Thomas Jefferson sends 12 to all-conference team

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 9:51 AM

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Thomas Jefferson's all-conference selections mirrored the Jaguars' championship season.

Dominating.

TJ dominated the list of all-stars in the Class 4A Big Nine Conference with 12 players receiving postseason plaudits.

Devin Danielson, a 6-foot-3, 295-pound senior lineman and Pitt recruit, received first-team plaudits on both offense and defense, and was honored as the Big Nine's Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior Garret Fairman (6-2, 185) also landed dual first-team honors at wide receiver and linebacker; while senior Pitt recruit Noah Palmer (6-4, 225) was a first- and second-team selection on the defensive line and at tight end, respectively.

Justin Vigna (5-8, 170), a senior running back, and Dom Serapiglia (6-1, 275), a junior center, also were first-team selections.

Seven players were chosen to the second team — three on offense, four on defense.

Offensively, they consisted of sophomore lineman Logan Danielson (6-1, 240), sophomore quarterback Shane Stump (6-1, 205) and junior kicking specialist A.J. Meshanko (5-8, 150).

Defensively, they were senior lineman Logan Burnsworth (6-3, 215), senior linebacker Sean Bell (5-10, 190), and senior defensive backs Jared Collington (6-0, 190) and Nick Urbanowicz (6-3, 205).

Eight of the Jaguars' all-conference picks are seniors; two are juniors and two are sophomores.

Continued success

Thomas Jefferson turned in an overpowering performance during the regular season and the WPIAL playoffs.

The Jaguars finished with an 8-1 regular-season record, outscoring the opposition by a resounding 393-42 overall margin, then stormed through the playoffs to their third straight WPIAL title.

And, for a third consecutive year, TJ fell to Cathedral Prep in the PIAA first-round matchup.

“I was very pleased and proud of how the team came together and performed this season,” coach Bill Cherpak said. “We only had two returning starters on offense and four on defense coming into the season. There were so many first-year players who stepped in and did a great job to help make this a successful season. It's never easy when your last game is a loss, but overall I think the season was a success.”

Overall, the Jaguars (11-2) outscored the opposition 506-90, averaging 38.9 ppg while surrendering 6.9 ppg.

Skilled standouts

Thomas Jefferson's headliners on offense in 2017 were skill-position players Vigna, Stump and Fairman.

Vigna accounted for more than 2,000 yards in total offense, rushing for 1,912 yards and 23 touchdowns on 262 carries, and tacking on four receptions for 119 yards and one score.

Vigna, who averaged 147.1 yards rushing per game and 7.3 yards per carry, eclipsed 200 yards rushing in three games, including a 203-yard performance (and two touchdowns) on 44 carries against Belle Vernon in the WPIAL semifinal round. Vigna tied a team record set by Brian Baldrige in 2008 against Erie Strong Vincent in the PIAA quarterfinal round with his 44 rushing attempts against Belle Vernon.

Vigna ran for 1,364 yards and 20 touchdowns during the regular season, and for 548 yards and three TDs in the playoffs.

“There's not much to say about the team,” Vigna said, “because we clearly showed how much chemistry we had with one another on the field. Everyone played their heart out. And with that mentality, it truly leaves you with memories that will last a lifetime. I can't say enough about the coaches who not only prepared me for my final game but for my season. The guidance they have given me will carry on into my future football career.”

Stump passed for 1,608 yards and 24 touchdowns in a banner sophomore season. He completed 84 of 179 tosses and threw only eight interceptions.

Stump averaged 123.7 yards passing per game, and 19.1 yards per completion.

Fairman reeled in 51 receptions for 948 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 18.6 yards per catch, with his longest reception covering 78 yards.

Vigna led the team in scoring with 144 points. Next in line were Fairman, with 14 touchdowns including two via punt returns, good for 84 points; and Meshanko, with 65 PAT kicks and three field goals (74 points.

Other players who reached paydirt this season were Bell, Stump, sophomore WR/DB Dan Deabner, junior RB/LB Max Shaw, Palmer, Urbanowicz, junior RB/LB Zach Wagner, freshman RB/DB DeRon VanBibber, junior RB/DB Jackson Conway, freshman RB/LB Marco Gambino and Collington.

Deabner scored five times on nine receptions. Shaw and Collington scored on interception returns.

Urbanowicz had 14 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns, and led the teams in interceptions with four.

TJ amassed 4,595 yards in total offense, including 2,987 yards on the ground. The Jaguars averaged 353.5 yards in total offense per game, and 229.8 yards rushing per game.

Defensive stalwarts

Sophomore linebacker James Martinis led the Jaguars' defense in total tackles, followed by Palmer, Shaw, Burnsworth and Devin Danielson.

Other leading defenders/tacklers included Logan Danielson, Fairman, Collington, Bell and Urbanowicz.

Logan Danielson was No. 1 in sacks, followed by Devin Danielson, Palmer, Shaw and junior WR/LB Sean Barrett.

The Jaguars posted seven shutouts this season, including three in the WPIAL playoffs.

TJ held eight teams to under 100 total yards. The Jaguars limited Ringgold to 11 total offensive yards and two first downs (one by penalty). Belle Vernon was held to 16 total offensive yards and one first down in their playoff matchup.

On the season, the Jaguars allowed only 14 points in each of the first and second quarters, and just seven points in the third and fourth quarters.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

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