A bad taste was left in the mouth of the Jeannette football team with its 40-0 defeat to Clairton in the WPIAL Class A championship a year ago.
It especially didn’t sit well with the defensive unit, which seems to be taking it out on each opponent it has faced so far in 2016.
Through five games, the Jayhawks (5-0, 3-0) have allowed 4.8 points per game and have recorded back-to-back shutouts against Riverview and Imani Christian.
“We put that in the past and move on but I’m sure some of the guys think about it,” coach Roy Hall said about last year’s defeat. “It can cause a distraction if we think about it.
“The players put stickers on their helmets for shutouts. We have forced 19 turnovers. I am very pleased about that. We have four of those returned for touchdowns.”
A big part of the success on defense is because of the leadership of defensive coordinator Jeremy Binakonsky. Binakonsky is in his eighth year as defensive coordinator and a former player under Hall at Jeannette. Binakonsky also played college ball at Morehead State.
“It is a whole coaching staff,” Hall said. “We strive on shutting a team down, not just one player. The guys know if they don’t do their job then they get pulled out. They try to play harder so they stay in.”
Offensively, the Jayhawks have been just as impressive, averaging 48.6 points per game.
Unlike most squads, the Jayhawks have any number of players who can hurt the opponents in more than one way.
At quarterback, senior Gio Vonne Sanders has yet to turn the ball over, throwing nine touchdowns and passing for 609 yards which is third in Class 1A.
“Gio Vonne has taken care of the ball,” Hall said. “He plays outside linebacker. He is backup safety. He is a captain and very good leader. He benches over 300 pounds and weighs 160 pounds.”
Senior running back Kareem Hall is fifth in Class 1A with 362 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Kareem is one of two nephews on the team of the head coach. Senior lineman Eric Hall is also on the team.
“I am kind of harder on them,” Hall said. “I have coached about 10 to 12 of my nephews. I have cherished that. I have three daughters who have been water girls for us.”
Also making key contributions for the Jayhawks are Robert Kennedy and Ryan Swinton with six touchdowns apiece.
In recent years, Jeannette and Clairton have been the top two teams competing for the Class A title. While that still may be the case, they have more company than usual in the new Class 1A realignment. Through three weeks, there are still six teams undefeated.
“I definitely feel like there is more parity,” Hall said. “You have to give respect to Clairton but you can’t overlook anybody. There are a handful of teams in the classification that can win it. It should be fun.”
The No. 2 Jayhawks’ toughest test will come tonight when they travel to No. 5 Bishop Canevin (3-1, 2-1).
“I got to see them play this week on Saturday,” Hall said. “They are a solid team. They run a nice balanced attack. It will be our biggest test thus far.”
First Published: September 30, 2016, 4:00 a.m.