McDowell football team opens playoffs after down time

Of all the factors that might challenge the McDowell football team going into its playoff opener tonight, a lack of rest is not one of them.

When the Trojans take on Pittsburgh Perry in a PIAA Class AAAA subregional game today at 7 p.m. at Fairview High School's Keck Field at Bestwick Stadium, it will have been two weeks since they last took the field.

"I think we're ready to go," McDowell coach Mark Soboleski said. "That layoff, if anything, has really gotten us healthier. We gave them five days off after our last game to go home and relax a little bit, so that got us feeling better and back on track."

McDowell's layoff is magnified, considering it spent the previous two seasons as a full-time, football-only member in District 7 -- also known was the WPIAL -- which is already in the semifinal round of its playoffs this week. McDowell had qualified for the WPIAL playoffs each of the past two seasons.

However, a power struggle with District 10 resulted in Trojans' being left out of District 7 during the offseason, and McDowell was forced to rejoin District 10. However, school officials have since contacted the WPIAL about regaining membership, and D-10 is not standing in the Trojans' way.

Though McDowell is focusing on Perry, the Trojans' coaches are still keeping an eye on the WPIAL results.

"You almost have to do that, just to see who's doing this or if someone's doing that," Soboleski said. "We're watching and wishing we were a part of it, but we're not, so we're just keeping an eye on it."

Once McDowell returned to the practice field, other elements made for unique challenges. Steady rain resulting from Hurricane Sandy played havoc with the Trojans' practice schedule, as did shorter sessions because of the beginning of Daylight Saving Time.

"It's been a weird three weeks with the weather and being able to be outside," Soboleski said. "We've tried to shorten practices because once it gets dark we're pretty limited. That's also allowed us to crisp things up and we've had some very physical, good practices."

Both McDowell and Perry have some momentum. After a 2-5 start against a formidable schedule, the Trojans (5-5) won their final three regular-season games decisively while allowing just a combined 18 points.

Perry (8-2) opened its season with a 56-6 loss to Cathedral Prep but has a four-game winning streak, including a 9-6 victory over University Prep in the Pittsburgh City League championship game last week.

"We're just glad to be in the playoffs and being able to have an opponent," Soboleski said. "Perry presents some problems with their athleticism. It's been about a month and a half since we've been in a (competitive) ballgame, so we're hoping to be ready for this one."

Source: http://www.goerie.com/article/20121116/VARSITY01/311169939/McDowell-football-team-opens-playoffs-after-down-time

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