Mike White's Football Notebook: Serra's offense is soaring
Jeannette's high-powered offense has been well-publicized this season, but another WPIAL team isn't far behind in terms of point production.
The Serra Eagles are averaging 52.1 points a game, second in the state behind Jeannette, which is averaging 58.1.
Jeannette has forced the mercy rule in all eight games this season, but Serra has forced the rule in seven of eight. Under the PIAA mercy rule, the clock runs continuously in the second half when a team gets ahead by 35 points or more.
Friday, Serra broke the 60-point mark for the third time this season when it defeated Frazier, 67-14. Jeannette and Serra have 8-0 records.
"We had a nice offense last year that scored a lot of points," Serra coach Rich Bowen said. "But nothing compares to what we're doing this year."
Bowen expected to have a good offense because of an experienced offensive line and a talented running back in Isaiah Jackson.
"But not like this," he said.
Running back Chris Loving has helped immensely after transferring from East Allegheny. Plus, T.J. Heatherington has played well since taking over at quarterback for Marc Rozanski, who graduated.
Serra usually uses a no-huddle, spread offense.
"We run a pretty complicated style of offense," Bowen said. "There are a lot of things you have to do and say to communicate, and the kids have picked up on it really well."
And Bowen has picked up the Serra program. In the 10 seasons before Bowen became coach, the Eagles were 18-75. They are 21-6 in his three seasons.
For the record -- not
Gateway's Cam Saddler took the opening kickoff against Fox Chapel Friday and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. It was the eighth time Saddler returned a kickoff for a touchdown, which tied a national record.
After getting into the end zone, Saddler headed for the sideline, clutching the ball he was going to keep for a souvenir. Then he saw a yellow flag on the field. The play was called back for a block in the back.
"That record would've made for the article of the year, wouldn't it?" Saddler said. "That would've got someone a Pulitzer Prize.
"After the penalty, I just said, 'That's it. I quit.' No one is going to kick the ball to me after this."
Fox Chapel actually didn't kick the ball to Saddler. He had moved up to about the 30-yard line, anticipating a squib kick. Saddler said Fox Chapel kicked it over his head and he went and retrieved the ball at the 5.
Later in the game, Fox Chapel made the mistake of punting the ball twice to Saddler. He returned the punts 77 and 75 yards for touchdowns. That gave him 10 returns for touchdowns in the past two seasons -- seven on kickoffs and three on punts.
Backward kick
Ever see a kickoff that lost yardage? It happened in Saturday's Mars-Summit Academy game. Summit Academy took a 28-27 lead in the fourth quarter and tried an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. The ball practically went sideways in the air, hit at the 45-yard line and bounced backward before going out of bounds at the 39. Mars' Billy Bair ran for a touchdown on the next play.
Matt gets noticed
Terrelle Pryor isn't the only Jeannette player being recognized by Division I colleges. Fullback-linebacker Mike Matt will probably make an unofficial visit to Tennessee next weekend. Pitt also is showing interest.
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