Jeff Joyce

Baldwin

Last week: Joyce, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior quarterback in Baldwin's triple-option offense, rushed for a school-record 332 yards on 10 carries in a 63-28 victory against Seneca Valley.

Check this out: Joyce is the first WPIAL player to rush for more than 300 yards in a game this season. The 63 points also was a school record. Joyce, who also plays baseball, has 406 yards rushing for the season.

Over 300 yards rushing. What happened? Our line was opening big holes. My little sister could've run through all of those holes.

Did you have any idea you had that many yards? No, not until I was sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter. Then they said it over the loud speaker. I just sat there in amazement.

On Fridays during football season, what do you do after school? I usually come and have something nice to eat, around 3 or 3:30. Then I always go to St. Sylvester Church [in Brentwood] and say a prayer before the game.

People might be surprised to know that you ... ? I used to be a real geek in elementary school. I used to wear overalls to school all the time.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? As a school teacher and a football coach, with a family.

-- By Mike White

Mallory Schaffer

Hampton

Last week: Schaffer, a center midfielder/forward, scored a goal Sept. 16 in a victory against Mars, her 16th of the season. The Talbots, No. 3 in the Post-Gazette's WPIAL Class AAA girls' soccer rankings, were 10-2 overall, 6-0 in Section 7 and on a 10-game winning streak heading into a section match last night at Knoch.

Check this out: A junior and a three-year starter, Schaffer has been an offensive force for a team that had allowed four goals in its first 12 matches. Schaffer, who stands 5 feet 8, also is a starting forward/guard in basketball. She is an honor student who may follow family tradition and major in pre-medicine. Her father, Ted, is a family physician and her brother, Matthew, is in his second year of medical school at the University of Virginia.

How do you react to someone who says soccer is boring? Some people don't truly appreciate the game. It's an honor to score. Probably the reason people think it's boring is there isn't much scoring.

What has been your signature moment as a player? Upsetting Peters Township in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs last year. We got to the [WPIAL] semifinals and the [PIAA] quarters.

Bigger nightmare to drive: Route 8 or McKnight Road? I'd say McKnight. Neither is much fun.

What is your favorite dessert? Dirt pudding.

People might be surprised to know that you ...? I play in the band [French horn].

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, living the good life.

-- By Rick Shrum