TJ dominates Mars in playoff opener
By Dean Dellamalva Jr.
MVI Sports
If there was any thought that Thomas Jefferson was in trouble in the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs, the Jaguars quickly squashed that notion.
Jake Pugh threw for three first-half touchdowns, two to Preston Zandier and one to Ian Hansen, to help lead second-seeded TJ to a 41-6 victory over No. 7 Mars at Jaguar Stadium Friday.
A week after a devastating loss to McKeesport on their home turf, the Jaguars (6-1) overcame some early adversity to pick up the win.
On his team’s first possession, Pugh ran into running back Deron VanBibber and fumbled to give the Planets prime field position at the TJ 18-yard line.
“That is just a mental mistake that we can’t make,” Thomas Jefferson coach Bill Cherpak said. “(Pugh) is such an intelligent player. For your quarterback to run the wrong play, that is inexcusable. But the defense picked it up, held them and bailed us out.”
Mars was unable to take advantage of the early turnover and managed only 21 yards in the first half.
Planets star running back Teddy Ruffner left the game in the second quarter with only six yards on 11 carries.
“We could not make a lot of the turnover, but Thomas Jefferson has a good football team,” Mars coach Scott Heinauer said. “There’s not a whole lot you can say. They did a great job on both sides of the ball.”
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