Westmoreland high school football notebook: Latrobe focused on minimizing gaffes on offense

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 5:44 PM

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Latrobe’s offense was hitting on all cylinders in the first three games as the Wildcats put up 41, 32 and 42 points in wins over Connellsville, Plum and Norwin.

But lately, the Wildcats have not sustained drives, a product of strong defensive play from Franklin Regional and Armstrong, yes, but also, in part, because of self-imposed issues.

Coach Ron Prady said he has concerns after Friday night’s 14-0 win over visiting Armstrong. The Wildcats (4-1, 1-1 Big East) scored two late touchdowns but not before punting five times, coughing up a fumble and giving away an interception.

Drives stalled as penalties hindered the Wildcats. They did not reach the red zone against the River Hawks.

Last week, the Wildcats lost 3-0 at Franklin Regional. Prady used the word “disjointed” to describe that loss.

“It’s little things,” Prady said. “It’s when we’re one block away, one cut away or one catch away. Things like that. We have to get better in execution. We can’t just walk out on the field and expect things to happen.”

On the bright side, Latrobe has not allowed a touchdown in eight quarters.

“Their defense is really good,” Armstrong coach Frank Fabian said. “They were dropping eight guys back and forcing us to make tough throws. Their secondary is second to none.”

Woodland Hills (3-2, 1-0) comes to Memorial Stadium next week, so Latrobe knows it has to more efficient if it wants to be a playoff contender in 5A.

“When we’re in a rhythm, that’s when we play our best football,” running back Brady Prohovic said. “We need to get more into a rhythm. We only had two bursts in this game. We need more.”

Prohovic and John Wetzel matched 34-yard touchdown runs inside the final six minutes Friday night.

Tatsch sits

Latrobe running back Alex Tatsch, the Wildcats’ Penn State commit at linebacker, sat out the second half Friday with some discomfort in his shoulder.

Tatsch ran for 117 yards in the first half but played only sparingly on defense.

“We don’t want to take any chances,” Prady said. “We’ll see what his doctors say and go from there.”

Tatsch has rushed for 724 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

Big East race

Franklin Regional moved to 2-0 in 5A Big East Conference play, but the Panthers’ lead is slim.

Woodland Hills is 1-0, and Latrobe, Penn-Trafford and Gateway are 1-1, Armstrong is 0-1 and Kiski Area is 0-2.

Franklin touches down

Penn State coach James Franklin flew his helicopter around the WPIAL on Friday to check on some recruits and prospects along with assistant Terry Smith.

Franklin visited Latrobe on Friday morning to see Tatsch, then landed at Hempfield on Friday night to check out Central Catholic.

He parked his chopper on the ninth-grade baseball field at Hempfield.

Franklin also attended the Aliquippa-Penn Hills game.

Saturday football

Jeannette will break from the norm and play Saturday next week in the Class A Eastern Conference.

Jeannette will take on Clairton for a noon kickoff at Thomas Jefferson. The Bears are playing home games at TJ while their home field is being renovated.

Extra points 

Belle Vernon (1-2) hadn’t lost two in a row since 2022. … No more Westmoreland County teams are undefeated after Jeannette, Greensburg Salem and Monessen lost. … Derry blanked Indiana, 21-0. It was the Trojans’ first shutout since 2019. … Freshman Cody Yacamelli scored a 20-yard touchdown for Penn-Trafford in the fourth quarter. He is the younger brother of former Warriors star Cade Yacamelli.

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

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