Laurel Highlands takes on Belle Vernon
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Local rivals Laurel Highlands and Belle Vernon will face off in a Week 1 WPIAL battle. Just like last season, the Mustangs (1-0) put up 50 points in a Week 0 victory vs. crosstown rival Uniontown (’22: 50-6 // ’23:…
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Continue ReadingLocal rivals Laurel Highlands and Belle Vernon will face off in a Week 1 WPIAL battle. Just like last season, the Mustangs (1-0) put up 50 points in a Week 0 victory vs. crosstown rival Uniontown (’22: 50-6 // ’23: 50-13). Junior athlete Antwan Black Antwan Black 6'1" | 170 lbs | ATH Laurel Highlands | 2025 State PA was the star of the show, accounting for 2 TD receptions & a 78-yard pick-6 from his CB position. LH will aim to not suffer the same fate from 2022 vs. BV, where they were handed their first loss of the season (’22: 41-20). The Leopards are the reigning 3A state champs and have arguably the biggest weapon in PA in Penn State commit Quinton Martin Quinton Martin 6'3" | 200 lbs | ATH Belle Vernon Area | 2024 State PA . Eastern Michigan commit QB Braden Laux Braden Laux 6'4" | 215 lbs | ATH Belle Vernon | 2024 State PA will have to deal with pressure from the likes of Mustang D-Linemen Billy Barton Billy Barton 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Laurel Highlands | 2024 State PA , John Pletcher, and LB Parker Hoff Parker Hoff 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB Laurel Highlands | 2025 PA . The good news for Belle Vernon is that senior O-linemen Dane Levi Dane Levi 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Belle Vernon | 2024 State PA and Jake Heckal anchor a scrappy O-line that takes protecting the QB seriously. On the other hand, Laurel Highlands QB Noah Lion Noah Lion 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Laurel Highlands | 2026 State PA will have to worry about BV defensive vets DE Aiden Johnson Aiden Johnson 6'2" | 215 lbs | DL Belle Vernon Area | 2024 State PA , Jake Gedekoh Jake Gedekoh 6'0" | LB Belle Vernon | 2024 State PA , Adam Lacarte, Alonzo Wade Alonzo Wade 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB Belle Vernon Area | 2025 State PA , Dylan Dewitt, Luke Bryer, and Tanner Moody to name a few.
Antwan was selected to Prep Redzone’s Preseason 3rd team All-State for Pennsylvania. Antwan is a silky-smooth athlete that’s very formidable at either wide receiver or defensive back. The junior prospect had 2 touchdown receptions and a nice 78-yard pick-6 against Uniontown in Week 0. Black is also a very dangerous return man that BV will likely kick away from. I’ll be watching the matchup between Black and CB Anthony Crews Anthony Crews 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Belle Vernon Area | 2025 State PA in this contest closely. Antwan has FBS offers from Penn State, West Virginia, Pitt, and Toledo currently.
Billy is a 280-pound athletic DL who generates pressure from the interior. I got a chance to watch Billy perform this summer at the SFU prospect camp and the 2Tenths Top 150 camp, during which he moved gracefully through drills. He lived in the offensive backfield against Uniontown, causing TFLs, a forced fumble, and a QB hurry that resulted in a pick-6 by his FBS teammate, athlete Antwan Black Antwan Black 6’1″ | 170 lbs | ATH Laurel Highlands | 2025 State PA . Barton presently has an offer to D1 FCS Saint Francis.
Highlights
Jessiah Lewis
Jessiah Lewis
Lewis is another big target for Noah Lion Noah Lion 6’0″ | 180 lbs | QB Laurel Highlands | 2026 State PA at WR. The 6’1, 195-pound senior wideout had a TD reception in the Week 0 win against Uniontown. Lewis is athletic with speed and displayed good concentration on his touchdown reception. Jessiah also showed elusiveness and body control on a long kickoff return against the Red Raiders in Week 0.
Hoff has the ability to play fast from the MLB position. He plays off blocks well and is sideline-to-sideline when pursuing the football. He has a good football IQ and is a reliable tackler in space. Parker is an efficient blitzer who can also zone drop and reroute wide receivers. Hoff’s lateral movement and pad level aid him in punishing ball carriers in run support. The 25′ LB is capable of creating turnovers, as he forced fumbles consistently a year ago.
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John Pletcher
John Pletcher
John is a scrappy DE who gives a good effort consistently. He’s fast off the snap and has a good pad level. Pletcher logged a sack and a special teams TD last week in the victory against UT. His motor and nose for the ball make him an efficient defender in the run or passing game. It will be interesting to watch Pletcher go up against TE Aiden Johnson Aiden Johnson 6’2″ | 215 lbs | DL Belle Vernon Area | 2024 State PA and the rest of Belle Vernon’s O-line.
Noah is a QB who’s not scared to pull the ball down and scramble under pressure. Lion’s athleticism applies pressure to defenses when he runs the zone read. He does a good job of getting the ball out of his hands quickly on deep passes. He is a tough player who threw 3 TDs last week in his season-opening victory. Lion will have his hands full with BV’s secondary especially Anthony Crews Anthony Crews 5’10” | 170 lbs | ATH Belle Vernon Area | 2025 State PA , Quinton Martin Quinton Martin 6’3″ | 200 lbs | ATH Belle Vernon Area | 2024 State PA , Adam Lacarte and Jake Gedokoh.
Highlights
KEY BELLE VERNON PLAYERS: