Newfound success creates buzz
championship for the Quips and they have played in more championships (27) than any school in the league. On the other hand, this was only the sixth season that Quaker Valley made the playoffs.
“I don’t know if surreal is the word, but it’s strange from the aspect of looking at the team we’re playing,” said Veshio. “They’ve been there so many times it’s almost like, ‘Oh well, no big deal.’ But here, people are genuinely excited and thrilled. I was walking out of a YMCA [Tuesday] and, honest to God, five different people stopped me before I got to my car and told me how excited they are.”
Leigh Ann Folmar is the principal at California, has worked in the district for more than a decade and is a California graduate. California finished the regular season undefeated for the first time since 1949 and the Trojans play Imani Christian in the Class 1A semifinals Friday.
“There really has been an impalpable energy through the school building and community,” said Folmar. “We are very fortunate to experience the community support in just about every facet, from businesses, the families and even the clergy. One of our local churches organized a bonfire and pep rally on their grounds.”
Over the years, some principals or school administrators have commented how an excellent football season can sometimes set a tone for the entire school, even in the classroom.
“It’s fun to watch and be part of. Our pep rallies have been crazy, just crazy,” said Folmar. “I wish there was some sort of gauge or meter that we could use that measures what this does for a school and community. But it’s something that you really just have to experience to realize.”
Derry High School experienced much the same energy charge last year when its team had one of its best seasons in decades, making the WPIAL semifinals.
At Quaker Valley, Mastroianni said attendance at games was the best he can remember. A home game against Aliquippa drew a standing-room only crowd. “We had to eventually shut downthe gates,” he said.
For homecoming this fall, Quaker Valley had pep rallies at elementary schools for the first time ever. At California, the school actually brought back some players from the undefeated 1949 team and honored them before a game.
Penn-Trafford will play in the WPIAL 6A championship Saturday night at Heinz. Although Penn-Trafford has won plenty over the years, this is only the third time in school history that the Warriors will play for the title. One of the other times was two years ago when Penn-Trafford athletic director Kerry Hetrick estimated a couple thousand Warrior fans came to Heinz.
“You come down Route 130 this week near our school and all you see are green and gold signs,” said Hetrick. “I’ve lived in this community 20 some years. This is a big deal. Regardless of the sport, I think this community supports teams. But in the end, football is football and it can play a big part in morale and school spirit.”
Penn-Trafford had a bonfire and community pep rally planned at the school for Thursday. A group of players, cheerleaders and band members were going to spend part of one day going to five elementary schools and two middle schools to meet and greet younger students.
“I worked at another school [Elizabeth Forward] and it was hard not being successful in some things,” said Hetrick. “So I’ve been around the block and seen both sides of this. It’s Western Pa., and when you look at it, football can play a big part in school spirit and morale.”