Westmoreland County high school football notebook: GCC shuffles quarterbacks

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, September 16, 2021 | 10:01 AM

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There might be a quarterback competition at Greensburg Central Catholic. Or maybe the Centurions have found another way to attack opponents.

Greensburg Central Catholic made a switch at quarterback last week to spark a lethargic offense in a 33-7 win at Apollo-Ridge. Sophomore Tyree Turner came in for junior Nate Dlugos in the second half and helped the Centurions turn a 14-7 lead into a rout.

Turner threw touchdown passes to senior Danny Dlugos and junior Amari Mack, the latter a one-handed, highlight-reel grab, as GCC pulled away.

Nate Dlugos threw for 103 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the first half.

“We’re going to rotate them this week (at practice),” GCC coach Marko Thomas said. “They’re two good athletes, and they each bring a different approach.”

Thomas said Turner is effective on run-pass option plays, particularly on delayed handoffs.

“He is sly with his reads,” Thomas said. “He waits until the last possible second. He’s getting hit before he lets the ball go.”

Governing body

Southmoreland senior quarterback Anthony Govern has been a fine replacement for record-breaking passer Zach Cernuto, showing he can make plays through the air and on the ground.

But what might be most impressive about Govern is his accuracy. Through three games for the Scotties (2-1), he has completed 33 of 47 passes (70.2%).

He has thrown for 455 yards and five touchdowns and has rushed for 173 yards and six scores.

Former Hawks shine

Like former Pittsburgh Pirates, Jeannette transfers are flourishing elsewhere.

Junior Eli Binankonsky blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown last week against Franklin Regional — he also had a pick-6 in the season opener against Greensburg Salem — and junior Jaydin Canady, senior Taishaun Jamison and junior Ryan Kimmel had touchdowns for Greensburg Central Catholic in a win over Apollo-Ridge. Canady scored on a reception, and Canady and Kimmel reached the end zone on a fumble recovery and blocked punt return.

Sophomore Brad Birch, meanwhile, threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns for Gateway in a win over Penn Hills.

At Woodland Hills, senior Louis Callaway caught a 99-yard touchdown pass in a 20-0 win over Wayne Valley, N.J., in Week Zero.

Up and down

Westmoreland County teams were shuffled in this week’s Trib HSSN rankings.

Surging teams at Southmoreland and Ligonier Valley are newcomers to the top five in Class 3A and 2A.

The Scotties are No. 5 in 3A, and Ligonier Valley slid into the fifth spot in 2A.

Penn-Trafford was No. 1 in 5A, but the Warriors dipped in No. 3 after a 27-7 loss to 4A No. 2 Belle Vernon.

Penn-Trafford to honor HOF inductees

Some Penn-Trafford football greats will be honored during halftime of Friday’s game against Peters Township.

An induction banquet for the Warrior Football Hall of Fame will be Saturday at Manor Valley Golf Course.

Included in the Class of 2021 are wide receiver Jeremy Schropp (1994), wide receiver Tony Babeo (1991), quarterback/kicker Jeff Filkovski (1986), linebacker/running back Kevin Mullen (2005), lineman Jason Kacinko (2005), halfback Dan Schneider (1964 Trafford) and assistant coach Eli Visnick (1993-99).

Penn-Trafford’s first football team, the 1972 Warriors who finished 6-2-1 in the Keystone Conference, also will be inducted.

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

Tags: Belle Vernon, Greensburg C.C., Jeannette, Ligonier Valley, Penn-Trafford, Southmoreland