H.S. Sports Central

It has been four years since Yough and Mt. Pleasant have played, and a lot has changed.

Both have new coaches, both teams run contrasting offenses, and both were playing in the Class AAA Keystone Conference.

But the biggest difference is the offenses.

Yough runs the spread. Mt. Pleasant runs the Wing-T.

So when the teams meet Friday at 7:30 p.m. in a WPIAL Class AA Interstate Conference battle at Vikings Stadium, the game could come down to which team plays better defense.

The teams spent part of Labor Day working on game plans for Friday.

Mark Crovak, in his first year as Yough's coach, also worked on eliminating the mistakes that cost the Cougars against New Brighton. Bo Ruffner, in his third year as Mt. Pleasant's coach, worked on his team's conditioning.

"This is the week where you can really get a lot of things done," said Ruffner, whose team opened with a 20-13 victory at Charleroi. "Everything was live last week, and it was good to see how the players responded to situations. The players passed their first test."

Senior running back Bryce Ansell, the only starter back from last year's conference championship team, scored two touchdowns and rushed for 126 yards. It was Ansell's first game back after knee surgery last season.

"Bryce had a couple runs that reminded me of the old Bryce," Ruffner said. "We had basically 21 new starters. It was a chance for many players to shine.

"Going into the second game, you'd like to play a clean game. Defensively, we started slowly last week, and we finished strong."

Crovak wasn't pleased with his team's performance in a 37-28 non-conference loss at New Brighton.

"I'd grade myself a D-minus," Crovak said. "We didn't do very well. We made a lot of mistakes. It's tough to win on the road when you do that."

"We did some positive things," Crovak said. "But turnovers and penalties created a very sloppy game. It can only get better. ...

"We just handed them numerous opportunities to score. We only ran 42 offensive plays and lost the turnover battle."

Crovak praised wide receiver Ben Sweeney, lineman Brett Van Dyke and outside linebacker David Kavel. He also said quarterback Brandon Gelet played well.

"In this offense, it would be fun to be the quarterback," Crovak said. "We give him some options to check to if the defense is doing something to stop us. We have to take what the defense is giving us."

Because the schools are close geographically and compete in other sports, the teams have a competitive rivalry.

There also is a closeness between the coaches. Crovak's son, Nick, played for Ruffner at Hempfield five years ago.

"I consider Bo a friend," Crovak said. "Bo is doing a great job, and he has the team running the Wing-T with precision. The win against Charleroi might get them in the playoffs again.

"I also believe there is a lot of pride between the communities. Both districts are similar. It should be a fun game."

Ruffner said the return of Yough and Southmoreland to the conference creates a local flavor.

"You can't create a rivalry; that will take care of itself," Ruffner said. "But getting those teams back reminds people of the old Keystone Conference."

But Ruffner isn't concerned about the rivalry. He is more interested in his team's health and preparing for the spread offense.

Mt. Pleasant got nicked up in its scrimmage at Greensburg Salem two weeks ago and last week at Charleroi. Ruffner hopes to get players back, including quarterback Nick Halfhill, who was injured against Charleroi.

"He should be ready," Ruffner said of Halfhill. "The spread offense will challenge us. It can score from anywhere on the field, and we'll need to tackle well in space."

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