USC, Mt. Lebo Game Will Decide Conference Championship

's varsity football team will take on Mt. Lebanon in the regular season finale on Friday night and neither team will lack motivation.

The Panthers versus Blue Devils game is always the last of the year—when momentum heading into the playoffs is critical. The winner of the game will be the Great Southern Conference Champion.

In last year's game, USC entered the fourth quarter with a 10-0 lead and ended the game with a loss. Mt. Lebanon scored the final 14 points of the game thanks in part to a long Luke Hagy kickoff return setting up one touchdown and quarterback Pat Goff passing for another.

USC was eliminated in the second round of the 2010-11 playoffs following the loss and know that winning their 19th conference title in the past 31 years will be a great help to their playoff push this year.

"I think we're playing our best football of the year right now," said USC starting quarterback .

Conwell has accounted for 21 touchdowns this season—14 rushing touchdowns and seven touchdown passes. The Panthers will be going up against a stout defense led by Arthur and Max Goldberg whom have allowed only 31 points in league play. The Goldbergs have 15 tackles for losses, and six sacks on the season.

The Panther defense has made things pretty difficult for their league opponents; allowing only 14 points in league games. However, Mt. Lebanon's offense is by far the best unit the Panthers have faced in the Great Southern Conference.

Mt. Lebanon star running back Luke Hagy has rushed for 1,517 yards this season scoring 19 touchdowns. That accounts for 59 percent of the Blue Devils' offense.

USC has been particulary tough against the run, but Mt. Lebanon has a three-year starter at quarterback, Pat Goff, to offset the running game. Goff has two superb receivers, Dylan White and Dan Graziano, and USC's Ryan Boyd and will have to be at their best to keep the ball in front of them.

"I think Dakota's has been a very underrated quarterback this year," said USC head coach Jim Render.

This is the point in the season Conwell needs to take over and prove his coach right. He is fresh having only played the first half of the last two games and he's playing his best football of the season.

"We've been thinking about last year's loss for a full year now," Conwell said.

More than just a conference title is on the line Friday night. The game result will also play a big part in playoff seedings. USC is currently ranked third behind Central Catholic and North Allegheny—which is the only team to beat USC this season. Mt. Lebanon is ranked eighth due in large part to early season losses to Penn Trafford and Hopewell.

The Panthers have confidence with their vast amount of talent. The turnover bug was costly in their loss at , but they have dealt with that issue and have barely turned the ball over during the past month.

Staying away from turnovers and continuing to dominate special teams will be key in beating Mt. Lebanon. USC has blocked almost one punt every game this year and their return game has set up many scores. Keeping the Blue Devils from making their own big play—like Luke Hagy did in the fourth quarter last year with his 84-yard kickoff return—will be paramount.

Clearly the marquis matchup of the night, the game will air live on ROOT Sports at 7:30 p.m. The game will reair at midnight and on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcasted live on the radio on 93.7 The Fan.

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