A-K Valley football players to watch in 2023 Week 8

By: Michael Love
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 8:40 PM

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Player of the week

Carlo Buzzatto

Riverview, Sr., RB/LB

The Raiders didn’t score a home win against rival Leechburg last Saturday, but they witnessed an all-time performance by their standout senior running back last week. Buzzatto finished the game with 36 carries for 418 yards and touchdown runs of 69, 69 and 36 yards in a 29-28 loss to the Blue Devils. Riverview rallied from a 29-14 deficit in the fourth quarter. A 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful after Buzzatto’s 36-yard touchdown scamper drew the Raiders within one. The 418 yards is a single-game school record for rushing yards. Through eight games, Buzzatto has 1,438 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 149 attempts.

Players to watch

Lucas Gamble

Leechburg, Jr., HB/DE

Blue Devils coach Randy Walters calls Gamble one of his most consistent defensive players. The two-year starting defensive end made an impact Saturday in Leechburg’s one-point victory at Riverview, which put the Blue Devils one step closer to securing a WPIAL playoff berth for the third year in a row. Gamble owns 15 sacks and has 11 other tackles for a loss. Leechburg (5-3, 3-2 Eastern Conference) visits nonconference Shenango on Friday.

Wayne Love

Deer Lakes, Sr., WR/DE

Love has been a key piece of the passing game for the Lancers throughout the season. He recorded three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s close loss to East Allegheny. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior has been a favorite target of quarterback Derek Burk with team bests of 25 receptions, 522 yards and seven touchdowns. Deer Lakes hopes to strengthen its playoff chances this week at Shady Side Academy.

Karter Schrock

Apollo-Ridge, Sr., QB/DB

The Vikings snapped a six-game losing streak, and stayed in WPIAL playoff contention in the Allegheny Conference with a 48-20 victory over Yough last Friday. Schrock was a big part of the team’s success as the heart-and-soul senior went 10 of 13 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns and added 123 yards and two scores on 19 carries. He also was the co-leader in tackles with seven, recovered a fumble and averaged 35 yards on two punt returns.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Deer Lakes, Leechburg, Riverview