A-K Valley high school football matchups for 2023 Week 8

By: Bill Hartlep
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Class 5A Big East Conference

Plum (2-6, 0-4) at Hempfield (1-7, 0-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Spartan Stadium, Hempfield Township

Last week: Penn-Trafford 21, Plum 6; Franklin Regional 38, Hempfield 15

Last year’s result: Plum 34, Hempfield 21

With the playoffs out of the question, it’s time to play for pride. … Plum has spiraled after a 2-0 start, dropping six in a row. Last week was the Mustangs’ lowest scoring output of the season. Sean Franzi passed for 125 yards in the setback. … Hempfield has played close with teams early but has not been able to sustain momentum. Sophomore Dom Detruf threw for 220 yards and two TDs last week in his third start.

Class 4A Greater Allegheny Conference

Highlands (4-4, 1-3) at Armstrong (5-3, 2-2)

7 p.m. Friday, NexTier Stadium, Manor Township

Last week: Kiski Area 36, Highlands 21; Mars 38, Armstrong 0

Last year’s result: Armstrong 56, Highlands 35

Both teams are in need of conference victories to clinch a playoff berth. The River Hawks are in with two more wins. Highlands will need two wins and some help. … Armstrong’s offense, which averages 32.3 points, struggled to get going and was shut out by Mars last week. QB Jaydon Oliver threw for 103 yards and was picked off twice. Oliver is approaching 1,000 yards for the season after replacing injured starter Colt Sprankle. WR Ian Olsen has caught 45 passes for 712 yards. … Luke Bombalski ran for 122 yards and a TD last week for Highlands, which is trying to snap a three-game losing streak. The Golden Rams have been outscored 125-46.

Class 3A Allegheny 6 Conference

Deer Lakes (5-3, 1-2) at Shady Side Academy (5-3, 2-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Michael J. Farrell Stadium, Fox Chapel

Last week: East Allegheny 17, Deer Lakes 13; Shady Side Academy 43, Valley 14

Last year’s result: Shady Side Academy 20, Deer Lakes 0

Shady Side Academy can clinch a playoff berth with a win, but things are more complicated for Deer Lakes. The Lancers need two more wins or a win in Week 9 and a Freeport loss to Valley. … After losing a heartbreaker last week, the Lancers will try to rebound behind QB Derek Burk and RB Zier Williams. Burk threw for 108 yards and two scores last week with three interceptions. Williams ran for 91 yards on 18 carries. … The Bulldogs returned three interceptions for touchdowns last week in winning their third game in four weeks. The lone loss in that span was a forfeit because of illness by several players. Isaiah Beckham ran for two scores and returned one of those interceptions for a score. SSA leads series 15-8.

Valley (2-6, 0-3) at Freeport (2-6, 0-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Freeport Area Athletic Stadium, Sarver

Last week: Shady Side Academy 43, Valley 14; Knoch 19, Freeport 0

Last year’s result: Freeport 62, Valley 19

Despite being winless in the Allegheny 6 Conference, both teams remain alive for a playoff berth but need to win out. … Tristin Goodwin connected with Darnell Coaston on a 27-yard TD pass last week for Valley’s first-quarter score, but the Vikings couldn’t sustain the momentum. Valley leads the all-time series 10-7, and nine of the games have been decided by 10 points or less. … Drew Ross threw for 147 yards last week, but Freeport couldn’t find the end zone. The Yellowjackets are averaging 21.6 points and allowing 26.1 this season.

Class 2A Allegheny Conference

Apollo-Ridge (2-6, 1-4) at Serra Catholic (3-4, 3-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Eagle Stadium, McKeesport

Last week: Apollo-Ridge 48, Yough 20; Serra Catholic 47, Ligonier Valley 0

Last year’s result: Apollo-Ridge 43, Serra Catholic 36

Serra Catholic will clinch a playoff berth with a victory, whereas Apollo-Ridge needs to win out and get some help to qualify. … After a six-game losing streak, Apollo-Ridge bounced back last week with a convincing win. Karter Schrock threw for 167 yards and two scores and ran for 123 yards and two TDs. Spencer Sells added two TD runs, and Alex Wurmb ran for a TD and caught a touchdown pass. Jacob Pryor also caught two passes for 48 yards and a score. The Vikings lead the series 5-2. … Serra Catholic has won three straight games after starting 0-4 and has outscored opponents 114-24 the past three weeks. Quadir Stribling threw for 323 yards and five touchdowns last week, including two each to De’reon Washington and Jesere Young.

