Hampton/Mars result to break up logjam in Greater Allegheny
One very physical round of musical chairs will play out in the Greater Allegheny Conference over the next week.
The conference's top four teams will qualify for the WPIAL Class 4A football playoffs. Highlands and Armstrong, which play each other Friday for the conference crown, have clinched postseason berths. That leaves Mars, North Catholic and Hampton, which are each 2-2 in conference play, to battle for the other two spots.
All three teams control their own destiny and the playoff hopes for each will become much more clear with the result of two games Friday when North Catholic visits Indiana and Hampton travels to Mars.
Hampton coach Steve Sciullo watched his team dominate Indiana with a 42-7 decision last week, but back-to-back wins have proved elusive for the Talbots.
He's hoping his players can avoid the self-inflicted wounds that have plagued the team during its 4-4 season so far.
"In games when we don't make mistakes, we've done well," he said. "Our defense has been fantastic. We have two shutouts this season and came very close to a third. Mars has a lot of weapons and we want to keep them from playing their game.
Much of Mars' gameplan is centered around junior running back Evan Wright, Butler County's top ground-gainer with 1,162 yards and 16 touchdowns. In last week's 55-31 loss at Armstrong, he rushed for a career-high 253 yards and three scores.
His offensive line includes center Gus Aubrecht, guards Xander Painley and Alex Jablunovsky and tackles Leo Saver and Adam Budzilek. Isaak Winters, who can play guard and tackle, is a valuable reserve.
"The line has been really good," said Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz. "We need to protect the passer better, but they've improved each week."
Quarterback Eric Kasperowicz has thrown for 1,082 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He's added 220 rushing yards and six more scores.
Hampton is averaging 205 yards rushing per game, led by 634 yards from junior Brock Borgo, who helped the Talbots to an 11-1 record and trip to the district quarterfinals last year.
"He was tremendous last year and has battled through some injuries this season," said Sciullo, who recently got his starting quarterback, Joey Mayer, back after missing three games with another injury. He contributed 170 passing yards and three touchdowns to last week's win over Indiana.
"He's mobile, too," said Sciullo of Mayer, who has rushed for 206 yards. "There really are no pocket passers anymore. You need a quarterback who can throw and run."
Mars (5-3) has struggled recently against the pass. In their last two games, the Planets have allowed 619 yards and seven touchdowns through the air.
"It just comes down to making plays," Coach Kasperowicz said. "We need to get better, but have nine underclassmen playing on that side of the ball. It's a work in progress and the guys are learning as they go."
Hampton defeated Mars last year, 48-14.
