TJ blows out West Mifflin
By DYLAN CLELAND
For the MV Independent
Defending WPIAL and PIAA Class 4A champion Thomas Jefferson didn’t miss a beat kicking off 2020 at West Mifflin, scoring 45 points in the first half before completing a 52-0 shutout Friday night.
Senior quarterback Jake Pugh threw five touchdown passes to four receivers to start the scoring for No. 1 Thomas Jefferson (1-0, 1-0).
Pugh filled the void at quarterback after the departure of Shane Stump.
He became comfortable early, connecting with Preston Zandier at the 10-minute, 40-second mark of the first quarter.
Bill Cherpak, Thomas Jefferson’s 25th-year coach, said Pugh prepared for this day for some time. “He’s been ready for this moment,” Cherpak said. “I knew he’d take advantage of it and do a nice job, and he’s got great receivers.”
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