Football

Keystone Oaks coach Greg Perry on Friday’s game against Chartiers Valley: “For entertainment, the people who paid to get into that stadium got their five dollars’ worth.”

5 things we learned in Week 2 of H.S. football

September 11, 2021

Time inevitably erases memories from blowout games with lopsided scores, regardless of whether you’re on the winning or losing side.

Moon players celebrate after defeating Woodland Hills on Sept. 10, 2021, at the Wolvarena.

Trib HSSN high school football rankings: Sept. 12, 2021

Class 6A

Greensburg Salem’s Hayden Teska has completed passes to seven receivers so far this season.

Teska-Rubrecht connection working wonders for Greensburg Salem

When Greensburg Salem quarterback Hayden Teska has dropped back to pass this season, he’s connected with seven receivers through three games.

Ligonier Valley’s Nick Beitel runs behind Jude Grzywinski during a nonconference game against Elizabeth Forward earlier this season.

Westmoreland H.S. football notebook: Ligonier Valley finding home in WPIAL

Ligonier Valley might have a WPIAL membership like all of the other football teams in District 7. Member since: 2020.

Summit Academy gets ready to run the first play from scrimmage against Springdale on Sept. 11, 2021, at Steve Sherer Field.

Springdale dominates Summit Academy to stay unbeaten

After what has become a customary sluggish start for visiting teams at Summit Academy’s Steve Sherer Field, the Springdale Dynamos put it all together for a 26-point second quarter and cruised to a 40-14 victory Saturday afternoon.

Hampton coach Jacque DeMatteo said his skill players have taken on an unselfish “lineman attitude” this season.

Hampton football making noise with super start

On the bus ride home from their 51-13 victory at Fox Chapel on Sept. 3, the Hampton football players couldn’t play any music during their joyful postgame celebration.

Central Vallley’s Landon Alexander celebrates his first touchdown with assistant coach Shawn McCreary during the first quarter against Aliquippa on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at The Pit in Aliquippa.

2021 WPIAL statistical leaders for rushing, passing, receiving in Week 2

Top performers for Week 2 of high school football in Western Pennsylvania.

Defense steps up for Moon in shutout victory over Woodland Hills

September 10, 2021

When Moon needed it most, its defense came through.

Monessen’s Lorenzo Gardner looks to throw against Charleroi on Sept. 10, 2021, at Monessen.

Monessen beats Charleroi in ‘Battle of the Bridge,’ snaps long losing streak

Since arriving at Monessen, first-year football coach Wade Brown constantly has preached to his players that their time was coming.

Fans fill the stands as Central Valley and Pine-Richland compete in a nonconference football game Sept. 10, 2021, at Pine-Richland.

Central Catholic rallies from 28-7 deficit, pulls away from Pine-Richland

After a disappointing loss to Seneca Valley in the final moments last week, Pine-Richland was extra motivated to upset Class 6A No. 1 Central Catholic. Instead, the Vikings made sure the Rams were disappointed again.

Gateway players take the field before meeting Penn Hills on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

Gateway bounces back, rolls past Penn Hills

Gateway looked to send a message Friday night. By the end of a 41-13 road win over Penn Hills, it had done just that.

Thomas Jefferson and South Fayette players gather around the flag before the game Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

Thomas Jefferson controls line of scrimmage, blanks South Fayette

In his 26 years as coach at Thomas Jefferson, it always seems the one constant under Bill Cherpak is dominant play on the interior line. The 2021 edition of the Jaguars is no different, as they held an opponent to negative yards rushing for the second consecutive week and more than doubled up South Fayette in time of possession in a 27-0 win in their home opener.

The Apollo-Ridge band performs before the football team took on Greensburg Central Catholic on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.

Special teams fuel Greensburg Central Catholic to victory over Apollo-Ridge

Two special-teams touchdowns and a switch at quarterback in the second half propelled Greensburg Central Catholic to a 33-7 victory over Apollo-Ridge on Friday night at Owens Field.

Seneca Valley’s Brandon Ross takes it to the house against North Hills in the fourth quarter Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, at Martorelli Stadium.

Big plays from Ross help Seneca Valley get past North Hills

A week ago, Brandon Ross said Seneca Valley can’t win every game on the last play.

Norwin’s Dominic Barca (22) tackles Connellsville punter Ben Zavatchan in the end zone during Friday’s game at Connellsville Stadium.

Norwin blanks Connellsville in nonconference clash

Connellsville couldn’t have asked for a better start to Friday’s nonconference home game against Norwin. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the start was about the only thing that went their way as the Knights recovered from an early mistake and rolled to a 37-0 victory at Connellsville Stadium.

Aliquippa, Central Valley anticipate electric atmosphere as rivalry renews

The cement stands may be weathered, the grass field might be bumpy and the vintage light towers have rust, but few WPIAL football venues can match the atmosphere of a big crowd at historic Aschman Stadium in Aliquippa.