Penn-Trafford notebook: Special teams play key role for Warriors

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, October 20, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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When Penn-Trafford defeated Franklin Regional in a key WPIAL Class 5A Big East Conference game Oct. 11, the Warriors won a key phase of the game: special teams.

The Warriors blocked a punt that resulted in a safety and blocked a field goal. A muffed punt resulted in a touchdowns and numerous kickoff returns were key plays in the 26-10 victory.

Penn-Trafford coach John Ruane called it one of the ugliest wins he has seen in 15 seasons. But he praised his special teams, calling it one of the best.

The Warriors got two touchdown runs from Tasso Whipple, including a 29-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter to ice the win.

The Warriors were scheduled to finish the regular season with road games at Armstrong (Oct. 18) and Latrobe (Oct. 25).

P-T field hockey tied up

The Penn-Trafford field hockey team finished in third place in Class 2A behind Peters Township and Fox Chapel.

The Warriors had two ties — 0-0 against Fox Chapel and 2-2 against Upper St. Clair — before wrapping up the regular season against Peters Township on Oct. 17.

The Warriors were scheduled to face Fox Chapel in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

Penn-Trafford has won nine WPIAL titles, including the past eight in a row.

Williams headed to PIAAs

Junior Mia Williams hates to lose.

She wasn’t pleased after she dropped a hard-fought battle to Shady Side Academy sophomore Meriwether McCargo. 6-3. 4-6, 7-6 (5), in the WPIAL finals.

Williams has yet to place in the state meet and her goal in Hershey on Nov. 1-2 is to get past the quarterfinals.

A PIAA medal would erase the disappointment from winning her second WPIAL Class 3A silver medal. She was a WPIAL champion in 2022 and runner-up the past two seasons.

Soccer playoffs begin

The Penn-Trafford girls and boys soccer teams qualified for the WPIAL playoffs.

The girls (12-4) will host the winner of No. 6 Canon-McMillan (11-3-1) and No. 11 Hempfield (5-12) Oct. 24 at Warrior Stadium.

Penn-Trafford coach Jimmy Mastroianni said he’s excited to have a home game in the playoffs.

“Not having to travel is huge,” said Mastroianni, whose team is seeded third in Class 4A and has a bye into the quarterfinals. “It’s so special to have a playoff game in front of our home fans.”

The Penn-Trafford boys (10-5-1) were scheduled to play at No. 6 Mars (13-1-4) in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs Oct. 19.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

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