To the average observer, it might be easy to overlook the Forest Hills defense.
After all, the Rangers offense has scored 41 or more points in four of its five games. Veteran coach Don Bailey’s undefeated squad posted a “mere” 36 points in the other contest.
Senior running back Nick Dudukovich is among the area leaders and junior quarterback Justin Gdula is developing into one of the top signal callers in District 6.
But what about that defense?
Forest Hills has outscored opponents by a combined
217-32 this season.
Last week, Cambria Heights was the first team to score more than a touchdown against the Rangers, and one of Heights’ two TDs came on a special teams return in a 49-13 game.
“We have a very aggressive bunch of defensive players,” Bailey said. “They like to go to the football. They like to practice defense. They get to the ball in the secondary. They don’t sit still. Our defense is small and very quick.”
Forest Hills’ opponents certainly would agree.
In Week 1, Bedford was held to minus-1 rushing yard and
30 net yards of offense. During Week 3, Bishop Carroll had zero passing yards and a week later, Bishop Guilfoyle managed just seven yards through the air.
Only Richland (26 carries, 139 yards) and Carroll (30-177) managed to rush for more than 100 in a game against Forest Hills.
“We have a good mix of seniors and underclassmen,” Bailey said, noting five seniors and six underclassmen start.
“Our two linebackers, a defensive tackle and a cornerback are all three-year starters and senior leaders,” Bailey said.
Those three-year starting linebackers are Dudukovich and Jeff Meier. The tackle is Erik Ondrejik, and Jared McCombie is the three-year cornerback.
The Rangers have eight sacks, 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Sophomore Jared Shope (four) and junior D.J. Burkey (three) are among the area leaders in interceptions.
“We’re a blitzing defense,” Bailey said. “We create a lot of blocking problems. We put pressure on the quarterback and have some kids in the secondary that can catch the ball.”
That defense combines with a high-powered offense and mostly solid special teams play to make Forest Hills the team to beat in the LHAC. Like the Rangers, undefeated Greater Johnstown also has a target on its back in the conference.
Class AA Forest Hills is ranked sixth in the state by Pennsylvania Football News and is seventh in the Harrisburg Patriot-News poll.
“There’s an old saying that offense wins football games but defense wins championships,” Bailey said. “Our defense takes a lot of pride. Our players know that if you don’t give up any points, the other team can’t beat you unless it goes into an overtime situation.”
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Aerial milestone: Cambria Heights senior quarterback Caleb Vescovi surpassed the career 4,000-yard passing mark last week in the loss to Forest Hills.
The starter during most of his four varsity seasons, Vescovi has completed 67 of 133 passes for 1,137 yards this season.
His career totals include 4,015 passing yards.
Greater Johnstown junior Gervon Simon went over the 1,000-yard mark for this season last week against Somerset.
Simon has completed 48 of 84 passes for 1,018 yards in his first season as the starter.
Simon also has netted
230 rushing yards on
28 attempts, an 8.2 average.
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Triple threat: Conemaugh Township’s Brett Byers leads three statistical categories this week. A senior running back/linebacker, Byers has an area-best 747 rushing yards on 104 carries (7.2 per carry).
Byers’ 14 touchdowns and 84 points also rank first.
On defense, Byers has an area-high 67 tackles, with 47 of those solo.
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Getting their kicks: Forest Hills kicker Scott George leads the area with 31 kicking points (1 of 2 field goal attempts/28 of 31 extra-point attempts).
Chestnut Ridge’s Matt Amick and Ligonier’s John Jones each have 27 kicking points. Bishop McCort’s Jordan Spangler has 20.
The Rams’ Jones also is fourth in overall scoring with 63 points. In addition to his one field goal and 24 extra-points, Jones has six touchdowns.
Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.
Sports
Mike Mastovich | Defense helps Rangers thrive
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