West Mifflin quarterback plays through pain of knee injury

There was no question that Joe Bytzura had his followers at West Mifflin, but this was ridiculous. It was the first play of his first game back, and there was Titans tackle Jason Lerro standing over him.

Lerro had chased the play so that he could be the first to reach down and help Bytzura to his feet. Lerro wanted to be sure Bytzura was all right. The West Mifflin quarterback assured Lerro that he was.

Even if his knee wasn't.

Bytzura had torn ligaments on the very same turf at Titans Stadium in Week 3, and was feared to be lost for the season. The Titans were devastated. There was a somber air in the locker room at halftime of their 21-0 win over Keystone Oaks and a missing magic to their offense the next three games.

Then Bytzura returned last week against Hopewell.

'He's a big leader,' said Lerro, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound senior offensive tackle/defensive end. 'When he gets out there, he brings a different feeling. He's one of those people that can rally you.'

West Mifflin knows its WPIAL championship hopes rest on Bytzura's tender knee, which explains why he is willing to risk further damage by playing on it when No. 3 West Allegheny (6-1, 4-1) visits the No. 5 Titans (6-1, 4-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a pivotal Big Seven Conference game.

'Not to be a part of this team eats at him,' West Mifflin coach Ray Braszo said. 'He likes the game and wants to play. And he's going to try this week.'

A 5-11, 165-pound senior, Bytzura brought a dynamic dimension to the Titans' offense. He was as dangerous on the run as he was by the throw. Bytzura had passed for 299 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 192 yards and two more scores in West Mifflin's wins over Brownsville and Blackhawk.

'Now, every time he runs or throws,' Lerro said, 'you've got it in the back of your mind whether it'll pop out.'

Bytzura returned for two quarters last week before his left knee buckled again, as West Mifflin lost both the game, 28-13, and its No. 1 ranking. Whether his knee can withstand the sharp cuts on the turf could determine how the Titans will fare in their rematch of the WPIAL Class AAA Championship game.

'That kid has a little swagger to him,' West Allegheny coach Bob Palko said. 'He's a tremendous athlete, but he brings more than athleticism to them. It adds a rallying point. He adds a new dimension because he runs so well.'

The Titans will need it. After winning their first four games by a combined 126-0, they have allowed 62 points in their past three games. Linemen Lerro (hamstring) and Luke Lippai (knee) also have battled injuries as West Mifflin prepares for back-to-back games against West Allegheny and Thomas Jefferson.

Junior Rich Belancik has filled in admirably at quarterback for the Titans, delivering passes to tight end Mike Pichura and receivers Laron Harvey and Andre Wiggins. In Bytzura's absence, however, the Titans have relied on a running game led by senior Brandon Nathan, who has rushed for 924 yards and 15 touchdowns, including an 88-yarder and a 40-yarder against Hopewell.

'We need to move the ball,' Braszo said. 'If we can keep it away from them as much as we can, we'll have a chance to beat them.'

West Mifflin learned the hard way in losses to West Allegheny last year. Indians quarterback Tyler Palko was a perfect 6 of 6 for 136 yards and three touchdowns in the 21-7 win in the WPIAL final. Palko is even more dangerous when the Indians flip-flop from their multiple-formation offense, which opens running room for Dave Hawkins and Dionte Henry, to a no-huddle, spread set that features receivers Joe Slappy, Mike Craig and Luke Palko.

'It took awhile to get that thing in gear,' Bob Palko said. 'We haven't scrapped anything. We can do both. We like that situation.'

What Palko doesn't like is West Mifflin's monstrous line. Aside from Lerro, the Titans feature Lippai (6-5, 225) and Frank Isenberg (6-2, 285) up front. They have a freshman phenom at defensive end in Kevin Garner, and a size advantage that makes West Allegheny uncomfortable.

'You're going against a different animal,' Palko said. 'They're big, fast and strong. That's a key for them. You have to look hard to find a weakness. They're the best line we've seen, without a doubt.'

West Mifflin is facing its greatest challenge, as well. The Titans know they need Bytzura, yet understand they can't lean too heavily on their quarterback for fear he could be lost for good. They want to prove they can play with West Allegheny without sacrificing any more players to do so.

'This is going to decide how we'll do in the playoffs,' Lerro said. 'We're going to see this team down the road, more than likely. Out of three years, we have our best chance to beat them. If everyone stays healthy, I think we're going to do it this year.'

Just don't be surprised if, on every play, he follows the leader.