Laurel, Sto-Rox battle for Big Seven supremacy
Written: Oct 17, 2013
  By Joe Sager
New Castle News
Winning a WPIAL Class A Big Seven Conference title is a goal for the Laurel High football team.
It happens to be on Sto-Rox’s to-do list as well.
One team will take a big step toward that achievement at 7 p.m. tomorrow when the Vikings (6-0 conference, 7-0 overall) visit Laurel (5-1, 6-1).
“The kids understand what’s at stake. We can’t be nervous about it. We have to go out, play hard, have fun and whatever happens, happens,” Laurel coach Pat Cuba said. “It’s good to play them, because they are an excellent team. These are the kinds teams we’re going to have to get by in the playoffs. So, you can see where you stand and, if you get another chance at them, you can see what you have to correct.”
Both squads have locked up playoff berths. Sto-Rox, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s top-ranked WPIAL Class A squad, hopes to win the title outright after sharing it with Neshannock and Rochester last fall. With one more week of the regular season ahead after tomorrow, a Vikings win secures no worse than a two-way tie for the title with Neshannock (6-1, 6-1). A Laurel victory would put it atop the standings with the Lancers and Vikings, but not secure a share of the crown, yet.
Sto-Rox coach Dan Bradley wants to simplify the equation and beat Laurel this week.
“Both teams have had good years and put themselves in a position for a share of the conference title,” he said. “If they happen to beat us and we tie with Neshannock and Laurel for the championship, we would be the third-place team and go on the road to start the playoffs, based on the tiebreakers. Neshannock would be the top seed and Laurel would be No. 2. The way our conference is set up, all teams travel a lot. It’s always nice to play at home.”
Sto-Rox boasts the WPIAL’s second-best offense at 48.7 points per game (just behind leader Aliquippa’s 48.9). Quarterback Lenny Williams runs the show. The senior became the WPIAL’s all-time leading passer last week. He has 7,369 yards and a WPIAL-record 92 touchdowns in his career.
“Williams is ‘The Man.’ We can cover guys, but as soon as you let him get out and he can sit outside the pocket and chuck it, then we’re in trouble. We have to stay on him,” Cuba said. “The room for error is very minimal. We just can’t make mistakes. Our guys have to stay on their man. If they come off, the next thing you know, Williams will throw the ball down the field to a wide-open guy and then you’re in trouble.”
Williams is a threat to run, too. He has 223 yards on the ground. Brendan Blair has 419 yards rushing. Mallory Claybourne has turned into a major weapon with 26 receptions for 745 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“Lenny’s record is something that sort of snuck up on us. At the beginning of the season, it seemed so far away. The next thing you know, he’s that close. That’s a great accomplishment and one that’s been earned over four years. It’s nice to get it and get back to the big focus,” Bradley said. “We’ve got some good players. Everyone is stepping up.”
The Vikings fell to Clairton in the last two WPIAL Class A championship games. They hope to break through this season.
“I think each year we’ve gotten a little bit better. We think, at Sto-Rox, we have the best player in (WPIAL) Class A in Lenny,” Bradley said. “Last year, Clairton had the top three players in Class A. I think more people are realizing just how good (Clairton’s) Tyler Boyd is right now. I am not saying Lenny is as good as Tyler, but we think we have the best player in Class A football.”
Laurel has a top quarterback in Josh Dando. The senior has rushed for 360 yards and passed for 484 more in the team’s option offense.
“They are good at what they do and Dando is a great decision-maker,” Bradley said. “He is the one who makes them go. He’s definitely been a mainstay for Laurel and had a great career.”
Dalton Rosta (409 yards) and Matty Conway (372) have had success on the ground as well for the Spartans. Clayton Sharek (10 catches, 268 yards) and Spencer Pullium (8-82) have been Laurel’s top receivers.
“I am very happy with the progress we’ve made and we’ve made a lot of it. That doesn’t always equate to wins,” Cuba said. “I can just see how much better we are. The players are starting to understand the system. They at least understand what we’re trying to do. They understand where we want to get to and this is the next step. Sto-Rox is a great team.”
The Vikings are excited to play against a formidable foe in a hostile environment heading into the postseason.
“I think both teams need a challenge going into the playoffs,” Bradley said. “It’ll be nice to have some good four-quarter competition. This will be a good four-quarter game. The team that makes the least mistakes and the most big plays will win.”
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