Pugh throws for four TDs as Jaguars roll past Trinity

By Jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

For the second consecutive week, Thomas Jefferson head coach Bill Cherpak watched as his team was on the positive side of a lopsided outcome.

The Jaguars followed last week’s 52-0 win over West Mifflin by overcoming an early deficit and making big plays when they needed to in a 51-14 triumph at Trinity in Big 8 Conference play Friday night. 

Despite the large margin of victory, Cherpak wasn’t satisfied with his group’s performance. 

“We made some big plays, but we were sloppy. It wasn’t a very well-played game on our part,” Cherpak said. “Their defensive line dominated the game and played really well. Because of that, we couldn’t run the ball and they did a nice job of confusing our quarterback with their coverage and what they were doing. 

“The score is not indicative of the game because they played well.” 

While senior quarterback Jake Pugh overthrew a few targets and completed only 41% of his passes, he racked up 230 yards and four touchdowns through the air for the Jaguars (2-0, 2-0). The performance came a week after throwing for five touchdowns against the Titans. 

Pugh tossed a pair of touchdowns to Ian Hansen, one to Preston Zandier and another to DeRon VanBibber. 

“Once you get into playing teams with good coaching and they’re mixing up coverages and doing some things, you have to be able to adjust,” Cherpak said. “We have to get better.” 

Hansen was Pugh’s top target all night, finishing with seven receptions for 177 yards and touchdowns of 34 and 14 yards. Of his seven catches, five were for more than 20 yards. 

“Ian had an opportunity and he made some plays,” Cherpak said. 

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