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Central Valley craving another title run
412-380-5666Sports Reporter
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Schedule
Coach: Mark Lyons
2011 record: 11-1, 7-0
Date Opponent Time
8.31 at New Castle* 7:30
9.6 Montour* 7
9.14 Chartiers Valley* 7
9.21 at Blackhawk* 7:30
9.28 West Allegheny* 7
10.5 Moon* 7
10.12 at Hopewell* 7
10.19 Ambridge* 7
10.26 at Beaver Falls 7:30
*conference game
Statistical leaders
Passing Curtis Lewis*
73-129, 1,215 yards, 15 TDs
Rushing Aaron Lewis*
98-835 yards, 9 TDs
Receiving Robert Foster
37-584 yards, 5 TDs
*Graduated
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By Chris Harlan
Published: Thursday, August 23, 2012, 7:56 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, August 23, 2012
Central Valley's Jordan Whitehead waited until summer to watch the video of last November's playoff loss to Montour.
He still dislikes the ending.
It was fourth down with seven seconds left, and the ball was on Montour's 37-yard line. Whitehead caught a pass near the end zone and fumbled.
The video showed it all.
“It bugs me the most because of that last play,” Whitehead said. “I caught it and fumbled on, like, the 2-yard line. I don't even remember getting tackled. Everything went blank after I fumbled.
“I've recovered from that, but I want to get them back.”
He'll have his chance ... in Week 2. The talented sophomore will start at tailback for Central Valley, a favorite for the WPIAL Class AAA title. The Warriors were 11-0 before that 21-14 loss to Montour, and it left them craving another title run.
“That last game, not only was it the semifinals for all the marbles, but it was Montour again for the fourth time in two years,” Central Valley coach Mark Lyons said. “That has stuck with us.”
The Warriors will have one of the WPIAL's most talented tandems with Whitehead and senior Robert Foster, a highly recruited receiver. Foster had 419 rushing yards, 584 receiving yards and scored 11 touchdowns. Whitehead starred at defensive back a year ago and had a 99-yard interception return.
With one in the backfield and the other at wideout, defenses must prepare for both this season.
“We could pass or run,” Whitehead said. “It's good to have more options.”
The Warriors must replace graduate Curtis Lewis, who was a dual-threat quarterback. Possible replacements are senior Mark Vula or junior Nathan Climo, a transfer from Crestview, Ohio.
Along with Whitehead, the backfield will feature junior Ricky Zuk, sophomore Ryan Roberson and senior fullback Randy Keefer. Depth should be a strength, Lyons said, including at receiver, where Foster headlines a solid group.
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