New players must excel for TJ to three-peat

By JOSE NEGRON
jnegron@yourmvi.com

Year after year, players move on and new faces arise to help Thomas Jefferson’s football program continue its rich tradition of success.
While the players change, the expectations don’t.
“We want to win a conference championship, a WPIAL and a state title,” Thomas Jefferson head coach Bill Cherpak said. “The kids understand what we have to do to be successful.”
The Jaguars will soon begin their quest at a three-peat after winning WPIAL and PIAA championships in each of the last two seasons.
Last year, after losing a talented group of 13 seniors, TJ went 10-1 overall and 5-1 in Big 8 Conference play. In the WPIAL playoffs, the Jaguars captured wins over Mars and Plum before defeating Aliquippa, 35-28, to win their 10th title. They went on to roll past Oil City in the state semifinals before earning a 21-14 victory over Jersey Shore in the title game, capturing the program’s fifth state championship.
A few difference makers are gone from last year’s group, including quarterback Jake Pugh and wide receivers Preston Zandier and Ian Hansen.
But as always, there are talented players waiting in the wings.
“They know that they need to step up in their roles,” Cherpak said. “They’re ready to go and hopefully they’ll be ready to produce in the games.”
For the second straight year, TJ will have to adapt to a new starter under center.
In replacing Pugh, the Jaguars will look to fill the void of a player who threw for nearly 1,900 yards and 25 touchdowns a year ago.
Cherpak said he expects either senior Joe Lekse or sophomore Brody Evans to step into the starting quarterback role once the season begins Sept. 3 at Gateway.

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