Dozens of skulls and crossbones already decorate Josiah Collins’ helmet, decals awarded by Westinghouse coaches for sacks, tackles for loss and other explosive plays made on defense.
There will be more stickers on the defensive end’s helmet very soon.
Collins scored two defensive touchdowns Thursday night, which was one more than his dominant Westinghouse defense allowed in a 50-6 City League victory over Allderdice at Cupples Stadium.
The 6-foot-2, 226-pound junior and his teammates along the defensive line kept Allderdice’s offense uncomfortable for most of the night. The Dragons had minus-11 yards from scrimmage on their first six possessions as Westinghouse built a three-touchdown lead by halftime.
"We were just too much for them up front,” said Collins, who returned an interception 40 yards for one touchdown and a fumble 32 yards for another.
Joining Collins on the line are seniors Byron Lewis, Nyxai Robinson and older brother JaKai Collins. Lewis assisted on Collins’ interception by batting the pass to him.
Allderdice was tackled for a loss 10 times and lost three turnovers.
"That’s what we hope to see every week,” Westinghouse coach Donta Green said. "I think we’re really strong on the offensive and defensive line. We’ve just been waiting for the defensive line to come alive and have a good game.
"Tonight, it happened.”
The rivals entered Thursday tied atop the City League standings. But the victory over Allderdice (4-2, 2-1) was the fifth in three seasons for Westinghouse (5-1, 3-0), a two-time defending City League champion.
Westinghouse also is chasing its third straight appearance in the PIAA finals.
"This (win) says a lot,” Collins said. "We lost our first game (against Beaver) because of mental mistakes, and people think we’re not the same team anymore. I think we’re an even better team.”
Westinghouse’s Khalil Green and Khalil Mitchell rushed for two touchdowns each, and Ayron Price also ran for a score. K’shawn Hawkins returned a fourth-quarter punt 52 yards for the final touchdown in a mercy rule win.
Allderdice’s most recent victory over Westinghouse came in the 2021 City League finals. The teams also met in the playoffs in 2022 and ’23.
"We took it on the chin and got embarrassed, but USO week starts Monday,” Allderdice coach Mark Matson said. "We’ll see these guys again in the playoffs. We always do. We’ll regroup.”
A 1-yard touchdown run by Green, a 9-yarder by Price and a 6-yarder by Mitchell gave Westinghouse a 20-0 lead before half. Second-half touchdown runs by Green (7 yards) and Mitchell (62 yards) combined with Collins’ two defensive scores extended the lead to 44-6 late in the third.
The clock ran continuously in the fourth quarter under the 35-point mercy rule.
Allderdice’s lone touchdown was a 70-yard pass from Trecyn Ford to Kaden Ayre in the third quarter. For much of the first half, the Dragons seemed stuck in their own territory.
The teams combined for 28 snaps in the first quarter, but only one of those plays started on Westinghouse’s side of the 50. That trend started with Hawkins returning the opening kickoff to Allderdice’s 17-yard line.
"Special teams need to get better if we’re going to win games,” Matson said. "You can’t beat Westinghouse giving up two kick returns and two defensive touchdowns.”
Collins scored twice but was quick to share credit along the defensive line. And not only with his three fellow starters, but the two or three others who rotated in. He credited the depth along the D-line for keeping everyone fresh.
"We’re getting a lot more depth at a lot more positions,” Collins said. "Last year, I barely came out. I’m better and older this year and I’m coming out more. It’s about my other guys keeping us fresh.”
Green said this likely was Westinghouse’s best defensive effort of the season so far, led by Collins, who lists college offers from Miami (Ohio), Maine and Temple.
"He’s an extremely cerebral player,” Green said. "He sees the play before it happens. He makes strategic moves. He’s setting up moves. He’s playing really good football.”
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
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