For the past eighteen years, Norwin’s football team has not had a playoff win. Their last WPIAL playoff win was in 2007. However, this season held a certain promise that hadn’t been seen in the program for years. This year, the Knights finished with an overall record of 7-4 (including the playoffs), and they were the #3 seed heading into the WPIAL Semifinal playoff game on Friday, Nov. 7, at North Allegheny.
Norwin’s playoff seeding depended on the outcome of their senior night game on October 24; if they lost, they would’ve fallen to the #4 seed and played Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the first round. However, after their 14-7 senior night victory over Mt. Lebanon, the Knights were led by Homecoming king Jake Knight and running back Giovanni Rothrauff, the Norwin Knights clinched the #3 seed in the WPIAL playoffs, setting up the hyped playoff matchup against #2 North Allegheny.
Early in their season, on September 19, the Knights lost 17-20 at home to the North Allegheny Tigers. In their first matchup, the Knights led for the entire first half, but came up short in the end. Norwin struggled with turnovers and special teams errors late, contributing to their loss.
“We mainly lost the last game because of the mistakes we made,” said senior WR Micheal Defazio. “This time, it’s about doing our job that leads to a good outcome for us.”
The experience of losing to this team in the past gave Norwin extra motivation going into their playoff game. Despite NA’s 5-year streak of appearing in the WPIAL championship, Norwin players, coaches, and fans truly believed in their abilities.
However, shortly before the WPIAL playoffs began, senior Norwin offensive lineman Lucas Altier had his season cut short by a sudden medical issue. Altier was a valuable piece of the offensive line.
“Losing such a key member of the line was very difficult,” said senior OL Patrick Schmook. “However, we didn’t let it affect us… He was an anchor on our offensive line and a key part of our success throughout the regular season, but, fortunately for the team, we have a lot of depth at the tackle position.”
However, the playoffs quickly fell out of reach for the Knights. In the first round, Norwin’s defense could not keep up with NA’s electric offense, which gained 254 rushing yards to Norwin’s 121. Excessive penalties, including a touchdown by WR Jake Knight, which was overturned, ultimately led to the Knights’ 17-35 loss to the Tigers.
”I think that our defense and offense fell out of rhythm in the second half. We struggled to tackle and stop the run, and our offense struggled to move the ball,” said Schmook. “We also had penalties that cost us at key moments. Our defense and offensive line were the strong points of our team all season, but in the game, we couldn’t execute the way we usually do.”
Norwin’s defeat marked the end for Norwin’s seniors, who have given years of their lives to this football program. This season was their first winning season in high school.
Earlier in the season, Head Coach Mike Brown said, “They [Knights football team] play for one another and have the WE not ME mentality. They work extremely hard, and it’s awesome to see their hard work pay off.”
Mike Brown was named the Big 56 Coach of the Year for his incredible job leading Norwin to victory this season.
“The coach of the year award is an honor. The coaches we have in our conference are top notch and to earn their respect is again an honor,” said Brown. “But this award is a program award. Without the players, administration, coaching staff, and training staff this award isn’t possible. All the credit goes to them because without everyone all together as one unit, our success does not happen. I am very grateful to be a part of a great school and program.”
This season, eight Norwin players made the Big 56 All-Conference teams, including LB Josh Lenart, WR/CB Jake Knight, QB Tristyn Tavares, RB Giovanni Rothruaff, and P Evan Pfeifer, all earned first-team honors. OL Patrick Schmook, WR Micheal Defazio, and DB Zack Pawling made the second team.
RB Giovanni Rothruaff rushed for 1586 yards this season, setting a new Norwin High School single-season record. He dethroned Aron Natale, the Norwin running back who ran for 1585 yards 30 years ago in 1995.
The underclassmen of Norwin football are next in line to carry the torch and lead the Knights to a WPIAL championship in the coming years. Junior defensive players Santino Brasco and Maxsym Fierle have seen success in an increased role this year, which they hope to improve next season.
“The seniors set a standard that we as underclassmen have to uphold to continue the success with this football program,” said Brasco. “We have to keep the same work ethic and continue to improve as we get ready for next season.”
