CoGo's High School Football Feature Matchup: Jeannette at Greensburg Central Catholic

Jeannette and Greensburg Central Catholic currently sit second and third respectively in the WPIAL Single-A rankings, and Friday’s result could very well decide who receives the second overall seed in next week’s playoffs. 

The Jayhawks and Centurions have both dominated their weekly opponents this season by an average margin of victory exceeding two touchdowns. 

That is, they have dominated all but one opponent. 

Both teams’ sole loss came to perennial powerhouse and top-ranked Clairton, who defeated GCC and Jeannette by scores of 44-7 and 56-29 respectively.   

The two teams seem to be peaking at the right time, however, as both enter the rivalry game coming off arguably their best performances to date.

Jeannette thoroughly dominated Bentworth (6-2) last week by a score of 68-0, while GCC displayed what head coach Daniel Mahoney called their best offensive performance of the season in a 56-21 victory over Springdale (5-3), in which the Centurions’ scored on their first eight offensive possessions to start the game.

In the win, Greensburg Central Catholic star running back Alvin Ross, the sixth-leading rusher in the WPIAL, scored four touchdowns and rushed for 103 yards on 17 carries. The performance brought Ross’s season rushing totals to 1,194 yards and 18 touchdowns on 173 total carries.

Ross’s patience and vision as a runner is what sets him apart from other backs his age, Mahoney said of his junior.

Ross, however, is not the only player in the Centurions’ backfield peaking at the right time.

Senior quarterback Tommy Pellis was 16 of 19 for 243 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win against Springdale, adding 82 rushing yards on six attempts. 

“He did such a good job,” Mahoney said of his quarterback’s performance. “I think it’ll be a big bonus going into this week.” 

Mahoney believes the collective athleticism of the Jayhawks defense will present a challenge to Pellis and the rest of the offense this week.

“Their team speed is number one,” he said, adding that Jeannette has a number of athletes that they can blitz from many areas of the field.

The Centurions have also had much success rushing the passer this season. Defensive ends Jassan Eubank and Jack Kilkeary have combined to total 24 sacks and 30 tackles for losses. 

Jeannette will travel to Greensburg for a 7 p.m. kickoff.