Greensburg Salem hit the road Friday and kept its postseason hopes alive by defeating a Derry team that had squeaked past the Golden Lions a season ago.
The win, which snapped a three-game losing streak, was an emotional one for Greensburg Salem, which earlier in the week learned of the passing of assistant coach Rich Bowen.
“It was obviously a roller coaster of a week with the news of coach passing,” Greensburg Salem coach Ty George said. “It was really somber. To go out there and be able to play and get a win to honor him and his family, it meant a lot.”
Bowen, 60, died Tuesday following a battle with colon cancer. Bowen had been an offensive line coach at Greensburg Salem for two seasons and before that was a highly successful head coach at Serra Catholic, Elizabeth Forward, Yough and Hempfield. Bowen guided Serra to a WPIAL Class 1A title and PIAA runner-up finish in 2007.
George’s relationship with Bowen spanned more than a decade. George played quarterback for Bowen at Hempfield in 2012 and 2013. Upon graduating from college, George served on Bowen’s staff at Hempfield for two seasons. And when George took over at Greensburg Salem prior to the 2023 season, he hired his old head coach to be one of his assistants.
“I’m truly so fortunate,” George said. “No. 1, to get to play for him. He led us to some successful seasons at Hempfield. I was able to learn so much from him when I got into coaching. He taught me the ropes of an offense and how it works for a great offensive mind. And I learned how to run a program and how to lead young men.”
Greensburg Salem honored Bowen in several ways at Friday’s game, a 28-0 win at Derry. A decal was added to the back of the team’s helmets with Bowen’s last name, and a banner was created with Bowen’s picture on it that read “REST IN PEACE COACH BOWEN.” The team posed with the banner following the win.
“For as long as I’ve known him, he was so into Friday night lights. That was his life, Friday night football,” George explained. “It was such a big part of his life and his family’s life.”
George said that Bowen’s widow, Denise, attended Friday’s game.
Even with Bowen’s health deteriorating in recent months, he still found time to make it to practice a day or two a week early in the season, said George, adding that Bowen last attended a game in person Sept. 6 when the Golden Lions defeated Valley.
Bowen will be laid out Monday, and his funeral will be held Tuesday. George said the plan is for the entire team (there are 42 players on the roster) to attend Monday’s viewing following a shortened practice.
Greensburg Salem is still in contention for a playoff berth. The Golden Lions are 5-3 overall and 1-2 in the Class 3A Interstate Conference. They are trying to earn a playoff berth for the first time since 2018 and hoping to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2011. The program’s last postseason win came in 2000. The Golden Lions play at Yough (2-6, 0-3) Friday before hosting Southmoreland (7-1, 3-0) in the regular-season finale.
As the Golden Lions push for a playoff berth, you can bet that Bowen will serve as inspiration.
“He’s definitely a huge guiding force and motivation going forward,” George said. “It would be a great way to honor him and all he’s done for the program to get into the playoffs.”
TJ takes in USC-Bethel Park
What does a team do on a Friday night after its game unexpectedly gets called off? Easy. It takes in one of the top games of the night, not as players, but as fans.
Thomas Jefferson found itself in this predicament after learning Thursday that its game at Ringgold would be postponed. Ringgold superintendent Randall Skrinjorich released a statement that day saying that the game would not be played after the district “was made aware of alleged misconduct” that involved members of the football team.
So, quite a few Thomas Jefferson players, along with coach Bill Cherpak, attended Friday’s showdown at Bethel Park between the Black Hawks and Upper St. Clair. They were treated to a good game, too, as Upper St. Clair scored the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of its 14-10 win. Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park are two of the top teams in WPIAL Class 5A, while Thomas Jefferson is ranked No. 3 in Class 4A. The Jaguars will host Chartiers Valley on Friday.
By the way, Cherpak’s presence meant that two of the winningest coaches in WPIAL history were in attendance. Former Upper St. Clair coach Jim Render, who collected an all-time best 406 wins in his legendary career, was spotted in the Upper St. Clair cheering section. Cherpak is the active wins leader and ranks third overall with 316 wins.
Duke HC watches Gompers
Central Catholic’s Bradley Gompers committed to Duke in June, but interest in the standout senior linebacker has really picked up since then with the likes of Penn State and Ole Miss extending offers. Keeping Gompers committed is likely one of the focuses of Duke’s recruiting efforts right now, something that showed Friday when its head coach traveled to Western Pennsylvania.
Duke’s Manny Diaz attended Friday’s game between Central Catholic and host Norwin. Duke, which is 5-1 in what is Diaz’s first season, had an off week, which allowed Diaz to make an appearance at Gompers’ game. Gompers shined while playing in front of what could be his future coach, returning an interception 65 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of Central Catholic’s 59-13 win.
Cal offers while in town
California — the college version, not the one from the Tri-County South — landed in Pittsburgh on Thursday evening in preparation for its game Saturday against Pitt. While in town, the Bears offered scholarships to a few WPIAL players.
A West Coast team traveled East and offered a few kids from Central on Friday. The Cal Bears offered a trio of Central Catholic underclassmen — sophomore lineman Jimmy Kalis, sophomore defensive back Zach Gleason and freshman defensive back Chrys Black.
A day later, California lost to unbeaten Pitt, 17-15.
Brad is a sports writer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at beverett@unionprogress.com.