Peters, SV both seek 2-0 start to season
Peters Township’s offense moved the football at will in last week’s season-opening win over Fox Chapel.
The Indians scored seven offensive touchdowns in a 56-0 romp over the Foxes. Quarterback Chris Cibrone threw for 234 yards and three scores, all of them to wide receiver Brendan McCullough.
Running back Richie Woods gained 111 yards and scored four times on just 11 carries.
Impressive numbers, to be sure, but Indians’ coach TJ Plack knows that gaining ground will be much more difficult this week as his team prepares for a meeting Friday with Seneca Valley at NexTier Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“They are always a very disciplined team,” Plack said of SV’s defense. “They make the correct reads and always seem to be in the right spot. Their pass defense, just as soon as you catch the ball, you’re gonna be tackled.”
Seneca Valley will be looking for a sharper effort, particularly against the run, after allowing 198 yards on the ground in last week’s 17-15 victory over Penn Hills.
“The defense has to settle in,” said SV coach Ron Butschle. “We didn’t do a good job of containing their athletes and have to do a better job of getting off the field.”
But the Raiders allowed just 15 points. A similar, or better, effort Friday will require them to counter a more balanced attack.
While talented, Peters has just six seniors on its roster and only three who expect to see a substantial amount of playing time. Cibrone, McCullough, who played quarterback, running back and receiver last year, and Woods will be counted on to help keep a streak of strong seasons going for the Indians.
A Class 5A program, Peters compiled a 44-14-1 record over the last five seasons. It played for a WPIAL championship in 2019 and went 7-4-1 last year, which ended with a loss in the district quarterfinals.
“We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team,” Plack said. “They played in a lot of playoff games during their varsity careers. All those extra practices from our playoff runs, it was like they had a whole other year of experience.
“They’re gone now and we have a new set of obstacles we haven’t had in past years. A lot of our guys are getting their first taste of playing varsity.”
The lone returning starter on the offensive line is senior Roman Costanza, who has moved from guard to center.
Reston Lehman figures to make an impact defensively for the Indians.
“He’s only a freshman, but brings a lot of energy and is so darn athletic and physical,” Plack said.
SV’s secondary will look to keep the Cibrone-to-McCullough connection in check and aid in run support. The group includes cornerbacks Brandon Page and Jayden Price; and safeties Luke Lawson and Wayne Pirt.
“It starts with our pass rush,” said Butschle. “Hopefully, we can force some errors. Our defensive backs played well last week. I’d put them up against pretty much anybody.”
Butschle was also impressed with senior running back Wyatt Craver, who seems intent on making the most of his one season as SV’s feature back. Against Penn Hills, he gained 112 yards on 22 attempts.
“Wyatt’s a big, strong back,” he said. “He runs downhill and is 208 pounds of knees and elbows flyin’ around.”
