Cherico had a four-fight winning streak snapped. Santiago (21-9) has won 11 straight fights. Here's a list of those who have been awarded deals from the show: Week 1 - Kurt Holobaugh, featherweight; Boston Salmon, bantamweight. Week 2 - Sean O'Malley, bantamweight. Week 3 - Karl Roberson, light heavyweight; Geoffrey Neal, middleweight. Week 4 - Julian Marquez, middleweight; Brandon Davis, featherweight. Week 5 - Mike Rodriguez, light heavyweight; Alex Perez, flyweight. Week 6 - Charles Byrd, middleweight; Grant Dawson, featherweight. Bloomfield native a favoriteBloomfield native Mark Cherico is a -140 betting favorite for his featherweight fight tonight on Dana White's Tuesday Night Conteder series against Mike Santiago on UFC's Fight Pass in Las Vegas. Santiago, 28, who is 18-9 in his career has won his previous eight fights.
Cherico, 31, is 11-1 and has won four straight fights. White offers the fighters who impress his contracts to the UFC. During the show's first six weeks, 11 fighters have been awarded contracts. Here's a list of those who have been awarded deals: Week 1 - Kurt Holobaugh, featherweight; Boston Salmon, bantamweight. Week 2 - Sean O'Malley, bantamweight. Week 3 - Karl Roberson, light heavyweight; Geoffrey Neal, middleweight. Week 4 - Julian Marquez, middleweight; Brandon Davis, featherweight. Week 5 - Mike Rodriguez, light heavyweight; Alex Perez, flyweight. Week 6 - Charles Byrd, middleweight; Grant Dawson, featherweight. Bulldogs are in hot pursuit of first City League title since 1996By Josh Rizzo SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- There is a certainly an expectation within the Westinghouse football program to return to the Pittsburgh City League playoffs for the second straight year. Senior running back/cornerback Jeremiah Nash believes getting there will require work beyond the football field. The Bulldogs had a breakthrough last year, finishing 5-5 and qualifying for the City League Playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Westinghouse's four regular season conference wins were as many as the Bulldogs had in the previous four seasons. Their return to the playoffs was spoiled with a 23-20 double overtime loss to Brashear. Westinghouse, which shared the City League regular season championship with University Prep, also dropped a 21-20 decision to Berlin-Brothersvalley in the PIAA playoffs. Despite the success, Nash would like to see more focus on character building. "We didn't focus on becoming men," Nash said. "That's the goal this year and will help us win the championship because we fell short. People need to stick together. They didn't pull together through the whole season. Our focus is to improve as individuals so we can become a team." The Bulldogs will have plenty of experience coming back to make another run at their first City crown since 1996. Quarterback Tay'Von Lee-Mattox returns, along with linebacker Raimere Waters and defensive lineman/tight end Tyre Hicks. Winning has been a big boon for Westinghouse. The Bulldogs have seen increased enthusiasm and participation. "We're at about 40," Bulldogs coach Monte Robinson said about the team's numbers. "Last year, we were at about 27 or 30, something like that. We grew." What impresses Nash, who would like to end up at Carnegie Mellon to play football, is how the group has performed. The players aren't thinning out once camp started as they have in the past. "The numbers change every year," Nash said. "We have 30 or 40 every season. When the season begins, the numbers will go short. This season, everybody stuck together and they just stayed. I was surprised because it wasn't the usual thing that happens every year. I like it." Robinson believes the success helped turnout. More importantly, it gave community members the impression Westinghouse could help build young men. Just as Nash hoped. "Winning always helps," Robinson said. "Ultimately, I think we built the program up to the point where parents are seeing the benefits of being apart of what we're doing, not just athletically, but academically." Westinghouse's rise 2016: 5-5, 4-1* Lost 23-20 2OT to Brashear in City League semis, 21-20 to Berlin-Brothersvalley in PIAA 2A playoffs 2015: 2-8, 1-4 Lost 14-6 to Chestnut Ridge in PIAA Class AA playoffs. 2014: 1-7, 0-5 Lost 35-0 to Chestnut Ridge in PIAA Class AA playoffs 2013: 1-9, 0-5 Lost 55-20 to Chestnur Ridge in PIAA Class AA playoffs 2012: 1-7, 1-4 2011: 3-7, 2-5 2010: 1-9, 0-8 2009: 3-7, 3-5 Lost 29-6 to Bedford in PIAA Class AA playoffs 2008: 3-5, 3-3 2007: 1-9, 1-7 2006: 1-8, 1-7 2005: 0-8, 0-8 *Shared City League regular season title with University prep
