CENTER TWP., Pa. —Thomas Jefferson has not won a WPIAL and PIAA football title since 2020. Even though it was only four years ago since winning their last championship, to Jaguars fans, it has been too long.
If the Jaguars are going to win another championship, they will be led by a future college baseball player. Luke Kosko is committed to play college baseball at the University of Cincinnati and is also Thomas Jefferson’s starting quarterback.
Last season, Kosko split time with Brody Evans at quarterback. With Evans graduated, this team is fully led by Kosko. He is excited to embrace the opportunity.
“This offseason was a lot less stressful. I got to focus more on being a quarterback and not having to battle for a job,” Kosko said to Pittsburgh Sports Now, after the game. “I got to do more board work and get to the field more with my receivers and I think it has tremendously helped for this year.”
Kosko’s Jaguars team is currently 2-0 winning two road games, Baldwin in Week 0 and Central Valley last night 27-13. In Thomas Jefferson’s win over Central Valley, the running game excelled for the Jaguars as they scored three times on the ground. Kosko rushed for a 3-yard touchdown in the game. But running backs Tyler Eber and Matthew Martinis also carried the load. Eber rushed 26 times tallying 124 yards and a touchdown while Martinis rushed for two touchdowns.
“My mindset was just to protect the ball, to make sure the running backs were protected and make sure I get the snap from the center each time. I did fumble it once, but I recovered it,” Kosko said with a laugh.
Kosko did open the scoring in the game when he threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Miller. But after that, Kosko did not throw the ball too much after that, but it did not bother him.
“So, the gameplan was not involved with rain,” Kosko said with a laugh. When the rain hit, we were in a little bit of a dilemma, so we just had to run the ball and we ran it down their throat and it worked. Our [offensive] line did exactly what they had to do. They pushed the d-line 5 yards at a time, and it is what we meant to do.”
Thomas Jefferson’s defense did not give up a point in the second half. Ultimately, that was a big part of the confidence that the Jaguars gained to not give up the lead and win the game.
“So, I think truly in the second half, we just wanted it more. I think they [Central Valley] came out and were playing lazy. They were not showing how bad that they wanted it and you know our kids came out in the second half.”
As this is Kosko’s last year of playing high school football, he wants to experience winning a championship with his childhood friends. But he is very excited as well to get up to Cincinnati and play for a Division I school.
“I visited Cincinnati a couple of times with my father and mom. They both loved it. I think the coaches will develop me into a great player there. It’s a great campus, great atmosphere and I think it’s just the right fit for me.”
Thomas Jefferson will host its home-opener next Friday when they host McKeesport. While it can be argued that McKeesport a tougher test than their first two opponents, Kosko and the other Jaguars players do not care who they have to play. They just want to win.
“I think mentally, our kids want it more,” Kosko said. “I think we prepare more each week than the other teams we have played so far. I think it’s going to be the same result next week.”
