USC Looks To Rebound Against Class AAA Powerhouse West Allegheny

's varsity football team will be ready for Friday's game against historically strong West Allegheny (2-1). 

They learned some tough lessons last week. Their four turnovers may have cost them the game.

"Coach Render and his staff probably went full pads on Monday to send a message," said West Allegheny head coach Bob Palko.

It's safe to say coach Palko knows his friend very well. Yes, Upper St. Clair did practice in full pads Monday. 

"We've got a lot of work to do in order to make ourselves a better football team," coach Render said.

USC has a chance to right the ship, and do it against a football team that would provide a meaningful win.

West Allegheny is perennially a Class AAA powerhouse—and they would love to knock off a strong Class AAAA team like the Panthers.

"They are the best football team we will face the entire year. We have our work cut out for us," coach Palko said.

Although the Indians will be playing this game at home, coach Palko knows his team will be the underdog.

"I think we are heading into a hornets nest. I expect USC to come out and try to annihilate us," coach Palko said.

It will be interesting to see how USC attacks West Allegheny's defense this year. In last season's 28-20 victory, the Panthers didn't have to punt the ball once.

USC's Zach Deitrick was back in the line-up last week after missing the first two games due to injury. He led the running backs in carries with eight. He rushed for 41 yards, but will be extremely motivated after giving up one of USC's costly fumbles against North Allegheny in the third quarter.

AJ McGuire had six carries last week and Matt Paxton, who had been sharing the load with McGuire the first two games, didn't carry the ball once against the Tigers.

had a good game against North Allegheny rushing the ball 16 times for 135 yards, and completing 7 of 18 times for 127 yards. It was a good game, not a great game. He would be the first to tell you his interception and fumble in the third quarter last week were domoralizing. Conwell will be very motivated to make sure he doesn't have to endure that feeling again.

The Indians have a lot of important parts to their offense predicated on their ground game. They like to run the wildcat formation. Quarterback Dylan Bongiorni scored the first touchdown of their 19-7 win against Blackhawk with a 30-yard TD run out of that formation.

Running back Tory Delmonico threw a 7-yard touchdown to tight end Zach Medved out of the same formation later in that game. Running back Nick Halbedl scored the other touchdown. Those will be the players for USC's defense to keep a close eye on.

It will be very interesting to see how the Panthers come out Friday in their final non-conference game. What they do against the Indians will put on display what coach Render felt it was most important to work on during the week. Rainy weather may factor into the play calling.

Results and interviews from the game will be on Upper St. Clair Patch Saturday morning.