Jeannette has racked up the most wins of any school in WPIAL football history. The tally currently stands at 747. This season, the Jayhawks will be attempting to do something not even they have done before and that is win a home game on artificial turf.
McKee Stadium has been the home to numerous big-time players, such as NFL wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, formerly a Jeannette quarterback. The field is getting a facelift this offseason and is expected to be ready to go come Friday nights, complete with an artificial playing surface.
“I never thought I’d see turf in my lifetime,” said Jeannette coach Roy Hall. “The kids are so excited.”
It has also spurred some banter among past players.
“They’re like, ‘How come we never had that?’” Hall said with a laugh. “Can you imagine someone like Terrelle Pryor playing on that?”
Folks might still have whiplash today if they had to watch Pryor zip around on speedster-friendly artificial turf.
This year’s flock of Jayhawks has some speed of its own and they are excited to show it off in their new digs.
A trio of brothers highlights the offense. Leading rusher Imani Sanders is back after gaining 633 yards and 10 scores. Under center is Jimmy Sanders, who was a dual threat last season, although not as a quarterback. He hauled in 12 passes for 240 yards and ran for another 100 as a backup. Freshman Noah Sanders will catch passes and could carry the ball as well.
Hall said that each brother has immense upside. Sanders has already proven he can carry the load by averaging 5.8 yards per carry in 2018. Jimmy stands 5-7 but he has a strong arm and can tuck and run when needed. Noah is chomping at the bit to prove himself. Hall said he loves the competitive fire they share.
“They each want to outdo the other brothers,” said Hall.
Jackson Pruitt will be the No. 1 receiver for Jimmy Sanders. Brett Birch will be a steady possession receiver whom Hall likens to Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots.
Noah Sanders is part of a stellar group of youngsters looking to make a name for themselves in their first season of high school football.
“In all my 35 years of coaching, I can’t recall us having so many good freshmen coming in,” said Hall, who has been head coach for 11 years and was an assistant before that. “Some people say we don’t rebuild, we just reload.”
The returning letterwinners aren’t bad, either.
The defense features shutdown cornerback Pruitt, who had multiple pick-sixes last year. Pruitt, Jimmy Sanders and Birch form a swarming secondary in a hard-hitting defensive unit. Last year, the Jayhawks allowed just 8.8 points per game, the lowest amount in Class 1A and the fourth lowest in the WPIAL behind Aliquippa, Gateway and Burgettstown.
The middle of that defense will need someone to fill the shoes of Drake Petrillo. The linebacker was one of the leaders of that defense and his hard-nosed style set the tone.
Like Hall said, the Jayhawks expect to reload and it’s time for the next man up. Whether it’s an upperclassman or incoming freshman, Hall expects his players to fit into a program that keeps churning out the victories.
“They pretty much have to,” Hall said. “There’s no doubt about it, they will.”
Coach: Roy Hall
Years at school: 11
2018 record: 11-1
WPIAL playoff appearances: 41
Returning starters: Offense 6, Defense 6
Key returners: Jackson Pruitt (6-2, 185, Sr., WR-DB), Imani Sanders (5-5, 165, Sr., RB)
Keys to success: Mixing a strong group of freshmen with the returning talent from a team that went 11-1 last year. If the Jayhawks can jell, another stellar season awaits.
Schedule
Aug. 23 | at East Allegheny* | 7 |
Aug. 30 | Leechburg | 7 |
Sept. 6 | Imani Christian | 7 |
Sept. 13 | Avella* | 7 |
Sept. 20 | at Springdale | 7 |
Sept. 27 | Brownsville* | 7 |
Oct. 5 | at OLSH* | 7 |
Oct. 11 | at Greensburg C.C. | 7 |
Oct. 18 | Riverview | 7 |
Oct. 25 | at Clairton | 7 |
*Non-conference game
First Published: August 13, 2019, 10:00 a.m.