M:7 Sports Scouting Report
Week 6 — Peters Township Indians vs. Moon Area Tigers
Friday 10/4/24, 7:00 p.m. Kickoff — Tiger Stadium — Moon Township, PA
What to Watch For:
Like most years, there’s once again talent aplenty in the WPIAL’s 5A classification this season, and for high school football fans, that means anything can happen on any given Friday. This week, a rematch of last year’s playoff semifinals has the scrappy, upset-minded Moon Tigers welcoming the defending WPIAL champs onto their home turf after an instant classic against Bethel Park last week. While Moon looks to turn the tables on the Indians after last year’s postseason loss, Peters Township looks to get back on track after a 21-7 road defeat to Upper St. Clair with a roster of seasoned, future Saturday players that have another trip to the North Shore in their sights. Both of these offenses are capable of running wild, but with impact players up front and in the secondary on defense, the key to victory may be which side is able to make stops and force turnovers. Either way, we could very well be expecting another rematch come playoff time.
Moon Area Tigers (Record 3-2; Head Coach Ryan Linn):
The road to success is always under construction, and on University Boulevard, Coach Linn’s squad has their hard hats and lunch pails at the ready looking to build on last year’s run to the WPIAL 5A semifinals and take Tigers football to new heights. Doing this in one of the area’s most competitive classifications is no easy task, but so far this season, the Tigers have shown they can hang with anybody. Exhibit A: their last three matchups where they’ve averaged 36+ points per game and bested traditional power West Allegheny in an I-376 showdown (32-24) before taking their show on the road with a statement win at Seneca Valley (42-13). Moon comes into this game having made some serious noise last week, coming up just short in what might have been the WPIAL game of the year — a 45-36 Bethel Park victory where the Tigers led by a field goal with less than three minutes to go against one of 5A’s most explosive teams. Look for them to build on that standout performance and utilize their talent at the skill positions to put points on the board.
Who to Watch For:
- Jayden Revis #2 (℅ 2026; WR/DB; 5’10” 160 lb.): Luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and when you watch Jayden, it’s clear that he puts in the work. Even in the shadows of Pittsburgh International Airport, opposing QBs would be smart to consider his side of the field a no-fly zone, thanks to his solid technique and fundamentally sound play at DB. While some might consider the family name and hall of fame legacy a burden, Jayden lives up to it, bringing shutdown coverage ability when receivers choose to visit his island and flashing big-play athleticism — just check out his Sportscenter-worthy INT which sealed Moon’s victory vs. West Allegheny, featuring a mid-air 360° spin. If you’re trying to take one to the house, you won’t get by him, as he shows the speed and awareness to reach opposing ballcarriers well downfield and limit the damage on big plays. Look for him to keep popping up in box scores this season and beyond and get more traction on the road to the next level.
- Jared Moyer #18 (℅ 2026; WR/LB; 5’11” 180 lb.): If you could only pick one word to describe Jared, that word could very well be relentless. On defense, he’s a high-motor rusher and sound tackler at LB who leaves blockers in his wake to cause havoc in the backfield, from racking up TFLs and pressures to using his hands to knockdown passes and get the ball on the ground. When his team has possession, he’s just as dangerous in the receiving game, whether he’s carving up the defense by making chunk plays on screen passes or quickly getting them on their heels as a bonafide deep ball threat. You can’t teach effort, and Jared brings it every time he steps on the field. You’ll be hearing his name on the broadcast without question.
Peters Township Indians (Record 5-1; Head Coach TJ Plack):
Halloween might still be a few weeks away, but it’s obvious to anyone watching that PT has one of the scariest teams in the state, with two of PA’s premier edge rushers lining up on each snap of the ball in SR Mickey Vaccarello and JR Reston Lehman. Coming off of a 15-1 season as the defending WPIAL 5A champs and the PIAA 5A runners-up, the Indians are no doubt looking to take care of some unfinished business this year, and without question, they have the athletes and experience needed for another postseason run. On offense, PT is equally as dangerous led by JR QB Nolan DiLucia, who had a debut for the ages last year racking up 3,000+ passing yards and 30 TDs in his first season under center. Prior to last week’s hiccup at Upper St. Clair, this group had outscored their last four opponents by a combined 143-13, including two shutouts against Mt. Lebanon and West Allegheny.
Who to Watch For:
- Mickey Vaccarello #10 (℅ 2025; OLB/TE; 6’4” 210 lb.): Earning 5A all-state honors on the way to last year’s title game, opposing teams will tell you first-hand that Mickey is devastating off the edge, with a track record of consistently getting by some of the top D1 OL talent in PA. He’s a true prototype OLB, possessing superior size and strength mixed with explosiveness off the snap and athleticism to rip and spin his way behind the line and get to the ball before the offense knows what hit them. A three-star recruit holding offers from Boston College and Syracuse among others, Mickey will be taking his talents to “The Farm” and Coach Troy Taylor’s up-and-coming Stanford Cardinal next season after committing in April. If he keeps performing at this level, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him make the jump from Saturdays in Palo Alto to Sundays in the pros before too long
- Reston Lehman #14 (℅ 2026; OLB/EDGE/TE; 6’4” 230 lb.): If you’re facing the Indians, things don’t get any easier at PT’s other OLB spot, because Reston is making a name for himself there this year. The WPIAL’s breakout prospect through the first part of the season, he’s picked up offers from Pitt, PSU, and WVU in just the last week, thanks to a highlight reel that speaks for itself. He’s the definition of a game-wrecker, possessing a 1-OAK combo of intimidating measurables to overpower opponents in the trenches, as well as the speed and agility to blow by linemen in pass rush, pursue the ball anywhere on the field, and also make plays in coverage or even as a receiver on offense. Not yet ranked as a prospect, his recruitment is certainly ready for takeoff and more offers are sure to come through the second half of the season and into next year. He’ll be a household name in no time.