By Dean Dellamalva Jr.
MVI Sports
Belle Vernon Area’s road to its first visit to Heinz Field was a memorable one; however, its visit was forgettable.
Thomas Jefferson claimed its ninth WPIAL championship in program history, and fourth in the last five years, by dominating on both sides of the football in a 41-7 victory over the Leopards in the Class 4A title game Saturday night at Heinz Field.
Dylan Malozzi ran for four touchdowns and Shane Stump rushed for two scores of his own as the Jaguars (13-0) enacted the mercy rule.
From there, TJ’s defensive front took over and in doing so got coach Bill Cherpak his eighth WPIAL championship, but those types of things don’t matter to him.
“Honestly, the way that it is now, people are going to have 10 or 12 with the six classes, it really doesn’t mean anything,” said Cherpak. “It’s exciting for the kids and the community and all the people who came out. I think the thing that you always want is consistency. The guys really don’t know anything different. They deserve all the credit, they worked hard.
“It’s not easy and it’s not supposed to be. Players make plays.”
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