A-K Valley high school football matchups for 2023 Week 7

By: Bill Hartlep
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | 5:53 PM

Class 5A Big East Conference

Penn-Trafford (3-4, 2-1) at Plum (2-5, 0-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Mustangs Stadium, Plum Borough

Last week: Gateway 31, Penn-Trafford 27; South Fayette 24, Plum 13

Last year’s meeting: Penn-Trafford 35, Plum 21

The Warriors try to rebound after a hard-fought loss to Gateway while Plum chases its first conference win. … The Warriors offense is starting to click behind the running of Tasso Whipple, who scored three times against the Gators, and Ben Grabowski. … The Mustangs average more than 21 points but allow more than 29 points per game. Still, they are a dangerous team that can’t be taken lightly despite losing five consecutive games. The Warriors must be weary of Darian Nelson, who has scored eight touchdowns, and Nick Odom, who has scored six times.

Class 5A Northeast Conference

Fox Chapel (0-7, 0-3) at No. 4 Woodland Hills (5-2, 2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, The Wolvarena, Turtle Creek

Last week: Penn Hills 61, Fox Chapel 0; Woodland Hills 41, Highlands 10

Last year’s result: Woodland Hills 43, Fox Chapel 14

Fox Chapel will try to snap an 18-game losing streak, and Woodland Hills is riding four straight victories after a 1-2 start. … Tyrese Samuels saw the bulk of the carries last week for the Foxes, who had trouble maintaining drives against the powerhouse Indians. Joe Geller and Nathan Johnson split QB duties. … Zykir Moore scored on a pair of short TD runs last week and also on a blocked punt return. QB Cam Walter threw for 173 yards and three TDs, including one to standout sophomore WR Scoop Smith, who has caught 38 passes for 715 yards and 13 TDs this season.

Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference

Kiski Area (2-5, 1-3) at Highlands (4-3, 1-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Golden Rams Stadium, Natrona Heights

Last week: Mars 56, Kiski Area 14; Woodland Hills 41, Highlands 10

Last year’s result: Highlands 56, Kiski Area 7

Both teams remain in the hunt for a playoff berth in the Greater Allegheny Conference, but each week will be crucial the rest of the way. … Kiski Area will rely on a balanced attack behind QB Carson Heinle, who threw for 129 yards and two TDs last week, and running back Landon Kucic, who had 79 rushing yards. The Cavaliers lead the all-time series 10-8. … Highlands has lost two straight games and three of four after a 3-0 start. Dual-threat QB Menage Lucas threw for 40 yards and ran for 67 yards and a TD last week.

Class 3A Allegheny 6 Conference

Deer Lakes (5-2, 1-1) at East Allegheny (5-2, 2-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Churchman Stadium, North Versailles

Last week: Deer Lakes 39, Valley 6; East Allegheny 28, Freeport 7

Last year’s result: East Allegheny 42, Deer Lakes 7

Turnovers and penalties will play key roles, as these teams are evenly matched, with East Allegheny averaging 31.0 points and allowing 19.42, while Deer Lakes scores 31.42 and allows 13.71. … Deer Lakes got off to a strong start with an 81-yard kickoff return for a score by Zach Grant last week. Zier Williams ran for 65 yards and a TD. Wayne Love caught four passes for 94 yards and a score. … QB Michael Cahill shined for East Allegheny last week, throwing for 266 yards and three TDs, all to Brennan Rutledge. The Wildcats are riding a four-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 153-39 in that span.

Shady Side Academy (4-3, 1-1) at Valley (2-5, 0-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, New Kensington

Last week: Shady Side Academy forfeited to Knoch; Deer Lakes 39, Valley 6

Last year’s result: Shady Side Academy 30, Valley 0

Valley is looking for a bounce back after two consecutive losses, while Shady Side Academy hopes to get back on the field after forfeiting to Knoch last week when several players became ill the day before the game. … The Bulldogs have won six straight in this series. They are led by QB Devin Harris, who threw for 180 yards and two scores against Freeport two weeks ago. … Valley has lost four of its past five games. Chuck Perkins scored on an 11-yard run for the Vikings’ points last week.

Class 2A Allegheny Conference

Burrell (4-3, 3-1) at No. 2 Steel Valley (5-1, 4-0)

7 p.m. Friday, Campbell Stadium, Munhall

Last week: Burrell 33, Ligonier Valley 13; Steel Valley 38, Derry 0

Last year’s result: Steel Valley 48, Burrell 0

The top two teams in the Allegheny Conference will square off with playoff positioning in the balance. … The Ironmen average 32.33 points and allow just 7.66, among the best defenses in the WPIAL. RB Donald Barksdale leads the offensive attack. He ran for 123 yards and two scores last week. … Burrell ran for 387 yards and five touchdowns last week, including Devin Beattie’s 210 yards on 29 carries. It’s been a winning formula for the Bucs, who have won four of their past five games.

Yough (2-5, 1-3) at Apollo-Ridge (1-6, 0-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Owens Field, Apollo

Last week: Serra Catholic 40, Yough 12; Imani Christian 60, Apollo-Ridge 13

Last year’s result: Apollo-Ridge 26, Yough 13

Which team doesn’t want to finish last in the conference? … Yough appeared to be heading in the right direction after a 21-0 win over Ligonier Valley, but Serra Catholic roared back from a 6-0 deficit to flatten the Cougars, who gave up 357 passing yards and four touchdowns to Quadir Stribling. Mikey Nogy and Antonio Marra had TD runs in the loss. … Apollo-Ridge has dropped six straight after a season-opening win over Leechburg. The Vikings are giving up 37.3 points. Karter Schrock is a playmaker to key on.

Class A Eastern Conference

Springdale (1-6, 0-3) at Frazier (0-7, 0-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Frazier Stadium, Perryopolis

Last week: Clairton 65, Springdale 17; Greensburg Central Catholic 31, Frazier 8

Last year’s result: Frazier 25, Springdale 12

Both teams are winless in the Eastern Conference and in desperate need of a victory. … Springdale is allowing 44.42 points but hopes to improve that total against Frazier, which averages 9.0. QB Chase Weihrauch threw for 92 yards and two TDs to Colton Gent last week. Last season was the first meeting between these teams. … Frazier has lost nine straight games since last season’s win over Springdale on Oct. 14. The Commodores have allowed 43.28 points per game. QB Dailan McManus leads the Frazier offense.

Leechburg (4-3, 2-2) at Riverview (4-3, 1-2)

Noon Saturday, Riverside Park, Oakmont

Last week: Jeannette 37, Leechburg 31; Riverview 40, Summit Academy 18

Last year’s result: Leechburg 57, Riverview 12

Both teams are in the hunt for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, but very little room for error exists at this point in the season. … Leechburg won the past five meetings in the series. QB Jayden Floyd ran for two scores and threw for 244 yards in a shootout with Jeannette last week. … Riverview last beat the Blue Devils in 2017, taking that year’s season opener 16-0. Carlo Buzzato ran for 202 yards and two TDs, and Rocco Cecere completed 4 of 7 passes for 107 yards and two scores last week.

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Deer Lakes, East Allegheny, Fox Chapel, Frazier, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Shady Side Academy, Springdale, Steel Valley, Valley, Woodland Hills