Through the Years: Apollo-Ridge earned 2nd playoff win in ’14

By: George Guido
Thursday, October 31, 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 history.

Jonah Casella ran for four touchdowns, and Tre Tipton and Duane Brown added two more each as Apollo-Ridge won its second WPIAL playoff game 58-40 over Beaver Falls on Oct. 31, 2014. The Vikings’ first playoff victory was 38-14 over Jefferson-Morgan in 2007.

100 years ago

• Parnassus dashed Har-Brack’s dreams of an undefeated season in its first year of existence by way of a 7-0 victory. Al Greinder’s 48-yard run in the third quarter proved to be the game-winner.

75 years ago

• Leechburg remained undefeated with a 20-18 victory over Tarentum as 7,000 fans jammed into Dreshar Stadium. Dom Garda’s 52-yard pass to Bernie Jack proved decisive.

• Weido Sacriponte scored both Arnold touchdowns — the second coming on a 70-yard interception return — in a 12-7 victory at Ford City.

60 years ago

• Kiski Area’s Phil (Jo-Jo) Booker raced 60 yards on the game’s first play from scrimmage, and the 7-0 Cavaliers were on their way to a 40-27 victory over Jeannette.

• In what was estimated to be the largest crowd in Arnold’s George Leslie Memorial Stadium history, 5,500 jammed into the venue to watch the Lions (7-0) stay alive in WPIAL title race with a 13-7 victory over Leechburg. John Henry Favors scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard burst late in the third period.

50 years ago

• Freeport clinched the AIC title with a 30-0 rout over Kittanning. Dan Leri and Jack Huth scored two touchdowns apiece for the Yellowjackets.

• Plum earned a tie for the Keystone Conference title with a 20-6 victory over Penn-Trafford. Mark Pupilli scored two Mustangs TDs.

40 years ago

• Valley finished the season on a high note with a 13-6 decision over Highlands behind Dave Brown’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Dave Horvat with 1 minute, 37 seconds left in the game.

• Joe Vita threw two touchdown passes, and Dennis DePellegrini intercepted two passes as Fox Chapel tuned up for the playoffs with a 40-14 victory over Seneca Valley.

25 years ago

• Valley took advantage of five Burrell turnovers in the second quarter and rolled to a 30-0 victory over the Bucs to tie Burrell and Pine-Richland for the Greater Allegheny Conference crown. Dom Girardi threw two TD passes, and Andre Burke scored two more on the ground.

• Riverview clinched its sixth consecutive WPIAL playoff berth with a 34-12 victory at Greensburg Central Catholic. Ryan Ohm scored on touchdown runs of 75 and 42 yards.

10 years ago

• Quinten Burdick and Jake Gard ran for three touchdowns each as Leechburg pounded Serra Catholic, 61-25.

Five years ago

• Kiski Area took an early, 10-point lead against Bethel Park in an opening-round Class 5A playoff road game, but the Black Hawks came roaring back and posted a 45-16 victory.

Editor’s note: This story and headline were updated to reflect Apollo-Ridge’s first playoff victory in 2007.

Tags: Burrell, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Valley