Central's Totten shows concern
The record looks good and the scores of his team’s recent games are impressive, but Terry Totten isn’t satisfied.
His Central Catholic football squad is 5-1 overall and 3-1 in Northern Eight Conference play, but a closer look at the Vikings reveals some chinks in the armor.
Central lost the only game it has played against a team with a winning record (24-17 to North Allegheny Sept. 18). Its five victories have come against opponents with a combined record of just 8-22, including last week’s 52-7 thrashing of reeling North Hills.
The Vikings entered the season ranked nationally in some high school football publications.
“I don’t think we’ve played as well as we were touted to be,” said Totten. “We are struggling to get back to that level.”
Totten’s concerns are warranted, considering his team is about to face a capable Seneca Valley squad (3-3, 3-2) which almost pulled off an upset of undefeated Pine-Richland last week, falling 35-28.
The Vikings’ scoring has been spread out. Running back/wide receiver Ronnie Jones, quarterback Troy Fisher and running back Vinny Emanuele have each scored at least six touchdowns this season. In last week’s win, Jones rushed for 139 yards and scored three times while Fisher threw for 107 yards and accounted for two touchdowns (one rushing).
“They have some very good skill guys,” said SV coach Dave Vestal of the Vikings, “but our biggest concern is up front on both sides of the ball.”
On defense, the Vikings feature 6-foot-3, 282-pound end Rashad Wheeler, who last summer verbally committed to play at the University of Pittsburgh. The offensive line is led by junior left tackle C.J. Thorpe (6-5, 305).
Totten changed things up offensively this season, moving the Vikings from a ground-oriented attack to a spread scheme.
“The kids enjoy it because we’re not as plain as we used to be,” said Totten, “but we have struggled a bit getting into the new system.”
Seneca Valley quarterback Jack Cook has not struggled, despite having just six varsity starts under his belt. The junior managed his first career 200-yard passing game last week, throwing for 237 against Pine-Richland. He now has 1,068 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
“He has great poise, nothing seems to get to him,” Vestal said. “You could see that last week when we were down 14-0. He’s making very good decisions and has even gotten us into the right play at the line of scrimmage with a few check-with-me’s.”
Hank Royal, who leads the Raiders with 548 yards on the ground, left last week’s game with a leg injury.
“We expect him to practice this week and to play on Friday,” said Vestal.
“Royal is a very good running back and Cook looks good at quarterback,” said Totten.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Pittsburgh’s Highmark Stadium. The Vikings won last year’s meeting, 45-0.
