SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 2017 · 29 Jeannette has come up short the past 2 seasons, and Imani Christian emerges as new challenger in Class A CAN CLAIRTON BE TOPPED? The buzz began in early July and created a perfect storm of curiosity and discord. A social media-fueled debate questioned whether Clairton, the three-time defending champion, was still the football team to beat in WPIAL Class A. Wait, there was a question? A set of rankings from a Twitter account that covers the WPIAL said Imani Christian should be No. 1 to open the season and plopped Clairton, the defendingWPIALchampionand PIAA runner-up, at No. 2. Imani Christian does have talent. But, No. 1? It was a headscratcher, even to Imani. Suddenly, the unproven Saints became the most intriguing team in the WPIAL, while Clairton took exception. The Bears, with 13 WPIAL titles, including nine since 2006, can’t wait to settle things on the field.They begin as the Tribune- Review’s No. 1 team. “I know one thing: we’re not No. 2,” Clairton senior wide receiver Tre’sean Howard said. “That is just crazy. We’re going to take care of (Imani) when we see them.” And don’t forget about No. 2 Jeannette, the WPIAL runnerup that returns several talented players. The Jayhawks have holes to fillonboth linesbuthave skill players all over the field. But even Jeannette, exhaustively tired of finishing second to Clairton, gives props to the Bears, the WPIAL’s team of the decade who beat the Jayhawks in the last two district title games. “You have to put Clairton at No. 1 with all that history and tradition,” Jeannette coachRoy Hall said. “I don’t care if Joe Blow’s team has five Division-I guys: you don’t know until you step on the field and play.” Clairton, Imani and Jeannette play in the EasternConference, which already appears to have one big sleeper hold on the rest of the classification. “Andweget all three of them,” first-year Greensburg Central Catholic coachAaron Smetanka said. “We’re putting in the time. We’ll see if it pays off.” Bombarded with unsolicited shade, Imani Christian tried to take the gracious ranking in stride, an“aw-shucks,” followed by a tip of the capbefore getting back to business. TheSaintswere5-6 last season and lost 32-6 to Rochester in the WPIAL quarterfinals. Clairton and Jeannette combined to outscore Imani, 85-6. “Both Clairton and Jeannette beatuspretty bad (last season),” Imani coach Ronnell Heardsaid. “Trustme,wehavealot of work to do. We have potential, but we have to put the work in.” Sowheredoes Imani belong in the preseason rankings? “Honestly? No. 4,” Heard said. “We haven’t done anything.” The Saints are No. 3 in this publication. Howard is the building block at Clairton. Bears coachWayne Wade called him “the future of the team” after last season’s WPIAL title game at Robert Morris that saw the Bears down Jeannette, 26-6. Stars Lamont Wade (Penn State) and Noah Hamlin (Cincinnati) are gone, but the Bears will look to reload. “It’s next-man-up here,” Clairton senior tight end/linebackerAnthonyPruit said.“We put onour uniforms for our city. It’s a tradition, and everybody is ready to keep it going.” Same concept at Jeannette, although the Jayhawks are 0-5 against Clairton since moving to Class A in 2014. “We feel like we can beat anybody,” Clairton senior running back Kijafi Fuqua said. “Rankings don’t mean anything to us. We can’t be worried about that stuff.” Clairton coach Wayne Wade will miss the first four games of the season due to a schoolimposed suspension for comments he made after last year’s PIAA championship game. Jeannette brings back senior Robert Kennedy, who will move to quarterback, and othersplash playmakers in receiversMarcus Barnes, Melik Gordon and Tre Cunningham. Imani hasseniorsSamFairley and Asante Watkins, transfers fromUniversity Prep, and Plum transfer Rahmon Hart. While the offensive line is smaller than most, the Saints have playmakers to get around that deficiency. Fort Cherry could be the favorite in the Tri-County South behind dual-threat quarterback Ryhan Culberson, and semifinalist Rochester, despite heavy graduation losses, should have enough talent to get back to the playoffs in the Big Seven. Northgate might not be far behind, however, after a 10-win season. The Flames’ Surron Adams is one of the top returning rushers in Class A. Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Reviewstaff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or viaTwitter @BillBeckner. by bILL bECKNER JR. CLASS A THE FAVORITE 1. Clairton (14-1) How can the Bears not be No. 1 after winning their ninth WPIAL title in the last 11 years and returning to the PIAA championship?With a senior-led group, Clairton remains athletic and experienced. Shifty Tre’seanHoward returns to lead the offense. Kijafi Fuqua and Jordan Hines were quiet playmakers last season but will value go-to roles. Clairton has 39 consecutive wins againstWPIAL teams. Preseason rankings 2. Jeannette (12-2) 3. Imani Christian (5-6) 4. Rochester (11-1) 5. Northgate (10-2) * RECORDS FROM 2016 THE STARS KIJAFI FUQUA Clairton, sr., RB/LB Fuqua should get more involved regularly in a big-play offense. The first-team all-conference linebacker is a run-stopper who likes to hit. SAM FAIRLEY Imani Christian, sr., WR/SS A Division I prospect with big-play potential on both sides of the ball, he has offers fromArmy, Miami (Ohio), Robert Morris and Columbia. TRE’SEAN HOWARD Clairton, sr., WR/DB A bounce-outside runner, he is expected to be the team’s next highlight-producing player. ROBERT KENNEDY Jeannette, sr., QB/DB Kennedy moves fromWR/RB to QB. He has offers fromRobert Morris, Albany, Howard and St. Francis (Pa.). ASANTE WATKINS Imani Christian, sr., WR/FS The sure-handed WR is a threat to break into the open field and can force fumbles and run-stop on defense. DON’T MISS 9.23 Jeannette at Imani Christian Jeannette plays a second consecutive Saturday afternoon game and gets to see what the hype is all about. 9.29 Imani Christian at Clairton Plenty of skill will be on the field in a matchup both teams circled on their calendars months ago. 10.27 Jeannette at Clairton A rematch of the last two WPIAL Class A title games in the regularseason finale. Can the Jayhawks finally solve the Bears? The Jeannette Jayhawks A Healthy Mouth is Important for Good Overall Health Dr. Maria Cavalier 438 Pellis Rd. Suite 100, Greensburg 724.219.0812 • www.cavalierdentistry.com adno=6501420_v5 New Patients Welcome! Choose a Dentist that Treats All Your Needs
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