Gervon Simon has played with such poise and efficiency that it’s sometimes difficult to imagine he’s a first-year starting quarterback.
The Trojans junior is the real deal.
Of course, there are the statistics: 1,913 passing yards,
24 touchdowns and only six interceptions; a .534 completion percentage (95 of 178);
467 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 81 attempts.
But the numbers only reveal part of the reason why Simon has helped the 9-1 Trojans advance to Friday’s District 6 Class AAA championship game against Bellefonte at Mansion Park.
“He’s a great kid,” Johnstown first-year head coach Tony Penna Jr. said. “You can see it in his eyes and on his face. When he comes over to the sideline to get the play, he wants to go make a play. He definitely knows he has great players around him, but it all starts with him.”
Last week Simon passed for 402 yards and five touchdowns, and he ran for 53 yards in a
34-25 victory over previously undefeated Forest Hills at Trojan Stadium. Simon had touchdown passes of 86, 23, 82, 33 and 76 yards. After the game, he credited his teammates for the success against such a formidable opponent.
Penna appreciates that type of leadership.
“There was always that thing lingering out there where people were kind of doubting whether or not he could do this,” Penna said of Simon’s emergence as the starter after backing up standout John Siciliano for two seasons. “They knew he was a tremendous athlete. People would always say, ‘We’re not so sure he’s a quarterback or not.’ He’s proven himself. He sat patiently behind John, and when he got his chance he’s made the most of it.”
Earlier this season, even Penna had to take a step back when Simon asserted himself as a leader.
“We took a big penalty and everybody was yelling, including myself,” Penna said. “He was like, ‘Calm down. We’ve got this. Let’s go get this.’ We ran a quarterback power on third-and-15. What’s the kid do? He goes and gets it. I’ve seen him grow as a leader and I’ve seen how he’s worked with the older kids. The leaders have done a good job embracing him as a junior quarterback. At that position you have to be a leader.”
q q q
Vintage milestones: Last week’s column highlighted Cambria Heights’ Caleb Vescovi surpassing 5,000 career passing yards. As often is the case when listing players who have reached milestones, you learn of one or two others who also met the standard.
Ironically, one of the names not included in the state’s list of 4,000-yard passers is Vescovi’s coach, former Forest Hills standout Justin Myers. A three-year starter, Myers threw for 5,329 career yards. He led a Rangers’ state runner-up team with 2,936 passing yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior in 1994.
Inadvertently, another name surfaced after Johnstown’s win over Forest Hills. While researching the possibility that Johnstown’s Simon broke the Trojans’ single-game passing yardage mark with 402, I thought of Brian Mangiafico, former Associated Press Big School Player of the Year in 1991. I knew of at least two huge passing night’s Mangiafico had against WPIAL teams but nearly 20 years later could not recall if he went over 400.
Mangiafico didn’t hit 400 in a game (he came very close).
Those same news clips revealed that the “Magic Man” should be included in the state’s 4,000-yard passer club. Mangiafico’s career numbers were 268 of 517 for 4,030 yards.
He was a Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 Player and a first-team all-state pick among big schools, both huge accomplishments.
By the way, there’s still no official ruling on whether Simon broke the Johnstown single-game record, though most associated with the program believe he did.
The two 4,000/5,000-yard passing omissions have been submitted to Rich Vetock, whose incredible book “Pennsylvania Football News Resource Guide 2010” was the statistical source for my column last week.
Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.
Sports
Mike Mastovich | Trojans’ Simon proving himself
- 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:
-
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. -
Generals return to defeat Sting
It’s been a dramatic month for the Johnstown Generals.
There were two postponed games that left the immediate and long-term future of the franchise in serious doubt just two weeks ago. - 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
