STEELERS 2009 HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE WEEK
Each week during the high school football season, the Steelers will name a Coach of the Week winner. Each winner will be honored on the video board at a Steelers home game at the two-minute warning of the first half. In addition, each coach will be featured on the Mike Tomlin Show and presented with a $1,000 check for the school's football program and a framed certificate from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
Week 1 and 2 winners with Stan Savran
Week 1: Jerry Holzhauser, Laurel High School
In one of the biggest upsets in recent WPIAL history, the Laurel Spartans defeat the Clairton Bears, the defending WPIAL Class A champions and No. 1 ranked team, 15-8.
In what Coach Holzhauser called his biggest win in 34 years at Laurel, it was revenge from last season's opening week blow-out loss to Clairton, 41-0. Clairton was hanging onto a 1-point lead when Laurel took over and drove 90-yards to score the go-ahead touchdown. The drive lasted 5 minutes against one of the best defenses in the WPIAL.
With just 32 seconds remaining, Clairton took the ball and scored what looked to be a game-winning touchdown, but was called back due to an illegal procedure penalty.
Each week during the high school football season, the Steelers will name a Coach of the Week winner. Each winner will be honored on the video board at a Steelers home game at the two-minute warning of the first half. In addition, each coach will be featured on the Mike Tomlin Show and presented with a $1,000 check for the school's football program and a framed certificate from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
**Week 2: Derek Bochna, McGuffey High School
**
In a big conference upset, McGuffey downs No.1-ranked Greensburg Central Catholic in their home opener. They only needed one touchdown, which came in the second quarter and stunned the Centurions, 6-0.
Their defense held strong all game, including a couple stops on 4th down, plus only allowing Greensburg Central to have 17 plays in the first half.
Greensburg Central had been dominant in the Interstate Conference since October 2007, which was the last time they lost a game to a conference rival.
Week 3 and 4 Winners with Craig Wolfley
*Week 3: Bob Ravenstahl, North Catholic High School *
Coming into the 2009 season, North Catholic was a Class A preseason favorite. However, after dropping the first two games of the season, North Catholic avoided falling to 0-3 by upsetting No. 2 Springdale, 20-14 in an Eastern Conference showdown.
The Trojans fell behind, 7-0, but led by a junior quarterback and two touchdown runs and a 23-yard touchdown pass, they fought back to a 20-7 lead. Springdale added another touchdown in the fourth quarter but North Catholic was able to run out the clock and secure their first win of the young season.
*Week 4: John Gaillot, Freeport Yellow Jackets *
Coming into the game against undefeated Allegheny conference rival Burrell, a big challenge fell on the hands of the Freeport Yellow Jackets - to stop the WPIAL's highest-scoring offense.
Burrell was able to move the ball, but Coach Gaillot's defense was able to score just enough on offense to pull off the upset, 20-17. The Yellow Jackets withstood a late surge by Burrell and stopped them on fourth down just after they crossed the 50. The Yellow Jackets were then able to run down some clock and kick the go-ahead field goal. Freeport now holds a 15-13 lead in the all-time series between the schools.
*Week 5: Jim Wehner, Baldwin Fighting Highlanders *
In his first year as head coach, Jim Wehner delivers a giant upset of previously undefeated Peters Township, 20-17. The Highlanders trailed 10-0 at halftime in this battle of Great Southern Conference team, but were able to score three second-half touchdowns.
Peters Township held a late lead, 17-13, when a late touchdown pass secured the win. The Baldwin defense was able hold the Peters Township offense to only 113 yards in the game.
Week 6: Art Walker, Jr.
In a big conference rivalry game, North Allegheny was able to beat Shaler for the 23rd time in the past 24 years. Shaler came into the game with a perfect record for the third year in a row against NA, and were unable to beat the Tigers. The Tigers were able to rush for over 200 yards in the Northern Six conference victory. Coach Walker has been the head coach at North Allegheny for 5 seasons after spending seven seasons as head coach at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, where he won two WPIAL and one PIAA State Championships.
2009 High School Coach of the Week Winners:
Week 1: (Sept. 4) – Jerry Holzhauser, Laurel, Class AA, Tri-County North
Week 2: (Sept. 11) – Derek Bochna, McGuffey, Class AA – Interstate
Week 3: (Sept. 18) – Bob Ravenstahl, North Catholic, Class A – Big 7
Week 4: (Sept. 25) – John Gaillot, Freeport Yellowjackets, Class AA – Allegheny Conference
Week 5: (Oct. 2) – Jim Wehner, Baldwin Fighting Highlanders, Class AAAA – Quad West Conference
Week 6: (Oct. 9) – Art Walker, Jr., North Allegheny Tigers, Class AAAA – Northern Six Conference