West Mifflin native is 13 sacks away from all-time collegiate mark
By Josh Rizzo
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Marcus Martin wasn't a traditional scout-team defender. After being declared ineligible by the NCAA during his freshman season, the now 6-foot-2, 255-pound Slippery Rock University defensive end was relentless in practice. Martin's sparring partner was Cory Tucker, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound Division II All-AMerican tackle. This would become a blessing for Martin, who had earned a spot in The Rock's starting rotation before the NCAA called. "I utilized every practice," said Martin, who is a West Mifflin native. "(Tucker) hated me because I was good enough to play and I was embarrassing him sometimes and it's just practice. He would hate me in practice. Then he would come up to me in the locker room and tell me to keep working, I love it." Looking back, Martin identified this as the turning point while reflecting on his career Monday at SRU's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Martin, who is a three-time All-American and has 40.5 career sacks, is 13 from tying the NCAA's all-time record. Waynesburg's Mike Czerwien, a North Hills product, holds the record with 53.5 while playing for the Division III school from 2004-07. Martin's pursuit of Czerwien's mark will start Sept. 2 in Frankfurt, Ky., when SRU takes on Kentucky State University. "I knew from when he first got there he was something special," said Tucker, who had brief stops with the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers. "It didn't stop after that year though. We worked with each other until my last practice as a senior (in 2015). He is one of the many reasons why I was as successful as I was. I knew I wasn't going to go up against anyone else like him. He's the total package: quick, strong and hard working. Not too many guys like him." Taking a redshirt allowed Martin to improve as a player. More importantly, it gave Martin the patience to not rush into poor decisions. Following The Rock's 7-4 finish last season, Martin briefly considered departing to the pro ranks like his teammate Titus Howard. But Martin knew the odds of making the leap from the NCAA's Division II ranks to the NFL were long enough already. Possibly leaving college too soon could make them even longer. Six Division II players were drafted by NFL teams in 2017 and 90 were on team's rosters for at least part of the 2016 season. Howard, a cornerback who transferred to SRU after from Pitt, earned a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs during the spring for rookie camp. Howard, who had five interceptions in two seasons with The Rock, wasn't able to catch on in Kansas City. Martin wanted another year to add polish. That way Martin could show pro scouts he was a finished product. "I thought about it," Martin said. "We graduated a lot of guys last year and it crossed my mind. I don't want to be that old guy who says if I stayed one more year I would have made it or I would have had a better career." Martin's performance through three seasons has set a high standard. Entering this season, Martin holds the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and SRU record for career sacks. His total ranks sixth all-time in Division II history, six away from equaling the total set by McKendree's Lucky Bear in 2016. "I want to give it my all," Martin said. "When you leave early, especially from a Division II, it's tough. I haven't peaked out yet. I still have room to grow." Martin wasn't convinced Slippery Rock was the place for him. The Rock has produced six NFL players (see table below), but hadn't been to the NCAA playoffs since 1999. After Martin earned a spot in the prestigious Big 33 Football Classic as a senior, current Rock coach Shawn Lutz was convinced there was no way Martin would come to Butler County for college. "I saw him once during the regular season and once during their playoff game against West Allegheny," Lutz said. "I didn't think we had a chance to get him, he is a Division I football player. Whether they missed that or what, I'm not complaining now." Lutz's initial read was correct. There was another school Martin fell in love with. But it wasn't a Division I powerhouse. Martin wanted to go to SRU's PSAC West rival Indiana (Pa.) University. "Initially, I was committed to IUP," Martin