Through the Years: 50 years ago, Johnny Martin starred for Valley

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 10, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Each week throughout the high school football season, the Valley News Dispatch will take a look at the players, coaches and events that shaped our scholastic legacy.

Valley won a key Foothills Conference home game Oct. 11, 1974, as the Vikings downed Greensburg Salem, 34-6. Johnny Martin scored three Valley touchdowns.

75 years ago

• On the same day hometown hero Joe Page got the save in the New York Yankees World Series-clinching victory over Brooklyn, Springdale edged Mars, 21-20. Page struck out Gil Hodges to win the Series, whereas Dave Ezatoff’s 7-yard run in the fourth quarter and Andrew Podhorchuk’s PAT gave the football team its win.

• Ken High won its first game in the post-Willie Thrower era with a 14-13 decision at Altoona. Dick Wolfe’s 2-yard TD run and an Ernie Michaels’ PAT kick secured the victory.

60 years ago

• Future Notre Dame and Steelers quarterback Terry Hanratty ran for two first-quarter touchdowns as Butler blew past Har-Brack, 47-0. The Golden Tornado was cheered on by 24 busloads of fans who made the trip to Natrona Heights.

• Kiski Area remained undefeated with a 14-7 victory over Hempfield behind touchdowns from Joe McCain and Phil (Jo Jo) Booker. McCain would later pioneer a scoping treatment that made repairing broken jaws easier and less invasive.

50 years ago

• In what was regarded as one of the school’s biggest wins to date, Plum upset Jeannette, 14-8. John Schmeck’s 14-yard pass to Chuck McMillan with 30 seconds left in the half proved to be the winner.

40 years ago

• Allen Schietroma scored three touchdowns and intercepted three passes as Deer Lakes knocked off Leechburg, 26-0.

• Riverview quarterback Chris Bosser tossed three TD passes as the Raiders blasted Avella, 40-0.

25 years ago

• Shady Side Academy’s 15-game Allegheny Conference winning streak was halted with a 26-14 loss at Mars. Brian Rinaman’s two touchdown passes propelled the Planets to a 20-0 halftime lead.

• It was a night of 31s at Buccaneer Stadium as Burrell’s No. 31, Brad Malaspina, caught two 31-yard touchdown passes from Tim Eckman in a 35-24 victory over Hampton.

10 years ago

• Springdale’s Eric Lovic batted away Monessen’s 2-point conversion pass with 2:22 left in the game to preserve a 14-12 Dynamos victory. Lovic earlier scored on an 11-yard pass from Daniel Frankskousky.

• With 7 seconds to go, an 18-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Falsetti to Zeke Walker lifted Ford City to a 34-27 victory at Deer Lakes.

Five years ago

• Burrell upset Freeport, 36-35 in overtime. Alex Arledge connected with Seth Fischbach to bring Burrell to within one before hooking up with Zach Miller for the winning 2-point conversion.

• Fox Chapel upset Mars, 30-28, behind Shane Susnak’s 258 passing yards, 131 of which were hauled in by receiver Khilee Patterson.

Tags: Armstrong, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Springdale, Valley