P-T’s Laffoons a vital cog
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
How’s the footing at Heinz Field?
It’s questions like those Penn-Trafford quarterback Cam Laffoon doesn’t have to look far to find answers heading into the WPIAL Class 5A title game against Gateway Saturday.
He can just ask his brother Brett, who was in Cam’s shoes two years ago as the Warriors played Central Catholic in the WPIAL championship.
“It’s kind of cool that we’ve both been able to have some similar experiences, both going to Heinz in our senior season and stuff like that,” Cam said. “We have a lot of memories we can share, but it’s been exciting.”
Penn-Trafford lost that outing, 24-17, and is still on the hunt for its first WPIAL title. This time, though, there’s a different Laffoon brother under center. Brett led the Warriors for three years, from 2013- 2015, throwing for 5,906 yards and 71 touchdowns in his three seasons.
Cam, who played sparingly at quarterback in Brett’s senior season, stepped into the starting role after he graduated. It’s not uncommon for brothers to play on the same team, but it’s a bit more rare for a — Cam Laffoon, P-T quarterback on Gateway younger brother to immediately take over the same position when the older one leaves.
“It’s a unique situation,” Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane said. “We’re very fortunate that that’s been the hand we were dealt. Both of them are obviously very successful players and very smart and great leaders. And they’re a giant reason why we’ve had some success.”
Add up the wins and losses of Penn-Trafford quarterbacks and brothers and you’ve got a 49-10 record in five seasons. Not a bad track record. So what kind of advice did Brett, who played at Grove City before retiring from football due to concussions, pass down?
“He said ‘Just enjoy it and take it all in,’” Cam said. Nice and simple. Brett will be in the stands Saturday, Cam said. Cam’s focus, however, is on a WPIAL title.
The Warriors beat the Gators, led by senior quarterback Brady Walker, once this season, but will need to make it two for a championship.
“We beat them last time, but they’re a great team, we know that,” Cam said. “You don’t make it this far without being good, so it’s extra focus this week. The further you get in the playoffs, the more focused you’ve got to be. And I think we’re ready for this challenge.”
Cam threw for 1,684 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. He, along with running back John Gay, has led the offense this year, throwing for 1,433 yards and 15 touchdowns. What’s more, he starts at linebacker -— Cam’s experience is vital for the Warriors, Ruane said.
“He’s been another coach on the field on both sides of the ball,” Ruane said. “He’s put us in the right play call plenty of times when things didn’t line up the way we thought they would. He’s been running the ball very effectively, he’s been throwing the ball very effectively, then he goes over on defense and plays that side of the ball very well. He’s been such a critical leader and critical element of our wins. He’s huge for us, to put it briefly.”