said. "I visited there and loved it. I went there twice. Once was a full visit and once way a day visit to show my father around. I canceled my visit to Slippery Rock. Then Lutz called me and was talking to me. He said 'Give us a chance and come up here and see what it's like." Martin decided to visit to see former West Mifflin teammate Shamar Greene, who was The Rock's running back at the time. Once on campus, Martin attended a player's panel at the Gail Rose Lodge, which is box seating above the visitor side bleachers of Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. SRU brings recruits in and has the coach introduce 12-15 current players. Following the introduction, the coaches depart and allow parents and potential recruits to ask any question. One mother of another recruit broke the ice by firing off a ton of questions. Any initial awkwardness Martin felt quickly dissipated. Sure, he wanted to know if he could play right away. But Martin wanted to know if SRU could offer him support. The players told him it was like a brotherhood. "One thing they preached -- the big question I asked is why did you come here -- the biggest reason was family," Martin said. "I didn't want to play college football where it was just a business where it was just about wins and losses. ... Hearing how much of a family it was meant a lot to me. Alumni come in and they love us as much as we love them." Having an opportunity to play helped too. Entering the 2013 season, Martin worked relentlessly to make the starting lineup. The work led to a spot in the starting rotation. The elation was ruined by a call from the NCAA during the week leading up to The Rock's season opener against Northwood (Mich.) University. At West Mifflin, Martin took career prep Biology during his freshman year. The course was challenged by the NCAA and he was declared ineligible. Martin tried to substitute a high school accredited Algebra class he took in the 8th grade, but he was still one credit short. Instead of continuing to fight, Martin chose to redshirt. It was a tough day. "Well, we both cried when he got redshirted," said Martin's mom, Karen Peterson. "He learned from it and he got an award that year for his dedication for the team. He went to every practice and tried his hardest to help their defense and offense." Tucker reaped the rewards. Instead of working against a traditional scout-team defender, Tucker had to line up against Martin. Martin was always aggressive. "I tried to do the same for him," Tucker said. "We had that understanding it was all business between the lines. It was never hostile, just football." Once Martin got onto the field his sophomore season, he started carving up opposing offenses. Against Kutztown Sept. 6, 2014, Martin racked up two sacks. He ended up with 16 on the year and set the SRU and PSAC record for sacks in a season. Martin's dominance kicked off a resurgence for The Rock's football program. SRU won the PSAC in 2015 and 2016 and reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 2016. "Each year he finds ways to get better," Lutz said. "He's a tireless worker in the offseason and he has an individual instructor he works with all offseason. He's in the best shape of his life and continues to get better." For 2017, Lutz would like to see Martin break the record. But to do so, Martin will need to work through double and triple teams. Being able to be a fluid playmaker will require doing things outside o "The biggest thing is him understanding pass-rushing lanes with the tackles," Lutz said. "Marcus is so by the book. He does everything you ask him to do. At times in football, I want him to take chances. If your job is to stay outside and if the tackle vertical steps, it's ok to go inside. Football isn't perfect. I don't want him to think and be robotic. I want him to take chances." Martin will accept the challenge. When it comes to completing goals, Martin has a never-ending list. "If I got to the NFL, I'm not going to be satisfied until I'm a starter," Martin said. "If I'm a starter, I'm not going to be satisfied until I'm in the Pro Bowl. It's never-ending for me. I set a goal for myself and that's what keeps me satisfied."
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AuthorMy name is Josh Rizzo, I am a sports writer who has worked for a variety of print and online media for the past 15 years. I specialize in community journalism, focusing on regular people who happen to play sports. Archives
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