Johnstown High will defend its District 6 Class AAA title tonight against a Bellefonte team in the midst of a successful rebuilding project tonight at Mansion Park.
The 9-1 Trojans face a 7-3 Bellefonte team that under new coach Duffy Besch has all but erased memories of last year’s 1-9 season.
“I was impressed with their athleticism,” Johnstown coach Tony Penna Jr. said. “They’ve got some pretty decent size and they’re real athletic in the skill positions, probably more athletic than I’ve seen them in years past. You can tell they’re well-coached and they’re hungry.”
The Raiders have won four of their past five games including a 32-14 victory over Bald Eagle Area last week as running back Nate Shultz ran for 163 yards to boost his season total to
516 rushing yards.
Quarterback Tyler Lucas is a first-year starter who lived in England as part of a military family two years ago and played nine-man football. After playing safety last year, Lucas set out to be the quarterback and earned the job, throwing for 1,575 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and running for 311 yards.
“We’ve got to be disciplined on defense,” Penna said. “We can’t give up any big plays to them. We have to be relentless and wreak havoc.”
Besch said the rebound season has been rewarding.
“It’s been a real collective effort,” Besch said. “I have a tremendous group of seniors.
“They’ve been able to step up and show everybody that if you’re going to be successful it’s going to take work. You’re going to have to put in the work and effort to make it happen. If you do that, you’re going to get the rewards.
“It really started this winter.
“There was a group of kids that got together. They went to the AD and got some people to open the weight room for them.
“They didn’t even have a coach at that time. They wanted to get started and get ready for this season. That attitude has carried over for us.”
Johnstown also has had a team-first philosophy even though the Trojans are loaded with offensive and defensive playmakers.
Last week the Trojans beat previously undefeated Forest Hills 34-25 to bounce back from a 14-13 setback to Central Cambria that spoiled their undefeated run.
Even after the big win last week, Penna doesn’t expect a letdown.
“We told them, ‘You’re playing for your career,’” Penna said. “This is it. When you’re a senior, every game could be your last game. Every play could be your last play. They’re playing to stick together. They don’t want this season to end.
“Plus, if Central Cambria wasn’t a wake-up call, I don’t know what would be.”
Johnstown’s offense is fronted by junior first-year starting quarterback Gervon Simon, who threw for what is believed to be a Trojans single-game record 402 yards and five touchdowns last week.
Simon has passed for
1,913 yards this season as receivers such as Dwight Andrews (22 catches,
536 yards), Alkwan Williams (20-448) and Daquan Minter (15-352) have given opponents fits.
Dajour Morris (6-foot-2,
295 pounds) and Brock Eisenhuth (6-4, 314) have been strong along both lines, and safety Calvin Anderson has
10 interceptions.
“They have some very good skill position players,” Besch said. “They have some great wide receivers who can get down field and make plays.
“They have a solid running game. They’re 9-1 for a reason.
“They’ve been able to make the plays they’ve needed to make.”
“I think they’re going to be a great challenge for us.”
“Johnstown’s been an established program. They’ve had a solid program year-in and year-out. Our program’s been the other way. It’s been a roller coaster the last couple of years. we're trying to solidify that.”
Sports
Johnstown risking its title against Bellefonte
- Sports
-
-
Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
AAABA League Preview
A look at this season's Johnstown AAABA League:
-
Hunting licenses to go on sale June 11
Hunting and furtaker licenses for the 2012-13 seasons will go on sale June 11, according to Carl G. Roe, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s executive director.
-
2012 AAABA League schedule
A look at this season's schedule:
-
2011 AAABA in Review
A look back at the 2011 AAABA season:
-
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Hit batsman lifts Pirates over Cubs
Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever. - More Sports Headlines
-
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Kendall: Indy 500 recap
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Montero signs extension
On the Record: Anna Tunnicliffe
Highlights: History 300
NASCAR on FOX: Charlotte preview
Devils head to the Stanley Cup Finals
French Open Preview: Women's draw
French Open Preview: Men's draw
Controversial Show Offers Alternative Listening for Women During Stanley Cup Finals
Tebow Teased by Jets Teammates Over Virginity, Lolo Jones
Jets learn Sparano's offense
1st Inning: Hakeem Nicks
Tweet Talkback: Brandon Jennings
QB Kafka gaining valuable experience
Showalter and Arrieta on the loss to the Red Sox
Jenkins: 'I think I won'
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
Horrow: Steinbrenner's know what they have