Derry (3-5, 2-3) at Burrell (4-4, 3-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Buccaneer Stadium, Lower Burrell

Last week: Imani Christian 45, Derry 7; Steel Valley 49, Burrell 14

Last year’s result: Burrell 30, Derry 8

With the top four teams in each 3A conference qualifying for the playoffs, this game carries plenty of meaning. Burrell is a game up on Derry for fourth place and can clinch with a win. … After winning two straight, Derry has dropped three in a row to the conference’s heavy hitters. … Derry fell behind 38-0 to Imani before Justin Papuga’s 49-yard interception return put the Trojans on he board. … Burrell was tied 7-7 with Steel Valley before the Ironmen took over last week’s game.

Class A Eastern Conference

Jeannette (6-2, 3-1) at Springdale (1-7, 0-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Veteran Memorial Stadium, Springdale

Last week: Frazier 20, Springdale 14; Greensburg Central Catholic 42, Jeannette 24

Last year’s meeting: Jeannette 35, Springdale 7

The Jayhawks have clinched a berth in the WPIAL playoffs. Now they look to rebound after a disappointing loss to rival Greensburg Central Catholic. Jeannette is led by senior quarterback Peyton Molter and senior running back Noah Sanders. Injuries on the defensive line hurt the Jayhawks against GCC. … Springdale is looking for its first conference win since it defeated Riverview on Oct. 30, 2021. Senior quarterback Chase Weihrauch has rushed for 492 yards and three touchdowns and has completed 53 of 130 passes for 834 yards 11 touchdowns.

Riverview (4-4, 1-3) at Greensburg Central Catholic (5-3, 3-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Greensburg Central Catholic Stadium, Greensburg

Last week: Leechburg 29, Riverview 28; Greensburg Central Catholic 42, Jeannette 24

Last year’s meeting: Greensburg Central Catholic 48, Riverview 0

A WPIAL playoff berth is on the line for both teams. Riverview, however, needs to defeat the Centurions and Springdale to qualify. Greensburg Central Catholic needs to defeat either the Raiders or Leechburg in Week 9 to clinch. … The Raiders are led by running back Carlo Buzzatto with 1,506 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. … GCC is led by quarterback Tyree Turner and wide receiver Samir Crosby. Each has scored 11 touchdowns.

Nonconference

Kiski Area (3-5) at Fox Chapel (0-8)

7 p.m. Friday, James Burk Complex, O’Hara Township

Last week: Kiski Area 36, Highlands 21; Woodland Hills 42, Fox Chapel 7

Last year’s result: Kiski Area 50, Fox Chapel 13

Kiski Area looks to maintain momentum after a key win last week. The Cavaliers can clinch a playoff berth with a win in Week 9 and one more win by Hampton and North Catholic. … Carson Heinle shined last week, throwing for 213 yards and three touchdowns, and Landon Kucic ran for two scores for the Cavaliers. Terry Martin caught five passes for 147 yards and a TD. Kiski Area leads the all-time series 15-11. … Adrian Valdez ran for a 3-yard TD last week for the Foxes, who are trying to snap a 19-game losing streak. They will wrap up the season against Shaler next week.

Leechburg (5-3) at Shenango (4-4)

7 p.m. Friday, Glenn “Pop” Johnston Stadium, New Castle

Last week: Leechburg 29, Riverview 28; Shenango 37, Summit Academy 8

Last year’s result: Leechburg 42, Shenango 35

Despite playing a nonconference game, Leechburg can clinch a third straight playoff berth for the first time in school history if Greensburg Central Catholic beats Riverview. … The Blue Devils held off a furious Riverview rally Saturday to stay in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Jayden Floyd threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 98 yards and a score. Tristan Zalenski caught an 87-yard TD pass. … Shenango bounced back from a two-game skid last week with a commanding win over Summit. Connor Sheirer ran for two scores, and Colton Fedrizzi had four catches for 98 yards and three TDs. The Wildcats, who are averaging 17.8 points while allowing 25.2, remain alive for a playoff berth.

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, Armstrong, Burrell, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Highlands, Kiski Area, Leechburg, Plum, Riverview, Serra Catholic, Shady Side Academy, Shenango, Springdale, Valley