Steel Valley’s mountain of talent

Steel Valley’s opponents have had absolutely no luck trying to slow down the team’s wealth of playmakers.

And while Division I talents Paris Ford and DeWayne Murray grab most of the headlines, another standout has played a major role in what has been a nearly impenetrable defense.

Getting around that Hill in the middle continues to be just too tough of a task.

Todd Hill is one of the top sophomores in the WPIAL. A 5-foot-10, 200-pound middle linebacker, Hill leads the Ironmen in tackles, sacks and interceptions. He has a nose for the end zone, too, scoring four defensive touchdowns in the past three games.

Steel Valley coach Rod Steele said he believes Hill is as good as any linebacker in the WPIAL.

“He’s a natural,” Steele said. “We’re talking about a kid who’s only a sophomore. The way he’s playing, he’s got four defensive touchdowns the last three games. He’s got six interceptions. He has great instincts for a young player.”

Hill made a name for himself as a freshman with his nose for the ball and ballhawking ways. He returned an interception for a touchdown in just his second game. A year later, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the same quarter against Vincentian, and last week scored on an interception return and fumble return in a 66-0 win at East Allegheny.

Steel Valley is 7-0 and ranked No. 1 in the WPIAL and No. 2 in the state in Class 2A. The Ironmen haven’t given up a touchdown in the first half of any game this season.

Hill has a scholarship offer from Cincinnati, and Steele said many other Division I schools are showing interest. Hill has a 3.5 GPA.

You won’t find Hill in the box score for any long touchdown runs or receptions on offense. That’s because he’s a starting guard. Steele did say that with Murray and Ford graduating, Hill will be one of the feature running backs next season.

Serra Catholic

Another sophomore is making waves this fall, and this one is doing it with his heavy production at the running back position.

Serra Catholic’s Khalil Smith is the seventh-leading rusher in the WPIAL. He has rushed for 1,202 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Eagles, who will be headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. The Eagles are 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the 2A Three Rivers Conference. They travel to Steel Valley this week.

Smith (5 feet 10, 180 pounds) ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 12-0 win at Carlynton. That followed up rushing performances of 190 yards against South Allegheny and 159 yards against Vincentian.

Smith, who led Serra Catholic in rushing and touchdowns as a freshman, has been a workhorse. He had 35 carries against Carlynton. Smith also starts at outside linebacker. Academically, he maintains a 4.5 GPA.

“I don’t think one person has brought him down. It usually takes a couple,” coach Tony St. Angelo said. “He’s a big-bodied kid. When one guy hits him, he’s either going to bounce off him, run him over or he’s going to drag him for some more yards.”

Tri-County South

The Class 1A Tri-County South Conference title will be on the line tonight when Carmichaels hosts Fort Cherry. Carmichaels (6-1) is 6-0 in the conference and Fort Cherry (7-0) is 5-0. Fort Cherry still has another conference game remaining against Jefferson-Morgan (1-7).

Fort Cherry is 7-0 for the first time since 1998. The Rangers are ranked No. 5 in 1A. They most recently won a conference title in 2013, while Carmichaels hasn’t claimed one since 2004.

“From the outside looking in, this is one of the biggest games here in a long time,” Carmichaels coach Ryan Krull said.

Fort Cherry’s Ryhan Culberson is the biggest name in this game. Culberson has developed into one of the WPIAL’s most dynamic quarterbacks this season. Culberson had a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in last week’s 48-8 win against Mapletown.

Carmichaels relies on a very balanced offense featuring quarterback Jonathan Christopher. The only loss suffered by the Might Mikes came at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Week 2.