West Allegheny receiver Joe Slappy knows that few passes will be thrown his way in the Indians' ball-control offense.
So when he gets a chance to catch the ball, he always tries to make the most of the opportunity.
Yesterday, in West Allegheny's 21-7 win against West Mifflin in the Class AAA championship game, he only got three chances, but he made all three count. And his big-play ability was the major difference between the Indians and the Titans.
Slappy caught three passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. And the one catch he made that didn't go for a score went for 63 yards and set up the Indians' first touchdown right before halftime.
"That's what I want to do, make every one of them count," Slappy said. "Sure, I'd like to be able to catch the ball more and do more things, but we're a team and we win as a team. I just make sure that when I do get my shots I do something big with them."
West Mifflin, which also plays ball-control football, was able to move the ball and amassed more time of possession than West Allegheny. But the Titans lacked an explosive player such as Slappy, and it hurt them because they couldn't rely on big plays to score points when their offense broke down.
"He's very athletic," Titans Coach Ray Braszo said of Slappy. "He's very good. And he and Tyler [Palko] have been together for some time. It is a combination that is tough to defend."
The Indians, despite having Slappy and Palko, are conservative on offense. And it is hard to argue with the results, especially considering they have won three WPIAL titles in the past four seasons.
But West Allegheny Coach Bob Palko is quick to point out that his team's success running the ball and controlling the line of scrimmage only enhances Slappy's ability to make big plays. He said patience is the key to Slappy's success.
"I know it is frustrating for him some days, but we're a running team, and he knows that," Palko said. "But the fact that teams have to respect our run first makes him that much more dangerous. It is a luxury that I have that a lot of coaches don't have. We know we can throw the ball and make plays with the passing game, but we also know we can play smashmouth as well."
Slappy's touchdown catches of 30 and 19 yards were important to the Indians, but his other catch probably was the game's key play.
With West Allegheny at its 20 and facing a third-and-10 with less than a minute to play in the first half, Tyler Palko dropped back and hit Slappy on a short crossing pattern. Slappy turned it upfield and ran 63 yards to West Mifflin's 17.
Two plays later, Palko hit Chris Leonard with a 13-yard touchdown pass to tie the score.
"That play was huge for us because we were kind of on our heels," said Tyler Palko. "I think that scoring right before the half was important because it gave us momentum. But that is what a game-breaking player like Joe will do for you. When things aren't going well and you need a lift, it is nice to be able to make those big strikes and get some energy on your side."
"All I wanted to do on that play was get the first down, but then I looked up and noticed I had a chance to beat the guys who were following me and I made a few moves and went," Slappy said. "Those are the kind of plays I like to make."
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