Won the WPIAL Class AAA championship with a win over Blackhawk, 12-6, at Three Rivers Stadium. It avenged a loss to the Cougars from the previous season.
During a 10-0 regular season, the Highlanders outscored their opponents by an average of 27.8 to 8.3 with three shutouts.
McGuffey capped its 3-0 run in the WPIAL playoffs by avenging the 1993 title game loss with a 12-6 victory over Blackhawk in Three Rivers Stadium, denying the Cougars a fourth straight WPIAL championship.
The Highlanders advanced to their second straight WPIAL championship game following playoff victories over Hampton (26-7) and Belle Vernon (20-13).
The team’s head coach was Frank Sworden, a 2009 inductee into the Washington-Greene Co. Chapter Hall of Fame. His staff included his brother, the late Mickey Sworden,
Rick Barlow, Mike Malesic, and the late Rudy Johnson.
The Highlanders opened the season with consecutive shutouts over Canon-McMillan (14-0) and Brownsville (40-0). Victories over Mt. Pleasant (41-21), Peters Township (21-7) and South Park (37-14) followed. McGuffey posted wins over West Mifflin (28-13), Keystone Oaks (24-9) and Chartiers Valley (14-0) before gaining a pivotal, 7-6, decision over Thomas Jefferson and a regular-season finale romp over Waynesburg (52-14).
In 1993, McGuffey was fueled by running back Jason Barr, one of the most prolific rushers in WPIAL history and a one of the greatest Highlanders’ players ever. The 1994 team had to overcome the loss of Barr and did it with a host of players, including brothers’ Jason (running back) and quarterback Jared Johnson, fullback Brett Shriver, and running back Bobby Wagner.
McGuffey opened the WPIAL playoffs with a, 26-7, victory over Hampton at home in the Class AAA playoffs. The Highlanders followed with a come-from-behind, 20-13, decision over Belle Vernon at Wash High Stadium in the semifinals.
While the Highlanders lost to Sharon in the PIAA semifinals, it could not take away from a wonderful season, 13-1 record and a lifetime of memories.
