US Steel Game of the Week: Clairton at Monessen

Unfortunately for the young Greyhounds, Clairton has pummeled all of their opponents thus far.

It was just a little over a year ago that Monessen shocked the Bears in a 42-24 victory, snapping Clairton’s 66-game winning streak, the longest in American high school football history.

The Greyhounds lost many key players from last season, however, as large parts of both the offensive and defensive lines graduated, as well as standouts Justice Rawlins and Clintell Gillapsie.

Senior quarterback Noah Rullo and wide receiver/running back Lavelle Rush are the leaders for Monessen this season.

The Greyhounds are coming off a 52-22 loss to Jeanette one week ago. Things spiraled downhill when Rullo and the Hounds offense turned the ball over on four consecutive possessions in the second quarter.

"The pick-six and the fumble return,” head coach Andy Pacak said. “It kind of snowballed. I'm pleased with how the defense played when they got a chance to play. But it was like a lightning strike in the second quarter, and it was us shooting ourselves in the foot."

Despite an up and down season for Monessen so far in 2014, Pacak remains hopeful that his team’s hard work may pay off against the Bears.

"They are a very good team," said Pacak. "We are going to play hard and hope for the best."

The Greyhounds will have to stop a fierce Clairton offense if they hope to pull off the upset.

The Bears play an offense similar to the hurry-up style of the Philadelphia Eagles and coach Chip Kelly. Clairton has scored 496 points this season, an average of 70.9 per game. They have allowed just 27 points.

Running back Lamont Wade blew Serra's defense out of the water last week, rushing for 275 yards and five touchdowns on seven carries. Wade receives the bulk of the workload for Clairton, but they have other threats like wide receiver Aaron Matthews.

The 6-foot-5 junior has 260 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Ryan Williams has only been picked off once this season. He completes 61.1 percent of passes and has 1,209 passing yards for 18 touchdowns.

The Bears have clearly moved on from last year's devastating loss to the Greyhounds and have their goals set on a WPIAL championship. The two rivals meet at Monessen’s Memorial Stadium on Friday night at 7:30.

2014 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29 McKeesport 37 - Connellsville 6
Sept. 5 McGuffey 45 - Charleroi 0
Sept. 12 Ringgold 20 - Knoch 13
Sept. 19 Hollidaysburg 7 - Belle Vernon 0
Sept. 26 Elizabeth Forward 42 - Uniontown 6
Oct. 3 Clairton 58 - Jeannette 14
Oct. 10 Thoams Jefferson 63 - Uniontown 6
Oct. 17 Clairton at Monessen
Oct. 24 Penn Hills at Woodland Hills

Tonight’s game is the Pittsburgh Sports Report and US Steel Game of the Week. Students and fans, be sure to take plenty of pictures and Tweet them to @PghSportsReport #Hounds. The best photos will appear online after the game!

Click here for full season coverage of USS Game of the Week.