As the Latrobe Wildcats 2024 football season comes down to the last two weeks, a lot of big games are still to be played with major playoff implications. Latrobe is currently 4-4 with a 1-3 record in the section. This makes the next two weeks of the season huge for the boy’s chase to push into a playoff spot. Latrobe needs to win out and get some help from other teams in other section games to propel them into the final playoff spot in the Section.
Latrobe will travel to Gateway on Friday, October 18th to play the Gators. Gateway is a tough team to match up against as they always have a lot of talent on the field every year. Despite the boy’s struggles in the last few weeks, the team seems confident going into the game tonight. Senior Anthony Scarton said, “I’m feeling pretty good because we had a great week at practice, and we’re looking to go out there and win the next two games.”
Coming into the two biggest games of the season for Latrobe, these are make-or-break for the seniors on the team as this could be the last 2 weeks those boys get to step on the field. The seniors are very confident and very excited to get to play in a big game like tonight as they know what is at stake for their high school football careers. “We’re feeling pretty confident because we know our ability. And we just have to show it tonight. The past couple of years we’ve been winning a lot of games and we just need to do it again,” said Scarton.
A lot could be said for why Latrobe has struggled so mightily in the past few weeks, but the most obvious problem is the absence of Penn State commit senior linebacker Alex Tatsch. He suffered a shoulder injury four weeks ago and the boys have been 1-3 in games since his departure from the lineup. Despite the recent struggles without Tatsch, the coaches are very confident that they will be able to come up with a solution for the team in Friday’s game. Coach Armstrong, the linebacker and tight end coach said, “I feel confident that our younger kids are gonna step up, I really do. I think they are willing and able to do the things necessary to get a win.”
The young linebackers on the team who look to replace Tatsch could not be in better hands than with Coach Armstrong. Coach Armstrong has had much experience in the football community over the years. He has been a large part of the team’s recent success over the past few seasons. He takes on a big role coaching linebackers and tight ends and he has great confidence in his young core. Being able to look at the senior leadership, He said “I think it’s a veteran group that is used to the pressure. I don´t think the pressure is going to be a problem for them tonight. I think they like it when the lights are on.”
Another reason the team has succeeded in past years is head coach Ron Prady. Coach Prady took over the head coaching spot on the team two years ago, and in a short three-year span he has turned the football program at the school around. Prady has boosted the cat’s confidence, willpower, and ability to be a brotherhood. He has a strong idea of what needs to be done in the next two weeks for Latrobe to find their way into the playoffs.
“I think we need a fast start…someway, whether that is a defensive stop or it is a turnover in our favor, converting some first downs, or putting some balls in the endzone. We need to start fast these next few games,” said Coach Prady.
Latrobe knows the pressure they will be facing heading into Friday’s game, but with a strong week in practice, the team and the coaches seem very confident that they will be able to get the job done. The coaches are very confident with their game plan and the boys look to be able to lean on and trust one another on the field tonight to come away with the big win.
