Westinghouse football looks to continue uptick by building character

Bulldogs are in hot pursuit of first City League title since 1996

By 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