Don't look for Mike Bashioum among the leading passers in the WPIAL this season and don't expect to see his name in the list of leading rushers.

But if there was a list for hard-nosed individuals, the Yough High School quarterback would certainly be on it. And he would be high on any roster of unsung heroes.

"He is certainly our unsung hero," Yough coach Jim Wehner said. "I was just telling the team that Saturday morning."

Bashioum played receiver last season for the Cougars, but was shifted to quarterback when Yough changed to the flexbone offense for this year.

For those not up on their offenses, the flexbone is a variation of the old wishbone offense and is a triple-option attack.

That means the quarterback has to be a slick ballhander, have the ability to read a defense quickly and be able to take punishment.

"We've got some good skill people, guys who can run," said Wehner, referring to running backs Ben Hoffer and Bob Bridge. Both had rushed for more than 500 yards through five games. "But in this offense you need a quarterback who makes the right reads to get them the ball.

"We decided to move Mike to quarterback because he's smart and he's done a great job for us."

Yough defeated Greensburg Salem, 36-27, last weekend in the Class AAA Keystone Conference, is 4-2 overall, 4-0 in the conference and already has secured a spot in the WPIAL playoffs.

The Cougars entertain Uniontown (4-2, 2-1) tomorrow night. If Yough wins, it will assure itself of at least a tie for the conference title.

With Uniontown, non-conference opponent Trinity (2-4) and winless Southmoreland left on the regular-season schedule, it's possible Yough could enter the postseason on a seven-game winning streak.

That's impressive considering the Cougars moved up to Class AAA from the Class AA Interstate Conference this season. Yough finished 3-6 in 2007, but was 8-2 in 2006 and made the WPIAL playoffs.

"We knew we'd be competitive this season and we would have been competitive in Class AA," Wehner said. "The only difference is the kids are much bigger in Class AAA. There's a lot more speed in Class AA."

But back to Bashioum.

He goes into every game knowing that he probably will be hit on every play, whether he is carrying the football or not. That's how defenses deal with triple-option quarterbacks ... hit them every play in the hopes they'll be out of it in the fourth quarter.

In other offenses, the quarterback hands the ball off and gets out of the way ... not in the flexbone.

"Yeah, he's getting hit all the time and having to make all the decisions out there," Wehner said. "We've talked about having a play where he doesn't have to make any decisions, just to give him a break."

Running back Jeff Scampone has received the lion's share of the attention on the Riverview team this season, and for good reason. He is the Raiders leading rusher.

Two Riverview players who have flown under the radar are receiver Brandon Seachrist, a sophomore, and lineman Cory Gregory, a junior.

"Brandon also plays outside linebacker for us and just does all those little things," Riverview coach Todd Massack said. "He really does a good job blocking on running plays and that's something fans don't always see."

Gregory plays guard and defensive tackle and is the guy the Raiders run behind when they need that tough yard.

"He's just nice and solid on both sides of the ball," Massack said.

Both will have to be at their best Saturday when Riverview (3-3, 3-1) entertains North Catholic (5-1, 3-1) at noon in a Class A Eastern Conference game at Riverside Park in Oakmont.

It is not that games are more important at this point of the season, it's just that they seem more important because the next victory might secure a spot in the playoffs.

With that in mind, here are some contests this week that have playoff implications.

Tomorrow night in the Class AAAA Foothills Conference Greater Latrobe (2-4 overall, 1-3 in the conference) is at Penn-Trafford (2-4, 2-2). It's a key game for Penn-Trafford if the Warriors want to make the playoffs.

Also in the Foothills, Gateway (6-0, 4-0) makes the long ride on Interstate 79 to Erie to take on talented McDowell (4-2, 3-1). Long bus rides have slowed many a team over the years.

In the Class AAA Greater Allegheny Franklin Regional (4-2, 1-1) travels to Highlands (6-0, 2-0) to try to end the Golden Rams' winning streak.

In the Class AA Allegheny Conference, Kittanning (3-3, 3-3) makes the short drive to Burrell (3-3, 3-3).

On Saturday, Valley (5-1, 5-1) plays at Shady Side Academy (6-0, 6-0) at 2:30 p.m. in the Allegheny Conference.