No. 2-ranked Thomas Jefferson too much for Latrobe

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Friday, September 15, 2023 | 11:11 PM

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Latrobe called for a blackout from its home fans Friday night.

Thomas Jefferson opted for a knockout.

The second-ranked Jaguars, with their two-quarterback attack, proved to be too much for Latrobe in a 41-14 victory in the Class 4A Big Seven Conference opener at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

Brody Evans completed 10 of 16 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, and Luke Kosko went 4 of 6 for 87 yards for the Jaguars (4-0, 1-0).

Coach Bill Cherpak, who has more than 300 career wins, wasn’t altogether pleased with a penalty-riddled night, but he’ll take the victory.

“If we have any chance of winning next week (against Belle Vernon), we can’t make those dumb mistakes,” Cherpak said. “We have a lot of playmakers, but we have to be more mentally focused. It should have been a 56-7 game or otherwise.”

Latrobe (2-2, 0-1) cut into a 28-7 halftime deficit late in the third on a 95-yard interception return touchdown by John Wetzel.

It was the second red-zone turnover of the third quarter for Thomas Jefferson, which was proficient early and stale late — until it revved up the running game.

The hope only flickered for Latrobe.

“The score doesn’t seem indicative, but the scoreboard also doesn’t lie,” Latrobe coach Ron Prady said. “It got away from us. We’ll get better.”

Michael Banda gave the Jaguars breathing room when he scored on a 7-yard run early in the fourth.

Chris Cochran blocked the extra point, but Latrobe was still down 34-14.

Wetzel tried a deep ball on the next play but was intercepted by Jason Salman.

The Jaguars added a late touchdown run by Elias Lippincott — a 6-foot-2, 242-pounder — for a 41-14 advantage.

Banda ran for 94 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns, and Lippincott added 70 yards on 17 attempts.

“We started to run the ball well, but there were four or five times, our blocking was bad,” Cherpak said. “The thing now is that we can’t be satisfied. Latrobe is good. They are a playoff team.”

The perennial power Jaguars were nearly perfect on their opening drive, going 81 yards in 12 plays without hesitation or a penalty.

Aidan Whalen finished it with a 1-yard score.

Evans was 4 of 4 for 52 yards on the possession, while Lippincott gained 21 yards on six carries.

After an errant punt snap by Latrobe, the Jaguars drove into the end zone again.

Banda raced 19 yards on his first carry, and the Jaguars went ahead 14-0.

Latrobe responded with authority, going 70 yards in 14 plays with Alex Tatsch scoring on a 9-yard run to cut it to 14-7.

Tatsch did not play the second half as a precaution after a lower body injury.

After forcing a punt, the Wildcats strung together another long series, this one covering more than seven minutes, but turned it over on downs.

The Jaguars added another score just before the half. Kosko had a 1-yard touchdown.

“Brody is more experienced,” Cherpak said. “But Luke is getting the reps and experience as a junior.”

The missed opportunity by the Wildcats proved costly.

Sean Sullivan made a terrific catch near the goal line, gaining 39 yards to set up the score and make it 21-7.

Sullivan caught five receptions for 78 yards. Salman caught seven for 55 yards.

Wetzel then fumbled deep in his own territory, and Sullivan recovered to set up one last score in the half.

“With a team like TJ,” Prady said, “they pounce on you when you make mistakes.”

Evans zipped a touchdown to Salman on a short post to make it 28-7.

There was almost one more score before the break.

Sullivan picked off a pass and took it back 70 yards, but the score was negated by a personal foul.

Wetzel finished 5 of 13 for 53 yards and ran for 28 yards.

Latrobe had 85 yards rushing.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe, Thomas Jefferson