2005 Gateway vs. Thomas Jefferson Jaguars - Game Preview

Showcase Matchup AAA vs. AAAA
Game #7:
Gateway Gators (AAAA) (5-1,4-0) vs. Thomas Jefferson Jaguars (AAA) (6-0)
When: Friday, October 7, 2005 @ 7:30pm
Where: Antimarino Stadium, Monroeville, PA

The premier game in the WPIAL will take place this Friday in Monroeville as the #1 AAA team, Thomas Jefferson (6-0), take on our Gateway Gators (5-1), ranked #2 in AAAA. It will be a battle of the classes for 2005 - out of all cross-over AAA/AAAA games - this is the game that features the two highest-ranked teams.

It is the second meeting in school history between these two teams. Gateway defeated TJ in 2004 by the score of 34-21 to snap the Jags 2+ year undefeated streak at home. Gateway was also the last team to defeat TJ as they ran the table and won the PIAA-AAA championship. It's also a Pitt vs. Penn State matchup as both coaches are former college players; Bill Cherpak (TJ) is a former Pitt Panther lineman (1986-1989), and Terry Smith (GG) played wide receiver at Penn State from 1989-1992.

Of note for this game:

• To the best of our knowledge, Gateway is 5-2 against smaller classification teams since 1985.
• Thomas Jefferson is one of the highest scoring teams in AAA
• Thomas Jefferson defense has only allowed 1 TD all season - last week they gave up a halfback option tick play touchdown to break their shutout streak. TJ has 5 shutouts this season.
• Gateway's defense has two consecutive shutouts
• A huge crowd is expected at Gateway for this highly anticipated matchup
• TJ is ranked #1 in PIAA AAA
• Gateway is ranked #2 in WPIAL AAAA