Derry’s plan: Run and run some more

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 16, 2018 | 7:57 PM

There is no secret to what the Derry football team wants to do offensively.

The Trojans are going to run and run some more. They only pass out of necessity.

When Derry trailed North Catholic by three touchdowns in the WPIAL Class 3A semifinals, coach Tim Sweeney didn’t abandon the run. His team stuck to the gameplan, and the result was one of the biggest comebacks in WPIAL playoff history.

Now Derry (11-1) is getting ready to play Aliquippa (11-1) in Saturday’s championship game, and it must succeed on the ground against the Quips stout defense.

And while it might be difficult, it won’t stop Derry from trying.

Although senior Justin Flack has put up the big numbers — 1,240 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns — Sweeney isn’t afraid to spread things around. Six players have rushed for more than 100 yards this season.

Flack’s numbers are slightly inflated because of injuries to three returning running backs: seniors Colton Nemcheck and Onreey Stewart, along with junior Justin Huss.

Nemcheck and Huss were hurt in the summer and missed some games early. Stewart was injured in Week 2 against South Park and missed games. Stewart has rushed for 984 yards, including 203 last week against North Catholic.

Flack credits his offensive line: tackles Gavin Adams and Jordan Baum, guards Seth Loughner and Lucas Ciocco and center Cullen Shawley.

“They are the workhorses,” Flack said.

With a full complement of running backs ready to go, Derry hopes to keep Aliquippa guessing.

“When you have Justin and Onreey in the game at the same time, the defense can’t key on one player,” Sweeney said. “We can’t be worried about how Aliquippa defenses us. We have worry about ourselves.”

North Catholic did a good job slowing Flack in both meetings this season. However, Nemcheck and DeLuca had big games in the first matchup, and last week it was Stewart. Flack had 50 yards rushing and two touchdowns last week and also had the winning 30-yard interception return with 1 minute, 47 seconds left to give Derry the 36-29 win.

“We’ve already turned the page on the North Catholic win,” DeLuca said. “We have to focus on what we do best. We can’t let this game be bigger than it is.”

Derry and Aliquippa met in the 2016 semifinals, and the Quips pulled away for a 46-20 victory.

The Quips, behind 146 yards and three touchdowns from sophomore Avante McKenzie, raced to a 26-0 lead. McKenzie is back and has 1,396 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns this season.

Flack had a 53-yard touchdown run for Derry in that game, but Aliquippa rushed for 394 yards and dominated the line of scrimmage. DeLuca recovered two fumbles for Derry, and Tyler Balega ended his high school career with 144 yards rushing and two scores.

“We have to worry about ourselves,” Flack said. “Last week, I think were a little too hyped for the game. We have to come out and play our game.”

And that is running the football.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Paul at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Derry Area