During the 50 previous meetings between Mt. Pleasant and Southmoreland, a series dominated by the Vikings, the Scotties have never won three consecutive games.
Will that change this year?
The Scotties have a chance at 7 p.m. Friday when they celebrate homecoming at Russ Grimm Field at Southmoreland Stadium against the rival Vikings.
This is not just another installment of the rivalry; it is a showdown for first place in the WPIAL Class 3A Interstate Conference. Mt. Pleasant, No. 4 Southmoreland and No. 3 Elizabeth Forward are all 2-0 in the conference.
The Scotties (7-0) play host to the Warriors (6-1) on Oct. 17, and the Vikings (4-2) are at Elizabeth Forward on Oct. 24.
Mt. Pleasant leads the series, 40-10, but the Scotties have won the last two meetings, 40-3 in 2023 and 28-7 in 2024.
The Scotties have won two consecutive games in the series three times. The previous times were 1976-77 and 2018-19.
The Scotties are having a historic season by opening with seven consecutive wins under first-year coach Dustin Shoaf.
“It has been a good start,” Shoaf said. “Our mentality has not changed. We do not want to peak. We are far from peaking.”
Despite graduating numerous key starters and having quarterback Anthony Smith transfer, the Scotties have not missed a beat.
Junior Dawson Wolfe handles the quarterback spot well. He has completed 59 of 103 passes for 841 yards and 11 touchdowns. He rushed for 269 yards and seven scores.
The Scotties’ running game has been led by sophomore Averon Darnell (406 yards) and sophomore Jackson Mickens (388 yards). Senior Makel Darnell has 21 catches for 245 yards, senior Ty Whoric has 11 catches for 195 yards and junior Stanley Betters has 10 catches for 218 yards.
“They are a handful,” Mt. Pleasant coach Jason Fazekas said. “The quarterback has nice size and is a dual threat, and they have other talented players.”
Mt. Pleasant bounced back from a shaky 1-2 start. The Vikings were hit hard by injuries early and dropped nonconference games to Greensburg Central Catholic and Burrell.
“We had seven to eight starters down with injuries,” Fazekas said. “We had players playing that were not quite ready to play. But they now give us depth.”
Mt. Pleasant has won four consecutive games and is averaging 40.5 points per game.
Fazekas said senior quarterback Dane Firmstone, senior running back Stephen Predajna, sophomore tackle Dane Smitley, junior nose guard Christian Brodak and senior Gage Valone (defensive back) have helped keep the team together.
Predajna has rushed for 444 yards, Richard Shawley 387 yards and Brady Brooks 187 yards.
In a win against Greensburg Salem, Brooks scored on a 63-yard run and a 55-yard reception.
Firmstone has competed 32 of 69 passes for 506 yards and four touchdowns.
“Dane has great leadership,” Fazekas said. “He is confident, and he has done his job.”
Shoaf said his defense will be tested by Mt. Pleasant’s running game.
“Their offensive line is talented,” Shoaf said. “Jason does a good job preparing his team. They are playing good football, and we definitely will be challenged.
“It should be an exciting atmosphere. This is a rivalry, but we cannot let the moment be too big. The players have done a great job staying focused.”
As part of Southmoreland’s homecoming celebration, members of the 1973 team are scheduled to be at the game, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Russ Grimm, the stadium’s namesake.