JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. — Thomas Jefferson and Belle Vernon boast one of the top football rivalries in the WPIAL as the two schools separated by 14 miles have met regularly since 1965 except for two seasons. The newest chapter of the rivalry featured increased implications with the Leopards returning to Class 4A after winning back-to-back Class 3A district and state titles.
Thomas Jefferson did not welcome back Belle Vernon to 4A kindly as the Jaguars opened Big Six Conference play with a 42-14 victory.
The Jaguars fed the ground game behind sophomore star Tyler Eber, who entered the game eighth in the WPIAL in rushing. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound running back compiled 39 carries for 177 yards and three touchdowns.
After Belle Vernon struck first on a Kole Doppelheuer 45-yard receiving touchdown, it was all Thomas Jefferson as the Jaguars amassed 407 yards of total offense. The Leopards were limited to three first downs, 169 total yards and -19 yards on the ground.
With Eber paving the way on the ground receiving touch after touch, he finally broke off a big run of 17 yards into the end zone to tie it at seven apiece.
Thomas Jefferson took the lead not long after as senior gunslinger Luke Kosko found receiver Brayden White for a 35-yard touchdown reception.
Touchdown Thomas Jefferson:
Brayden White makes the adjustment to pull in the Luke Kosko 35-yd TD pass.
Defensively, TJ bottled up the Belle Vernon offense with Pitt commit Shep Turk leading the way. TJ jumped on any errors that the Leopards made, including a high snap that went over quarterback Curtis Wade’s head in the second quarter. Matthew Martinis gobbled it up, setting up the Jaguars at the 29. Six plays later and Eber was into the end zone on a 2-yard run to make it 21-7 Thomas Jefferson.
For the second time in the game, Wade could not control a snap to start the second half as TJ started with prime position at the 17. It was Kosko this time that pushed in with the 1-yard keeper.
The Thomas Jefferson offense that averages 40.9 points per game — second-best in 4A — continued to motor downfield with Eber leading the ground-and-pound attack with another short 1-yard score for his third touchdown in the game with 11:56 to go in the fourth.
Junior running back Emmett Forte would add another rushing touchdown for the Jaguars on a 13-yard run to make it 42-14.
While the Belle Vernon offense was stagnant for the most part, it opened the scoring after Thomas Jefferson muffed a punt leading to plus-territory starting positions. Leopards’ quarterback Curtis Wade went to the air on the ensuing play as he connected with Doppelheuer for a 45-yard touchdown play.
From there, Belle Vernon’s offense went quiet outside of another explosive play from Doppelheuer in the fourth quarter. From the eight-yard line, Wade lofted one up to the senior playmaker, who was in double coverage. Doppelheuer cameback to the ball and then took off, fighting through a wave of Jaguar defenders on his way to a 92-yard score to make it 35-14.
Thomas Jefferson continues to roll as it improves to 6-0 and will take on Trinity at home next Friday. Belle Vernon (1-3) returns home to face Chartiers Valley at 7 p.m.
Belle Vernon lost all its prized recruits from Monessen that graduated with boat loads of riches. 💰. But don’t despair leopard fans, Monessen is ripe with more recruits to plunder for the leopard with many spots. KARMAS A bitch.$$$$$$
Belle Vernon lost all its prized recruits from Monessen that graduated with boat loads of riches. 💰. But don’t despair leopard fans, Monessen is ripe with more recruits to plunder for the leopard with many spots. KARMAS A bitch.$$$$$$