Bus Mishap Gives Defending Pittsburgh City Champion an Early Test

PENN HILLS, Pa. - USO head football coach Lou Berry anticipated challenges when his team scrimmaged Penn Hills Saturday afternoon at Yuhas-McGinley Stadium. The program’s need for problem solving started about a block away from University Prep High School.

Mechanical Issue Delayed USO's Arrival

The Wildcats' bus developed a mechanical problem ith the loss of power steering fluid, forcing the team to scramble for another ride.

“It was no fault of the bus driver, but it started leaking and next thing we know we couldn’t move,” Berry said.

For a team Berry knows will have to grow up quickly if it wants to repeat as City League champion, the afternoon provided an unexpected early lesson in responding to adversity. After a shortened warmup period, the Indians pounced on the Wildcats, producing a 65-yard touchdown run from Doryan Peay on their first play from scrimmage.

USO settled in from there, keeping a young Penn Hills team out of the end zone. Wildcats linebacker Me’laun Stamper, who has offers from Western Carolina, Ball State and Slippery Rock, was proud of how they rallied.

“It was a slow start,” Stamper said. “The bus situation was some adversity we came back from. After that one little messed up play, it skyrocketed from there. We just did our jobs.”

USO is eager for its season opener next Friday when it hosts Bishop Canevin at the Wolvarena.

Penn Hills USO football City League PIAA — USO's Me'laun Stamper wraps up a Penn Hills running back during a scrimmage on Aug. 22, 2026 at Yuhas-McGinley Stadium. | Josh Rizzo

USO Goes From Hunter to Hunted

The Wildcats, who finished 7-3 last season, won their first City League championship since 2016 and fourth overall by halting Westinghouse’s three-year reign last fall. When USO beat the Bulldogs to end the regular season, it snapped Westinghouse’s 27-game winning streak against City opponents.

The Wildcats will benefit by having an experienced quarterback, Dai’Mere Adair, return. He will be in his third season under center.

During the Wildcats’ 34-24 loss to Clearfield in the PIAA Class 4A regional playoffs in 2024, Adair passed for 349 yards and threw two touchdowns. Clearfield also knocked USO out of the regional playoffs last season, picking up a 14-0 win at Brookville.

Adair said entering the season as defending City League champions has given the Wildcats confidence.

“We have a young team, so we have to work hard to get back to where we were. Our line is very young, so we need a lot of confidence.”

Playmakers Surround Veteran QB Dai'Mere Adair

Brayden Clark, who has an offer from Western Carolina, caught a touchdown pass and intercepted another against Penn Hills. USO leaned on its defense in City League play last season.

In six games against City League opponents, including the playoffs, the Wildcats allowed 33 points, including shutouts of Perry and Westinghouse.

“Our coaches helped us a lot,” Clark said. “We just have to keep working harder.”

Amir Pollard, who has offers from Florida State, Hawaii, Ball State and California among others, will play defensive back for the Wildcats.

Pollard said he started speed training three years ago to make improvements. He just started playing 7-on-7 during the past season.

“I feel like (speed training) helped me a lot,” Pollard said. “It makes you faster and it helps you mentally when you want to stop, it helps you keep going. It’s all a mental thing.”

A 40-Player Roster Creates Challenges

Berry said the Wildcats have 40 players out for the program. He said while many of USO’s players will go both ways, the Wildcats are attempting to lay the foundation for the future.

The Wildcats will have stiff competition from Westinghouse to try and stay on top in the City League.

“I thought it was a positive experience for a lot of our kids because a number of them played sandlot football last year,” Berry said. “Their first taste of competition at the high school level occurred earlier today and I thought for the most part they were able to hold their own.”

- Josh Rizzo | rizzo42789@gmail.com| @J_oshrizzo

Add us as a preferred source on Google