16 · SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2017 Class 4A contenders hoping to dethrone Thomas Jefferson, which claimed its 6thWPIAL crown since ‘04 CHASING THE JAGUARS by MICHAEL LOVE NewCastle finished 6-2 in the Northwest Nine Conference last year to finish third behind champ South Fayette and Mars. The Red Hurricanes were slotted as the No. 7 seed for the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs. They knew to reach Heinz Field, they would have to avenge regular-season losses in the first two rounds. They did just that. New Castle upset South Fayette in a wild, 51-43 affair in the quarterfinals and then toppled No. 6 Ringgold in the semifinals. But, as five other teams had done in the WPIAL finals since 2004, the Red Hurricanes ran into a buzzsaw in Thomas Jefferson. The Jaguars captured the title with a 42-0 victory. “It was a good run,” New Castle coach Joe Cowart said. “We played our best football at the right time of the season. We were lucky enough to stay healthy for most of the year.” Cowart said last year’s debut of Class 4A after the move to six classifications in the WPIAL and throughout the state played out the way the coaches expected. “Therearealot of goodfootball teams in 4A,” he said. “It’sadeep field. All eight playoff teams had a chance to play for the WPIAL championship, and a number of quality teams didn’t make the playoffs.Thomas Jefferson is just a spectacular team every season. They set the standard.” All eight teams that qualified last year also did in their respective classes in 2015. “We lost some keyplayers, but we have anumber of kids ready to step up,” veteran TJ coach Bill Cherpak said. “(Class) 4A is such a quality classification with strong teams, coaches and players.Everybodyisworkingto get better, and you will see that every week this season.” The Big 9, with TJ, Ringgold, West Mifflin, Belle Vernon, Greensburg Salem, Trinity, Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown, featured familiar rivalries from previous seasons. The Northwest Nine— South Fayette,Mars,NewCastle, Blackhawk, Montour, Indiana, Highlands,KnochandAmbridge —had teamscometogether from 3A and 2A. Long road trips will be reversed in the Northwest Nine’s second season. Indiana, for example, gets to make the 77-mile journey to South Fayette, and NewCastle will trek 54 miles to face Highlands in Week 2. Whether the trip is a fewmiles or a long journey, one of the key components for success is staying healthy. “When we won the (Big 9) conference two years ago, we didn’t have one injury until we hit the postseason,” Belle Vernon coach Matt Humbert said. “That was huge for us. Last year, we had four major injuries. Injuries are a part of the game, and sometimes it comes down to good fortune.” Three teams will have new coaches this season. Frank Whalen, a former assistant at Knoch, returns to lead the Knights. Dom Girardi, a Valley graduate who coached last season atGenevaCollege, is the new Highlands coach. Cedric Lloyd brings several years of head-coaching experience to Uniontown. “Winning a football game on a Friday night in the WPIAL is a very difficult thing,” Whalen said. “It takes a lot of hardwork just to get one win, and then you hope to build on it. Youmultiply it over the course of the season, and you can tell howgood those teams are that make it to the playoffs. We hope to be in that playoff mix.” Michael Love isaTribune-Reviewstaff writer. Reach himatmlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter@Mlove_Trib. CLASS 4A THEFAVORITE 1. Thomas Jefferson (12-1) A change in classification didn’t change the fortunes for the Jaguars in 2016. TJ won its sixth WPIAL championship since 2004, and despite having to replace its leading passer, rusher and reciever because of graduation, it is expected to reload for another title shot. Preseason rankings 2. South Fayette (10-1) 3. Belle Vernon (7-3) 4. Montour (4-6) 5. Ringgold (8-3) * RECORDS FROM 2016 THE STARS DEVIN DANIELSON Thomas Jefferson, sr., OL/DT The dominant two-way lineman selected Pitt over more than a dozen Division I offers. Danielson made 41 tackles with six sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2016. MARCUS HOOKER New Castle, sr., RB/CB Hooker pledged to Ohio State last month. He scored 17 TDs last year to help New Castle reach the 4A final. DREW SAXTON, sr., QB Saxton was third in the WPIAL last year in passing yards (2,638) and touchdowns (30). He has thrown for 4,619 yards and 61 touchdowns as a two-year starter. RONNIE STEVENSON Montour, sr., WR The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Temple commit led the Spartans in receiving last year (17 TDs). BLAKE ZUBOVIC Belle Vernon, sr., OT/DL The 6-5, 310-pound senior committed to Pitt as an offensive lineman. He was an all-conference offensive tackle as a junior. DON’TMISS 10.13 West Mifflin at Ringgold The Rams won a three-point battle last year. The teams tied Belle Vernon for second in the Big 9 at 6-2. 10.13 TJ at Belle Vernon The Leopards upended the Jaguars in OT in 2015, but TJ gained revenge last year en route to the conference crown. 10.27 South Fayette at Montour The Spartans hope the regular-season finale is for the conference title. The Lions prevailed 42-20 last year. Thomas Jefferson quarterback Shane Stump Are You Ready for School Sports? 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