Latrobe looks to overcome past history against McKeesport

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 8:39 PM

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With the recent history between McKeesport and Latrobe being so one-sided, one might think the No. 2-ranked Tigers could be looking ahead to their Week 9 showdown with No. 5 Thomas Jefferson.

But McKeesport coach Matt Miller coach expects Latrobe to get his team’s best effort. He almost guaranteed it.

This is the 21st meeting between Latrobe and McKeesport, and the Tigers have dominated. They lead the series 17-2-1, which includes wins in the past 15 meetings. McKeesport won 54-14 last year.

The last time Latrobe prevailed was 14-10 in 2001.

When the two teams collide Friday at McKeesport, it will be a battle for first place in the WPIAL Class 4A Big Seven Conference. Both teams already have clinched berths in the WPIAL playoffs.

Latrobe (4-1, 6-2) is riding a four-game winning streak since falling to Thomas Jefferson, 41-14, in Week 3. McKeesport (4-0, 7-1) has won five in a row after falling to Belle Vernon, 21-14, in Week 2.

“We’re excited to be in this position,” second-year Latrobe coach Ron Prady said. “They are pretty darn good. We understand the challenge in front of us. They are a program we are striving to be. They are very consistent every year.”

Latrobe is coming off a 50-28 victory against Connellsville. Junior quarterback John Wetzel rushed for 142 yards and scored four touchdowns. He completed 9 of 12 passes for 241 yards and two scores.

Now the Wildcats face a defense that has allowed 16 points in four conference games. The Tigers defense did allow 28 points to Gateway in a nonconference victory last week and won 38-28.

Senior defensive end Courtney Dunn is the leader on defense.

McKeesport relies on a strong running game: the flex bone attack. Last week, however, Miller used an old-school 1990s offense.

“We went back to the I-formation and ran the option,” Miller said. “We moved tight end Keith Spell to fullback, and he rushed for more than 200 yards.”

Senior quarterback Garrett Tucker directs the offense. He has completed 33 of 66 passes for 571 yards and seven touchdowns. He has rushed for 178 yards and five scores.

The top running back is Anthony Boyd, who has rushed for 741 yards and 11 touchdowns. Freshman Kemon Spell, who has NCAA Division I offers from Pitt, Wisconsin, UNLV and Marshall, has gained 257 yards and scored seven times.

“They make you prepare for a lot of things, like adding the I-formation is just another wrinkle,” Prady said. “Keith (Spell) is a real horse and his brother (Kemon) is the real deal. We need to force some turnovers and eliminate our mistakes.”

Miller said when he looks at Latrobe, he sees a program on the rise.

“Ron has done a nice job,” Miller said. “He brought that winning attitude from Penn-Trafford. Wetzel and (Alex) Tatsch are a handful. They do a lot of good things. We better not look past them.”

Wetzel has completed 63 of 93 passes for 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has rushed for 525 yards and 10 scores. Brady Prohovic has rushed for 454 yards, and Tatsch has rushed for 263 yards and six scores.

The biggest offensive threat for the Wildcats is wide receiver Ja’Tawn Williams, who has 29 catches for 673 yards. He has scored 13 total touchdowns (nine receiving, two interception returns, two kickoff returns).

Head to head

McKeesport leads the all-time series with Latrobe, 17-2-1. Here’s a look at the last 10 meetings:

2022: McKeesport, 54-14

2019: McKeesport, 34-14

2018: McKeesport, 45-14

2017: McKeesport, 48-0

2016: McKeesport, 54-20

2015: McKeesport, 62-0

2014: McKeesport, 34-6

2013: McKeesport, 25-0

2012: McKeesport, 34-2

2011: McKeesport, 39-6

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe, McKeesport