By TODD KRISE

t_krise@ncnewsonline.com

A pillow can be used for all sorts of things.

Like decorating a room ... or to relax while watching football film.

Laurel High starting inside linebacker Shane Caldararo has one that he uses for the second purpose.

“I made it in home ec,” he said. “I figured, ‘What the heck? You’re comfortable and you’re watching film.’ ”

Caldararo is one of a handful of Laurel High senior football players who utilizes his two study halls in order to watch film of the Spartans’ upcoming opponents.

Caldararo estimated that he and his teammates watch film for two hours a day. That includes study halls, practices and before games.

Laurel’s commitment to studying its opponents has led to a 10-1 record and a berth in Friday’s WPIAL semifinals — the school’s first since 1996.

It also contributed to the Spartans’ dominating defensive performance against Beth-Center last week in a 55-7 win. Laurel allowed just 73 rushing yards, recovered three fumbles and intercepted two passes.

The dominating outing earns the Spartans’ defense the distinction of being Lawrence County’s Athletes of the Week, as selected by the New Castle News sports staff. The award is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

“They came out and passed a lot,” senior safety Eric Wallas said of Beth-Center. “They thought they were going to exploit us in the pass game. They had a couple big plays here and there in the first series, but then we shut it down.”

The Bulldogs became the ninth team this season to record a single-digit scoring output against Laurel’s defense. Only Rochester (14) and Monaca (13) have surpassed 10 points.

Overall, the Spartans have allowed an average of 7.4 points per game, which is only bested by Clairton’s 3.5 and Rochester’s 4.6 in WPIAL Class A.

Last season, Laurel allowed 25.3 points per game.

“Last year, we tested the waters with some different things we saw in clinics,” defensive coordinator Patrick O’Shea said. “This year, one of my main goals as coordinator was to go back to simplifying the calls, so everyone knew exactly what their job was.

“So far that has worked out really well for us as a defense.”

Senior tackle Bobby Hites said the defensive line’s ability to create a greater push up front also has led to improvement.

“We focused a lot more this year on getting a surge and creating a new line of scrimmage in their backfield,” he said, “and not letting them push us back.”

Senior leadership is also another reason. The Spartans start eight seniors on the defensive side of the ball.

This year’s unit has earned O’Shea’s highest honor.

“I’ve been associated with some good defenses,” he said, “but if I had to just say it point blank, this is the best defense I’ve ever had the honor of working with. They’re just amazing.”

Laurel’s newfound defensive reputation will be put through its stiffest test Friday against a Clairton team that has averaged 50.5 points a game since losing to the Spartans 15-8 in Week 1.

In that game, the Bears were penalized 19 times for 169 yards. An illegal procedure call nullified what would have been a game-winning 30-yard touchdown pass for Clairton.

“They’re not going to have those penalties this week,” O’Shea said. “We, on the other hand, there were some opportunities that we had that because it was the first week of the season, we didn’t capitalize on those opportunities. So I think those things balanced each other out.”

Laurel and Clairton have met in two WPIAL championship games. The Spartans won the first meeting in 1980 but lost in 1989.

Laurel head coach Jerry Holzhauser was an assistant to coach George Miles during those two games.

“It’s going to be just as exciting,” Holzhauser said of this week’s game. “Those were two great football games at two venues that were exciting to be at. This will be the same, I’m sure.”

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THE LAUREL DEFENSE PROFILE

Starters:

Defensive tackles: Senior Bobby Hites and junior Tyler Kirkwood

Defensive ends: Senior Caleb Weisenstein and junior Patrick Young

Outside linebackers: Senior Torrey Price and sophomore Dylan Jones

Inside linebackers: Seniors Dan Poremski and Shane Caldararo

Cornerbacks: Seniors Jake Dando and Tyler Forbes

Safety: Senior Eric Wallas

•Shutouts: 1

•Points allowed per game: 7.4

•Opponents held to single digits: 9

•Rushing yards allowed per game: 97

•Passing yards allowed per game: 79.3

•Total yards allowed per game: 176.3

•Fumble recoveries: 17

•Interceptions: 20

The Laurel High football team received word Monday on the next stop in the journey to Heinz Field.

The Spartans will meet Clairton at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Center High School in the WPIAL Class A semifinals. The winner will advance to the championship game Nov. 27 at Heinz Field at a time to be determined.

This is the second meeting between Laurel 10-1, seeded second, and the 10-1 Bears, seeded third. The Spartans won the first matchup in the season opener, 15-8.

The Spartans own a pair of 55-7 playoff wins, knocking off Burgettstown and Beth-Center. Clairton rolled past South Side Beaver (61-0) and Avonworth (24-0).

Laurel is ranked No. 2 in the WPIAL by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and No. 4 in the PIAA, while the Bears are ranked No. 3 in the WPIAL and No. 5 in the state.

Rochester will meet North Catholic at 7:30 p.m. at Mars High School in the other semifinal. The Rams, coached by 1981 Shenango graduate Gene Matsook, are seeded No. 1 in Class A. They claimed the Big Seven Conference crown as well.

Rochester (11-0) is ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL and in the state as well. The Trojans (9-2) are ranked fourth in the WPIAL.

Laurel’s only loss came against the Rams, 14-7, in Big Seven action. However, the Spartans own a 28-7 nonconference verdict over North Catholic in the second game of the season.