CENTER TWP., Pa. — Thomas Jefferson Jaguars head coach Bill Cherpak and Central Valley Warriors head coach Mark Lyons are arguably two of the most successful football coaches in WPIAL history. Both coaches have the reputation of winning football games in their careers combining to win 14 WPIAL championships and seven PIAA championships. However, as the Jaguars traveled to take on the Warriors in tonight’s non-conference matchup, Cherpak and Lyons realized that one of them was going to lose.
For either team, a win in a historic rivalry like this was going to help build confidence as the season progresses. But at the end of the day, it was Cherpak who got the smile at the end. Thomas Jefferson (2-0) made more plays in the run game and played shutout defense in the second half to defeat Central Valley (0-2) 27-13 on Friday night.
Despite getting a first down on their first drive of the game, Thomas Jefferson had to punt to begin the game. Central Valley went down the field on their opening drive to set them up in the red zone. The Warriors had an opportunity to score first but Doenic Pratt missed a potential 25-yard field goal.
Thomas Jefferson took advantage of Pratt’s error. Jaguars quarterback Luke Kosko completed a pass to Tyler Eber who ran down the sideline for a 66-yard play. Two plays later, Kosko found Gavin Miller in the back of the endzone for a 26-yard touchdown pass to open up the scoring.
Jance Henry played a big part in keeping Central Valley in the game. The star sophomore running back with 14 Division I offers scored two second quarter touchdowns (3, 57).
Central Valley tied the game at 7 with one of Henry’s two touchdowns. Miller continued to make big plays for the Jaguars after he returned a 70-yard kickoff setting the team up for good field position. Matthew Martinis rushed for a 24-yard rush on the drive setting the Jaguars in the redzone. Then right after, Martinis capped the drive off with a 3-yard touchdown.
In a game that was considered back in forth in the first half, Henry rushed for his second touchdown to get the Warriors within one. But Pratt continued to have struggles kicking the ball as he missed the extra point and the Jaguars remained with the lead, 14-13.
Thomas Jefferson looked to add on their lead late in the first half. The Jaguars were driving down the field but Kosko was picked off by Central Valley defensive back BJ Nastick. However, Kosko’s turnover would not be detrimental.
The Jaguars outscored Central Valley 13-0 in the second half and played important defense when it mattered the most.
Central Valley started the ball to begin the second half but had to punt. On the Jaguars’ first drive of the second half, Eber zigzagged past defenders up the field for a 34-yard gain. With the rain pouring hard, the Jaguars fumbled the football twice on the drive but managed to recover it. Kosko then rushed for a 3-yard touchdown to extend the Jaguars lead at 20-13. The Jaguars attempted a 2-point conversion but failed after Eber’s carry was short of the goal line.
However, in the fourth quarter, Eber eventually found the back of the endzone after he scored on a 1-yard carry.
Next week, Thomas Jefferson will host its home opener against McKeesport. Central Valley will look to win their first game of the season as they travel on the road to take on Belle Vernon, the defending WPIAL and PIAA 3A champions.
